A GWENT soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery at the Battle of Rorke's Drift was remembered on Saturday.
Ex-servicemen and and cadets marched in memory of Abergavenny-born Private John Fielding, who served as Pte John Williams in the 24th Foot.
He was one of the 145 men at the remote post on January 22, 1879 who defended the station against around 4,000 Zulus.
When Pte Williams and fellow soldier Pte Alfred Hook ran out of ammunition, they managed to hold off attackers using bayonets, allowing eight patients in the mission hospital to escape to safety. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions.
Pte Williams died in Ty Coch, Cwmbran in 1932, and was buried at St Michael's and All Angels Church, Llantarnam, with full military honours.
On Saturday, the Cwmbran and District Ex-Servicemen's Association led a parade from Abbeyfields roundabout in Llantarnam to the church, where a short service, attended by members of Pte Williams' family, was held and wreaths laid on his grave.
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