| Date | Original Topic |
| 15th June 2002 | Vandalism of Rorke's Drift veteran's headstone
By Ian Woodason
I have today heard from the cemetery archivist, Richard Roynon, that the headstone placed on the grave of Gunner Abraham Evans, a defender of Rorke's Drift, only last November has been vandalised beyond repair.
It is extremely sad that a grave that was unmarked for 87 years is now again in that condition and must be very upsetting for his descendents who had been so proud to attend the dedication.
Mr Roynon has told me that the damage to the cemetery as a whole amounts to between �70,000 and �100,000.
I was privileged to be invited to the dedication ceremony last year. The ceremony is on our website at
http://www.keynshamlighthorse.com/wbra/1643aevans_ra_grv.html
or follow the link from the links page of this site
Ian Woodason
www.keynshamlighthorse.com - over 1,000 memorials to those involved in the Anglo Zulu War of 1879 online.
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| Date | Replies |
| 15th June 2002 | Brian Tate
What can you say? Such mindless destruction defies belief and was probably carried out by someone without any semblance of courage unlike those whose graves have been defiled! Unfortunately, a sign of the sick times we live. Lest we forget. |
| 16th June 2002 | Glenn Wade
I agree. What morons what do that to a headstone, not just any headstone, but a defender of Rorke's Drift! I'll stop there before I get very annoyed. |
| 16th June 2002 | Alan Critchley
I agree with all the sentiments expressed.
Can we bring back hanging?
If a fund to restore is started, I would contribute �200. Anyone interested?
Alan
[email protected] |
| 16th June 2002 | Glenn
Great Idea about the fund Alan! Not too sure about hanging. Imagine you got stitched up for something you didn't do, you'd be sorry then!
I'm only 13 so don't have large amounts of cash handy, I could donate about �15. |
| 16th June 2002 | Arthur Bainbridge
People who do this are scum,there not fit to lick the heroes shoes.They should be thrown in jail and the key thrown in the sea,if they ever get out they should be sterilised as scum breeds scum. |
| 17th June 2002 | Alan Critchley
Glenn,
you've restored my faith in mankind and in particular the much maligned youth of this country.
Is anyone prepared to do the restoration, or shall I take it on?
Ian, could you tell me which local authority is responsible and other details?
Alan
[email protected] |
| 17th June 2002 | Ian Woodason
Alan,
I will get back to you when I hear from the family with their wishes. In the meantime I have been touched by the generous offers posted here and emailed direct to me - I have passed these on to the family.
Ian
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| 20th June 2002 | David kell
Count me in for a contribution. Our hero's should not go unforgotten. |
| 22nd June 2002 | Dave
Count me in ! I'm not particually well off but I feel any contribution would redress the balance on the "human nature" scale...Words fail me when I read of such actions by pathetic morons.
Dave |
| 24th June 2002 | Ian Woodason
All,
Gunner Evans' family and Richard Roynon are seeing the bank tomorrow about setting up a fund account for the money raised for the restoration of the headstone.
The family have been moved by the generosity of the offers of assistance so far.
I will post full details after speaking to them tomorrow.
Ian Woodason
www.keynshamlighthorse.com
- over 1000 memorials to those involved in the Anglo Zulu War of 1879 online |
| 26th June 2002 | Ian Woodason
All,
The 'Gunner Evans Memorial Fund' has been set up to take donations towards the restoration of this Rorke's Drift defender's desecrated grave.
For full details check out the 'What's New' section on the Keynsham Light Horse website or link direct on
http://www.keynshamlighthorse.com/wbra/1643_gnr_evans_memfund.html
I will also be collecting at the Golden Jubilee Summer Fair at the RRW Museum, Brecon this weekend.
I have again been asked to pass on the thanks of the family for all the kind offers of help made so far.
Ian Woodason
www.keynshamlighthorse.com
- over 1000 memorials to those involved in the Anglo Zulu War of 1879 online
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| 30th June 2002 | Ian Woodason
Thanks to all those who put a donation in my collecting bucket at the RRW Museum at Brecon over the weekend. One of Abraham Evans' grandsons was able to visit and was moved by the generosity of Anglo Zulu War enthusiasts.
The weekend's collection raised �39.84
If anyone else wishes to contribute they can do so by checking out the web page I mention in the above posting.
Thanks again,
Ian Woodason
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| 17th August 2002 | Lynne Hadley
Why anyone would vandalise any grave remains a mystery to me. I live in Queensland, and there have been some pretty awful attacks on headstones in cemeteries in Brisbane over the last decade. In contrast, when visiting my mother's and infant niece's graves in outback Queensland, we found that the children who had been playing in the cemetery, had actually decorated the graves with plastic flowers &ca. This included the grave of my niece. We were touched to see this - so sweet. So, the vandalism of cemeteries is certainly not endemic - but awful nevertheless. |
