25B/295 Pte. David Jenkins. Re-dedication
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David Jenkins was born in Defynnog, Brecon, in 1846 and enlisted for the town's 25th Brigade at the age of 23, being posted to South Africa in 1874. By Christmas 1878 he, along with his 1st Battalion 24th Regiment colleagues and men from the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers, assembled at Rorke's Drift.
After it was over he served with the South Wales Borderers from 1882, becoming Lance Corporal the following year. He was discharged in 1888 after 12 years in the military.

David Jenkins has been recognised and has a gravestone which reflects his bravery in Rorke's Drift,"

Letter from David Jenkins to reassure his family that he had survived that appalling day and his letter was published in 'The Merthyr Express' of Saturday 22nd March 1879 :

[i]"Dear Father
just a few lines to let you know that I am one of the ten that escaped out of five companies. The remainder were cut to pieces, - in fact cut in bits - with those savages. About 15,000 of them came on the camp when the column was out. All in the camp were killed - 495 of our regiment and about 300 of different corps. Oh I never saw such a sight. Please pray to God to continue to save my life. There are only 240 men remaining in our regiment. So no more. I shall write again soon if alive.
Dear Father, please go personally or write a letter to Isaac Lewis and tell him that his son-in-law, Sgt. Chambers is killed. His son Thomas is alive but still in hospital with fever. He had a narrow escape. He crept on his hands and knees and came from the hospital to the fort through all the firing Please give my love to all and write soon.
Your affectionate son.

David

P.S. I think we will go down to the colony to get refitted, as we have lost everything".[/i]

Photos By Tim Needham.

Reading those letters was nice. When he says about 495 were killed from his regiment, im guessing he is including the 2nd battalion?

James M