This church stands next to the building where the battle of Rorke's Drift was fought. Here, 150 soldiers held off the 4,000 Zulus for a night. They piled British biscuit and mealie bags and fired their rifles from behind this impromptu stockade. With incredible heroism, they rescued their wounded comrades from the nearby building (the building was serving as a hospital).
With equal heroism, the soldiers refused to allow the flag of their regiment to be captured. They rode through Zulu warriors holding the flag, and swam through a raging river in an attempt to save it, and ultimately, saved it was. Soldier after soldier sacrificed his life to save the lives, or attempt to save the lives, of comrades who had fallen behind in the quest for safety. They were equally willing to risk their lives to save the flag of their regiment, which represented the honor of enlisted men and officers alike.