Restoring respect: one veteran's efforts to clean military graves

As Remembrance approaches, we’re reminded of the importance of honouring those who served. For Steve, a veteran of the Royal Green Jackets, that respect is shown through hands-on work - cleaning and restoring military graves, including those at our cemetery.

About Steve

Steve served in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets before being medically discharged in 1981. After a long career in financial services, he semi-retired and found himself drawn to grave restoration following a visit to a cemetery during a family christening. There, he noticed the neglected grave of a young rifleman from his own regiment who had died just weeks before the Armistice.

That moment led him to learn stone masonry from scratch, mostly through online tutorials, before becoming a qualified stonemason. Since then, he’s cleaned over 1,300 graves, 30 memorials, and 20 statues. He now runs a CIC and maintains 67 Victoria Cross graves across southeast England, with a goal of reaching 100. He records his grave restorations using an interactive map.

Working with Blind Veterans UK

Steve first came across our graves about four years ago while cleaning graves from the old Red Cross Hospital in Brighton. He noticed a clear difference between the bright white Commonwealth War Graves and the darker, dirtier Blind Veterans UK headstones.

"It didn’t feel right," he said. "So I got in touch with Blind Veterans UK to offer help." Around the same time, our Community Engagement Lead Jo was doing the same, and the two met on site. Since then, Steve has returned annually to maintain the memorial and 229 headstones, regularly supported by fellow volunteer Mark.

Among those buried in our cemetery is Matron Miss Winifred Boyd Rochfort, who dedicated 21 years to St Dunstan's (former name of Blind Veterans UK) as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse. Her extraordinary service was recognised by the King in his New Year Honours list with the Bestowal of the O.B.E.

On 25 September, a group of volunteers came together to support with laying ornamental bark. Staff members from Sopra Steria were joined by our dedicated community and centre staff, volunteers, family members, and Gary and Mike from The Veterans Volunteer Service - all working side by side to restore and care for this important space.

How grave cleaning works

Cleaning graves isn’t just about scrubbing. Steve explains that older stones need a gentler approach - starting with water and a toothbrush, and sometimes using mild soap or specialist cleaners. It can take several visits to get an older grave looking right.

Weather plays a big part too. Wet days are best for cleaning, while dry sunny days are better for painting and repairs. Steve uses stone-to-stone epoxy to rebuild broken memorials and repaints lettering when needed.

He also looks after the grave of Blind Veterans UK founder Sir Arthur Pearson in Hampstead.

A meal deal and a mission

Steve’s first visits to Blind Veterans UK were done for nothing more than a Tesco meal deal - Diet Coke, salt and vinegar crisps, and a ham and cheese sandwich. "I’m not in it for the money," he said. "I just wanted to help."

Now, with travel costs and expensive eco-friendly cleaners like D2, he charges a small fee to cover expenses. He also runs a Facebook page called Military Grave Restorer, where supporters can subscribe for £2.79 a month to help fund his work, especially for graves that aren’t maintained by families or official organisations.

You can also support Steve's work by donating via his JustGiving page.

Keeping memory alive

Steve’s work is a reminder that remembrance isn’t just about ceremonies - it’s also about care and attention to the places where those who served are laid to rest. Through his efforts, these graves are kept clean, repaired, and respected.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to Steve for his dedication, time, and care. His support means so much to us and to the families of those who served. His work ensures that the memory of Blind Veterans UK members - and many others - is preserved with dignity.