The 1879 Group

Private William Jones VC

These photographs were taken at the Commemoration Ceremony and unveiling of a plaque in memory of Private William Jones VC - Defender of Rorke's Drift.

The Commemoration probably occurred on 24 July 2011.

Private William Jones VC was born on 16 August 1839 at 5 Lucas Street, Castle Precincts, Bristol. His attestation papers list him as being born in Cowl Street, Eveshan, Worcestershire - it is believed he lived In Evesham as a young man.

After a short period working as a farm labourer he attestated in Birmingham in December 1858 (aged 19 years), and became one of the founding members of the 2nd/24th Regiment of Foot (which later became the South Wales Borderers). He served in Mauritious, Burma and India and was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

The 24th Regiment sailed for South Africa in 1877.

On 23 January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Private 593 William Jones and Private 716 Robert Jones defended one of the wards of the field hospital.

Their joint VC citation states:

"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 endevour to carry him away, he found him being stabbed by the Zulus as he lay on his bed".

Both were Gazetted for VCs on 2 May 1879. William received his medal when he returned to England suffering from Chronic rheumatism. He spent some time in Netley Hospital, and an 13 January 1880 he was presented with his medal by Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle. He was discharged from the Army on medical grounds on 2 February of that year.

He subsequently struggeled to find regular employment. He did some acting, and also toured with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. For a while he lived in Birmingham, then moved to Rutland Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Lancashire.

In later life he had considerable financial problems, and was forced to pawn his medals. In 1910 he was admitted to Bridge Street Workhouse in Manchester. His last few years were spent living in the workhouse or living with his daughter in Brampton Street, Ardwick.

He died in his daughter's house on 15 April 1913 at the age of 73. He was buried in a pauper's grave Philip's Park Cemetery, Manchester. (Plot D-887 in the Church of England section). His headstone was paid for by public subscription. His medals wer eventually obtained by the South Wales Borderers Museum, Brecon, where they are on display.

A large blue commemoration plaque was on the wall of the disused church, together with another plaque to commemorate WW1 VC recipient George Stringer. The new plaque is located near the war memorial.

On 2 November 2007, after four years of campaigning, a ceremony was held at Philip's Park Cemetery to celebrate the unveiling of a new headstone for the grave.