The 17th Lancers arrived at Rorke’s Drift in May, 1879. Under Col. Drury-Lowe they formed part of the rearguard on the march to Ulundi.

At the Battle of Ulundi, Lord Chelmsford sensing the changed tempo of the Zulu charges, waved his helmet at the 17th Lancers Commander and cried “Go at them, Lowe!”. The square opened and the Lancers and Dragoons moved out and the command was given “Form line. Gallop. Charge!”. As the lances were lowered and the bright pennons streamed by the horses heads, a great cheer burst from the square. The pursuit of the retreating Zulus continued for two miles.