Photo: Edward Graham
Photo: Edward Graham
Photo; Edward Graham
The Journal 28/09/2017 reports the story of how the location of his grave was unknown. He married Eveline McBride of Acomb. Their twin sons, born three weeks after their father's death, set out to find their father's grave. The CWGC finally acknowledged their findings, and a headstone was erected in Catania.
Edward Graham has provided the following:
Emotional moments as a lifetime’s research is rewarded
In an emotionally charged service, held under, unseasonable for Sicily, leaden grey skies, Prudhoe man, Edward Graham saw a lifetime’s research rewarded when the grave of his Father, Fusilier Edward Graham, was re-dedicated with full military honours, the service attended by a strong contingent from former members of Fusilier Graham’s regiment, senior military figures and representatives of the town of Piedemonte Etneo which Fusilier Graham had taken part in liberating just the day before he was killed.
Now back home, having had to interrupt his journey to appear on BBC TV’s Breakfast programme, Edward said, “This was for me the end of a very long and at times frustrating journey and the occasion came with very mixed emotions. On one hand, there was great satisfaction in having located my Father’s resting place but, of course, this was tinged with sadness that I never had the opportunity to meet him or, indeed, did he have the chance to get to know his children. There is, however, a degree of comfort that I have been able, with great assistance from some wonderful people, to find and identify my Father’s grave and to see him laid in a beautiful setting, alongside the comrades who fought so bravely beside him”.
The grave of Fusilier Graham was previously marked by a headstone bearing the inscription “Unknown Soldier”; this has now been replaced with a new stone of Italian marble inscribed with Fus. Graham’s name and service number. The re-dedication service in the Catania War Cemetery in Sicily was conducted by Padre Ivan Linton, Chaplain to the Royal Irish Regiment who also provided the guard of honour. At the conclusion of the service the regimental bugler sounded the “Last Post” while a piper played a haunting Irish Lament. Edward was presented with the national flag, normally used to cover the coffin at military funerals. Wreaths were laid at the Cross of Sacrifice by Edward, his Brother Sydney, the Ministry of Defence Attache to Italy and representatives of the Irish Brigade and the town council of Piedemonte Etneo. The occasion was organised with great care and sensitivity by Nicola Nash of the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre.
Edward Graham is remembered in Chopwell on C92.04
