AN unmarked grave in the Bridgetown Cemetery is about to receive a headstone, to help mark the celebrations of the Centenary of ANZAC.
Thomas Edward Bolton (Ted) was in the 10th Light Horse regiment in World War 1 and served in Palestine, Damascus and Egypt.
Mr Bolton's great grand-niece, Desne Chapman from Collie, discovered that he had an unmarked grave in Bridgetown recently while updating her family history.
"I was visiting with my Great Aunt in South Australia when it was mentioned that I had a WW1 ancestor that had an unmarked grave in Bridgetown," Mrs Chapman said. "From here we decided to place a plaque at the gravesite, which is next to his wife's grave, Florence Bolton."
Mrs Chapman has a great passion for her family history and quickly learnt that Ted Bolton's blood line ceased in 1990, following the death of his only son, Roy Bolton. She is now hoping to have as many interested people as possible attend the special service being held at the cemetery on ANZAC day.
"It would be really lovely for people to come to the cemetery at 1pm on Anzac Day and help us commemorate "one of their own", as the Bolton family were very well known in the early years in Bridgetown and up to 1990 when their only son died," Mrs Chapman said.
"We have the 10th Light Horse re-enactment coming along, which is just fantastic, as Ted was a horseman who loved horses and he had his beautiful mare Bessie with him while serving overseas. I am led to believe that he had to leave Bessie behind. So this will be a dedication to Bessie as well.
"We also will have RSL representatives and a bagpiper, with the service being held by Reverend Paul Cannon. It should be a fantastic celebration. It is very exciting as this really is a celebration for all of the 'Uncle's' with unmarked graves in Australia and New Zealand, as well as my Uncle Ted."
