A BLAINA war veteran who fought in the Zulu War, will be remembered with a parade and new headstone.

Private William Partridge, who died aged 71 in 1930, was one of the British soldiers who defended Rorke’s Drift, an engagement famously depicted in the 1964 film, Zulu.

Now almost 80 years after his death his family, in partnership with the Royal British Legion in Blaina and Blaina Communities First Partnership, have organised a parade to honour him for his involvement in the war.

Private Partridge enlisted in the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1877 aged 20, after having previously enrolled in the Monmouthshire Militia.

He was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1878 while serving in South Africa but reverted to Private later that year.

He was present during the defence of Rorke’s Drift Mission Station, Natal, South Africa, in 1879, but his exact involvement in the defence is unknown.

Later that year he was awarded a Good Conduct Badge South Africa Medal 1877-79 for the part he played in the war.

After serving in South Africa he was posted to Gibraltar but was discharged from the army in 1881 after being diagnosed with chronic rheumatism from climate exposure during the Zulu War. A programme of activities is now planned to honour Private Partridge and will take place on Sunday, September 21, starting at 2pm with a parade through High Street, Blaina, led by the regimental band of the Royal Welsh and representatives of the Partridge family.

Activities will continue throughout the day including a church service and the dedication of a new headstone, donated by the Coop Funeral Care, which will replace a handmade wooden cross made by Private Partridge’s great grandson Gary Partridge, 62.

Mr Partridge's wife, Wendy, 59, said: "It means a lot to us that he fought at Rorke's Drift. To us he is a hero, we are really proud that he was involved and we just cannot wait to give him the service he deserves."