George Smith (chaplain) George Smith (chaplain) 'Padre' George Smith (8 January 1845 – 26/27 November 1918), Army Chaplain, was a defender of Rorke's Drift during the Zulu War of 1879, an action which saw the winning of eleven Victoria Crosses. Born in Docking in Norfolk in 1845, 'Padre' George Smith served as a missionary in South Africa from 1870. However, he is best remembered for his part in the famous defence of Rorke's Drift during the Zulu War of 1877–79 which won him the praise of several officers involved in that action in their reports. As an assistant army chaplain, and therefore a
90th Regiment of Foot (Perthshire Volunteers) 1854 and saw action at the Siege of Sevastopol in winter 1854. The regiment returned to England in June 1856 but then embarked for India in February 1857 to help suppress the Indian Rebellion. It took part in the relief of Lucknow in November 1857, an action which saw members of the regiment awarded six Victoria Crosses. The regiment embarked for home in September 1869. The regiment embarked for the Cape Colony in January 1878 and fought in the Ninth Xhosa War later that year. It also saw action at the Battle of Kambula in March 1879 and the Battle