It is therefore considered by many of our soldiers to be ‘home’; indeed a large number of our soldiers were trained in the Depot, which was situated on Gar Street, just behind the building until the late 1950s.
The Memorial Garden of the Royal Hampshire Regiment was laid out in 1952 and is dedicated to the memory of those soldiers of the Regiment who had fallen in battle. Since then, it has been the custom and practice for those of our soldiers who wish it (or their relatives wish it), to have their ashes scattered in in the Garden amongst the roses.
We fully appreciate that the scattering of a relative’s ashes is intensely moving and personal event and would not wish in any way to intrude into what is essentially a family occasion.
If you would like to know more about how you can scatter the ashes of a relative in the Memorial Garden, could you please contact the Regimental Secretary in Serle’s House? All that we ask is that your relative served at some point in the Royal Hampshire Regiment.
We do allow plaques to be placed in the Memorial Garden as well, but have guidelines as to the design, wording and location of the plaques, which will be given when an application is made.
The Memorial Garden is not actually consecrated ground but is in a designated Conservation Area within Winchester City boundaries.
The Regimental Secretary will be able to confirm the current details and explain the procedure should you wish to scatter the ashes of a loved one. Please either phone on 01962 863658 or e-mail him at museum@royalhampshireregiment.org .
