Steve Davies Joined the junior leaders and was sent to Shorncliffe in Kent. He passed out there having completed his initial training, and was sent to Winchester to complete his training.
He joined his battalion- 3rd Royal Green Jackets in Berlin and began his life in West Germany. During this time he’s guarded Rudolf Hess and enjoyed the lifestyle.
He was posted to Caterham in Surrey and undertook ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. Steve was medically discharged from the army after developing pneumonia which affected his breathing.
After leaving the military Steve travelled the world and ran his own business. He finally returned to the UK.
Steve maintained his passion for the military, albeit quietly. His life changed when he attended a family members wedding. It was during this he saw the grave of a young rifleman.
The Rifleman had died 6 weeks before armistice, his grave was in a state of disrepair. Steve took it upon himself to tidy the area around the grave. This was the catalyst to his passion for restoring graves.
Steve then undertook formal training in headstone restoration to ensure he could continue his great work.
He attended a war cemetery in Dover which was within a civilian cemetery and as he left, he saw a grave which appeared to belong to a recipient of the Military Cross. However, it was the grave of colour Sgt Mcweeny, he was with the 44th Regt which became the Royal Anglians and had won the VC.
Steve tidied up this grave and now looks after 57 VC graves in the Southeast.
One of his restorations was the grave of the Rear Admiral Lucas Davies who is buried in Merryworth. He was the first gazetted recipient of the VC.
The oldest grave he restored is from 1667 where 3 children had been laid to rest. The Most distinguished was Major General Sir Wilbraham Oakes Leonard VC who is buried in Brighton.
The Remembrance trust are great supporters of Steve and as a result he has rubbed shoulders with the Princesses Royal.
Listen to his great story!
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