Reverend George "Ammunition" Smith


Born in Norfolk, he went to serve in South Africa from 1870. Whilst there, he would work with the Army Chaplains' Department as the invasion of Zululand unfolded. In that capacity, he would find himself isolated in the Rorke's Drift camp when it was assaulted by 4,000 Zulus. He played an important role in supplying the troops with the ammunition needed to stave off the attackers - this is where his nickname originated.

After the Zulu campaign, he would continue his service in the army in campaigns such as Tel-el-Kebir, the Sudan and the Nile Expedition. He died from Bronchitis in Preston, where he is buried.


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