After legally visiting christ church’s locked graveyard via appointment, myself and the group i was with were horrified at the state of the five ww1 graves that are still within the churchyard and were deeply saddened that these five local men who fought for us lay forgotten until we literally stumbled across them. We’ve been planning and campaigning for a small, yet permanent memorial plaque to be placed on the gates or gatepost of christ church at the western entrance to ensure more people become aware of (and are allowed to remember) “our unforgotten five” – private vincent roebuck beverley, private louis bailey, private arthur brown, private ralph fowles and 2nd corporal isaac thompson (who is literally buried on his own doorstep having lived at 24 church street and his grave being within view of his wife, amy’s bedroom window). We have always said that all we want from stockport council is a “yes” or a “no” and that we are willing to adhere to any restrictions – we do not want a penny from the council as we are more than willing to raise money for this ourselves but we do not want to take any money off anyone if there’s a chance it will be removed by the council. For almost a year now, i have been passed from pillar to post and told that it’s being sent to other departments and then i hear absolutely nothing and myself and others who want this plaque are now fed up of it – we’re sick of being brushed under the carpet in the hope that we will go away – these men deserve to be remembered – they fought for us, they’re related to some of us, they were all local men. All we’re asking for is a definitive answer – that churchyard is a disgrace and it’s a shame that such a beautiful church with such a rich and interesting local history is allowed to be that way but it’s an even bigger shame and disgrace that five brave young men who fought for this country lie in desecrated, damaged graves in there, totally forgotten! Please sign this petition if you want stockport council to finally listen to us and give us a simple “yes you may have permission to raise your own funds and place the plaque! “
There are currently 2 signatures for this petition: