Restored VC Hero’s Memorial

Posted on November 24th, 2016

In the run-up to Remembrance Day, Lee and the team refurbished a brave Victoria Cross winning hero’s grave, which had fallen into disrepair in Colchester.

The memorial of Private Edmund Fowler, who was given the medal in 1882 after extraordinary bravery during the Zulu War in 1879.

It had fallen into a state of disrepair since his burial in Colchester Cemetery in 1926 after his death aged 64.

Private Fowler, originally from Waterford in Ireland, was serving in the Second Battalion of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), when he was ordered to remove tribesmen from a cave up in Hlobane Mountain, South Africa.

Advancing in single file, he had his captain gunned down in front of him before rushing forward and proceeding to clear out the stronghold.

After leaving the army, Private Fowler moved to Colchester with his family, making his home a Berechurch Road, St Giles and running a pub in Stanwell Street.

We were honoured to do something for such an illustrious war hero and return the grave to its former glory.

Our deed did not go unnoticed with coverage in the Colchester Gazette, which you can find online here.

Please do contact us if you would like a memorial cleaned-up or maintained.