TORFAEN MP Paul Murphy has waded into a row over the cancellation of a parade in memory of Cwmbran Rorke’s Drift hero John Fielding VC.

The Argus reported earlier this month that organisers of an annual parade for Private John Fielding, who served as Pte John Williams, had been forced to cancel the event because Gwent Police cannot help with stopping traffic.

Up to 400 people usually line Newport Road in Llantarnam as Cwmbran and District Ex Services Association (CADESA) march from Abbey Field roundabout to St Michael’s Church, where Pte Williams is buried, on the anniversary of the 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift.

Pt Williams received the Victoria Cross for his part in the battle, defending a remote station against 4,000 uZlus. However, new national guidelines from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) mean that police no longer provide traffic management at any major events, and CADESA felt it had no choice but to cancel this year’s parade on January 21.

Paul Murphy says he has written to Gwent Police expressing his disappointment over the issue.

Mr Murphy said: “This is a popular event for ex-servicemen to remember and honour one of our most famous local heroes.

“It has taken place annually for some years now, and has proved popular with local people, who turn out to line the route. It is not a carnival event, it is a remembrance parade and the disruption to traffic would be minimal.”

Mr Murphy said he acknowledges that police operate under tight budgets and that the force was adhering to ACPO guidelines, but believed discretion should be exercised under the circumstances.

He said: “I have therefore written to the chief constable to express my disappointment, to underline the importance of the event and to ask her to think again about the decision.”