Any memorabilia? (From Gazette Series)

Any memorabilia?

I AM currently doing some research into one of Dursley's well-known personalities from former times and wondered whether any of your readers could help with further information.

Although largely forgotten now, Captain George Augustus Graham was at one time an important and influential gentleman of the town. He was an old army officer and served in the 107th Bengal Infantry, seeing active service in the mutiny of 1857. After coming to Dursley he bought the estate called Oaklands in 1865 and renamed it Rednock, from which the current secondary school gets its name. He went on to become a JP, became chairman of the Dursley Bench of magistrates, chairman of the first Parish Council and also took an active part in the church and local sporting organisations. However it is his interest in the Irish Wolfhound dog breed for which he is most remembered, although not perhaps locally. Having recognised that the breed was nearing extinction he almost single-handedly gathered together and bred from the surviving examples until the breed once again became viable. It is for this that Irish Wolfhound societies around the world recognise his name. He died at Rednock House in 1909 after a long illness and is buried at St Mark's Church.

My research so far has revealed that little is known about him as a person or about his time in Dursley. Although it's a long time ago now, I wonder if anyone has any old photographs, memorabilia or other information that they would be willing to share. If so I would very much appreciate it.

Andy Barton 7 Jubilee Road Dursley GL11 4ES Tel: 01453 549323 or via my website at www.dursleyglos.org.uk