Madam, – An Irishman’s Diary by Hugh Oram (April 25th) on celebrity graves suggests your readers may be interested to know of the location of the final resting place of Percy French, Ireland’s famous songwriter, artist and entertainer. It can be found in the pleasant and peaceful setting of the churchyard of St Luke’s Church, Formby near Liverpool.
Percy French was returning by train to London from an engagement in a Glasgow theatre in January 1920 when what turned out to be a fatal illness caused him to stop off at the home of his cousin, Rev Johnny Richardson, vicar of a parish in Formby.
Nowadays Percy French’s grave is carefully tended by the members of St Luke’s Church and each year on the anniversary of French’s birthday, May 1st or thereabouts, a moving little ceremony of prayer, music and readings is led by the vicar and a small Percy French Appreciation Society.
This little tribute with wreath laying will be repeated this weekend. The congregation of St Luke’s are are proud of their association with a great Irishman. In his memory, many visitors find their way to this hallowed and picturesque spot on Merseyside. – Yours, etc,