A SPECIAL service has been held at Brecon Cathedral to mark the 140th Anniversary of the end of the Battle of Isandlwana and the defence of Rorke’s Drift.

The service was held in the Cathedral’s Regimental Chapel which is dedicated to the memory of the famous Brecon-based 24th Regiment of Foot.

During the battle of Isandlwana, in the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879, British forces lost more than 1,300 of their 1,800 troops, including all those on the forward firing line.

It is the defence of the British outpost at Rorke’s Drift which has become a key moment in British military history, especially in Wales.

At the garrison 150 men repelled attacks by up to 4,000 Zulu warriors. Elven Victoria Crosses, Britain’s highest award for gallantry, were awarded to the defenders of Rorke’s Drift.

The battle was immortalised in the Michael Caine film Zulu.

At today’s service the Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh Regiment, who the South Wales Borders’ the successor regiment of the 24th Foot was amalgamated into, played,

The band have held events throughout Wales, and one in Herefordshire, over the past week to commemorate the famous battles.

At today’s service there was also a dedication to Major Gonville Bromhead the officer and VC holder played by Caine in the film. Born in France to a notable English military family Bromhed was raised and educated in England and lieutenant in the the 24th Regiment.

His VC is owned by his descendants and displayed at the Regimental Museum on The Watton, Brecon.

The service was attended by pupils from Llanfaes Primary School in Brecon and members of the public visiting the Cathedral.