The Global Positioning System Plots The War Graves
Accurate plotting using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to locate graves and memorials in the
village of Cradley has been taking place as part of the Cradley Memorials Heritage Trail project, funded by a Heritage Lottery grant. The photograph shows Andy Evans of Weird Systems in St Peter’s churchyard checking the coordinates for the grave of John Cox.
John was enlisted into the army and served as a signaller with the South Staffs Regiment during the Great War, 1914 – 1918. He took part in the Gallipoli campaign and later, whilst fighting in France against the Germans, was gassed and suffered shell shock. John’s eyesight was permanently damaged but as a skilled engineer he continued to work after the war at Charles Willetts, Overend Road, Cradley.
John died in 1962 and MFAA are grateful to his granddaughter Valerie for pointing the project towards his final resting place.
Following his visit to the churchyard, Andy (pictured right) joined MFAA group members in nearby Homer Hill Park to plot the GPS coordinates for the site of the former Band Stand identified on an earlier visit by elderly Cradley residents, Jim Round, Ruby Homer and Tony Carter.
Jim Round, Ruby Homer and Tony Carter.