It was an article in the Evening Post about a forgotten hero of the Zulu War named Anthony Clarke Booth that launched Ron Booth’s quest. Mr Booth, 72, city-born but living in Ravenshead was convinced the old soldier, who won a Victoria Cross during the battle of Intombe River, was related to him in some way.

He is a member of several local history groups, so began digging through census records, parish archives and church registers and was finally able to establish that Anthony Clarke Booth was indeed part of his family.

“His grandfather was the brother of my great-great grandfather. That means he was my fourth cousin,” he explained. “I had come across the name within the family before but when I saw the Post article I thought that it must be him. It is wonderful to know he was a relative. The Victoria Cross is the highest honour in the country and it has to be earned, not given like a knighthood.” The time and effort that went into putting together the VC winner’s story made a deep impression on his descendant.

“Although he was born in Carrington, there is very little on record locally about this Nottingham hero. I was surprised at this and decided to put the matter right.” The result is a self-published book that tells the story of Anthony Clarke Booth’s life from his city early years to his bravery on a battlefield 5,000 miles away. He was born in a typical three-storey framework knitters’ house in what is now Hucknall Road in April, 1846, into a family of lace workers in the small village of Carrington.

These were hard times, with poverty rife, and Anthony decided that when he was old enough he would join the Army. The Royal Marines turned him down on medical grounds, so he travelled to Sheffield and enlisted in the 80th (South Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot. He was 18.

Less than two years later, he married Lucy, the 19 year old daughter of an Irish shoemaker.

His overseas service began in 1872 in Singapore and by 1878, when the regiment landed in South Africa, he had been made a colour sergeant.

A year later, British forces led by Lord Chelmsford invaded Zululand and soon after, suffered a desperate defeat at Isandhlwana. More than 1,000 soldiers and native bearers died.

A few weeks later, 100 men of the 80th Regiment were camped on both banks of the Intombe River guarding a convey of supply wagons. As dawn broke on the morning of March 12, 1879, a shot rang out. Sgt Booth peered across the river and through the mist saw Zulus attacking…thousands of them.

Among the first soldiers to fall was the officer in charge, then the Zulus began stabbing Redcoats with their short-bladed assegais as they emerged from their tents.

On Sgt Booth’s side of the river, about 35 men began laying down a volley of fire. Their senior officer Lieutenant H.H Howard told his men to retire to a nearby farmhouse and rode off, apparently to find help.

Command fell to Sgt Booth who organised a small group to cover survivors fleeing across the river.

“We fought the Zulus for three miles in retreat,” he reported after the battle. “We kept close together, firing volleys at our pursuers as they prepared to rush us.” By now Lt Howard had found reinforcements and when the large force of Redcoats was spotted by the Zulus, they fled, carrying their booty with them. A few days later, Sgt Booth wrote to his wife Lucy about the battle, telling her only 41 men out of 154 had survived the battle.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross, which was presented by Queen Victoria in 1880.

Lt Howard was court-martialled for having ‘misbehaved before the enemy’ when he left the field of battle. Although he was acquitted, it ended his military career.

Colour Sergeant Booth retired from the Army in 1898 and died a year later of cirrhosis of the liver. He was buried, with full military honours, at St Michael’s Church, Brierley Hill, and his medal is now held in the South Staffs Regimental museum.

Ron Booth’s first son was born in November, 1953. By coincidence, he named him Anthony.

To find out more or to purchase a copy of my book: ‘Anthony Clarke Booth V.C – Hero of the Intombe River’ please feel free to get in touch with me.