A preservationist’s campaign to restore a broken stone memorial, belonging to the grave of teenage soldier, has been successful.

East Anglian Daily Times: Before restoration of the memorial birdbath, belonging to the grave of teenage soldier, in Halesworth. Picture: JANET HUCKLEBefore restoration of the memorial birdbath, belonging to the grave of teenage soldier, in Halesworth. Picture: JANET HUCKLE (Image: Archant)

Janet Huckle had set out to trace living relatives of Second World War soldier Norman Beverley – who died at 19 in a Gloucestershire hospital in 1943 – after discovering a birdbath at his headstone damaged in Halesworth Cemetery.

Mrs Huckle, who leads guided walks, helps research family histories and monitors the condition of headstones, said that despite searches and publicity, no surviving members of the family had come forward, but that the memorial had been carefully restored by Diss stonemasons, H L Perfitt.

“Donations from members of the public and donations from four guided walks in Halesworth have very nearly covered the cost,” she added.

“With all of its parts joined together, it now looks two-foot taller than before and is quite striking amongst the more usual headstones.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Before restoration of the memorial birdbath, belonging to the grave of teenage soldier, in Halesworth. Picture: JANET HUCKLEBefore restoration of the memorial birdbath, belonging to the grave of teenage soldier, in Halesworth. Picture: JANET HUCKLE (Image: Archant)