Gunner Arthur Howard, Defender of Rorke's Drift

[Tim Needham]

I am currently in the process of trying to arrange for a headstone to be erected over the currently unmarked grave of Rorke's Drift Defender Gunner Howard RA in Brockley Cemetery, Lewisham.

After several frustrating months trying to chase quotes from various stonemason firms, I have approached an Essex-based company who are willing to provide & erect an inscribed black granite headstone for £720. I have opened a dedicated Gunner Howard Memorial Fund account and currently have £120 in donations plus a pledge of £150 from the Royal Artillery Charitable Funds. This leaves around £450 to be found, so if anybody is willing to contribute (no matter how small the amount) I would be very pleased to hear from you.

Thanks to the 'Friends of Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries' group who are helping me with this project, Lewisham Council have kindly agreed to waive the usual fee of around £250.

Regards,

Tim

[Mark]

Sounds like a good cause, Tim! Do you have anything online (web site) for this? If so please feel free to advertise it here.

Can we also see photos of the headstone once it has been erected?

Mark

[Tim Needham]

Here is the original news article in the local (south London) press:

http://www.mercury-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=41704

I will of course keep the forum updated with any progress, the plan is to hold some kind of rededication ceremony at Brockley Cemetery once enough money has been raised & the stone is in place.

Regards,

Tim

[Mark]

Cheers, Tim! I hope the forum membership can help

Mark

[SWB]

Hello Tim

PM me the details to get a donation to you.

Good luck!

Meurig

[Tim Needham]

Meurig,

Many thanks, PM sent.

Regards,

Tim

[Tim Needham]

I'm sure that members will be pleased to know that the funds needed for the new headstone have now been raised & the order has gone off to the stonemason, many thanks to all the individuals & groups who donated.

I have identified a date on which to hold the rededication ceremony at Brockley Cemetery in Lewisham & unless anything changes it will be on the morning of SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16th 2012. An informal reception will also be arranged to take place following the service itself & details will hopefully follow shortly.

Anyone wishing to attend will of course be more than welcome, I will post the details once they have been fully arranged.

Regards,

Tim

[SWB]

Great news Tim!

Look forward to the next update.

Regards
Meurig

[Mark]

Map of Brockley Cemetery posted on behalf of member Tim Needham.

Brockley Cemetery Map.jpg (299.65 KiB) Viewed 1212 times

[Tim Needham]

Many thanks for posting the map Mark.

The Ceremony will begin at 1130am (Sunday Sept 16th) at the graveside, parking within the cemetery shouldn't be too much of an issue. Details for the informal reception afterwards will be posted shortly.

Regards,

Tim

[Tim Needham]

The informal reception which will follow the re-dedication ceremony for Gunner Howard will be hosted at the TA Centre in Grove Park, approx. 3.6 miles from Brockley Cemetery. Full address: 106 Regiment RA (V), Napier House, Baring Road, Grove Park SE12 0BH. Parking within the establishment is permitted & all those attending the ceremony are welcome however routine security checks will be in force as they would upon entering any MOD establishment.

Here there will be refreshments laid on (hopefully enough for everyone!) together with a bar & teas/coffees etc.

There will be a couple of table displays of AZW artifacts but if anyone wants to bring anything of interest along please feel free however firearms (even if de-activated) are not permitted within the TA Centre.

Regards,

Tim

[Mark]

Some photos from the day kindly supplied by Tim:

P1010509.JPG (140.03 KiB) Viewed 1074 times

P1010526.JPG (442.59 KiB) Viewed 1074 times

[Tim Needham]

I'm sure members of the forum will be pleased to know that the Gunner Howard re-dedication on Sunday went well & that there was a healthy turnout.

We were honoured to have amongst the guests HRH Prince Shange of the Zulu Royal Family, the Mayor of Lewisham & descendants of two Rorke's Drift VC recipients. Also lent to us for the occasion were Gunner Howard's medals.

A huge thank you to all those who contributed in some way to both the funding of the headstone & the planning of the ceremony.

Thanks admin for posting the photos for me.

Regards,

Tim