I have just completed a 400+mile round trip to visit the grave of a hero of the Peninsula Campaign during the Napoleonic War.

Lieutenant Colonel William Pearce as a young Lieutenant in the 44th Regiment (later the Essex Regiment) fought in several battles in Spain.

In 1812 at the Battle of Salamanca, he won undying fame by capturing the French Eagle of the French 62nd Regiment. Only one of four men to do so throughout the Napoleonic War.

He retired to Brecon and built a house on the Ffrwdrech estate (two miles out side Brecon). He became a loyal servant of the people of Brecon and the surrounding area, serving as Aldermanand Mayor of Brecon and Sheriff of Brecknockshire.

He and his wife Mary were generous benefactors to many charities throughout their lives and when they died they where buried together in the church yard of St. Cattwg’s Church in Llanspyddid.

Grave Brecon
The husband and wife are buried at St Cattwg's Church (Image supplied)

The church is now closed and the graveyard is badly neglected to the point where it is frankly a disgrace. Pearce’s tomb is overrun with weeds etc and is hardly recognisable.

Surely something can be done either by the Church in Wales or the Local Authorities to improve its condition and give William Pearce the prominence he deserves?