the numerous messages of sympathy and floral tributes was a wreath of laurel leaves sent by the Queen, who had remained in contact with Chard and frequently enquired about his health. The wreath bore the handwritten inscription "A mark of admiration and regard for a brave soldier from his sovereign". In 1899 a stained glass memorial window dedicated to Chard was installed in the south wall of the church's chancel. Another memorial donated by the Royal Engineers was placed in Rochester Cathedral. A display at the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham, Kent, commemorates Chard's leadership at Rorke's Drift and includes the Webley Revolver he used in the battle. Welsh actor Stanley Baker portrayed Chard in the 1964 film Zulu which depicted the defence of Rorke's Drift. Baker acquired Chard's campaign medal and a "cast copy" of his Victoria Cross at an auction in 1972 but they were sold by his family after his death in 1976. However, in 1996 the Victoria Cross was discovered to be the original rather than a copy after its metallic characteristics were compared with the bronze ingot from which all Victoria Crosses are cast. The medal was subsequently acquired by Lord Ashcroft, owner of the world's largest collection of VCs, and is on display at the Imperial War Museum, London. Chard was commemorated by the South African military with the John Chard Decoration and the John Chard Medal which were awarded to members of the Citizen Force. Instituted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, the Medal and the Decoration were awarded for 12 years and 20 years service respectively until 2003 when they were superseded by the Medalje vir Troue Diens and the Emblem for Reserve Force Service. Notes References External links John Rouse Merriott Chard (biography, photos and memorial details) 1847 births 1897 deaths Anglo-Zulu War recipients of the Victoria Cross British Army personnel of the Anglo-Zulu War British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross British recipients of the Victoria Cross Deaths from cancer in England Deaths from oral cancer Royal Engineers officers Burials in Somerset Military personnel from Plymouth, Devon