This ceremony has been arranged by “The Monuments for U.K. Veterans of the American Civil War Association”.

Samuel Lander Hough (1848-1940) 2nd New Jersey Cavalry and Henry Nathaniel McGuiness (1839-1916) 65th New York Infantry, were residents in Derby and close friends too. They also lay at rest in the same cemetery but were never given official United States military headstones. Samuel has the distinction of probably being the last surviving Civil War Veteran in the United Kingdom with verifiable service. Research suggests that both men were members of the London Branch of American Civil War veterans. Descendants of this London-based organisation applied to get official burial markers from the United States Government in recognition of Samuel and Henry’s service. Those markers have now arrived, and as an outcome a ‘double dedication’ has been arranged to celebrate their lives and contribution to the cause of liberty that shaped the United States. It is felt that such an event recognising two American Civil War veterans at the same time outside of the United States is unlikely to have occurred before. Whilst the association has previously undertaken other dedications, this ceremony honouring two men represents a unique and historic moment in remembrance of British people who served in the conflict.