He led the re-occupation of a critical vantage point called Waggon Hill during the Boer War in South Africa, but the Victoria Cross his bravery had won him could only be bestowed posthumously.
Now, Lieutenant Robert Digby Jones' gallantry which cost him his life is to be recognised again by serving soldiers from the 39 Engineer Regiment.
Some 30 soldiers, based at Kinloss Barracks, are to take part in a memorial service at the hill near Ladysmith for the Edinburgh-born 23-year-old who was killed in 1900 and for his companions who fell.
It comes 300 years since the Corps of Engineers was founded are marked, and the soldiers will commemorate the Anglo-Boer War as well as pay tribute to one of the most distinguished Royal Engineers .
While there, the team will undertake an arduous two week training course in Drakensberg Mountain range and the surrounding area.
It will include a battlefield tour to Rorke’s Drift, the site of a major battle in the Anglo-Zulu War during which the British defended the mission station under the command of Lieutenant John Chard of the Royal Engineers.
Lt Digby Jones, whose bravery is remembered in a plaque in St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh, led the charge along with a Light Infantry trooper to re-occupy Waggon Hill for the British just as three Boers reached the summit.
Major Gerry McKay, who is leading the exercise, said: "We are looking forward to the challenge of the exercise itself, which will involve a lot of arduous trekking in mountainous conditions.
"It’s also very fitting that as the only regular Royal Engineers Regiment in Scotland, we take this opportunity to pay tribute to Lt Digby Jones."
Lieutenant Colonel Jim Webster, Commanding Officer of 39 Engineer Regiment, said: "Royal Engineers have taken part in every major campaign fought by the British Army since 1716.
"We continue to be deployed on operations all around the world.
"We’re immensely proud of our history, and with this year’s tercentenary we wanted to do something particularly special.
"The spectacular Drakensburg location, combined with the link to such a distinguished Scottish Royal Engineer, allows us to do exactly that.”
The team will send regular updates from the exercise to be posted on 39 Engineer Regiment’s Facebook page.
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