THE gravestone of a volunteer soldier killed during Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee celebrations is to be restored to its former glory.

Gunner John Thomas Smith died in 1887 on the promenade at Redcar, east Cleveland, as cannons were being prepared to fire a 21-gun royal salute.

However, a memorial to Gunner Smith in Redcar Cemetery has fallen into a state of disrepair and cannon balls used to decorate the grave have been stolen or removed.

Now the Friends of Redcar Cemetery are trying to contact his relatives before they begin a project to get the headstone back into pristine condition.

The group has even secured some period canon balls recovered from the North Sea.

Member Camille Nertney said: “We want to track down any member of his family so they can decide whether to definitely go ahead with the work, but so far we haven’t been able to find anyone.”

Gunner Smith, a plumber, was ramming home a charge when it exploded, shattering his arm and causing severe injuries to his chest. He died on his way to Middlesbrough Hospital.

The inscription on his headstone in the cemetery simply states: “John Thomas Smith, the son of George and Dorothy of Coatham, died on the 21st June 1887 aged 28 yrs.”

His grave is close to that of his parents.

But the friends group has established that Gunner Smith, a member of the North Riding of Yorkshire Volunteer Artillery, was involved in the preparation of a War Office-approved Royal Salute to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s reign.

Mrs Nertney said: “It is unclear as to what exactly happened at the Battery Range as the cannons were being prepared on Redcar promenade, but the result was the demise of Gunner Smith.”

She added: “Gunner Smith was very well thought of in the town and by his regiment, hence a memorial was erected in our cemetery. Cannonballs were seen to be a fitting token to place around the fenders of his grave. Sadly, over time they have disappeared.

“A local diver, Nigel Patterson, has given us some cannon balls which were brought up from the sea floor and we hope to replace those that were lost.

“However, we want to be sure that any relatives of Gunner Smith are made aware of our hopes to refurbish his grave.

“All costs are being met by the friends, and we hope to be able to replace the cannon balls on or after March 31, unless family members alert us not to do so.”

Any family members wanting to contact the group are asked to call The Northern Echo on 01325-505063.