Irish soldier’s Zulu war medal goes under hammer

THE medal awarded to Cork-born Private Michael Minihan — one of the defenders of Rorke’s Drift mission station during the Zulu War in 1879 — comes up at auction in London on December 8.

He was one of 16 Irishmen known to be among the 150- strong British garrison which fought off an attack by up to 4,000 Zulu warriors.

The 1964 film Zulu was based on this battle, regarded as one of the most epic defences in military history. No less than 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded for the defence of the mission station — the former trading post of Irish merchant James Rorke.