THE final resting places of Colchester’s military heroes have received a much-needed facelift after the Government set aside £2 million to renovate war graves across the country.
The dozens of war graves lining Colchester Cemetery were some of the first in the UK to undergo renovation as part of a swathe of improvements.
The renovation was undertaken following a campaign by Mike Jackson, whose son-in-law Kevin Fortuna died in Afghanistan.
Together with Garrison Sergeant Major Ceri Ceaser, he contacted former MP Sir Bob Russell after seeing the state of post-World War graves in Colchester Cemetery.
After Sir Bob lost his seat to MP Will Quince in 2015, Mr Quince took up the campaign and met directly with former chancellor George Osborne to seek action.
Mr Osborne agreed to put forward £2 million so graves across the country can be brought up to standard.
Mr Jackson, of Mellor Chase, Colchester, said: “The problem was that the MoD was not funding the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to do the work, but was paying local contractors a lesser amount to do what they could for the money.
“Additionally, an annual grant will be given by the government to the to maintain all the plots.
“Work is underway around the country, but will take a dedicated team quite some time to complete.
“In Colchester, we have been very fortunate that we were near the top of the list of sites to be addressed and work has just been completed.
“The guys doing the work were so dedicated, helpful and friendly.
“We have been pushing for this for about five years and I have to say they now look incredible.”
The improved graves
Mr Quince said the renovation had “righted a long-standing wrong”.
He added: “This is exciting as nationally, as funding will now be in place perpetually.
“When I took this to George Osborne he said that’s not right, and agreed to address it.
“It was in the Autumn statement in 2015.
“The idea that any loved one of someone who has paid the ultimate price should have to tend to their graves is totally unacceptable.”
Mr Jackson launched a fundraising campaign for military charity Help for Heroes following the death of his son-in-law.
Colour Sergeant Fortuna, who had served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, died aged 36 after stepping on an IED in 2011. He was 36.
Despite initially bidding to raise £10,000, the campaign has now passed the £170,000 mark.
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