hidden in weeds

[hedgesparrow]

well i strimmed the old cemetery today. not been able to do it due to wild flowers out when i cleared some off the overgrown weeds etc i found 4 graves within a kerb set. 3 of the men buried were royal marines. and on looking they all had the VC for bravery what war i do not know as the graves are rather old for one family to get 3 VC,S the other member was in the royal artillary. on finding these headstones i cleared it all and blew off all the old leaves and rubbish so they can now be seen not as before buried in weeds 6ft tall. this is the first year i have done the Cemetery so sad to think it had been left unkept before. not anymore will be kept up together just need to crown lift the holly tree to get it off top of headstones.

[mad matty]

Good on you Hedge!!

[raker]

Great stuff.Sad that our national heros lay forgotten.

[Lyncombe-climber]

Here here!!

[hedgesparrow]

i need to go up there and get some details as be interested in what wars they got the VC has to be the great war or before. one was for the china war in 1900. which i have not heard of unless that is the one which had the battle of the river plate. have let the council know. it may ow be put on my list to maintain. along with the other millatary graves. including a usaf officer who stayed in uk when the war ended very nice headstone with the stars and stripes on. has to be one of my better jobs thinking i am keeping it tidy and no noise just the birds and crickets for company and those there. and a nice sunny day bliss:thumbup:

[raker]

Theres a fair few VC recipients burried in Hampshire.Going back a lot of years to some lesser known battles.Presume its Hants you were working.

For interest:

HAMPSHIRE

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Proper Job!

[hedgesparrow]

yes Meadstead in hampshire. found one of them thanks for link Sir Lewis Stratford,

HALLIDAY Israel,

HARDING

Rank Brigadier Corporal General Chief Gunner

Force The Bedfordshire Regiment 9th ( Queen's Royal ) Lancers Royal Marine Light Infantry Royal Navy *

VC won Neuve Chapelle, France,

12 March 1915 Lucknow, Indian Mutiny,

6 March 1858 Boxer Rebellion, Peking,

24 June 1900 Arabi Pasha Rebellion, Egypt,

11 July 1882

London Gaz 23 August 1915 24 December 1858 1 January 1901 15 September 1882

Born Osaka, Japan,

8 March 1885 Fritton, Norfolk,

12 January 1836 Medstead,

14 May 1870 Portsmouth,

21 October 1833

Died 9 April 1953,

a London hospital 26 October 1901,

Southsea 9 March 1966,

Dorking Hospital, Surrey 22 May 1917,

Billingshurst, Sussex

Grave West Hill Cemetery, Winchester Highland Road Cemetery, Portsmouth

( headstone erected October 2003 ) Medstead Village Cemetery,

Edited August 23, 2013 by hedgesparrow

[Lloyd Jerrey]

Top man 👍

[workie]

Royal Marines Museum at Eastney has a lot of information about Royal Marines that have been awarded the VC. Been a while since I visited it though so may have changed.