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This page forms part of the HIBBITT Family Tree.
Annie's Pedigree Chart of Direct Ancestors is available here.

Robert JONES & Elizabeth HOPKINS

Surnames | Names Index

Image Robert Jones' Victoria Cross and South Africa (1877-79) medals<br>which are on display at the Imperial War Museum, London
Robert Jones' Victoria Cross and South Africa (1877-79) medals
which are on display at the Imperial War Museum, London

Husband: Robert JONES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Born:
 19 AUG 1857
 in TyCanol Farm, Penrose [Penrhos], Monmouthshire, Wales 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Baptized:
 23 AUG 1857
 in Penrhos, Monmouthshire, Wales 38
Married:
 7 JAN 1885
 in Parish Church of Llantilio, Monmouthshire 55 56 57 58
Died:
 6 SEP 1898
 in The grounds at Crossways House, Peterchurch, Herefordshire 19 20 21 22 23
Buried:
 8 SEP 1898
 in St Peter's Churchyard, Peterchurch, Herefordshire 47 48 49
Father: Robert JONES
Mother: Hannah FRYER
Spouses: 
Image
Wife: Elizabeth HOPKINS 50 51 52
Born: 
Died: 
Father: 
Mother: 
Spouses: 

Associated Links

Photographs of Robert Jones' Medals.
Photo of the Imperial War Museum where Robert Jones' medals are on display.
My trip to the Imperial War Museum to view Robert Jones' medals.
Photograph of a print by A de Neuville of the Defence of Rorke's Drift.
A biography of Robert Jones V.C. (External link to the website of Dix Noonan Webb Auctioneers & Valuers, who arranged the sale of the medals in 1996.)

Additional Information

Robert JONES:
Military: JAN 1876, Enlisted in the army on 10th Jan. Declaration of oath and attestation at Monmouth on 11th and on the 12th, he joined 2nd/24th Regiment of Foot at Brecon, service no. 716. 24
Military: BET 22 AND 23 JAN 1879, Act of gallantry at Rorke's Drift, Natal, which earned Robert the VC. 25 26
Military: 11 SEP 1879, Received the Victoria Cross from Lord Wolseley at Utrecht, Transvaal. 27
Residence: 1861, Tynewydd, Clytha, Monmouthshire, Wales 28
Residence: 1871, Drybridge Farm, Monmouth, Monmouthshire (The visitors/relatives of the family for whom Robert was working, at one time, lived next door to Robert's aunt and great-uncle in Arlingham) 29
Residence: 7 JAN 1885, Llantillio Crossenny, Monmouthshire, Wales 30 31
Residence: 1891, The Lodge, Dorstone, Herefordshire 32
Occupation: 1871, Farm Servant (Indoor) 33
Occupation: BET 1876 AND 1888, British Army and Army Reserve 34
Occupation: 7 JAN 1885, Labourer 35 36
Occupation: 1891, Agricultural Labourer 37
Death caused by: Inquest gave a verdict of suicide but this verdict is disputed by family members and others who believe it to have been a tragic accident. 39 40 41
Medals: Victoria Cross and South Africa Medal with Clasp 1877-8-9. The medals are on public display at the Imperial War Museum, London. 42 43 44 45 46

716 Pte. Robert Jones of the 2nd Battalion/24th Regiment of Foot (later the South Wales Borderers) in Natal, was awarded the VICTORIA CROSS for his contribution in the defence of the hospital at Rorke's Drift against the Zulus on 22nd and 23rd January 1879. He also earned the South Africa Medal (1877-79) with 1 clasp: 1877-8-9.

Elizabeth HOPKINS:
Alternative Name: Elizabeth HEATHER 53 54


Footnotes

  1. 1861 Wales Census, Class: RG9; Piece: 3991; Folio: 20; Page: 2; GSU roll: 543218.
    Name: Robert Jones.
  2. London Gazette (Newspaper), Issue 24717 published on the 2 May 1879. Supplement page 3178.
    ...Private Robert Jones defended the post to the last...
  3. 1871 Wales Census, Class: RG10; Piece: 5304; Folio: 40; Page: 16; GSU roll: 848432.
    Name: Robert Jones.
  4. Monmouthshire Families (Transcripts and Digital Images on Rootsweb), Llantilio Crossenny Marriages 1837-1900.
    Robt Jones.
  5. Marriage Certificate.
    Groom: Robert Jones.
  6. England & Wales, Marriage Index: 1837-1915.
    Name: Robert Jones.
  7. Monmouthshire Families (Transcripts and Digital Images on Rootsweb), Penhros Baptisms 1813-1900.
    ...Robert s/o Robert & Hannah Jones...
  8. 1891 England Census, Class: RG12; Piece: 4580; Folio: 75; Page: 7; GSU roll: 6099690.
    Name: Robert Jones.
  9. England & Wales, Death Index: 1837-1915.
    Name: Robert Jones.
  10. 1861 Wales Census, Class: RG9; Piece: 3991; Folio: 20; Page: 2; GSU roll: 543218.
    Age: 3, Estimated Birth Year: abt 1858
    Where born: Penrose, Monmouthshire, Wales.
  11. 1871 Wales Census, Class: RG10; Piece: 5304; Folio: 40; Page: 16; GSU roll: 848432.
    Age: 14, Estimated Birth Year: abt 1857
    Where born: Clytha, Monmouthshire, Wales.
  12. Monmouthshire Families (Transcripts and Digital Images on Rootsweb), Penhros Baptisms 1813-1900.
    23 Aug. 1857. Robert s/o Robert & Hannah Jones. otp Farmer.
  13. 1891 England Census, Class: RG12; Piece: 4580; Folio: 75; Page: 7; GSU roll: 6099690.
    Age: 33, Estimated Birth Year: abt 1858
    Where born: Penrose, Monmouthshire, Wales.
  14. England & Wales, Death Index: 1837-1915.
    Estimated Birth Year: abt 1858
    Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1898
    Age at Death: 40 [should actually be 41].
  15. Word of Mouth, Close Family Descendant.
    Date: 19 Aug 1857
    Place: TyCanol Farm, Penrose [Penhros], Monmouthshire, Wales.
  16. Various Secondary Source(s), Unnamed and undated newspaper articles supplied by close family descendant.
    Date: 19 Aug 1857
    Place: Tynewydd, Clytha, Monmouthshire, Wales [birthplace details contradicts information supplied by 1861 and 1891 censuses and close family descendant].
  17. UK Victoria Cross Medals, 1857-2007.
    Date: 19 Aug 1857
    Place: Tynewydd, Clytha, near Raglan, Monmouthshire (now Gwent) [birthplace details contradicts information supplied by 1861 and 1891 censuses and close family descendant].
  18. Memorial Inscription, Grave in St Peter's Churchyard, Peterchurch, Herefordshire.
    ...who Died Sept. 6th 1898,
    Aged 41 Years...
  19. England & Wales, Death Index: 1837-1915.
    Name: Robert Jones
    Estimated Birth Year: abt 1858
    Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1898
    Age at Death: 40 [should actually be 41]
    Registration district: Hereford
    Inferred County: Herefordshire
    Volume: 6a
    Page: 287.
  20. Word of Mouth, Close Family Descendant.
    Date: 6th Sep 1898
    Place: The garden at Crossways House, Peterchurch, Herefordshire.
  21. Various Secondary Source(s), Unnamed and undated newspaper articles supplied by close family descendant.
    Date: 6th Sep 1898
    Place: The garden at Crossways House, Peterchurch, Herefordshire.
  22. UK Victoria Cross Medals, 1857-2007.
    6 September 1898...in the grounds of Crossway House, Peterchurch, Herefordshire.
  23. Memorial Inscription, Grave in St Peter's Churchyard, Peterchurch, Herefordshire.
    ...who Died Sept. 6th 1898...
  24. Attestation Papers.
    Enlisted in the army on 10th Jan. Declaration of oath and attestation at Monmouth on 11th and on the 12th, he joined 2nd/24th Regiment of Foot at Brecon, service no. 716.
  25. UK, Victoria Cross Medals, 1857-2007 (East Sussex, England: Naval and Military Press.).
    JONES Robert VC / Private / 24th Regiment (later South Wales Borderers now Royal Regiment of Wales) / Rorke's Drift, Natal
    Deed/Service: 22-23 January 1879. With 370 Jones, he defended one of the wards of the hospital until six of the seven patients had been removed. The seventh man was delirious, and all attempts to induce him to leave were in vain and he was stabbed to death by a Zulu.
    Gazette: 2 May 1879.
  26. London Gazette (Newspaper), Issue 24717 published on the 2 May 1879. Supplement page 3178.
    War Office, May 2, 1879.
    THE Queen has been graciously pleased to signify Her intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned Officers and Soldiers of Her Majesty's Army, whose claims have been submitted for Her Majesty's approval, for their gallant conduct in the defence of Rorke's Drift, on the occasion of the attack by the Zulus, as recorded against their names, viz.:—
    ...........................
    Regiment: 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment.
    Names: Private William Jones and Private Robert Jones.
    Acts of Courage for which recommended: In another ward, facing the hill, Private William Jones and Private Robert Jones defended the post to the last, until six out of the seven patients it contained had been removed. The seventh, Sergeant Maxfield, 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment, was delirious from fever. Although they had previously dressed him, they were unable to induce him to move. When Private Robert Jones returned to endeavour to carry him away, he found him being stabbed by the Zulus as he lay on his bed.
  27. Various Secondary Source(s), www.rorkesdriftvc.com and www.dnw.co.uk [original sources not confirmed by author].
    "He received his VC from Sir Garnet Wolseley at Utrecht on 11th September 1879."
    "...he received the decoration from Lord Wolseley at Utrecht, Transvaal, on 11 September, 1879."
  28. 1861 Wales Census, Class: RG9; Piece: 3991; Folio: 20; Page: 2; GSU roll: 543218.
    Name: Robert Jones
    Age: 3
    Estimated Birth Year: abt 1858
    Relation: Son
    Father's Name: Robert Jones
    Mother's Name: Hannah Jones
    Gender: Male
    Where born: Penrose, Monmouthshire, Wales
    Civil Parish or Township: Clytha
    Ecclesiastical parish: Clytha
    County/Island: Monmouthshire
    Country: Wales
    Street Address: Tynewydd
    Registration district: Abergavenny
    Sub-registration district: Llanarth
    ED, institution, or vessel: 3
    Household schedule number: 5
    Piece: 3991
    Folio: 20
    Page Number: 2

    Household Members: Name Age
    Robert Jones 39
    Hannah Jones 36
    George Jones 12 [should be Richard George Jones]
    Lewis Jones 10
    Mary Jones 8
    Margaret Jones 6
    Thomas Jones 4
    Robert Jones 3
    John Jones 1.
  29. 1871 Wales Census, Class: RG10; Piece: 5304; Folio: 40; Page: 16; GSU roll: 848432.
    Name: Robert Jones
    Age: 14
    Estimated Birth Year: abt 1857
    Relation: Servant
    Gender: Male
    Where born: Clytha, Monmouthshire, Wales
    Civil parish: St Mary
    Ecclesiastical parish: Llandaff
    Town: Monmouth
    County/Island: Monmouthshire
    Country: Wales
    Registration district: Monmouth
    Street Address: Drybridge Farm
    Occupation: Farm Servant In Door
    Sub-registration district: Monmouth
    ED, institution, or vessel: 7
    Household schedule number: 78
    Piece: 5304
    Folio: 40
    Page Number: 16

    Household Members: Name Age
    Anthony Balenger 46
    Eliza Balenger 45
    Clara S Balenger 19
    Joseph H Balenger 16
    Louisa Balenger 14
    Edward D Balenger 8
    James Balenger 80 (Visitor)
    Hannah Balenger 74 (Visitor)
    Robert Jones 14.
  30. Marriage Certificate.
    Groom: Robert Jones
    Groom's Residence: Llantilio Crossenny.
  31. Monmouthshire Families (Transcripts and Digital Images on Rootsweb), Llantilio Crossenny Marriages 1837-1900.
    ...7 Jan 1885 Robt Jones... otp...
  32. 1891 England Census, Class: RG12; Piece: 4580; Folio: 75; Page: 7; GSU roll: 6099690.
    Name: Robert Jones
    Age: 33
    Estimated Birth Year: abt 1858
    Relation: Head
    Gender: Male
    Where born: Penrose, Monmouthshire, Wales
    Civil parish: Dorstone
    Ecclesiastical parish: Dorstone
    Town: Tregoyd Velinolne
    County/Island: Herefordshire
    Country: England
    Street Address: The Lodge
    Occupation: Agricultural Labourer
    Registration district: Hay
    Sub-registration district: Hay
    ED, institution, or vessel: 7
    Piece: 4580
    Folio: 75
    Page Number: 7

    Household Members: Name Age
    Robert Jones 33.
  33. 1871 Wales Census, Class: RG10; Piece: 5304; Folio: 40; Page: 16; GSU roll: 848432.
    Occupation: Farm Servant In Door.
  34. Various Secondary Source(s), Dix Noonan Webb Auctioneers & Valuers website - www.dnw.co.uk [original sources not confirmed by author].
    ...he went off to Monmouth to enlist into the 24th Regiment of Foot on 10 January, 1876. On the 28th of that month, 716 Jones, as he was now known among the proliferation of other Joneses in the regiment, was posted to the 2nd Battalion at Dover...he embarked for South Africa in February 1878 for service in the Cape Frontier War. In early January 1879 he marched up through Natal with the strongest of the five British columns intent on the invasion of Zululand...Robert Jones left South Africa bearing the scars of one bullet and a total of four assegai wounds. Following service at Gibraltar and in India, he returned to Britain on 25 November, 1881, and was transferred to the Army Reserve. He was recalled for service on 2 August, 1882 and was again transferred to the Army Reserve on 7 February, 1883. His final discharge from Army service came about on 26 January, 1888.
  35. Marriage Certificate.
    Date: 7 Jan 1885
    Groom: Robert Jones, Labourer.
  36. Monmouthshire Families (Transcripts and Digital Images on Rootsweb), Llantilio Crossenny Marriages 1837-1900.
    ...7 Jan 1885 Robt Jones, FA, B, labr...
  37. 1891 England Census, Class: RG12; Piece: 4580; Folio: 75; Page: 7; GSU roll: 6099690.
    Occupation: Agricultural Labourer.
  38. Monmouthshire Families (Transcripts and Digital Images on Rootsweb), Penhros Baptisms 1813-1900.
    23 Aug. 1857. Robert s/o Robert & Hannah Jones. otp Farmer.
  39. Various Secondary Source(s), Unnamed and undated newspaper articles supplied by close family descendant.
    Inquest gave a verdict of suicide. [Note: this verdict is disputed by family members and others who believe it was a tragic accident.]
  40. Word of Mouth, Close Family Descendant.
    Inquest gave a verdict of suicide but this verdict is disputed by family members and others who believe it was a tragic accident.
  41. UK Victoria Cross Medals, 1857-2007.
    ...Inquest on the 7th [Sep 1898] returned a verdict of "suicide, through unsound mind". [Note: this verdict is disputed by family members and others who believe it was a tragic accident.]
  42. UK, Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1949.
    Name: R Jones
    Campaign or Service: South Africa
    Service Date: 1877-1879
    Service Location: South Africa
    Regiment or Unit Name: 2nd Battalion
    Regimental Number: 716.
  43. Various Secondary Source(s), Unnamed and undated newspaper article supplied by close family descendant.
    The medals were bought by Michael Ashcroft in 1996 for £80,000, having previously been bought by an investor for £98 in 1950.
  44. UK Victoria Cross Medals, 1857-2007.
    Medals in Ashcroft Collection.
  45. Imperial War Museum, London.
    The medals are part of the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection and are on public display at the Imperial War Museum, London, in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery.
    The Lord Ashcroft Collection also holds the South Africa 1877-79 Medal issued posthumously to the family of Sergeant Maxfield, the patient that Jones was unable to save from the Rorke's Drift hospital, as well as the VC and South Africa Medal (1877-79) belonging to, then Lieutenant, John R M Chard, one of the officers who took command at Rorke's Drift.
    [Author visited the IWM in 2012].
  46. Various Secondary Source(s), Dix Noonan Webb Auctioneers & Valuers website - www.dnw.co.uk.
    Auction Date: 11 Jun 96
    Lot Number: 468
    Category: GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
    Estimate: £80000-£120000
    Hammer Price: £80000
    Victoria Cross, the reverse of the suspension bar officially inscribed (Private Robert Jones, 2-24th Regt.), the reverse centre of the Cross officially dated ‘22. 23. Jany. 1879.’
    South Africa 1877-79, clasp, 1877-8-9 (V.C. 716 Pte. R. Jones, 2-24th Foot)
    Old repair to the ribbon slot on the upper part of the suspension bar of the Victoria Cross, contact marks and pitting to both medals, a fine and historic pair (2).
  47. Memorial Inscription, Grave in St Peter's Churchyard, Peterchurch, Herefordshire.
    In Loving Memory of
    Private Robert Jones. V.C.
    late of the 24th Regt. South Wales Borderers.
    who Died Sept. 6th 1898,
    Aged 41 Years.
    --
    "Leave thy fatherless Children. I will preserve
    them alive: and let thy widow trust in me."
  48. Various Secondary Source(s), Unnamed and undated newspaper article supplied by close family descendant.
    ...On September 8th [1898] he was given a modest military funeral and members of his old regiment attended. He was buried at St Peter's Church where a marble headstone has been erected.
  49. UK Victoria Cross Medals, 1857-2007.
    Buried: 8 September at St Peter's Churchyard, Peterchurch. Headstone.
  50. Monmouthshire Families (Transcripts and Digital Images on Rootsweb), Llantilio Crossenny Marriages 1837-1900 - Marriage to Robert Jones.
    Elizth Hopkins.
  51. Marriage Certificate, Marriage to Robert Jones.
    Bride: Elizabeth Hopkins.
  52. England & Wales, Marriage Index: 1837-1915, Marriage to Robert Jones.
    Name: Elizabeth Hopkins.
  53. Monmouthshire Families (Transcripts and Digital Images on Rootsweb), Llantilio Crossenny Marriages 1837-1900 - Marriage to Robert Jones.
    Elizth Hopkins, X, FA, S, -, -, Richd Hopkins [probably her father (or stepfather), Richard Heather], blacksmith.
  54. Marriage Certificate, Marriage to Robert Jones.
    Bride: Elizabeth Hopkins, Full age, Spinster
    Bride's Father: Richard Hopkins [probably her father (or step-father), Richard Heather], Blacksmith.
  55. Monmouthshire Families (Transcripts and Digital Images on Rootsweb), Llantilio Crossenny Marriages 1837-1900.
    167. 7 Jan 1885 Robt Jones, FA, B, labr, otp, Robt Jones, farmer
    Elizth Hopkins, X, FA, S, -, -, Richd Hopkins [probably her father (or stepfather), Richard Heather], blacksmith
    Wit:- Wm J Jones; Margt Vaughan
    Banns.
  56. Marriage Certificate.
    Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of Llantilio in the County of Monmouth
    Date: 7 Jan 1885
    Groom: Robert Jones, Full age, Bachelor, Labourer
    Groom's Residence: Llantilio Crossenny
    Groom's Father: Robert Jones, Farmer
    Bride: Elizabeth Hopkins, Full age, Spinster
    Bride's Father: Richard Hopkins [probably her father (or step-father), Richard Heather], Blacksmith
    Married after Banns by A E Hodgson (Curate)
    Robert Jones [signature]
    The mark of Elizabeth Hopkins X
    Witnesses: William J. Jones & Margaret Vaughan.
  57. England & Wales, Marriage Index: 1837-1915.
    Name: Robert Jones
    Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1885
    Registration district: Monmouth
    Inferred County: Monmouthshire
    Volume Number: 11a
    Page Number: 43.
  58. Ibid.
    Name: Elizabeth Hopkins
    Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1885
    Registration district: Monmouth
    Inferred County: Monmouthshire
    Volume Number: 11a
    Page Number: 43.

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