Service of Re - dedication of the grave of Lt Col FV Northey.

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Lt Col Francis Vernon Northey 60th Rifles.


Service of Re - dedication of the grave of Lt Col FV Northey
1230 hrs
Saturday the 9th of December 2017
Ashley Road Cemetery
Epsom
Surrey
KT18 5BP

Lt Col Francis Vernon Northey  Died of Wounds April the 6th Zululand 1879 Buried Epsom Cemetery 9th of December 1879
Francis Vernon Northey came from a leading Epsom family with a strong ethic of military service. Francis was shot whilst leading his troops against the Zulu’s at the Battle of Gingindlovu in Zululand. After treatment he continued to encourage his men but the wound was mortal and he died four days later. He was buried at first in South Africa, his grave marked with a cross cut from a wooden packing case. However, it was decided that his body should be returned to Epsom for reburial in the family plot in Ashley Road Cemetery near Epsom Racecourse, home of the Derby.

This was a very rare occurrence at the time, military casualties from active service were usually buried near where they fell.  His second funeral was intended to be a low - key affair but still attracted many Epsom townspeople, the Northey family were held in high regard. The grave stone marking his Epsom grave incorporated the wooden cross also brought back with his body from Zululand.  In 1999 the wooden grave marker appeared in a ‘Then and Now’ book on the Zulu War. Due to this and the vulnerability of the grave it was decided to remove the original grave marker.

Two Police Officers, both armed service veterans, carefully removed the wooden cross from the stone marker where it had been displayed for over 120 years.  It was taken to Bourne Hall museum where it underwent a course of preservation and is now in the care of the museum. This was undertaken with permission of the Northey family.

Since then the grave has fallen into disrepair. It is now to be restored and will be re-dedicated on Saturday the 9th of December 2017 at 12 30 pm, attended by members of the Northey family and Civic representatives of the Borough of Epsom and Ewell led by the Mayor. During the service a Guard of Honour will be provided by The Diehards Living History Society representing the 24th of Foot circa 1879. A Zulu war display will be held at the cemetery chapel the same day, included in the exhibition will be the original grave marker.

All are welcome to attend. Donations towards the cost of the restoration will be gratefully received.

Tim Richardson  c/o Bourne Hall Museum
timothyrichardson12@ntlworld.com


Posted on behalf of Tim Richardson.

Really nice headstone. Based on the original.

It's a shamed the battle's not mentioned on the stone.

JY Sorted.

CTSG,

I take your predicted text threw up the word ‘ashamed’? I assume that you meant to write it is a shame...?

Because those who were involved in organising the event certainly have nothing to be ashamed of.

Well done to all those involved in rededication, with a particular mention for Tim Richardson for his great efforts.

JY

It's great to see these older memorials being refurbished these days. Full congratulations to all those invlolved in this effort under discussion.

I was in the UK in June/July and visited Churcham to see the grave of Alfred "Henry" Hook, V.C. His gravestone had been in very poor shape until a local group raised funds to restore it to it's current excellent condition. The gravestone of Colour Sgt. Frank Bourne in Beckenham Cemetary is in need of a facelift. If there is a move to do so I would be happy to throw in a few quid to assist.
Nitro450.

John - as always good to be out on the ground actually doing things Zulu War orientated - the Gods looked down on us Saturday and the weather was perfect for the occasion - good to catch up with old friends and to reacquaint ourselves with some - a wonderful way to remember those who fought and died on both sides during the conflict - atb Tim

Tim,

Indeed luck was on our side with the weather on Saturday.

Don’t forget new friends as well.

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HRH Princess Zama-Zulu Shange fraternising with Tim.

Princess Zama-Zulu Shange has assumed the mantle of her late father with great enthusiasm and looks forward to the next event.

All the best.

JY

Well chosen words John - and 100% in agreement with you on them - till the next time - atb Tim

A very memorable event and,as you say blessed with marvellous weather. I really enjoyed making your acquaintance Tim. John Young, maybe next time.
Lindsay

Yeah ctsg.. it is a shame that was omitted, ' mortally wounded ' beg's the question
" Where ". so people to come would know it was at the Battle of Gingindlovu. it
might pique there curiosity to know where on earth that was, and look it up, we of
the AZW war community are relatively few in number... probably 99 per cent of the
world's population would not have the first clue of the subject we hold so dear. yet
it seem's so intensely personal to some of us.

A nice little video British Forces Broadcasting Service: http://www.forces.net/news/restored-and-rededicated-honouring-british-officer-zulu-wars-grave

JY

excellent JY
90th

A really great event and very glad I was able to attend. A nice service of rededication and some interesting displays by the Die Hards and of equipment and Memorabilia in the chapel afterwards. Thanks to everyone involved. Phil