This memorial plaque was originally sited on one of the benches in the nave. For many years it was believed lost but the plaque is now (2008) in the possession of the Friends of the Garrison Church (see below).
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF MAJOR
JOHN BRETON (53RD & 22ND REGTS) WHO WAS TOWN
MAJOR OF THIS GARRISON FROM 1855 TO 1870
DIED NOV 30TH 1873. AGED 46
Further Information
This plaque was believed lost for many years following the Second World War until it surfaced in 2008 when Brian Read wrote to this site saying he had this plaque and another (to Lord Raglan) and wished to return them to the church. He went on to explain how they came into his possession.
"Regarding the pews at the church, the R.A.S.C had a small Army base known as H.M. Gunwharf, which was part of H.M.S Vernon.
Early in 1960 the Army were given four tank landing vessels from the Navy, I was then employed in Portsmouth Dockyard as a Shipwright and was transfered into the Gunwharf to work on these vessels. .... I had been there a few months, an Army lorry arrived with these pews which were to be repaired in the Carpenters workshop. (At a guess it must have been about 1961). I know the Captain of the base had connections with the church, not sure how, but no doubt this was a favour repairing these pews.
About eight years later it was decided by M.O.D to move these vessels to Marchwood (Southampton) and run the base down due to defence cuts. So I was helping to clear the various workshops and I came across the two name plates, at that time I never gave them much thought, so I put them in one of my tool boxes as I was returning to the Dockyard and I forgot all about them.
In 2001 I retired from the Dockyard, brought my tool boxes home, those plates have been in that tool box all those years. A couple months ago I was looking for a certain tool in this particular tool box when I discovered the plates still wrapped up in news paper. So I went down to the church to see if I could give them to some one, but no one was there, so I thought I would try the internet, and had success, I am so pleased they are now back in the right place, no doubt they must have been left off during the repairs."
