main content Frank Bourne (1855-1945)

16 Kings Hall Road, Beckenham, Kent

Frank Edward Bourne was a man of his time, an Englishman who held dearly to Queen and Country. The attributes of honour, loyalty, bravery, dedication and self sacrifice were part of Frank Bourne's nature and these are also what he endeavoured to instil into those he commanded from a corporal to that of Lieutenant Colonel.

Frank was born in Balcombe, Sussex in 1854. He enlisted into the army on 18th December 1872 at the age of 18 years and 8 months. Frank was not a tall man, being only 5`6" in height, but what he lacked in physical height he made up for with courage and determination. Within three years of enlisting he was made Corporal and three years later promoted to Colour Sergeant. At the age of 24 this young Colour Sergeant was the most senior Non Commissioned Officer at Rorke`s Drift. The resemblance between the action Nigel Green, who portrayed Colour Sergeant, Frank Bourne in the film ZULU, and the real Frank Bourne could not have been more dissimilar. While Nigel was tall and of mature years, Frank Bourne was young and small in stature.

The battle of Rorke`s Drift took place in January 1879. This resulted in Frank being awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal. After Rorke`s Drift Frank was offered an immediate commission, which he declined.

Frank Bourne went on to serve in India and Burma. He was commissioned as a Quartermaster in 1890. In 1893 he was promoted Adjutant of the School of Musketry at Hythe. He retired from the Army in 1907. During the First World War, when 60 years of age, he rejoined the forces to become Adjutant of the School of Musketry in Dublin.

At the end of the First World War, he was given the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed OBE.

Frank Bourne died on VE Day, 8th May 1945 at the age of 90, he is buried with his wife Eliza in the Elmers End Cemetery. Frank was the last defender of Rorke`s Drift to die.