Marsha Jones, licensee of The Black Lion, Broad Lane, Bramley, is running the Leeds 10K on Sunday July 9th to raise funds for the Friends of Bramley War Memorial’s plans for a Peace Garden. Here’s her story and details on how you can support her…
On Sunday the 9th July I will be running the Leeds 10k Race to raise funds for the Bramley War Memorial Fund. We – The Black Lion Bramley – have raised over £100 already which has helped complete the Peace Garden, as well as maintain and upkeep local memorials and churchyards.
Bramley-born Geoffrey Appleyard was the first Second in Command of No.2 SAS Regiment following service in the Commandos and Small Scale Raiding Force, he is remembered in the large plot in Bramley Baptist Churchyard by the grave of his mother.
Major John Geoffrey “Geoff” Appleyard, DSO, MC and bar (20 December 1916—13 July 1943) was a British Army officer, who served in the Commandos and Special Air Service during World War II.
Our fundraising book, “Geoffrey” is detailed on both the Shop and News sections and can be purchased for £11.99 plus £3 Postage and Packaging by PayPal to our email address; bramleywm@aol.com
Bramley Baptist Churchyard War and Remembered Graves Clean-up – Background:
Bramley (Zion) Baptist Churchyard covers 8 acres and is over 200 years old.
It is privately owned by the church with the vast majority of graves privately owned by the families that originally purchased the graves. With in the case of older graves there are no up to date contact details for current descendants of the owners.
A combination of size, subsidence and sheer scale of upkeep means that the graveyard away from the areas closest to the church is in a state of disrepair.
Included in the graves are around 80 that are either Official War Graves (white headstones) covering World Wars One and Two and what are termed “Remembered” graves that carry a memorial or inscription to a family member who died on service but either have no known grave or are buried overseas.
You can support Marsha’s fundraising efforts by donating here.