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<p><strong>By Doug Trench, Defence Editor</strong></p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="http://www.suffolkgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/zulu-rorkes-drift.jpg" alt="rorkes drift zulu" class="wp-image-10633"/></figure></div>
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<p><strong>New research reveals the first Zulu warrior to be shot during the bloody battle of Rorke's Drift was called William.</strong></p>
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<p>A study confirms actor Michael Caine, who played commanding officer Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, unwittingly identified the first victim.</p>
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<p></p>
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<p>As the thousands of fearsome, spear-waving Zulus began their attack, Caine is heard to shout repeatedly: <strong>"FIRE AT WILL!"</strong></p>
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<p>Historians are amazed at the new fact emerging so long after the famous 1879 battle, part of the Anglo-Zulu War.</p>
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<p>Battle expert Lorraine Fisher, 34, said: "Now we know Will, or William to give him his proper name, was the first target of British soldiers, we can give him a fitting memorial."</p>
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<p>It is expected a plaque in Will's honour will now be erected at the site of the battle, made famous by the 1964 film Zulu.</p>
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<p>[AdSense-B]</p>
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<p>What's not clear is how Lt Bromhead knew Will's name, unless their is astonishing evidence to emerge that the Zulus all had name tags.</p>
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<p>The film, starring Caine, Stanley Baker and Jack Hawkins, depicts 150 British soldiers, many of whom were sick and wounded patients in a field hospital. They successfully held off a force of 4,000 Zulu warriors.</p>
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<p>The film is notable for showing the Zulu army as disciplined and governed by strategy.</p>
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<p>[AdSense-C]</p>
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