Alfred Henry Hook

Hook pictured with his Victoria Cross

Alfred Henry "Harry" Hook, VC (1850 â€" 12 March 1905) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Alfred Henry Hook was 28 years old, and a Private in the 2nd Bn., 24th Regiment of Foot (later The South Wales Borderers), British Army during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22/23 January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, a distant room of the hospital had been held for more than an hour by three privates, and when finally they had no ammunition left the Zulus burst in, and killed one of the men and two patients. One of the privates (John Williams) however, succeeded in knocking a hole in the partition and taking the last two patients through into the next ward, where he found Private Hook. These two men then worked together - one holding the enemy at bayonet point while the other broke through three more partitions - and they were then able to bring eight patients into the inner line of defence.

In the film Zulu, Hook is portrayed as an insubordinate malingerer and drunkard who only comes good during the battle. In fact he had been awarded Good Conduct pay shortly prior to the battle, and reports also suggest he was a teetotaller.

Further information

Born in Churcham, Gloucestershire, Hook originally joined the Monmouth Militia before enlisting in the regular army in March 1877, aged 26. He received a scalp injury during the battle of Rorke's Drift, and retired from the regular army 17 months later in June 1880, but later served 20 years in 1st Volunteer Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, reaching the rank of Sergeant-Instructor. He retired in 1904, returning to Gloucestershire, where he died the next year.

After his 1880 discharge he worked at the British Museum and lived at Sydenham Hill.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the South Wales Borderers Museum (Brecon, Powys, Wales).

External links

*Pte. Henry (Harry) Hook (biography, photos, memorial details)
*Location of grave and VC medal (Gloucestershire)
*Rorke's Drift (information within Frederick Hitch site)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.