Robert Jones (VC)
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Robert Jones (19 August 1857 - 6 September 1898) was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
[edit] Details
He was 21 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot (later The South Wales Borderers), British Army during the Zulu War. For their roles inside the hospital at Rorke's Drift, he and Pte. William Jones were each awarded the VC by Sir Garnet Wolseley in Utrecht, Transvaal.
Privates Robert and William Jones were posted in a room of the hospital facing the hill. They kept up a steady fire against enormous odds. While one worked to cut a hole through the partition into the next room, the other shot Zulu after Zulu through the loophooled walls, using his own and his comrade's rifle alternately as the barrels became too hot to hold from the incessant firing. By their united efforts six out of the seven patients were saved by being carried through the broken partition. The seventh, Sgt. Maxwell, was delirious and refused to be helped. When Robert Jones returned to take the sergeant by force he found him in his bed being stabbed by the Zulus.
[edit] Further information
After discharge Robert Jones married Elizabeth Hopkins and had 5 children, Robert Jones jnr, Edith Emily East (nee Jones), Alice Smith (nee Jones) Lilly Rose Griffith (nee Jones) & Ellen Kelly (nee Jones) called Nellie by the family. He died in Peterchurch Herefordshire from gunshot wounds in 1898 aged 41 years. A verdict of suicide was passed. His widow Elizabeth later re-married.
His Victoria Cross passed out of the family and is now thought to be in the possession of Lord Ashcroft.
[edit] External links
- Pte. Robert Jones (biography, photos, memorial details)
- News Item (tragic story of Private Robert Jones VC)
- Location of grave and VC medal (Herefordshire)
- Rorke's Drift (information within Frederick Hitch site)
- Robert Jones at Find-A-Grave
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.
