Terry Denham Posted 11 May , 2009 Share Posted 11 May , 2009 CWGC added the following 'new' WW1 casualties to its Debt of Honour database today – Monday 11th May. Gnr George Edward PAYTON 157185 Royal Garrison Artillery Died 09.06.17 Age 38 Commemoration: Brookwood (United Kingdom 1914-1918) Memorial, Surrey, UK Pte Alexander PONTON 7023 1/4th Bn, King’s Own Scottish Borderers Died 14.10.16 Age 30 Commemoration: Brookwood (United Kingdom 1914-1918) Memorial, Surrey, UK NOT FORGOTTEN Gnr PAYTON was an In From The Cold Project case. He died of pneumonia in Whitchurch, Shropshire. (Volunteer: Kevin O’Neill) Pte PONTON was put forward on 01.02.09 on behalf of member, Derek Robertson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem49 Posted 11 May , 2009 Share Posted 11 May , 2009 Never Forgotten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pw643 Posted 11 May , 2009 Share Posted 11 May , 2009 RIP Good work Regards Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Robertson Posted 11 May , 2009 Share Posted 11 May , 2009 Terry, Just a wee question regarding the inclusion of Alex Ponton on the Brookwood Memorial. Why does the CWGC choose to commemorate men on this memorial rather than raise individual headstones in the cemeteries the men are known to be buried in? There are many examples of headstones inscribed "Believed to be buried" in CWGC cemeteries. Do the CWGC have a different procedure for these men in the UK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisharley9 Posted 11 May , 2009 Share Posted 11 May , 2009 May He Rest In Peace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Denham Posted 11 May , 2009 Author Share Posted 11 May , 2009 Derek I have raised a query on this one. The last I heard, the cemetery authorities could not confirm his burial location in Hobkirk (Remember, we conversed about this). It is possible that permission for a Special Memorial has been refused. Such memorials are at the discretion of the cemetery authority. However, I'll let you know if there is any further news. A name on an official memorial is better than no name at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will O'Brien Posted 12 May , 2009 Share Posted 12 May , 2009 Raising a glass to the memory of George & Alexander. Raising another to the efforts of Kev & Derek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Robertson Posted 12 May , 2009 Share Posted 12 May , 2009 A name on an official memorial is better than no name at all. Terry, My question wasn't a criticism and I'm delighted to have Alex officially commemorated. This is the first time I've came across such a commemoration at Brookwood and was just curious to know why this was the prefered option to that of a headstone marked "Believed to be buried" that I've seen in so many overseas CWGC cemeteries. I'd be interested to know what the local authority thought in this case when his grave couldn't be located. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Denham Posted 12 May , 2009 Author Share Posted 12 May , 2009 No criticism was seen in your comment. I suspect this is a holding position until the issue can be sorted. With the cemetery authority unable to confirm burial (if that finally is the case) a Special Memorial would not be raised (they are also common in the UK where the exact spot is not known or is unmaintainable in a cemetery). I am awaiting an update on the situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisharley9 Posted 22 December , 2011 Share Posted 22 December , 2011 Pte Alexander PONTON 7023 1/4th Bn, Kings Own Scottish borderers Died 14.10.16 Age 30 Commemoration: Brookwood (United Kingdom 1914-1918) Memorial, Surrey, UK Final confirmation that Alexander is buried in Hobkirk Old Churchyard has been received today from the Borders Council. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisharley9 Posted 22 September , 2015 Share Posted 22 September , 2015 PONTON, ALEXANDER Rank:PrivateService No:7023Date of Death:14/10/1916Age:30Regiment/Service:King's Own Scottish Borderers 1st/4th Bn. Grave Reference:Old SectionCemetery:HOBKIRK PARISH CHURCHYARDAdditional Information:Son of George and Susan Ponton, of Hawick. Commemoration Moved From UK BOR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Robertson Posted 28 September , 2015 Share Posted 28 September , 2015 PONTON, ALEXANDER Rank: Private Service No: 7023 Date of Death: 14/10/1916 Age: 30 Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers 1st/4th Bn. Grave Reference: Old Section Cemetery: HOBKIRK PARISH CHURCHYARD Additional Information: Son of George and Susan Ponton, of Hawick. Now I am confused. Has the CWGC decided to raise a headstone to Alex in Hobkirk now where Scottish Borders Council state that he was buried? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisharley9 Posted 29 September , 2015 Share Posted 29 September , 2015 Derek At present I do not have a clue Will ask Terry Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 29 September , 2017 Share Posted 29 September , 2017 On 9/28/2015 at 23:32, Derek Robertson said: Now I am confused. Has the CWGC decided to raise a headstone to Alex in Hobkirk now where Scottish Borders Council state that he was buried? Yes. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-41398577 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Robertson Posted 2 October , 2017 Share Posted 2 October , 2017 Thanks Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Robertson Posted 2 October , 2017 Share Posted 2 October , 2017 My thanks to Terry and all at CWGC who made this possible. I did wonder why the CWGC wanted Alex Ponton commemorated on a memorial hundreds of miles away from where he was buried in 1916. Thankfully sense prevailed and he now is commemorated amongst 'his ain'. The Rev Douglas Nichol said a prayer and Sir Hew Strachan gave a few words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 2 October , 2017 Share Posted 2 October , 2017 Great pictures. Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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