The headstone reads: 'In Memory of Thomas Thetcher a Grenadier in the North Regt of Hants Militia, who died of a violent Fever contracted by drinking Small Beer when hot the 12th May 1764, Aged 26 Years. In grateful remembrance of whose universal good will towards his Comrades, this Stone is placed here at their expence as a small testimony of their regard and concern.
Here sleeps in peace a Hampshire Grenadier/ Who caught his death by drinking cold small Beer/ Soldiers be wise from his untimely fall/ And when ye're hot drink Strong or none at all'
This memorial being decay'd was restor'd by the Officers of the Garrison A.D. 1781,
An honest Soldier never is forgot/ Whether he die by Musket or by Pot
This stone was placed by the North Hants Militia when disembodied at Winchester on 26th April 1802 in consequence of the original stone being destroyed'.
This is part of the Series: LMS01/01 London Midland And Scottish Railway Negatives - Architectural Subjects; within the Collection: LMS01 London Midland And Scottish Railway Collection
Source: Historic England Archive
Georgian Tombstone