Colour Sgt Bourne

He was the last man to survive the battle of Rorkes Drift.

He died at the age of 90 on 9 May 1945.

For his bravery at Rorkes Drift he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for “outstanding coolness and courage” with a £10 annuity. The DCM, until 1993, was the second highest military decoration (after the Victoria Cross) awarded to other ranks of the British Army. At the time of the battle of Rorke’s Drift he was just 24 years old. He was offered a commission, but due to lack of family finances he declined it.

After Rorke’s Drift, Frank Bourne served in British India and Burma, being promoted to Quartermaster-Sergeant in 1884. In 1890 he was finally promoted to Honorary Lieutenant and was in 1893 was appointed as the Adjutant of the School of musketry in Hythe, eventually retiring as a Major in 1907.

During the First World War, he rejoined and served as adjutant of the School of Musketry in Dublin. At the end of the war, he was given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed OBE. He retired for the 2nd time in 1919, at the age of 64.

During the Second World War Bourne volunteered and served in the Home Guard.