A headstone for a former serviceman and Rourke’s Drift survivor from Welshpool will be unveiled later this year.

In 2021, Vincent Morris, who served with the RWF within B.Coy Rourke's Drift Company, launched an appeal to place a headstone on the grave of Sergeant Evan Jones, who served in the British Miliatary for 43 years from 1877 to 1920.

The online appeal successfully raised the required funds to construct and erect a headstone.

The unveiling of the headstone is scheduled to take place on August 6 at St Mary’s Churchyard in Welshpool.

Originally from Ebbw Vale, Evan Jones enlisted in Brecon in 1877 and fought in the Angle-Zulu war.

Just two years later, in 1879, he participated in the infamous Battle of Rourke’s Drift, in which 150 British and colonial troops defended a mission station from over 3,000 Zulu warriors.

Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders of Rourke’s Drift, the most ever received by a single regiment, along with a number of other decorations and honours.

Today, Rourke’s Drift is considered one of the most well known conflicts of both the Anglo-Zulu war and of Britain’s invasion colonisation and of Africa.

The battle was famously dramatized in the 1964 war film Zulu, starring Michael Caine and Stanley Baker.

In the years after Rourke’s Drift, Evan Jones continued his service and earned medals for service in India and Burma on behalf of the British Empire.

He would later serve in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the First World War.

He married Alice Evans, a widow with four children, on October 15, 1898 at the Register Office in Welshpool.

He resided in Welshpool until his death in 1931 and was buried at St Mary’s Churchyard with military honours.

Mr Morris said: "This is one of the most decorated and famous battles resulting in eleven Victoria Crosses and five Distinguished Conduct Medals being awarded, he deserves a military headstone.

"I served with the RWF within B.Coy Rorkes Drift Company and this is very close to my heart.”

A small service to mark the unveiling of the headstone will take place at 11am in St Mary’s Churchyard.

The unveiling is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.