Picture courtesy of Rory Webster
THE STORY OF MY APPEAL
TO RESTORE THE GRAVE OF CAPTAIN GRAHAM
Written for
The Irish Wolfhound Club Of Scotland
HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
The idea of mobilizing the international Irish Wolfhound community to effect a restoration of Captain Graham’s grave came to me when, in late 2006, I read an article in The Irish Hound 2004 - 2005, the magazine of the Irish Wolfhound Club of Ireland, by Andrew Barton a resident of Dursley and keen local historian highlighting its dilapidated state.
Dilapidated Grave ofcourtesy of |
| Article "Forgotten" by Andrew Barton |
I contacted Andy to discuss the matter further. We both realised that before we could take any action Graham’s descendants would have to be traced so it could be established that they had no objection to our proposed interference with the final resting place of Graham and his wife.
In early 2007 my initial enquiries within the Irish Wolfhound world about possible family members were fruitless. As a solicitor I receive a Law Society publication called the Gazette in which I noticed an advert for Hoopers, a firm of international probate genealogists based in London. I contacted them and explained what I was trying to do. I provided them with all the information that I had about Graham’s family and they seemed confident they could assist. A budget was agreed and within 3 weeks I received a letter, a family tree and copies of official documents identifying 5 great grandchildren of the captain together with contact details.
Thus in mid 2007 I made contact with Graham’s descendants who were then, and have remained, very supportive of the restoration project.
In September 2007 I travelled down to Dursley to meet with Andy and Rory, the great grandson, and we inspected the grave before journeying to Somerset to meet other family members and view a number of Graham artefacts.
Having secured the family’s support Andy and I set ourselves a timetable. We needed to raise funds and effect the restoration within 2 years so that the work would be completed for the centenary of Graham’s death in 2009.
I then drafted the Appeal documents which I circulated to a number of breed clubs both at home and abroad as well as to national and international Irish Wolfhound publications. The Appeal was first published in November 2007 and continued to appear in print and on websites thereafter. An update was provided at the beginning of 2009.
| Captain Graham Appeal | Nov 2007 |
| Appeal Update | Jan 2009 |
The call had gone out, a bank account was opened, a PayPal facility set up as I waited for a response.
I also made direct approaches, all unsuccessful, to several high profile individuals in business and entertainment who I knew had kept Irish Wolfhounds at some time. I contacted C&C International Ltd, who own Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey which features wolfhounds in its logo. The company was extremely generous and forwarded a substantial donation.
HOW DID THE INTERNATIONAL IRISH WOLFHOUND COMMUNITY HELP?
The response was mixed. Some organisations ignored the Appeal all together. Others embraced it and not only gave it publicity, bringing it to the attention of their members, but undertook fund raising activities. For example:
- The Irish Wolfhound Club of America took a collection at their National Specialty Show 2008 in Texas
- The Irish Wolfhound Club of Norway held raffles at their National Specialty Shows in 2008 and 2009. On the later occasion the judge donated his fee
- Carolyn Dean, editor of Irish Wolfhound World organised a raffle at the European Irish Wolfhound Congress 2008 in Slovenia
- The Irish Wolfhound Club of Scotland donated a percentage of the proceeds of sale from their 2009 club calendar and held a raffle at the 2009 AGM/seminar
- Other breed Clubs and Associations donated from existing funds.
WHAT HAVE I ACHIEVED?
Whilst I was responsible for fund raising and liaising with the various representative parties that attended, recognition must be given to Andy Barton; with his local knowledge and contacts he has been invaluable. He is largely responsible for the preparations for the day of celebration and remembrance on 23rd October 2009 when the restored grave was rededicated. He co-ordinated the work of the stonemasons, arranged the service with the vicar, persuaded the governors and headmaster of Rednock School to allow us to put plaques in the new buildings, ensured the local press covered the story, brought the local history society along, invited the mayor to unveil one of the plaques and made sure the Member of Parliament attended the service and rededication.
Restored Grave ofPhoto courtesy of |
Photographs of the Rededication
Rededication of the grave by Janet Bromley, Rector of Dursley at St Mark's Church |
I believe the key successes of the Appeal were:
- An appreciation within the international Irish Wolfhound community of the common debt ALL of us who share our lives with these magnificent dogs owe to Captain Graham.
- A world wide appeal that generated in excess of £2,500.
- Sufficient funds to allow for a complete and professional restoration of the grave on time.
- Enough money left to erect 2 commemorative plaques in the new Rednock School buildings to inform future generations.
- A bringing together of local community, Graham’s family and international Irish Wolfhound devotees clearly demonstrated by the range of individuals present on the day.
- A tangible and fitting tribute to this man’s pioneering work 100 years after his death.
(Strickenoak Irish Wolfhounds)
Vice President of the Irish Wolfhound Club of Scotland