HIDDEN amongst numerous antiquated graves and tombs on the upper overgrown slopes of Winchester’s West Hill Cemetery, stood an eroded and discoloured yet imposing headstone that looks over the City towards St Catherine’s Hill.

So what I hear you say? The ‘so what’ and crux of this story is undoubtedly timing! Whilst walking in the Cemetery with my wife, Sarah and puppy Jack Russell, Buster, on a summer’s evening, Buster pulled me towards the imposing headstone mentioned above.

As a local military man with some 38 years’ service in the Army, I was interested to read the inscription for Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) James Furey of the Rifle Brigade.

RSM Furey was a First World War hero who received the Military Cross and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Unfortunately, RSM Furey died shortly after the war on the July 22 1921 and was subsequently buried under the headstone, which was erected by his admiring comrades. The MC is an operational gallantry award given to all ranks of the services in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land. The Distinguished Conduct Medal, post-nominal letters DCM, was established in 1854 by Queen Victoria as a decoration for gallantry in the field by other ranks of the British Army. Was young Buster eagerly pulling me towards the headstone three days before the centenary of this local hero’s sad demise a coincidence? I am not sure but after talking to my two sons, one of which (Patrick) lost his leg during action with 3 PARA in Afghanistan, we strongly agreed that coincidence or not, we had to rally round to mark the centenary of RSM Furey’s passing.

My youngest son, Max who aspires to join the military, formed a work party with me and off we went with Buster to pay the RSM a visit. Under Buster’s watchful eye, we carefully cleaned up RSM Furey’s headstone and the surrounding area before leaving some flowers to mark his special day. We tried to research RSM Furey’s actions but only found a note on his burial notice, which simply said, ‘duty served’.