Beckenham Cemetery

Borough of Bromley, Greater London

Frank Edward Bourne (1855-1945)

Frank was born in Balcome Sussex, to James and Harriett Bourne, the youngest of eight children. He enlisted at the age of 18 at Reigate on 18th December 1872 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Corporal in 1875, Sergeant in 1878 and Colour Sergeant in April the same year. He was the youngest Colour Sergeant in the Army, for which he received the nickname ‘the Kid’.   As an NCO in B Company, 2nd Battalion 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, Bourne was present at the Defence of the Mission Station and Field Hospital at Rourke’s Drift against the Zulus’ repeated attacks on 22nd and 23rd January 1879. For his actions, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and an Annuity of £10. He was also offered an officer’s commission, but declined due to his position as an eighth son, with no money. He went on to serve in India and Burma, and was promoted to Quartermaster-Sergeant in 1884, before finally accepting a commission in 1890. In 1893, he was made Adjutant at the School of Musketry at Hythe, Kent. He retired from the Army in 1909, but re-joined during the First World War and was made Adjutant at the School of Musketry in Dublin. At the end of the war, he was given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel and an OBE and retired again in 1919. By the time he died on 9th May 1945, the day after VE day, he was the last surviving defender of Rourke’s Drift.
Restored by Steve Davies, with research by Paul Cox