Grave of 'Zulu' veteran dedicated

Great Zulu Nation dancers performed at the ceremony

The Nottinghamshire grave of a soldier who fought in the Zulu war has been officially dedicated nearly 130 years after the battle in South Africa.

Private James Marshall survived the battle against the Zulus at Rorke's Drift in 1879, immortalised in the film Zulu. He was 21 at the time.

He and two other veterans of the battle are buried in a cemetery at Ruddington. His grave was dedicated with an engraved headstone and a Zulu dance troupe also performed at the ceremony.

Mr Marshall, who died in 1930, served in the 24th Regiment of Foot, later named the Royal Regiment of Wales.

His great-great grandson James Marshall said: "It is an amazing honour to have a relative who gave so much to fight for his country."

Privates Robert Tongue and Caleb Woods, who fought in the battle, are also buried in the Ruddington cemetery.

Their graves were dedicated in a ceremony in July 2004 attended by nearly 500 people.

The mission station at Rorke's Drift was attacked by thousands of Zulu warriors in 1879.

It was successfully defended by 139 men who fought as many as 5,000 Zulu warriors - and 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded, the most for a single engagement.