Appeal organisers heartened by reponse to Sharrad appeal
ORGANISERS of an appeal to raise £4,500 to place a headstone above the unmarked grave of war hero Sharrad H Gilbert say that they have been “greatly heartened” by the response to the appeal.
Since launching the appeal at the end of last year, the organisers have managed to raise £2,500 to mark the grave in Burbage.
Greg Drozdz, a local historian, said: “When you start these things you are enthusiastic yourselves but it is great to see that people have taken this project to their hearts, amid everything else which is going on, like Christmas.
“We now want to push on to the main target figure and I would urge local organisations, families and individuals to consider giving to the appeal fund.
“The headstone itself has begun manufacture and preparation and will be an asset to Burbage Churchyard and the village as a whole.”
Sharrad passed away on March 10 1961 and, at 93 years old, he was Burgage’s oldest resident at the time. He had fallen onto his fire and died from the shock and injuries of severe burns.
Mr Gilbert was also one of Hinckley’s most celebrated sons, having been one of the area’s most decorated soldiers, serving both in the Boer War, the First World War, having paraded before royalty and amassing a record of 35 years in the colours.
In July 1937, he paraded before the King and Queen in Hyde Park with a detachment of the Leicestershire and Rutland War Veterans Association.
The campaigners are now planning for when the unveiling will take place and are also hunting for any relatives of Sharrad Gilbert.
The group is also keen to gather material for loan and display of the other volunteers from Hinckley who went off to the Boer War: Thomas Cassell, J E Hugill, G F Mustin, J Bailey, A E B Hawkins, H Smith, T Steele, T W Ladkin and G F Lucas.
There were other volunteers who went over with the Yeomanry, including W Wilbur, D B Atkins, W Heward, E Payne and F W Kiddle.
If you have any information, please visit Burbage Heritage Group at http:// www.burbageheritage. co.uk/. Alternatively, contact the fund, c/o Mrs Sylvia Whitworth, at 121 Church Street, Burbage, Leics LE10 2DB.