Friends of Hastings Cemetery
Monger, George, V. C. continued
We also have a record of William MONGER, one of six men drowned in 1590, for whom the St. Clements bells were rung.
George Monger worked as plasterer for J.C.Kenwood, until asthma prevented him from working and he and his family of a wife and five children (two are reported as having died earlier but see below) slipped into severe poverty, with no furniture or food, he sold or pawned his medals,their furnishings and most of their clothes.
A Maj.Gen. Sherer, of Magdalen Rd. was apprised of their situation and immediately set out to help them. He also publicised their situation and raised funds from royalty, the regiment, J. C. Kenwood and the local people. (An account, presumably written by Maj.Gen. Sherer, can be read in David Thornton’s Hastings, A Living History.p 327)
George Monger died from effects of consumption and asthma at Tower Rd in 1887 and was buried with full military honours.
Hastings and St Leonards Observer -
“George Monger's Funeral — On Saturday, the mortal remains of the late Mr. George Monger, the Victoria Cross Hero, were interred in the Borough Cemetery at Ore, the obsequies being appropriately of a military character. The cortege was composed of the combination hearse and mourning coach, a detachment of the Hastings Rifle Volunteers, and the band of the corps playing "The Dead March" from Saul. There were a good many people also present. The service was conducted the Rev. D. A. Doudney and amongst the mourners were: Major-
The Union Jack and the Victoria Cross were placed on the coffin, and when the shell had been lowered into the grave, a firing party discharged three volleys of blank cartridges from their rifles over his tomb. The service was very impressive throughout.”
His gravestone was soon forgotten and became completely overgrown – until it was discovered by a workman in 1990 and local army cadets restored it.
