Battle of Rorke's Drift close to defeating the much smaller garrison, but were ultimately repelled. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders, along with a number of other decorations and honours. Rorke's Drift, known as "kwaJimu" ("Jim's Land") in the Zulu language, was a mission station and the former trading post of James Rorke, an Irish merchant. It was located near a drift, or ford, on the Buffalo (Mzinyathi) River, which at the time formed the border between the British colony of Natal and the Zulu Kingdom. On 9 January 1879, the British No. 3 (Centre) Column, under Lord Chelmsford, arrived and encamped
Joseph Rorke married Susan Donaldson in 1867 and was named a notary public that same year. He served in the local militia, first as captain and then lieutenant. Rorke was reeve for Collingwood from 1873 to 1878 and served as warden for Grey County in 1876. He was a member of the board of directors for the North Grey and Northern Extension Railways. He was a district and county master for the Orange Lodge and a member of the Freemasons. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the provincial legislature in 1879. In 1888, he married Jennie Morton after the death of