THE son of a murdered historian has travelled by motorbike from his home in South Africa to present a Zulu spear to Brecon’s Regimental Museum.

Peter Rattray and friend Blaze O’Byrne set off from Rorke’s Drift in South Africa in August and arrived at the Regimental Museum, next to the Barracks on the Watton, on Saturday, November 21.

Peter grew up at Fugitive’s Drift in the KwaZulu-Natal province, where his father David led tours of the Anglo-Zulu war battlefields.

The renowned historian, who in January 2007 was murdered by intruders at his home overlooking the battlefields, had previously delivered lectures in Brecon and is remembered with a commemorative slate placed on the wall in the museum’s garden.

Brecon is linked to the Anglo-Zulu war as the 24th Regiment, immortalised in the Michael Caine film Zulu, were based in the town.

"My father talked about Brecon every day of his life and it is a great connection with him for me to go there," said Peter, 23.

"We decided that the ride would be a pilgrimage to Brecon. To make this a proper pilgrimage, I carried with me an Anglo Zulu War artefact to be presented to the Brecon museum.

"My father also did numerous talks in the UK. On these visits he made a point of visiting all of the significant sights of The Royal Welsh. As a child I used to hear the stories about these amazing places but to date haven’t had a chance to see these sites myself.

"To finally have an opportunity to see the significant sites in Wales and visit the home of The Royal Welsh is something I have looked forward to for most of my life. To me this is such an incredible opportunity to view these places my father told me so much about."

Peter and Blaze, 26, travelled more than 9,000 miles and passed through countries including Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt and Turkey before crossing through Greece, Italy and France on their way to Brecon.

The pair were accompanied by Blaze’s father Michael, who travelled in a land cruiser, carrying all their food and equipment.

It is hoped the ride will have raised £50,000 for a foundation set up in David’s name which supports 19 under-resourced schools in a deeply rural part of KwaZulu Natal where many of the children are direct descendants of the warriors who fought in the Anglo-Zulu War.

Peter presented the museum with a Zulu assegai or ’iklwa’ spear and a steel boot plate which was found on the battlefield of Rorke’s Drift.

The iklwa, from Peter’s father’s personal collection, was a weapon perfected by King Shaka of the Zulus who rose to power in 1816. It gets its name from the noise it makes when withdrawn from the body of the victim.

The boot plates would have been nailed to the bottom of British soldiers’ boots and made a ’click, crunch’ sound on parade grounds.

The Royal Welsh, the modern infantry regiment, which is descended from the 24th still remembers the famous defence of Rorke’s Drift in January 1879.

The Rattray family has also regularly hosted serving, retired officers and soldiers from The Royal Welsh at Fugitives’ Drift, which is between the battle sites of Isandhlwana and Rorke’s Drift.

Peter’s mum Nicky said: "As a seven-year-old boy, Peter’s first exposure to the Regiment was when more than 120 Welsh soldiers from B (Rorke’s Drift) Company came to stay with us to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Isandlwana and Rorke’s drift on January 22, 1999.

"Seeing how this regiment has gone to great lengths to keep a respectful relationship with the descendants of the warriors that their forebears had engaged with so many years before had a great impact on all three of our sons.

"I am thrilled that Peter is finally going to visit the regiment and the museum in Brecon. Equally poignant for him will be to see the plaque that the regiment kindly put up in memory of David, his father, in the garden of the museum. Our family takes great pride in our relationship with The Royal Welsh and we hope it will continue to grow.

"Peter has grown up hearing the tales of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift from his father David and going to visit the spiritual home of the soldiers who fought and died around us so many years ago will, for Peter, be a very special and long anticipated event."

Captain Ben Phillips, Regimental Adjutant of The Royal Welsh said: "I have been fortunate enough to stay with the Rattray family and visit the battlefields of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana. The stories of those brave Welsh soldiers in 1879 still hold relevance and formidable power, even today.

"Standing next to white stone piles that mark the fallen on the battlefield of Isandlwana and observing the terrain from the Rorke’s Drift defensive perimeter is a truly moving experience.

The comparisons from the heat of the battle in 1879 to recent operations in Afghanistan are striking. The most obvious link is the character and soldiering ability of the Welsh soldier, a brave and professional warrior.

"Brecon, the home of British Infantry and The Royal Welsh is a suitable location to conclude the epic motorbike venture. The Rattray family have undertaken an impressive, arduous and demanding journey to reach the spiritual home of the Welsh Infantry soldier. The Royal Welsh welcome the family to this special place on a day that reaffirm our relationship with South Africa and the Rattray’s as part of our Regimental family."