Working in the cemetery today (5 October 2025) were Alan, Dave, Astrid and Michael.
The boys concentrated on the Davey B24 grave, the first job was to cement the kerbs and posts back together which went well. The stone chippings that were removed were washed, black membrane was laid down inside the grave, and the clean stones put back in the grave. This was a big job as the four posts are now back in their rightful place. Photo was taken and all agreed how nice it was to see the grave complete again.
It was noticed that two new memorial stones have been erected since the team were last in, one in the St Mary’s section, a new War Commission headstone for Charles Bond H18 who was educated at Dr Morgan’s and served in the first ever tank action on the Somme battle. He was twice wounded and invalided home to recover. On returning to France he contracted trench fever and was invalided home again where he caught Measles followed by Tuberculosis and was granted a discharge. His condition worsened and he died of a heart attack on 10 September 1918 aged 29.3
The other new memorial erected by family, for the Palmer’s in the non conformist section 13-39 for Elsie 1904 – 1992; William 1901 – 1959 and their 3 year old son Douglas who died in 1928. They now have a beautiful white marble headstone and kerbs.
After Astrid had looked at the new memorials she got stuck into removing the weeds from the wild flower garden. She mentioned to Alan that a small section of metal fence connected to the pedestrian gate entrance at Halesleigh Road had been pushed out of position.
The boys went over to have a look, one end bolted to the gate post the other end appears to have been cemented in at the base and has broken away. There seems to be no danger as the bolt appears to be holding but work needs to be done as we are sure this will be pushed again and the gap made bigger if not put right. A new concrete block is required to hold the post back in position. Photographs taken and will be reported to the Town Council.
After taking a full dumpy bag over to the storage area all made their way home.