Having a lovely walk and following the deer over the Chase - when we came across Freda's Grave... read more
Having a lovely walk and following the deer over the Chase - when we came across Freda's Grave... read more
Better than last time. Just catches your emotions raw on the wire. Crumbs. The light caught on a... read more
Lovely walks all around the area. The carpark close by is excellent as someone has put out bird food and a large range of birds frequent the spot to peck at the ground along with many grey squirrels. If you love photography and small coloured birds you will love this place.
My 87 yr old aunt loved going and sitting in thecar just to watch the bird and animal life that occurred as you parked the car to walk to Freda's grave and the other paths in the area.
The drive from Stafford to Milford and the grave is very pretty.
Cannock Chase has lots to offer; it's a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty, has outward bound centres, lots of walks and wildlife: especially deer, which you might see when you visit Fredas' Grave.
As you're in the area, you can include a visit to The Glacial Boulder, The Katyn Memorial, Springslade Lodge Tearoom , The Commonwealth Graves and German Cemetery.
The Tearoom and Cemetery are easy to find, but just incase you need help, I've drawn a map. It's not to scale.
Directions to Fredas Grave:-
From A34 roundabout with Pottal Pool Road -
Go up hill onto Cannock Chase.
On reaching a crossroad with a cottage on the left corner, turn left . This is Camp Road and eventually drops back down onto the A34.
The Commonwealth and German War Graves are on the right, with a free car park for each, the German one is a short walk behind the other. Give yourself about 45 mins to have a look.
Then drive on down Camp Rd.
You'll see Springslade Tearoom (with camping and function room) on the left, again with its own car park . The tearoom has won local business awards.
Opposite the turn for the tearoom is the path to the Katyn Memorial. It marks the atrocities the Polish suffered in Katyn Forest, Poland when they were invaded in WW2, on one side by German forces and another, by Russian forces.
Russian Secret Police took 20,000 Polish soldiers, intellectuals and priests into the forest . The captives thought they were being set free; they were shot.
A lovely place in Cannock woodland, treat yourself to a cup of tea afterwards!
Then carry on along Camp Road.
( This is where it gets tricky because there are no signs.
If you hit the A34 again - you'll know you've missed your turn and need to go back. )
Look out for a right turn onto a narrow Tarmac road which is unsigned. It's Chase Road.
It winds a bit. There are several car parks which look like big gravel lay-bys.
You'll pass The Glacial Boulder, you can see it from the road.
It's a large out of place piece of rock, mounted on a pebble plinth. The closest rock of its type is 170 miles away in Scotland. It's thought to have travelled here over thousands of years.
If you're lucky you might also see deer, there are several types.
Carry on along road I the car. Look for DRY PITS Car Park on the right. The signs are wooden posts. Put your flat shoes on.
Park here.
Walk down the road, no more than 1/2 a mile.
On the right, you'll see bridle way. It has a single piece of wood as a barrier, preventing any access other than walkers.
Fredas Grave is along here; about another 1/2 mile on the left, behind a Hawthorn Tree, just set back off the path.
It's a piece of cut marble with a shale edging.
History:-
During both World Wars, troops were based on the Chase, tens of thousands of soldiers passing through, some for training, some were being treated in camp hospital. The set-up was the size of a small town. Latterly it was a base for National Service.
In WW1 the New Zealand, 5th Batallion Rifle Brigade were there.
They saw active service in France.
Freda was their mascot. She was a 'Harlequin Great Dane ( a huge spotty dog) and loved by the soldiers who were a long way from home.
She died on the chase and the. NZ soldiers buried her and placed a grave marker, this has been replaced several times, to the one you'll now see. Her collar and lead are in a military museum in New Zealand.
If you have a good sense of direction, you could carry on along the path, turn right and loop back to your car.
Enjoy the scenery.
Yes it's a dogs' grave but there is a bigger story here. The regimental mascot of the incredibly brave fighting men from New Zealand, who were stationed here before going off to the horrors of France.
I live near Cannock Chase and attend Remembrance Services for all the animals that served during tithe world war 1 and 2 conflict
Nearby is the commwealth and German cemeteries. Well worth a visitb
My husband and I were walking on The Chase and saw the sign pointing the way to Freda's grave - intrigued we went to find it - having no idea who Freda was off we went - without saying more ....... Go and find it!
This has to be a gem for the Chase. Hard not to be moved. Combined a deer siting, ice cream and tears.