MORE than £1,500 has been raised by members of the public so the grave of a war hero can be restored.
A brand new stone for Henry Ward (right in the picture) will be placed in Great Malvern Cemetery next spring which will be marked by a rededication ceremony.
Malvern Town Council launched the fund-raising campaign earlier this year to provide a fitting tribute to the Victoria Cross winner.
During the Indian Rebellion of 1857 Henry Ward saved the lives of two comrades, Private Thomas Pilkington and Lieutenant Henry Havelock.
The latter became a close friend of Ward and paid for the original plot and gravestone at Madresfield Road.
The fund-raising target was reached following the council’s First World War memorial concert in September at Malvern College which saw The Trench Raiders perform for dozens of local former servicemen and women.
The Victoria Cross Trust will provide the rest of the money needed for the new stone while the original has been placed in the trust’s military museum.
A tablet which lay flat at the grave has also been cleaned and treated to be replaced during next year’s ceremony.
The new stone will feature the same inscription from Sir Henry Havelock as the original.
Mary Andrew, great-granddaughter of Henry Ward, said: “My family and I would like to thank Malvern Town Council for organising this and we appreciate everyone’s efforts in making it happen.
“It is lovely to think that there are people out there who honour and care for the remains of our brave soldiers.”
