A REMEMBRANCE service held at a Torfaen cemetery to honour one of the survivors of the battle at Rorke’s Drift was held on Saturday.

Private John Samuel Jobbins, born in Newport but enlisted in Pontypool, fought in the Anglo-Zulu war as part of the 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment of Foot, who helped to defend Rorke’s Drift.

Pte Jobbins passed away in 1979 at his home in Pontypool, and was buried with full military honours in the graveyard at St Cadoc’s Church.

On Saturday, members from the Pontypool branch of the veteran’s association honour Pte Jobbins.

“He was a survivor of that battle and he was able to come back to the Pontypool area and live to a ripe old age,” said Stephen Vaughan.

“In fact, many people from the Valleys area survived the battle at Rorke’s Drift and came back to Wales.

“I believe there are one or two up in Blaenavon and obviously John Fielding in Cwmbran but as John Jobbins falls into our branch’s area, we feel it is important to remember him and his heroic actions,” he added.

In 2013, Mr Vaughan, along with fellow veterans Nigel Rees and Steve Joy undertook a clean-up operation to help maintain Pte Jobbins’ grave in the cemetery.

“We’ve put a lot of work into preserving his memory, from cleaning up his grave three years ago,” he said.

“The annual services we hold is just another part of his legacy. He was a survivor and that is a great quality.

“We know that Pte Fielding was awarded the Victoria Cross and obviously we don’t mean any disrespect to that in the slightest, but we feel that all heroes from Rorke’s Drift should be remembered, especially those like John Jobbins who lived to tell the tale,” added Mr Vaughan.