Express & Star

War grave saved as £3k raised for Victoria Cross hero's headstone

Volunteers working to restore the vandalised grave of a Victoria Cross war hero said they were 'overwhelmed' by the response of the public after more than £3,000 was raised in just a few days.

Published
The grave of Colour Sergeant Anthony Booth, inset, was damaged by vandals

Members of the Victoria Cross Trust are confident the donations will be enough to bring the grave back up to the standard fitting of a war hero.

A crowdfunding page was launched by the trust after the shocking vandalism was discovered last week - sparking outrage across the Black Country.

The headstone marking the resting place of Zulu War hero Colour Sergeant Anthony Booth, at St Michael's Church, in Brierley Hill, was pushed over and damaged.

The fundraising total stood at £3,050 yesterday, with more than 100 donations having been made so far and individual pledges as high as £100.

Gary Stapleton, chief executive of the Victoria Cross Trust, which works to restore graves of Victoria Cross war heroes, said a re-dedication ceremony was planned for when Col Sgt Booth's memorial was restored.

Work is likely to be done on site as moving the grave could risk causing more damage to it.

Mr Stapleton said: "It is so touching for so many people to have come forward. People have come forward from all over the country and it is testament to them.

"It is very difficult to say how much it will cost but it will be more than enough.

"Any money that is not used will be put towards other Victoria Cross graves."

Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Dave Tyler, said: "There is a lot of good people out there.

"This is a man who put his life on the line to save others and needs to be treated with respect.

"I was appalled by what happened. If it is vandalism, I think whoever has done it should do the honourable thing and come forward and apologise. It's the least they could do."

The acts of generosity come after a £2,000 reward was put up by a member of the Royal British Legion's Dudley branch for information leading to the prosecution of the vandals.

Col Sgt Booth, of William Street, Brierley Hill, was awarded the Victoria Cross at Windsor Castle by Queen Victoria in recognition of the bravery he showed leading his men to safety after coming under attack from Zulu warriors.