“Ned“ Edward Costello was my fourth great-grandfather on my mothers side of the family. He was a brave Irishman and I am raising £5,000 for a gravestone and the necessary work to clear the grave that deserves to be honoured. This grave belongs to a remarkable individual who served in the 95 Rifles during the Peninsula War from 1808 to 1814. He fought valiantly in many battles. He was awarded the Battle of Waterloo medal other prestigious medals, including the Military General Service Medal and the Order of Isabella II.

His bravery is evident he volunteered and participation in two Forlorn Hope attacks at Badajoz and Ciudad-Rodrigo, where he displayed extraordinary courage. The clasps on his Military General Service Medal tell a story of resilience and valor: Toulouse, Orthes, Nive, Nivelle, Vittoria, Pyreness, Fuentes d’Onoro, Salamanca, Ciudad-Rodrigo, Badajoz, and Busaco. Despite being wounded six times in battle, he continued to serve with honour fighting Napoleons army. Additionally, he held the esteemed position of 18th Yeoman Warden at the Tower of London and he also served with honour as a Captain in the Carlist War.

Today, his grave lies overgrown at Nunhead cemetery and without a headstone—a stark contrast to the heroism he exhibited throughout his life. It is our duty to remember him and all family members resting there with dignity. His medals are proudly displayed at the Royal Green Jackets Museum in Winchester near the Baker rifle.

I kindly ask for your support in contributing towards this noble cause—to restore this grave and ensure that this hero is remembered for generations to come. Your donation will not only help us reach our target but will also serve as a testament to honoring those who have bravely served our country. Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page; donating through JustGiving is simple, fast, and secure.