Hero who died penniless finally gets headstone

[The Straight Story]

Hero who died penniless finally gets headstone

A war hero, who served with a Northumberland regiment and was buried in an unmarked grave, is set to be finally celebrated by fellow officers more than 140 years after he died.

Corporal Robert Grant, who served with the Northumberland Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was awarded the Victoria Cross, aged 20, for rescuing a fellow soldier who was being shot at while fighting in the Indian Mutiny during the 19th century.

Cpl Grant returned home, moved to London and served with the Metropolitan police in the Camden and Kentish town area for three years before dying of consumption.

Despite a life of dedicated Army and police service, Mr Grant died penniless and was buried with nine other people in a pauper's grave in north London's famous Highgate Cemetery.

Cpl Grant's final resting spot is known only by the number 15054 and has never been marked by a headstone.

http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/latest-north-east-news/Hero-who-died-penniless-finally.3999646.jp

[Cooley Hurd]

1. This reminds me of the story of Robert Buffam:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=19681

http://www.correctionhistory.org/auburn&osborne/miskell/buffum/buffum.html

Fortunately the unusual circumstances of the violent suicide of one man were recorded in a local newspaper. The record was retrieved 123 years later to verify his identity and his final resting place.

The Civil War exploits of Robert Buffum -- who slashed his throat in a cell in the Asylum -- were not recognized when his unclaimed corpse was placed in prison ground on July 21, 1872.

His heroism as a Union soldier was unknown to Asylum staff. As a Yankee soldier Buffum had been a member of Andrews Raiders, a group of 22 spies who sneaked into Confederate territory in 1862. They captured a locomotive and attempted to burn railroad bridges to isolate train service to Chattanooga, Tenn.

While their mission was only partially successful, they did disrupt communications and delay Confederate troop movements. . . .

Coloring book depicts Lincoln presenting medal to Andrew Raiders.

Lt. Buffum was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry displayed in action against the enemy.The Medal of Honor is the oldest and highest decoration awarded by the United States Government. It was created . . . to show appreciation for unusual bravery and heroism.

The medal was presented to Buffum and five others by President Abraham Lincoln himself. Buffum was the third person to receive the Medal of Honor in the entire country.

Unfortunately Buffum became an uncontrollable alcoholic in the post war period. He also suffered psychological damage as a result of the war and of the time spent as a prisoner in the hands of the Confederates.