A PARADE to commemorate the 137th anniversary of the battle of Rorke's Drift and Cwmbran hero John Fielding VC took place this morning.

The annual parade to remember the most famous battle of the Anglo-Zulu conflict was held in Llantarnam. Around 130 people took part in the service which was held at St Michael's and All Angels Church to honour Cwmbran's John Fielding.

Private Fielding, who actually signed up as Pte John Williams, was one of 11 recipients of the highest military decoration awarded for valour for his role in the battle at Rorke’s Drift.

He received the Victoria Cross for defending a remote station against 4,000 Zulu warriors.

The former soldier was honoured in the Cwmbran area with establishments named after him following his death in 1932, and is buried in Llantarnam.

The parade was led by the South Wales Police marching band and drums and included members of both the Cwmbran and Newport branches of the Royal British Legion, the Royal Engineers Association, and members from both Newport and Pontypool branches of the Royal Welsh Regiment Association.

The event is organised by the Cwmbran and District Ex-Services Association.

Tony Burnett, chairman of CADESA, said: "We've had a very good turnout here today. It is the first time we've had the police band and they were fantastic.

"This parade has been held for more than 20 years and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. This parade is unique throughout Britain."

The service held at the graveside of Pte Fielding was led by Reverend Freda Evans. Wreaths were laid by Alan Terry of CADESA and Jack O'Connor, of the Pontypool branch of the Royal Welsh Regiment Association.

Great grandchildren of Pte Fielding attended the service including Bob Couzens, 65, whose mother Kathleen Couzens was the granddaughter of Pte Fielding.

He said: "The service was very good - I have travelled from Leamington Spa and come every year. A lot of the great grandchildren come.

"I'm part of the John Fielding Trust. There's always quite a lot of interest in the parade which is great to see as the whole point of today is to remember.

"My mother was the last surviving grandchild but sadly she died in August."

Mark Duckett, 29, is a great great grandson of Pte Fielding. He is a member of the Blitz Buddies, a 1940's re-enactment group, who travelled from Wiltshire to take part in the parade.

He said: "I've known for a few years that I'm a relation. My father's mother Mavis Duckett was John Fielding's granddaughter.

"This is the first time that I've been part of the parade - it's a really lovely event especially with the family connection."