A HISTORIC medal given to a soldier in the famous Anglo-Zulu war is set to go under the hammer in Stourbridge this weekend.

The medal, belonging to Private Joseph Bromwich, 2-24th Foot, was inherited through a Black Country family who had kept it award in a draw and had no idea who much the medal was worth.

But it is now set to be sold at Fieldings Auctioneers on Saturday (February 6) with Nick Davies, company director, estimating it could go for £15,000 to £20,000.

Mr Davis said: “After hearing medal expert Mark Smith on the Antiques Roadshow, the local couple decided to bring their South Africa medal into a Tuesday valuation day at Fieldings.

“The vendor had undertaken some research but had no idea of the potential value.

“We are estimating it could fetch between £15,000 and £20,000. It’s a very special medal.”

Private Bromwich served in the Battle of Rorke’s Drift where about 150 troops defended the mission station for twelve hours against a Zulu force of more than 4,000.

The events were made famous by the 1964 film Zulu, staring Michael Caine, with the iconic battle now forever etched in British military history.