The Gazette has been given a ‘pat on the back’ by an Australian newspaper.

In September last we published a story and photographs of ‘The Lonely Man’s Grave’ as it is known to people on Phillip Island, off the Australian mainland. The grave, situated on an isolated cliff top, is that of Capt William Phillip Grossard, of Bideford, Devon, who served for many years in the merchant service and was killed by gunfire on December 17th 1868. In a December issue of the Phillip Island News the Gazette story is reproduced with the comment: “Such items as the above make interesting reading for present day generations. We thank the editor of the Gazette for publishing same”.

The Australian story was shown to the Gazette by Mrs R Galliford, of Shrewsbury and Bideford. It was sent to her by friends in Melbourne, Mr and Mrs W Coombes, formerly of this country, who also sent the original story of ‘The Lonely Man’s Grave’. But Mrs Galliford tells me that ‘the lonely man’s grave’ will be lonely no more. The cliff top site is being used for building development. By strange coincidence there arrived at this office last weekend an airmail letter from Mr J T Martin, 22 Carson Street, Springvale North, Victoria, Australia, reporting that while walking along the cliffs of Phillip Island he came across the grave. He adds he and his wife intend to return to the lonely grave in the spring and clean it up – putting the stones back in place, clearing away the weeds, repairing and painting the fence, and planting a few flowers.
Gazette article dated 3 July 1964