Evan Jones was born Patrick Cosgrove in 1859 at Bedwelty, Ebbw Vale, Wales. He enlisted (under the pseudonym Evan Jones) on 20th July 1877 and fought at the Battle of Rorke's Drift with B Company during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.
 
He continued his service and earned medals for service in India and Burma. In 1898 he married Alice Evans, a widow with 4 children.
 
By the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Jones was one of the few original Rorke's Drift survivors. Due to his age, when he was deployed to the Western Front, he became a regimental drummer (indicated by his white drum belt), but would regularly be called upon as a stretcher bearer and orderly.
 
The photo shows Jones in 1918 at the age of 59, having soldiered through World War 1 in the Welsh Fusiliers.
 
He died at Welshpool on 12th Aug 1931 and was buried with military honours.
 
High quality glossy print. Frame not included. Depending on size chosen, some parts of image shown may be cropped.

© Colourised by Tom Marshall (PhotograFix).  All Rights Reserved.