An Army veteran is ensuring that the sacrifice of those who fell in service is remembered and respected with the help of Veterans’ Foundation funding.
Steve Davies, who served in Northern Ireland at the height of The Troubles, has been awarded a VF grant to renovate and restore the headstones of the fallen, as well as changing the lives of veterans who are struggling to adapt to civilian life.
The funding has helped Steve not only to take an accreditation course with the British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM), but also to fund trips with other ex-service personnel to tend to headstones in various memorials and graveyards around the country.
Pictured: The grave of Private Alfred Leefson, before and after restoration.
A former Corporal from the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Green Jackets, Steve’s passion began when he attended a family christening in Sandhurst four years ago and spotted the abandoned headstone of an 18-year-old First World War soldier from his antecedent regiment, the Rifle brigade.
“This boy had died just six weeks before the Armistice,” he said.
“His grave was dirty and overgrown, and it made me angry.
It was the fact it was my regiment too – I said I was coming back tomorrow to clean it. And the rest is history.”
Steve has now renovated the graves of 32 Victoria Cross recipients but is keen to honour the memory of all personnel, regardless of rank or recognition, and his passion is now extending to helping fellow veterans find a new sense of purpose.
The Veterans’ Foundation grant has helped Steve to take other veterans to Caterham to clean 73 graves, with more in the pipeline, as well as joining forces with other military charities to help tend other memorials.
He is currently working with Project Nova, giving veterans on probation or in the criminal system a chance to find a new purpose on projects in Great Yarmouth, Nottingham and Scotland, and also with Forgotten Veterans UK to restore five graves of those awarded the Victoria Cross in Portsmouth.
“Without these funds, none of this could happen," explained Steve.
“I know it has changed lives and given new purpose to veterans struggling in courts, prisons or with their mental health.”
Steve also works closely with three researchers to uncover each of the heroes’ stories and seek out any living relatives who they then make every effort to contact.
“The biggest problem is that you can get information on the generals and medal-winners, but the other guys you can’t – it’s sad,” lamented Steve.
“But I will never stop; I absolutely love doing this. Every time I find something a little different, it drives me forward.”
After being medically discharged from the Army after developing Asthma, Steve’s dedication to remembrance is matched by his passion to help fellow former soldiers.
He is also a local organiser of one of the Armed Forces breakfast clubs – an initiative to combat loneliness among veterans.
“I was in love with the Army from an early age until the day I handed in my MoD90,” said Steve.
“But leaving the military is a bit like a messy divorce: you’re still in love with them but they don’t love you.
There’s no real system of aftercare, and when you leave you feel bereft.”
But thanks to his efforts, Steve is turning the tide on veterans being lost in the system and on military heroes being lost to history – something he won’t allow to happen.
“Why should these people ever be forgotten? And they absolutely are forgotten.”
Grants like these are only possible thanks to your support – find out how you can help more projects like Steve’s by playing the Veterans’ Lottery here.
Find out more about Steve and read some of his fascinating stories found via his projects by visiting his website, his Facebook page, or his JustGiving page.
