The
Telegraph has the story of an attempt to restore the reputation of Private Henry Hook, portrayed as a shirker in the classic movie (and one of Rico's favorites)
Zulu: In the 1964 film, Private Hook, played by James Booth, was shown becoming a reluctant hero by saving the lives of eight patients stranded at an Army hospital during the Zulu war in 1879. That much was true - but far from being a cowardly, drink-soaked malingerer, Private Hook's posthumous supporters are insisting, he was a teetotal lay preacher and was given a bonus for good conduct shortly before his heroics. Major Tim Whedon, from the Royal Regiment of Wales, which incorporated Private Hook's old regiment, said: "Henry Hook is an example of how a character was distorted to attract the film-goers when the story was captivating enough. As a regiment we would like to do what we can in helping to see that he is honoured in a fitting way."
The campaign has restored a memorial to Private Hook at his grave, which had fallen into disrepair since the 1960s. Previously illegible, its inscription reads: "If our time is come let us die manfully for our brethren's sake, and not have a cause for reproach against our glory." An official commemoration ceremony at the grave in Churcham, Gloucestershire, is set to take place next year.
For Alfred Henry Hook's own account of what happened at Rorke's Drift, go
here.
The Telegraph has the story of an attempt to restore the reputation of Private Henry Hook, portrayed as a shirker in the classic movie (and one of Rico's favorites) Zulu: In the 1964 film, Private Hook, played by James Booth, was shown becoming a reluctant hero by saving the lives of eight patients stranded at an Army hospital during the Zulu war in 1879. That much was true - but far from being a cowardly, drink-soaked malingerer, Private Hook's posthumous supporters are insisting, he was a teetotal lay preacher and was given a bonus for good conduct shortly before his heroics. Major Tim Whedon, from the Royal Regiment of Wales, which incorporated Private Hook's old regiment, said: "Henry Hook is an example of how a character was distorted to attract the film-goers when the story was captivating enough. As a regiment we would like to do what we can in helping to see that he is honoured in a fitting way."
The campaign has restored a memorial to Private Hook at his grave, which had fallen into disrepair since the 1960s. Previously illegible, its inscription reads: "If our time is come let us die manfully for our brethren's sake, and not have a cause for reproach against our glory." An official commemoration ceremony at the grave in Churcham, Gloucestershire, is set to take place next year.
For Alfred Henry Hook's own account of what happened at Rorke's Drift, go here.
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