The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
After a successful appeal to raise money for a ‘Tommy’ sculpture to commemorate the First World War, the specially commissioned steel soldier has been posted at his first grave.
Tommy now stands at the grave of Robert Diss of the Lincolnshire Regiment in Holbeach Cemetery. Mr Diss died on October 7, 1915.
Spokesman Michael Brett said: “So far we have found the graves, or commemoration stones, for 17 soldiers and sailors with Holbeach connections in the cemetery.
“There are 84 names on the Roll of Honour in All Saints Church and we would ask for help from any relative to find any others who are commemorated in the cemetery. We have stories for some but again would welcome any more information about those who fell in the Great War.”
The charity Tommy statue guards the grave of Robert Diss in Holbeach Cemetery. Picture by Ken Smith.
Mr Brett invites anyone with information or interest to attend the cemetery’s open day on July 7.
Tommy will change post later this year.
