Anglo-Zulu War Victoria Cross Recipient. A native of Wales, he was gazetted for the award on May 2, 1879 for his actions as a private in the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot, British Army, on January 22/23, 1879, at the Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal Province, South Africa, during the Anglo-Zulu War. He was one of eleven soldiers who were awarded the Victoria Cross for their courage and bravery during the battle. Born in Penrhous, Monmouthshire, Wales, he enlisted in the British Army in January 1876. The following year he was assigned to South Africa with his unit. When the Anglo-Zulu War broke out in January 1879, his unit was defending the mission station of Rorke's Drift when it was assaulted by several thousand Zulu warriors, fresh from their victory over the British at the Battle of Isandlwana. He and another private, William Jones, were posted to a room at the hospital and successfully defended their position against overwhelming odds, and managed to evacuate six of the seven patients to safety, despite his suffering four spear wounds and being shot once. Following the end of the war, he was discharged and returned to England, settling at Herefordshire, where he worked as a farm laborer. Constantly plagued with recurring nightmares of his hand-to-hand fight with Zulu warriors at Rorke's Drift, he committed suicide in Peterchurch, Herefordshire, England at the age of 41. In addition to the Victoria Cross, he received the South Africa Medal (with 1877-8-9 clasp), and both are on display with the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the British Imperial War Museum in London, England. He was portrayed by actor Denys Graham in the 1964 film "Zulu" that depicts the events surrounding the Battle of Rorke's Drift. His joint Victoria Cross citation reads: "In another ward, facing the hill, Private William Jones and Private Robert Jones defended the post to the last, until six out of the seven patients it contained had been removed. The seventh, Sergeant Maxfield, 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment, was delirious from fever. Although they had previously dressed him, they were unable to induce him to move. When Private Robert Jones returned to endeavour to carry him away, he found him being stabbed by the Zulus as he lay on his bed."
Anglo-Zulu War Victoria Cross Recipient. A native of Wales, he was gazetted for the award on May 2, 1879 for his actions as a private in the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot, British Army, on January 22/23, 1879, at the Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal Province, South Africa, during the Anglo-Zulu War. He was one of eleven soldiers who were awarded the Victoria Cross for their courage and bravery during the battle. Born in Penrhous, Monmouthshire, Wales, he enlisted in the British Army in January 1876. The following year he was assigned to South Africa with his unit. When the Anglo-Zulu War broke out in January 1879, his unit was defending the mission station of Rorke's Drift when it was assaulted by several thousand Zulu warriors, fresh from their victory over the British at the Battle of Isandlwana. He and another private, William Jones, were posted to a room at the hospital and successfully defended their position against overwhelming odds, and managed to evacuate six of the seven patients to safety, despite his suffering four spear wounds and being shot once. Following the end of the war, he was discharged and returned to England, settling at Herefordshire, where he worked as a farm laborer. Constantly plagued with recurring nightmares of his hand-to-hand fight with Zulu warriors at Rorke's Drift, he committed suicide in Peterchurch, Herefordshire, England at the age of 41. In addition to the Victoria Cross, he received the South Africa Medal (with 1877-8-9 clasp), and both are on display with the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the British Imperial War Museum in London, England. He was portrayed by actor Denys Graham in the 1964 film "Zulu" that depicts the events surrounding the Battle of Rorke's Drift. His joint Victoria Cross citation reads: "In another ward, facing the hill, Private William Jones and Private Robert Jones defended the post to the last, until six out of the seven patients it contained had been removed. The seventh, Sergeant Maxfield, 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment, was delirious from fever. Although they had previously dressed him, they were unable to induce him to move. When Private Robert Jones returned to endeavour to carry him away, he found him being stabbed by the Zulus as he lay on his bed."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
In loving memory of
Private Robert Jones VC.
Late of the 24 th Reg South Wales Borderers
Who died Sept 6th 1898
Age 41 years
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