CARING former Malvern Royal Artillery Officers have launched a bid to breathe new life into the grave of a town First World War veteran.
Tony Hacon and Tim Kidwell were in Great Malvern cemetery earlier this year when they came across the grave of Alan Charles Lorraine Bate in a state of disrepair.
The former Territorial Army Artillery Officer died in October 1918 and when the pair discovered it they knew they had to act to bring it back to its former glory.
They raised the funds from a range of sources to get it repaired which included the Royal Artillery, some ex Royal Artillery soldiers, Malvern Civic Society, and an Australian company called Humanihut.
After their efforts, they intend to celebrate the 103-year-old connection to life in service with a ceremony on Monday (October 25).
Both of the caring fund-raising champions will be in attendance as the grave is re-dedicated in the memory of their fallen comrade.
Soldiers from the Army Reserve, standard bearers from the Royal British Legion and the Royal Artillery Association and a trumpeter will also be on hand for the service from 11am.
The event will be made more poignant as the duo have found Alan’s living relative, John Bate-William who will also attend the service. John’s father was also a Royal Artillery Officer.
