A display to commemorate an Ashby man's service during the Anglo-Zulu War and the Battle of Rorke's Drift has been unveiled at the town's museum.

Private John Smith was one of the survivors of the Rorke's Drift conflict which was made famous by the 1960s film Zulu.

The 1879 battle was made even more remarkable as just over 150 British and colonial troops defended their station against attacks by 3,000 to 4,000 Zulu warriors.

Private Smith returned to Ashby but tried to take his own life - an offence for which he was fined £5 - before committing suicide at Heather Railway Station.

It is now recognised that he was suffering from PTSD, but there was no support available as there is today.

A ceremony was held last summer to mark the anniversary of the rededication of Private Smith at Ashby Cemetery, following work conducted by Whitwick Royal British Legion.

Ashby Royal British Legion then started on work to bring a permanent display to the museum.

They were helped with the costs by LH Financial Planning, based at the Old Cottage Hospital in Ashby, who donated £1,000 towards the service and the display.

Dan Harrison and Graham Allman, from Ashby Royal British Legion, were joined by Laura Hughes, director at LH Financial Planning.

Laura said she has, through her family, experience of PTSD and highlighted a programme that is currently on BBC iPlayer.

She told those gathered at the unveiling: "It's an honour to speak on behalf of the British Legion today and share a personal story about how PTSD has affected my family. 

"My nephew, Jordan Crowder was a British soldier in Afghanistan. While on duty, he stepped on two IEDs and became the first soldier to survive such an attack. While Jordan physically survived, the psychological scars of PTSD have deeply impacted him. 

"You can hear his story on the BBC programme, 'Our War - 10 years of PTSD an Invisible Wound'. 

"It's affected every part of Jordan's life, his relationships, his mental health and his day to day life. 

"As his family, we've learned the importance of organisations like the British Legion, which provide veterans and their families with critical support, Not just financially, emotionally, but practically as well. 

"The British Legion plays a vital role with veterans like Jordan, and we are proud to be a part of it. Jordan's story is just one of many, and it reminds us that PTSD doesn't affect the person suffering from it, it affects the loved ones too. 

"I urge you to remember that our veterans deserve ongoing support and care long after they've left the battlefield."

Mr Harrison, chairman of Ashby RBL, said the display, and Private Smith's story, raises the profile of PTSD.

He said: 'There is an ongoing impact of post-traumatic stress, the general situation has improved but still poses challenges.

"We will organise a proper commemoration event for Private Smith, likely to be every five years."

But he said there will be historic additions to the display in the future and added: 'We'll install a rifle and a spear from the battle as permanent fixtures at the museum."