However, this was no barrier to local Bristol man Stephen Jackson who set out to raise the necessary funds to take the broken grave stones and to re-use them to construct the headstone to its original state. The project was brought to a successful conclusion on the 10th September 2006 when a ceremony was held in the graveyard to unveil the new stone.

In attendance was Stephen Jackson, Project Founder and Benefactor, Tom Johnson BEM, Project Liaison & Co-ordinator, Didy Grahame representating the VC & GC Association, standard bearers attending were the Bristol Branch of the Royal British Legion, and the Bristol Burma Star Association. Also attending was Mr Edward Daunt & Mrs Daunt of Colchester, great-great-grandson of John Daunt VC.

Daunt's grave: before and after

John Charles Campbell Daunt was born at Autranches, Normandy, on 8th November 1832 and was first commissioned on the 20th July 1852 as Ensign in the 70th Bengal Native Infantry. During 1857 he served as Baggage-Master to the 27th Madras Native Infantry, and during 1857 - 1858 as Interpreter to the column commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel English, 53rd Foot.

John Daunt was present on the 2nd October 1857, at the attack and defeat of the Ramghur Light Infantry Battalion at Chuttra, Chota Nagpore, on which occasion his conduct was brought to the especial notice of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.

For the award of the Victoria Cross.

[ London Gazette, 25 February 1862 ], 2nd October & 2nd November 1857, Indian Mutiny, Lieutenant John Daunt, 11th ( late 70th ) Bengal Native Infantry.

For conspicuous gallantry in action on 2nd October 1857, against the mutineers of the Ramgurh Battalion at Chota Behar, in capturing two guns, particularly the last when he, in conjunction with Sergeant Denis Dynon of the 53rd Foot, rushed at and captured it by pistolling the gunners who were mowing the detachment down with grape shot, one third of which was hors de comabt at the time.

On 2nd November 1857, for chasing the mutineers of the 32nd Bengal Native Infantry across a plain into a rich cultivation into which he followed them with a few of Rattray's Sikhs. He was dangerously wounded in the attempt to drive out a large body of these mutineers from an enclosure, the preservation of many of his party on the occasion being attributed to his gallantry.

Daunt's conduct was again brought to the notice of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief for submission to Her Majesty, for the decoration of the Victoria Cross.