VC graves restored under Council's pioneering scheme

7.54.42pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 23rd Feb 2008

• THE graves of five holders of the Victoria Cross are being restored to their former glory under a pioneering initiative from Richmond Council.

Whitton resident Tony Lindsay was among the first to sign up to the borough's Adopt a Grave scheme, which sees local groups and individuals work with the Cemeteries Office to maintain or renovate neglected graves. He has since taken the lead in restoring the five VC burial plots, raising funds from military organisations and charities, and securing match funding from the Council. The money is being spent on cleaning, restoring and securing the headstones and ornate memorials that mark the graves. It will see the final resting places of the recipients of the highest military decoration for courage in battle, safeguarded for future generations. The success has led to a fresh call from the Council's Cemeteries Office for residents, schools and organisations to join the Adopt a Grave scheme.

Cllr Martin Elengorn, Cabinet Member for Environment on Richmond Council, said: "The courage of our VC holders should not be forgotten, particularly when, as now, our armed forces are engaged in combat overseas. Indeed Sir Garrett O'Moore Creagh, one of the five VCs, earned it almost 130 years ago, in Afghanistan, where British forces are in active service today. Adopt a Grave has proved extremely popular with local people, schools, and other organisations, including the Scouts. We are now appealing for more people to join the scheme and learn more about the notable figures who helped shape our borough or whose influence extended beyond it."