James Rorke

James "Jem" Rorke (c. 1827 – 24 October 1875) was a settler and trader of Irish descent in Southern Africa.

Rorke's father fought in wars against African tribesmen before settling in the Cape Colony after either his period of enlistment ended or he deserted.

[1] Rorke served as a civilian with the British Army commissariat (supply department) in the Seventh Xhosa War during 1846.

[4] Rorke built his home around 0.25 miles (0.40 km) from the drift, on a flat terrace at the foot of the Shiyane hill.

[5][3] The single-storey structure was long in plan; it was constructed of locally made brick and stone with thatched roofs.

[8] He was married to Sra Johanna Strydom, the daughter of a local Voortrekker, and had two children, James Michael and Louisa.

James Michael Rorke became an adviser to the Zulu chieftain UHamu kaNzibe, half-brother and rival of King Cetshwayo.

[9] Rorke committed suicide by gunshot on 24 October 1875, apparently after a consignment of gin from Greytown was lost on the road to his farm.

[9] Rorke's final wishes were to be buried near his farm under 3 feet (0.9 m) of concrete because he knew the Zulu had a tendency to dig up European graves in search of valuable items or body parts for use in their medicine.