A niece of Canterbury’s first Victoria Cross recipient, Burgess got reacquainted with other descendants of Lincoln-born Sergeant Henry Nicholas when they assembled at Bromley Cemetery on October 23 for the official unveiling of a resting place finally repaired a decade after the earthquakes.
"There was quite a few of the extended family," she said.
"Graham (husband) and I were the olds, we were the only ones from that generation but there was good support from the next generation down.
"That was lovely to see, very heart-warming. We had a nice get together afterwards.
"They’ll keep the flag flying for the next generation."
After walking past the damaged plot, the Londoner successfully enlisted the support of the New Zealand Remembrance Army, a grave-restoring charity, who completed the repair work.
"It was a real tribute to those who worked so hard to get it under way. They’re done a wonderful job," Burgess said.
The Canterbury branch of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association coordinated the ceremony which included an honour guard, firing party and Nicholas’ medals, including the VC which was bequeathed to Canterbury Museum by his mother.
Nicholas earned the United Kingdom’s highest military honour for his part in an attack on a German-held position in Belgium in December 17, 1917.
A wreath was also laid at Nicholas’ grave in the Vertigneul Churchyard near the border with Belgium on Sunday to follow the Christchurch commemoration.
