An unusual gravestone
A graveyard is an unlikely place for amusement but during the 1930s
Jill Dudbridge spotted this stone in the graveyard at Winchester Cathedral.
Thomas Thetcher had no known Blencowe connections,
but maybe we could make him an honorary member?
In case the smaller print is illegible, here it is:
In grateful remembrance of whose universal
good will towards his Comrades
is placed here at their expence as a finall
testimony of their regard and concern.
‘Here sleeps in peace a Hampshire Grenadier,
Who caught his death by drinking cold Small Beer.
Soldiers be wise from his untimely fall,
And when yere hot drink Strong or none at all.
This memorial being decay’d it was restored by the Officers of the Garrison A.D.1782
An honest Soldier never is forgot
Whether he die by Muskett or by Pot.
This Stone was placed by the North Hants
Militia when disembodied at Winchester,
on 26th April 1802 in consequence of
the original Stone being destroyed
Perhaps the Church authorities thought this all too frivolous for the stone is no longer there.
updated: 7 February 2009