Preston Pub Sign Study The Sumners Arms a Rourkes Drift Connection

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Originally called The Prince Albert after Queen Victoria’s consort, this Fulwood district bar was renamed the Sumners when its new landlord gave it his own name. The pub is large and spacious, probably at its busiest on match days due to proximity to Preston North End’s football ground, as well as the Fulwood Barracks which house a public military museum I aim to visit soon. The real excitement for me with this pub is however its association with the 1879 battle of Rourke’s Drift, as depicted in the movie, Zulu. as it was to be the home for the returning British chaplain, Reverent George Smith, known as Ammunition Smith during the attack for preparing and getting fresh ammo to the men throughout the final gruelling hours. He was one of the 11 heroes awarded the Victoria Cross for their outstanding bravery. His action in the actual events is not mentioned at all in the movie, in which he was not portrayed. He lived until 1918 and he is buried in Preston Municipal Cemetery. The sign is a lovely symmetrical heraldic image. Arthur Chappell