One of the first projects we got involved in was to do with the commemoration of black servicemen (and women) in World War One and one of the first soldiers we researched was Lionel Fitzherbert Turpin. You can read about him in our ‘Forgotten History – World War One and beyond’ section.
Our research identified the location of his grave in Leamington cemetery, something we had been told was ‘unknown’. We visited Leamington with high hopes, only to find that his grave was unmarked:
We found out subsequently that this photo shows slightly the wrong patch of grass but that doesn’t alter the fact that there was no marker for Lionel’s final resting place.
That was in April 2015 and we decided then that something should be done to mark where Lionel lay. Not so easy! It soon became apparent that not any Tom, Dick or Harry can plonk a memorial down in a cemetery. So we had to wait.
Our patience was rewarded when, last year, we were contacted by a descendent of Lionel who told us that the family intended to place a marker in the cemetery. Recently they sent us this photo to show that their efforts have been successful:
We are pleased there has been a happy conclusion to a story that started over 4 years ago and that the final resting place of a young man who travelled to the UK from British Guiana (now Guyana) and served (and was seriously wounded) in World War One is properly marked. Well done to the family for making it happen.