South African Military History Society

Acting Assistant Commissary James Langley Dalton, VC


Photo: Ronnie Lovemore

Location
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Russel Road Cemetery, corner of Russel Road and Elliot Street

GPS: 33 deg 57 min 36.96 sec S, 25 deg 36 min 54.19 sec E

Significance
James Dalton was awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry during the Zulu attack on Rorke's Drift post on the night of the 22 January 1879


Photo: Ronnie Lovemore

His headstone is inscribed 
IN
MEMORY OF
JAMES LANGLEY DALTON
VC
DEFENDER OF RORKE'S DRIFT.
WHO DIED ON THE 8th JANY 1887
AGED 53 YEARS

THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY HIS OLD
COMRADE SERGEANT JOHN WILLIAMS
AND FRIENDS OF NATAL
R.I.P


Photo: Ronnie Lovemore

The MOTHs conduct an annual James Dalton, VC Commemoration Parade at his grave on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of the Battle of Rorke's Drift

Further reading
The Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift by G.A. Chadwick

South African Military History Society / scribe@samilitaryhistory.org