A ceremony to mark the involvement of a Pembrokeshire soldier in one of history's most famous battles took place on Wednesday.

Private Thomas Collins was the county's only representative at the Battle of Rorkes Drift in 1879.

In a bloody confrontation - immortalised in the film Zulu starring Welsh actor Stanley Baker 84 years later - some 145 British troops were attacked by over 4,000 Zulu warriors.

The battle resulted in the awarding of 11 Victoria Crosses. One of the heroes was Private Collins of 'B' Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 24th Regiment of Foot.

He was born one of eight children in Pelcomb, Camrose, near Haverfordwest, on September 13, 1861.

In April, 1877, Thomas joined the Monmouthshire Militia and a month later he signed for the 24th of Foot as a Regular Soldier.

He almost certainly lied about his age, pretending that he was older than he actually was. In reality he was just 16 when he joined up and only 18 when he fought at Rorkes Drift.

After later serving in Malta, Burma and India, he was invalided out of the Army in 1891 suffering from severe rheumatism.

No records regarding his death have been traced but one theory is that Private Collins may have emigrated to the United States to join other members of his family.

At the ceremony on Wednesday, Councillor Clive Collins, the chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, unveiled a plaque dedicated to the memory of Private Collins in the grounds of Camrose Community Centre.

The ceremony was attended by a number of dignatories including Brigadier I.D. Cholerton, Commander 160 (Wales) Brigade.

There was also a short unveiling ceremony in memory of Private Collins and a march past at the cenotaph in Haverfordwest.