A campaign has been launched to restore the grave of a prominent 19th century Plymouth industrialist.
William Biscombe was a key figure in Plymouth’s history, having founded the company W.Biscombe & Sons in 1857, which was a family-run ginger beer business that played a significant role in the local community for over a century.
William Biscombe Key Takeaways:
William Biscombe’s Legacy – William Biscombe founded W. Biscombe & Sons in 1857, a family-run ginger beer business that played a vital role in Plymouth’s history. His contributions to the city and industry were significant, yet his grave had been forgotten over time.
Rediscovering a Lost Grave – Local collector Steve Bolt, passionate about Plymouth’s history, rediscovered Biscombe’s neglected grave at Ford Park Cemetery. With the help of groundworkers, he unearthed the headstone, revealing that Biscombe’s wife, Charlotte, and son, John Montague, were buried alongside him.
A Campaign for Restoration – Steve Bolt has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise £600 for a stonemason to restore and reinstate the headstone. The goal is to ensure that William Biscombe’s contributions to Plymouth are properly remembered for future generations.
William died in 1903 and he was buried in Ford Park Cemetery. Despite his significance in Plymouth’s history, his grave – like so many others over time – had been forgotten, buried under the weight of neglect.
Collectors and historians continue to show interest in W. Biscombe & Sons memorabilia, with antique stoneware ginger beer bottles bearing the company’s name still circulating among enthusiasts.
Now a GoFundMe appeal has been launched by local resident Steve Bolt, who has a deep personal connection to the history of Plymouth through his lifelong passion for collecting stoneware ginger beer bottles.
Steve said:
“At the heart of this story is William Biscombe, a man who gave so much to the city, both as a businessman and a father.
William founded his company in 1857 and operated it with integrity and vision until his death in 1903. He was a well-respected pillar of the community, known for his hard work and dedication to his family. He had 11 children with his wife, Charlotte Biscombe. Together, they created a legacy that lives on in the stoneware they crafted.
In my journey to find and honour his resting place, I was struck with both sorrow and relief. After some tireless searching, I found his grave at Ford Park Cemetery, but it was in poor condition – a marble base without a headstone, hidden beneath mud and overgrowth.”
With the help of some local groundworkers, Steve and his supporters managed to lift the heavy stone that had been lying face down for years. Thankfully, it was indeed William’s headstone. The inscription revealed that Charlotte, his beloved wife, was buried beside him, along with their son, John Montague Biscombe, who died tragically young at just 28.
Steve added:
“It was a powerful moment. I felt the weight of history, the pain of loss, and the immense respect that this family deserves. William was a man who shaped an entire industry and contributed so much to the life of Plymouth, but in death, his resting place was abandoned.
“I’ve made it my mission to bring dignity back to their gravesite. Thanks to the generous help of Debbie at Elite Memorial Cleaning, the stone has been cleaned, revealing the beauty of its inscription once again. But the stone still lies half-buried in the mud.”
Steve now needs to raise £600 to cover the cost for the repair and reinstatement of the headstone by a local stonemason, who will put the stone back to its rightful resting place, standing tall and proud for future generations to see and remember.
His GoFundMe appeal can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/william-biscombe
