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He was one of the heroes of Rorke’s Drift, one of the 150 British soldiers who successfully defended a supply depot and hospital in South Africa against thousands of Zulu warriors.

But the last resting place in Bethel Chapel, Sketty, Swansea, of Private James Owen, who was played in the iconic 1964 movie Zulu by singer Ivor Emmanuel, became dilapidated and overgrown over the years.

Today, however, a new gravestone had been put in place courtesy of Caerphilly-based South Wales Monuments and it was re-dedicated in a poignant, well attended service complete with regimental goat, civic dignitaries, many of Private Owen’s descendants and the sounding of The Last Post.

The re-dedication was made possibly by Royal Marine Sergeant Tim Needham who, after visiting the site of Rorke’s Drift, decided to do something about the graves of Rorke’s Drift defenders which have fallen into disrepair.

He said, standing beside the newly-dedicated grave to Private Owen: “This is the sixth I’ve been involved in campaigning for but there are more to come.

“It’s been great to see so many people here today for this ceremony which remembers the men responsible for one of the bravest actions in British military history.”

Born in Swansea and initially a tin worker, James Owen used the alias David Lewis on joining the British Army for reasons that are not clear but it was not unusual for men to give false names when joining the army at that time.

He was posted to 2nd Battalion 24th Foot in 1877.

The Battle of Rorke’s Drift raged for 12 hours beginning on January 22, 1879, during which time the hospital building was set alight and Zulu warriors made wave after wave of frontal attacks but the soldiers, including a number of Welshmen, were eventually relieved on January 23.

After the battle, the heroism of the defenders was recognised by the awarding of 11 Victoria Crosses and four Distinguished Conduct Medals with seven of the VCs going to B Company of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot, the largest amount ever given to one regiment for one engagement.

In 1879, when he left the army, an injury assessment board held at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, confirmed Private Owen was suffering from valvular disease of the heart due to being under canvas for six months and constantly exposed to “climatic vicissitudes”.

He returned to his wife Emma and their three children in Swansea where he obtained work as a woollen weaver and another child, Amy, was born in 1880.

After Emma’s death in 1914, James went to live with his son David in Brynmill, Swansea, and retired in 1926, aged 75.

He died on July 27, 1938, aged 87 at his son’s home and was buried at Bethel Cemetery, a wreath being sent by a number of his former Rorke’s Drift colleagues including Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne, who was played in Zulu by Nigel Green.

Among those at today’s ceremony were the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan Edward Harris, representatives of The Royal British Legion and The Royal Welsh infantry regiment plus the Army Cadet Force.

A short account of the battle was given by Colonel Dr Mike Snook MBE, formerly of the Royal Regiment of Wales 24th/41st Foot.

Members of Private Owen’s family were present with one, Ann Veale, confirming that he had been a keen singer, as shown in Zulu in which he was seen to lead he singing of Men of Harlech.

Private Owen’s great great granddaughter Helen Veale, of Sketty, said: “The turnout has been fantastic and Sgt Needham did a great job.”