Ernest Grandier

Ernest Grandier was a French soldier in British service during the Anglo-Zulu War. Born in France, he moved to southern Africa and by the start of 1879 he had enlisted in Weatherley's Border Horse. He served in the Anglo-Zulu War on the British side and was captured by the Zulu at the Battle of Hlobane. According to Grandier's account he was mistreated by the Zulu before escaping back to British lines and this story featured in sensationalist press reports. However, Grandier's account was doubted by contemporary writer Bertram Mitford and modern historian Ian Knight considers that Gandier was treated well and then released by the Zulu king Cetshwayo as a gesture towards peace with the British. Grandier was the only white prisoner of war taken by the Zulu during the war. By 1884 he was an innkeeper near to Kimberley Mine; details of his later life are not known.