Gonville Bromhead

Grew up… in a long line of military leaders. The Bromheads are renowned for being soldiers, so Gonville has quite a bit to live up to.

Living… in Zululand, Africa, in 1879. Currently, the British are engaged in the heated Anglo-Zulu War, a bitter involvement between one of the largest armies in the world (or some remnants of it, anyway) and the native Zulu of Southern Africa. The Zulus may not have the firepower of the British, but they more than make up for that in numbers and unyielding attack.

Profession… lieutenant in the British Army. Gonville is stationed at the hospital at Rorke's Drift, where the British wounded are making their way back from the Battle of Isandlwana, a skirmish where the British suffered a catastrophic defeat. News comes quickly that an approaching Zulu force of over 4,000 men is advancing on the hospital. Despite being an infantry soldier, Gonville is outranked by an engineer, Lieutenant Chard, who takes command of the 24th Regiment of Foot. This is Gonville's first taste of battle. He may not live to see another.

Relationship Status… single, presumably. Right now, Gonville is brothers-in-arms with the beleaguered men of the 24th, which at the time the two forces would inevitably meet, only totaled 139 soldiers.

Challenge… surviving wave after wave of relentless Zulu attacks. Gonville quickly sees how desperate the situation is: "If 1,200 men couldn't hold a defensive position this morning, what chance have we with 100?" He and Chard don't necessarily see eye-to-eye on how to best defend their position, and the two are at odds over who should be outranking whom in this time of battle. But ultimately Gonville and Chard must work together if they and their men, many of whom are already wounded before the fighting even starts, have a chance to survive the coming onslaught.

Personality… decisive and brave, but perhaps a little pompous. But if Gonville wants a chance to prove his bravery in battle, he’ll likely never have a better one.