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Defenders of Rorke's Drift
Private William Jones. B Coy, 2nd Bn, 24th Regt.
William Jones was born in Bristol in 1839. Originally he worked in the footwear business but enlisted in 1858. He served in Mauritius and Burma (where he was promoted to Corporal and then
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Private William Jones. B Coy, 2nd Bn, 24th Regt.
William Jones was born in Bristol in 1839. Originally he worked in the footwear business but enlisted in 1858. He served in Mauritius and Burma (where he was promoted to Corporal and then
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reduced in Rank) He sailed to South Africa with the rest of his regiment and his pregnant wife.
While serving in the Frontier war his wife became ill during childbirth and he was given leave to look after her but unfortunately she and the child died and he had to
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While serving in the Frontier war his wife became ill during childbirth and he was given leave to look after her but unfortunately she and the child died and he had to
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return to his regiment after burying them.
For his conduct at Rorke’s Drift he was awarded the Victoria Cross but almost immediately was found to be suffering Chronic rheumatism and was sent home in September 1879.
He was presented with his VC by Queen Victoria
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For his conduct at Rorke’s Drift he was awarded the Victoria Cross but almost immediately was found to be suffering Chronic rheumatism and was sent home in September 1879.
He was presented with his VC by Queen Victoria
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herself in January 1880 but was medically discharged from the Army in February 1880.
It is believed that he toured with Buffalo’ Bill’s Wild West show and appeared on stage to recount his story. He soon fell on hard times and was forced to Pawn his VC for £5 and then sold
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It is believed that he toured with Buffalo’ Bill’s Wild West show and appeared on stage to recount his story. He soon fell on hard times and was forced to Pawn his VC for £5 and then sold
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the pawn ticket.
In later life he started to become senile and would become distressed by the thought of Zulus attacking him and would sometimes become so terrified that he would flee the house carrying his infant Grand-daughter in his arms. On one occasion he disappeared
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In later life he started to become senile and would become distressed by the thought of Zulus attacking him and would sometimes become so terrified that he would flee the house carrying his infant Grand-daughter in his arms. On one occasion he disappeared
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completely and was found in the local workhouse unable to remember his name.
He died on the 15th April 1913 and this most tragic of heroes was buried in a public grave with no mention of his deeds or VC.
In 1983 a VC engraving was added to common head stone but
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He died on the 15th April 1913 and this most tragic of heroes was buried in a public grave with no mention of his deeds or VC.
In 1983 a VC engraving was added to common head stone but
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repeated attempts to erect a suitable memorial have failed.
His VC turned up in the 1930’s and is now in the Regimental museum Brecon.
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His VC turned up in the 1930’s and is now in the Regimental museum Brecon.
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