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This page is subject to
the laws of copyright belonging to the webmaster and the Carr
family
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HOW I BECAME INVOLVED WITH THE CARR FAMILY
Back in 2013, I was asked
by a visitor to the web site, to check that her fathers name was on
our War Memorial.
It also led to the question, "who are all these lost servicemen
?".
It appeared there were no service records held by the British Legion
or both Parish Councils.
I subsequently decided to research all the names and publish their details
on this web site,
this is when I came across:
K. P. CARR
This led me to Katherine Parkhill Carr aged 20
from OverHall Farm, Bures
Now very intrigued I sought to find any living relatives that may shed
any light on how she lost her life.
Amazingly, Trevor Richards who lived in my road, attended Bures Primary
School with her brother Cameron.
A search of the BT Telephone Directory revealed Cameron was living in
Sudbury.
I made contact and he was absolutely thrilled, that someone after 73yrs
had finally recognised the tragic loss of his sister.
Cameron also remembered Trevor very well.
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During 2014 I spent many hours talking to him about his family and their
move from Scotland to East Anglia.
Cameron regularly visited the cemetery from the 1940`s until circa 2017.
One thing that was uppermost in his conversation with me, was long-term
upkeep of his sisters grave.
I took it upon myself and assured him that I would look after Katherine`s
grave, as long as I was able.
Unfortunately in 2018, I lost contact
with Cameron.
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Sadly, the British Legion have
never recognised this as a war grave and since 2014, I have laid
a wreath/tribute on Armistice Day each November. This fulfills my promise to Cameron. Katherine's grave is located on the left side of the cemetery, as you enter by the gravel driveway. |
With no contact from Cameron, in early
2018 I contacted the CWGC and requested assistance in maintaining this
Memorial.
The engraving on the side of the Memorial due to weathering, was now
illegible.
I was informed it was a Private Memorial erected by Steven and Marion
Carr in 1943, consequently the upkeep was not covered by the Commission.
I contacted them again during November
2019, requesting an inspection of the gravestone.
I also brought to their attention,
Lt Cornard Cemetery which has three war graves has CWGC signs at both
entrances to the church.
The same signs were also erected at Gt Cornard Church.
Why was there no CWGC sign at Bures ?
In late August 2020, the CWGC replied
to say the Regional Manager had visited the Cemetery and agreed they
would erect a new Gallipoli style engraved Tablet together with a sign
to the entrance of the cemetery.
The Tablet would be placed amongs`t the green chippings, which prevents
disturbance to the existing stonework.
They would make sure it was visited every 2 years, as per their maintenance
schedule.
Finally, the Gallipoli Headstone was
erected on 9th June 2021
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Now after 80 years since her burial,
Katherine has finally been recognised for the role she
played in protecting our country during WW2.
Katherine's grave is located on the left side of the cemetery, as you
enter by the gravel driveway.
Alan Beales 09/11/2020
Update 10/07/2021