| Birth: | 1839 | | Death: | Apr. 15, 1913 | 
Victoria Cross Recipient. Private at Rorke's Drift. William Jones was born in Evesham, Worcestershire, England. A private in the 2nd Battalion/24th Regiment of Foot in Natal, Jones was a member of the British defense force at Rorke's Drift. In the afternoon of January 22, 1879, a Zulu force attacked the small British supply outpost at Rorke's Drift. Defended by only 131 soldiers, of which 39 were in the hospital, against almost 4,000 Zulu warriors, the men held out against unceasing Zulu attacks throughout the evening and into the night. Pvt. Jones along with another man, Pvt. Robert Jones defended one of the wards in the hospital to the last. Despite suffering four spear wounds and being shot once, Jones held off the Zulu's with his bayonet until six of the seven patients were removed from the burning hospital. Early the next morning, after heavy losses, the Zulu's withdrew. For their incredible bravery in the face of an overwhelming force, 11 men, including Pvt. Robert Jones and Pvt. William Jones, received the Victoria Cross. This was the largest amount of Victoria Crosses ever awarded for a single engagement. The defense of Rorke's Drift was the subject of the 1964 movie "Zulu".
Search Amazon for William Jones | | | Burial:
Philips Park Cemetery
Miles Platting
Lancashire, England |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Oct 18, 2000
Find A Grave Memorial# 13112 |
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Rest in the arms of our Lord, you are safe and at home.
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Theolinda
Added: May. 12, 2013 |
In remembrance of your heroism 134 years ago at Rorke's Drift. Rest in Peace brave soldier.God Save the Queen!Lest we forget...
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Alex Boras
Added: Jan. 22, 2013 |
Such heroism will never be forgotten. R.I.P x
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Lisa x
Added: Nov. 20, 2012 |
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(4.3 after 21 votes)
