The South African
It is with deep sadness that we learned that renc;>wned battlefield guide and Anglo-Zulu War historian, Ron Lock, passed away at Port Shepstone Hospital on Wednesday, 23 May 2018.
Ron Lock wrote eight books on Zulu warfare (two co-authored with Peter Quantrill). His latest, Isandlwana - The revelation of a disaster (Pen and Sword, 2017) is reviewed above by Johan van den Berg in this issue of the journal. This book offers a tantalising perspective on the battle into which Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, MP, who wrote the foreword, hopes future historians will be encouraged to delve deeper. In his message of condolence, Prince Buthelezi again extended his gratitude to Ron Lock for 'treating this painful chapter in our history with such dignity and empathy'.
Ron was born in the United Kingdom, but came to South Africa in 1966 and spent most of his life in Africa. He served in the Mounted Troop of the Royal Military Police and the Rift Valley Troop of the Kenya Police. He was a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society (FRGS) and developed an insatiable curiosity for the history of the amaZulu. He became a registered and respected guide to the battlefields of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and the later South African War (1899-1902).
His passing represents a sad loss to the military history community and our deepest condolences go to his wife Brenda, family members, and friends.
Ron Lock, respected Zulu War battlefield guide and historian.
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