In the early 1900’s, in the days of the Old Time Music Hall, lived a young lady by the name of Gertrude Astbury. Gertrude, or Gertie as she became known was born in December 1887 in Longford, Staffordshire.

She was a singer, dancer & entertainer, most famous for her songs “When the harvest moon is shining “ & “Nellie Dean”.

During the 1914-1918 war she was the forces sweetheart & often entertained the war wounded in hospitals.

In 1928 she married her leading man, Don Ross, an actor who was born and raised in Wigston, in Leicestershire.

Gertie died from cancer in 1957 & was interred in what was originally a stunning memorial resting place in Welford Road Cemetery in Wigston Magna in Leicestershire. Joined in 1980 by her husband Don Ross.

Over the passing years the memorial to Gertie Gitana and Don Ross has sadly dulled and become weathered and neglected, which seems such a shame considering the fame that the Staffordshire Cinderella had been afforded during her lifetime.

After months of research and appeals for any living relatives to come forward, we have now been granted permission by the local Cemeteries Officer to proceed with the restoration project.

We are hoping to be able to raise the funds for a complete restoration of the memorial in Wigston Cemetery hopefully to conducted during this Summer, and would be most grateful for any donations to assist us with this project.

Just a small contribution would be so much appreciated, and all donations will be going to this cause.

We would be so grateful and it would be wonderful to bring this beautiful memorial back to its former glory.

Thank you. X