Belated honour for hero of Rorke's Drift
Descendants of holders of the Victoria Cross medal played their part in dedicating the previously-unmarked grave of a soldier who fought in one of the Victorian era's most notorious battles.
Colin Fielding, great grandson of Victoria Cross medal holder Private John Williams – born as John Fielding – and Sandra Barker, great granddaughter of Private Fred Hitch, unveiled the new gravestone of Rorke's Drift defender Private Thomas Dawe of B Company 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment (2nd Warwickshire) at a re-dedication service in Wellington Cemetery, Somerset. Private Dawe, of B Company, was one of the defenders of Rorke's Drift during the South African Anglo Zulu war of 1879. He came through the battle and is understood to have been buried in 1924 but like many of the survivors of the famous garrison defence, his grave was anonymous.
Royal Marine Corporal Bugler Tim Needham organised the event with the Somerset Royal British Legion.