The gravestone of John Fielding, who served as John Williams in the Zulu War at the battle of Rorke’s Drift. Picture: Torfaen Museum.
THE Parish Church of St Michael’s and All Angels in Llantarnam can be found on Newport Road next to the Greenhouse Pub.
Of particular interest, in the churchyard, is the grave of Private John Williams/Fielding of the South Wales Borderers.
He fought at the Battle of Rorke’s Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.
He received his Victoria Cross for extreme bravery while saving patients in the temporary hospital.
He was born in Abergavenny as John Fielding on May 24, 1857, but later changed his name to Williams to avoid being traced by his family.
He died aged 75 on November 25, 1932.
It is worth a visit to see his headstone and to remember his bravery.
Nostalgia is provided by Torfaen Museum.
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