MAY I say how pleased I was to read of the renewed interest in Henry Ward VC and his grave in Great Malvern Cemetery (Malvern Gazette, June 13).

I have been in touch with members and staff of the town council and the Malvern Civic Society over the last few years expressing my concern at the sad condition of this historic headstone.

It is a very special feature of our cemetery and is sadly disintegrating.

The history of Private Henry Ward was researched some years ago by his great-granddaughter Mary Andrew, Kathleen Newby of Harleston, and latterly by myself.

It was agreed that I would combine the results and publish an illustrated booklet.

This was published in 2001 with family approval and is still on sale in the Malvern Museum of Local History in the Priory Gateway.

If Cllr L'Anson or any other interested party would like to contact me I still have all the relevant papers and photographs and I would be happy to make them available.

Christine Bannister

Malvern