John Samuel Jobbins. Rorkes Drift Defender.

John Jobbins
Rorke's Drift Defender
1061 PTE John Samuel Jobbins"B" Company.2nd/24th Foot.

John was born 18th July 1856 at Queen Street, Bedwelty, Newport. Father William Jobbins, Mother Harriet Jobbins nee Greenway. His siblings: George,Harry,William,Mary and Sarah. John enrolled as a member of the Monmouthshire Militia, at Pontypool.
On the 8th of January 1876 his service number was 6536 he served in G Company.
John was 5ft 7 ins tall with chest of 37ins and was aged 20 years. He gave his trade as Puddler (washing coal) and his home address as Malthouse Square, Pontypool, Monmouthshire.
John was Posted to the 2nd/24th Regiment on the 31st January 1877.

Rorke's Drift.
John received the South Africa Medal 1877-78-79 with clasp. The original medal was lost. John had a replacement medal that is at the South Wales Museum Brecknockshire,Wales.
John aslo received Two Good Conduct Badges.

John died age 79 years old in 1934 at his home in pontypool.
John was bureid with full military honours.
John is buried with his wife Elizabeth Jobbins(nee willmont) at
St Cadoc's Parish Chursh, Trevethin,Pontypool,Gwent.
Plot Y. Grave 37.

Mel. Welcome to the forum. Its always good to have those related to our hero's on the forum... Thanks for the information...

Hi Mel .
Informative 1st post and welcome to the Forum .
cheers 90th .

"John Samuel Jobbins was born on July 18, 1856, at Queen Street in Newport. He was 22 when he took part in the defence of Rorke's Drift and wrote to his parents describing the scene. He said in the letter "Well we fought hard from about 3.30pm till the following morning when they retired, they killed about 12 of our men, but we killed at least 450 of them.They were charging over the sacks but we repulsed them. All that night a minister in the fort was praying they would go away. God helped us and gave us victory in the morning."

Quote:
"According to Private John Jobbins from ‘B’ company the Reverend Smith, in between handing out ammunition, was praying that the Zulus would go away and leave the garrison in peace."

_________________
"The British general was "out-generalled" by the Zulu general and that is the fact of this matter".
David Rattay.

Above posts by Littlehand 8th March 2011

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Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail - Tuesday 25 September 1934

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Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer - Tuesday 25 September 1934

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Gloucester Citizen - Tuesday 25 September 1934