Grave of Ltn. Victor Richardson M.C.

[MichaelBully]

Have heard back from the Western Front Association specialist on memorials. They have kindly taken the time to show the photo of Victor Richardson's grave to a lecturer at the Building Crafts College. Their opinion is that -from looking at the photo- the whole restoration work might come to know more than £400.00.

Encouraging news - obviously this quote is based on a photograph - so whoever is considering the work will need to have a look at the grave itself.

But I had feared that the restoration work would be priced a lot higher.

I am hoping to see if a compromise could be reached where the Commonwealth War Grave Commission could help with the repair of the lettering on the base headstone and the kerbs surrounding the grave whilst we have to try to raise the money for setting up the stone cross from somewhere else.

Nice birthday present for Victor. Well done Michael. It should tidy it up nicely without having to replace components for new ones. I wonder when they'll do it. I have to get in touch with them about young Chadwell's grave. All in good condition but collapsing into the grave itself. Sorry to have missed you the other day. Looked in on Victor on the way home and someone showed me the grave of a Bugler that sounded the charge of the light brigade. Took a picture but can't put it on here as it's the wrong war. There is an 1890 recording of him sounding the charge on a bugle used at Waterloo. Well done again with Victor's grave. Yours Terry.

[TWORLEDGE]

Have heard back from the Western Front Association specialist on memorials. They have kindly taken the time to show the photo of Victor Richardson's grave to a lecturer at the Building Crafts College. Their opinion is that -from looking at the photo- the whole restoration work might come to know more than £400.00.

Encouraging news - obviously this quote is based on a photograph - so whoever is considering the work will need to have a look at the grave itself.

But I had feared that the restoration work would be priced a lot higher.

I am hoping to see if a compromise could be reached where the Commonwealth War Grave Commission could help with the repair of the lettering on the base headstone and the kerbs surrounding the grave whilst we have to try to raise the money for setting up the stone cross from somewhere else.

Maybe we should try to get some local quotes. Them may not have noticed that the cross is broken above the crosspiece. Another joining job. Also prices tend to vary throughout the country. Having said that is so little money. As you say a compromise might be possible. Keep up the good work Michael. Maybe we can get enough forum guys and gals interested. I'd love to see the lettering restored especially those MC ones he won. Yours Terry.

[mandy hall]

I would be prepared to donate some money for something I consider to be a good cause.

Mandy

[MichaelBully]

Thank you very much for your support Mandy and Terry. I have E mailed the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to see when they are likely to be able to visit and how long after a visit they would expect to make a decision concerning how much help they could offer.

Once I get a reply I will report back; Yes I think it would be possible to start raising the money soon but I will contact Victor's relatives again to give them update and to ensure that they agree to an account being opened for this purposes.

I would be prepared to donate some money for something I consider to be a good cause.

Mandy

[MichaelBully]

Just hard back from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission; they hope to be able to visit in a 'few weeks' and advise that this would be a good time to report back to Victor's family, who in turn will have to confirm directly to the CWGC that they are in agreement with their intervention. I have responded back to CWGC and agreed that will do so but I need postal contact as the family do not use World Wide Web.

[TWORLEDGE]

Just hard back from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission; they hope to be able to visit in a 'few weeks' and advise that this would be a good time to report back to Victor's family, who in turn will have to confirm directly to the CWGC that they are in agreement with their intervention. I have responded back to CWGC and agreed that will do so but I need postal contact as the family do not use World Wide Web.

Hi Michael.

great news. Hopefully we can come up with something when we hear what they have to say. I was thinking that a centre stripe of purple colourled glass with white each side a la MC ribbon would be nice. Probably a bit ott though. See what they come up with.

Yours Terry.

[MichaelBully]

Just heard back from Victor's family; they are pleased with the interest shown in the prospect of restoring Victor's grave and are writing to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission directly to give their consent to anything that can be done by the CWGC.

Hi Michael.

great news. Hopefully we can come up with something when we hear what they have to say. I was thinking that a centre stripe of purple colourled glass with white each side a la MC ribbon would be nice. Probably a bit ott though. See what they come up with.

Yours Terry.

[geoff2050]

Just heard back from Victor's family; they are pleased with the interest shown in the prospect of restoring Victor's grave and are writing to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission directly to give their consent to anything that can be done by the CWGC.

Michael.

Well done it looks like you have nearly reached your goal.

Keep us in touch.

And keep up the good work.

Geoff

[Michelle Young]

Well done Michael.

Michelle

[TWORLEDGE]

Michael.

Well done it looks like you have nearly reached your goal.

Keep us in touch.

And keep up the good work.

Geoff

Hello Michael

thats great maybe we will get it done in time for June. Yours Terry.

[MichaelBully]

Hello Terry

Yes, would be great to have some repair work done by June 9th for the anniversary of Victor's death but I think that might be pushing it.

From what I understand is that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission representative will visit when they are next going to the cemetery -there are 101 recognised CWGC graves there in any case- and there are various stages to go through including liaising with Brighton and Hove City Council and updating Victor's relatives. I have never embarked on a project of this nature so can not be sure of a time line.

I have written to 9th King's Royal Rifle Corp Association, enclosing a photo of the grave, as Victor Richardson was attached to the 9th battalion when he was so badly wounded at Arras.

I hope that the grave is fully restored by the time 'Testament of Youth' film comes out as there could be a lot more interest in Victor's life.

With best wishes

Michael

Hello Michael

thats great maybe we will get it done in time for June. Yours Terry.

[TWORLEDGE]

Hello Terry

Yes, would be great to have some repair work done by June 9th for the anniversary of Victor's death but I think that might be pushing it.

From what I understand is that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission representative will visit when they are next going to the cemetery -there are 101 recognised CWGC graves there in any case- and there are various stages to go through including liaising with Brighton and Hove City Council and updating Victor's relatives. I have never embarked on a project of this nature so can not be sure of a time line.

I have written to 9th King's Royal Rifle Corp Association, enclosing a photo of the grave, as Victor Richardson was attached to the 9th battalion when he was so badly wounded at Arras.

I hope that the grave is fully restored by the time 'Testament of Youth' film comes out as there could be a lot more interest in Victor's life.

With best wishes

Michael

Hi Michael you are right. I was forgetting how far along in the year we are. Keep us posted as the news comes in. It would be nice if anyone made interested by the new film arrives at the grave and finds it in a nicer state of repair. Yours Terry.

[MichaelBully]

Just heard back from Victor Richardson's relatives. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have been in contact and are prepared to let their travelling maintenance team carry out repairs to the lead lettering and have the cross placed on wood chippings on the centre of the grave. The relatives are agreeing to this.

The relatives however think that we should go ahead and try to get the stone cross repaired and re-established in its original position. I will try and let all interested individuals and parties know, then see about costing the repairs and then raising the money, opening an account to do this.

Also the anniversary of Victor's death- 9th June- is two weeks away. If anyone is interested in meeting at Hove Old cemetery to lay some flowers on the grave, perhaps at 11 AM, please get in contact via posting here or PM.

[TWORLEDGE]

Just heard back from Victor Richardson's relatives. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have been in contact and are prepared to let their travelling maintenance team carry out repairs to the lead lettering and have the cross placed on wood chippings on the centre of the grave. The relatives are agreeing to this.

The relatives however think that we should go ahead and try to get the stone cross repaired and re-established in its original position. I will try and let all interested individuals and parties know, then see about costing the repairs and then raising the money, opening an account to do this.

Also the anniversary of Victor's death- 9th June- is two weeks away. If anyone is interested in meeting at Hove Old cemetery to lay some flowers on the grave, perhaps at 11 AM, please get in contact via posting here or PM.

Hi Michael.

great news; now we know what we are dealing with. Maybe we can wait till the GWGC have finished their work and then go from there. Sounds like it would be repairing the cross and fixing it and possibly rebedding the kerb with Victor's Mother's details on. 11am sounds apposite for 9th.

Yours Terry.

[mandy hall]

Hi Michael

I maybe in France on the 9th so will have to let you know nearer the time other wise will be there. Keep up the good work, I'm still willing to put my hand in my pocket.

Mandy

[MichaelBully]

Thanks for your support Mandy and Terry, will keep you informed. I will E mail the CWGC and also respond to Victor's relatives. When we can get some time schedule for the CWGC repairs, can then get an appeal going for money.

Yes I think that 11.00 will be most fitting time.....Victor died in the early hours of the morning but not really feasible to get the time exactly right.

Terry -will E mail you at the weekend about other Hove Great War related matters.

Regards

Michael

Hi Michael

I maybe in France on the 9th so will have to let you know nearer the time other wise will be there. Keep up the good work, I'm still willing to put my hand in my pocket.

Mandy

[Michelle Young]

Thanks for the update Michael, will be with you in spirit on the 9th, remembering Victor.

Michelle

[MichaelBully]

Thanks for your support Michelle.

I have just had a page published on the My Brighton and Hove website about Victor Richardson's grave

http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_i...0p117p158p.aspx

I have asked the website editor to correct the credit for the photograph, it was taken by Brighton based photographer Alex Currie, not myself. I have one positive response so far from a local person who has read 'Testament of Youth'.

Thanks for the update Michael, will be with you in spirit on the 9th, remembering Victor.

Michelle

[mandy hall]

Hi Michael and Terry

Are you still meeting Wednesday at 11am?

Mandy

[TWORLEDGE]

Hi Michael and Terry

Are you still meeting Wednesday at 11am?

Mandy

Hi Mandy.

It's still on for me

Terry.

[mandy hall]

Hi Terry

Will see you there.

Mandy

[MichaelBully]

Will be there -Mandy do you know where Victor's grave is ? If you want to PM me for directions, or to meet at cemetery entrance, please feel free to do so.

Hi Terry

Will see you there.

Mandy

[mandy hall]

Hi Michael

I think, I can remember how to find grave. See you tomorrow.

Mandy

[MichaelBully]

The Western Front Association are considering mentioning the condition and possible restoration of Victor Richardson's grave in their next issue of the WFA Bulletin. The Seigfried Sassoon Federation are also considering a mention of this topic in their own members' publication, 'Siegfried's Journal'.

[TWORLEDGE]

The Western Front Association are considering mentioning the condition and possible restoration of Victor Richardson's grave in their next issue of the WFA Bulletin. The Seigfried Sassoon Federation are also considering a mention of this topic in their own members' publication, 'Siegfried's Journal'.

You're getting quite famous Michael. I've just read Sapper Martin. Highly recommended. A bit about post occupation Brussels I'd never heard about. Very well written amazing that he never worked it up for publication. See you later Terry.