Posted on 06/29/2014 7:34:22 AM PDT by bd476
Wales Online
June 29, 2014 06:00
By Robin Turner
His role in the battle of Rorke’s Drift was immortalised in the 1964 movie Zulu, yet James Owen’s grave is marked with just a few rotten pieces of wood bearing his name.
Now a campaign is underway to re-dedicate and refurbish the overgrown cemetery plot in South Wales, which is the last resting place of this hero of yesteryear.
Private Owen was portrayed by singer Ivor Emmanuel in the Stanley Baker produced movie about the 1879 battle in South Africa. There, some 150 British soldiers – a number of whom were Welsh – successfully held off a force of 4,000 Zulu warriors.
In the film, Emmanuel, as Pte Owen, leads the weary British soldiers in singing to raise their morale and to match the spiritual songs of the Zulu forces. At the end, he leads the stirring singing of Men of Harlech.
Pte Owen survived the battle and died in Swansea aged 87 in 1938 while living with his son in Kemble Street, Brynmill.
His grave is now in Bethel Cemetery in the city’s Sketty area. Royal Marines bugler Sgt Tim Needham, who has worked to restore a number of graves of Rorke’s Drift survivors, wants Pte Owen’s last resting spot to be given greater attention.
He said: “I’m hoping to bring some attention to the fact a few rotten fragments of a fallen wooden cross bearing the name James Owen are all that remains to mark the plot, and that given his part in such a legendary action there should surely be something a little more fitting to mark this soldier’s final resting place.
“I’m sure most people will be familiar with the legendary battle which took place during the Zulu War of 1879 and resulted in the award of 11 Victoria Crosses and later depicted in Zulu.
“Given the increased interest in marking Rorke’s Drift graves in the past few years, it would be fantastic to stir some local interest in finally resolving this sad situation.”
Born in Swansea and initially a tin worker, James Owen used the alias David Lewis on joining the British Army for reasons that are not clear but it was not unusual for men to give false names when joining the army at that time.
He signed on with 25 Brigade at Brecon and was posted to 2nd Battalion 24th Foot in 1877.
He served for two years and eight months, including a year and eight months in South Africa and was discharged in August 1879.
An Injury Assessment Board held at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, in the same year confirmed he was suffering from Valvular Disease of the Heart – caused by being under canvas for six months and constantly exposed to “climatic vicissitudes”.
He was awarded a pension of six pence per day for six months and was eventually buried with military honours.
At the time a wreath was sent by former comrades at Rorke’s Drift, including Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne, portrayed in Zulu by Nigel Green.
Deborah Owen-Smith, who lives in Snowdonia, is the great great great granddaughter of James Owen.
She said: ”Over the years our family has spread far and wide but a number of family members know of the role James Owen played at Rorke’s Drift.
“We hope to re-dedicate the grave and raise more attention for his last resting place and hope to raise some money to restore it.
“It would be nice to get a headstone to ensure his bravery at Rorke’s Drift is not forgotten.”
Lieutenant John Chard: If it's a miracle, Colour Sergeant, it's a short chamber Boxer Henry point 45 caliber miracle.
Colour Sergeant Bourne: And a bayonet, sir, with some guts behind.
LOL! I'm laughing with you Miss Marmelstein and agree with you that Stanley Baker was an outstanding actor! It says a lot that despite his political views, he was still awarded Knighthood. How sad that he was unable to officially receive the honor due to his illness, hospitalization and early death.
The Battle of Isandlwana and the Battle of Rorke’s Drift occurred on consecutive days.
Great movie. The little touches really make it. The concern for the singers. The Soldier’s sadness over the calf. The troublemaker who becomes a hero and returns to being a troublemaker.
I think they managed to portray the British Soldiers in a positive manner without disparaging the Zulu warriors.
You’re welcome, Ancient Man. I agree. I’ve heard it many times and still get choked up listening to it.
I’ll never forget someone here going off at me - maybe two years ago! A complete loon.
The odd thing about British socialists (unlike American scum) is that they are often quite fond of their country and the Empire - as Mr. Baker clearly was if “Zulu” is anything to go by. He had wonderful screen presence and I wish he had made many more movies.
The last thing I saw him in was a remake of “How Green Was My Valley.” He was clearly very ill but wonderful nonetheless.
Glad to know there are Stanley Baker fans out of the closet on FR!
The family of Hickie (played by James Booth) was outraged at his portrayal. He apparently was nothing like that heroic rebel and outlaw. But that’s show biz. The final salute of the Zulus is also fictional but who gives a damn?
I’m sure I snarked back at him but he was wild! STANLEY BAKER IS THE DEVIL, he said.
Whoa, what ever could have happened to the last part of your sentence? ;P :D
He gets me every time. I would like to think it's due to his acting, but Burton had something else, some intangible something. Maybe it's as simple as his being Welsh. From earliest childhood I heard all about my Welsh roots, about where "we" were from, so it's entirely possible. Yet who can resist his delivery, his on-screen intensity.
The critique given an artist as being so good that people would pay to hear them recite the telephone directory sometimes isn't just a catchphrase.
The entire movie ZULU is available to view here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meH1Y0tdzLk&feature=youtu.be
Good points and well said, BlueUnicorn6.
He was the third son of a poor Welsh coal-miner who grew up in the 1930s, when real material poverty still existed in Britain. I can understand why people who have experienced such poverty are emotionally drawn to socialism, but modern-day western socialists who have known nothing but wealth and privilege have no such excuse.
His first role was in the play “A Lady's Not for Burning” in which he played a young servant who scrubbed the floor - his back to the audience. No dialogue. For whatever reason, his presence alone caused audience members to be moved to tears and critics to exclaim at this new force in the theater world. Now that is the stuff of legend. In theater parlance, he had at a young age what is called “hunger.” Success, Elizabeth Taylor and tons of money destroyed that hunger. He also began to dislike acting and turned his talents to writing.
The sound in that movie is great. The Zulu running. The Zulu chanting. The Zulu pounding on their shields.
The scene where the British form three ranks and then volley fire by rank is really good. You never see the Zulu falling. Then, the camera pulls back to show a huge pile of dead Zulu reaching ALMOST to the first rank. Really well done. Just quiet and shock on the faces of the British Soldiers.
Oh, how I love this movie! Your description alone raised the hair on my arms - and I’m not overly hairy.
Let’s not forget the subplot with a loopy Jack Hawkins who has to be locked in - I think - a wc for demoralizing the troops.
“Zulu” is my All Time favorite movie. I never get tired of watching it and hating Michael Caine... He was SO good in the role of the arrogant elite!
Maybe I will watch “Zulu” as a treat for being such a good girl today.
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