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Freda's Grave

A touching memorial to Freda, the Harlequin Great Dane mascot of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, resting in the peaceful heathland of Cannock Chase.

4.6

Tucked within the wild heathland of Cannock Chase, Freda’s Grave is a small but deeply moving memorial to Freda, a Harlequin Great Dane who served as mascot for the 5th (Reserve) Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade during World War I. Located near Brocton, this modest stone marks the resting place of a beloved canine companion whose loyalty touched soldiers far from home. The site is part of a wider network of war-related memorials on the Chase, set in peaceful, open countryside perfect for quiet reflection and short walks through heather and pine.

A brief summary to Freda's Grave

  • Rugeley, Brocton, Rugeley, GB
  • Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

  • Visit in late summer to see the heather in full bloom and enjoy the best colours across Cannock Chase.
  • Combine your visit with a walk to the nearby Cannock Chase War Cemetery to understand the broader New Zealand military presence on the Chase.
  • Wear sturdy footwear as the ground around the grave can be uneven and muddy after rain.
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Getting There

  • On foot from Brocton

    From Brocton village, follow footpaths onto Cannock Chase; the walk to Freda’s Grave takes about 15–20 minutes along well-used but uneven tracks. Suitable for casual walkers, but paths can be muddy after rain.

  • By car to Chase Road

    Drive to a small car park off Chase Road near Brocton; from there, Freda’s Grave is a short walk of a few hundred metres along a clear path. Parking is free but limited, and the final approach is on unpaved ground.

  • By bicycle

    Cyclists can reach the memorial via Cannock Chase’s network of cycle paths; the route from Brocton or Rugeley takes 20–30 minutes on shared trails. The final stretch to the grave is on a narrow, unpaved track.

Freda's Grave location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
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Discover more about Freda's Grave

A Loyal Companion Remembered

Freda’s Grave commemorates a Harlequin Great Dane who became the cherished mascot of the 5th (Reserve) Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade during the First World War. Stationed on Cannock Chase as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force’s training and convalescence camps, the battalion adopted Freda as a symbol of morale and companionship in difficult times. Her presence offered comfort to soldiers far from home, and her death in the early 1920s prompted the creation of this simple but poignant memorial. The grave stands as a quiet tribute to the bond between soldiers and their animals, a reminder of the often-overlooked roles animals played in wartime.

From Vandalism to Renewal

The original grave marker, laid soon after Freda’s death, suffered from weathering and vandalism over the decades. In 1964, a new memorial was erected to preserve her memory, and in 2001 the headstone was renewed with a marble plaque, funded and installed by local historical groups and supporters of Cannock Chase’s wartime heritage. The current stone bears Freda’s name and her role as mascot, ensuring that her story continues to be told. The site is now formally recognised as part of the area’s war memorial landscape, linked to the nearby Cannock Chase War Cemetery where many New Zealand and other Commonwealth soldiers are buried.

Setting and Atmosphere

Freda’s Grave lies in the open heathland of Cannock Chase, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Staffordshire. The memorial is set among low heather, gorse, and scattered pine trees, with views across the rolling Chase landscape. The atmosphere is peaceful and contemplative, often shared with walkers, cyclists, and horse riders exploring the wider network of trails. The site is small and unassuming, but its emotional weight is palpable, especially when considered alongside the broader history of the New Zealand forces on the Chase. Seasonal changes bring different moods: purple heather in late summer, golden bracken in autumn, and crisp, quiet air in winter.

Visiting the Memorial

Access to Freda’s Grave is on foot, by bike, or on horseback from nearby car parks along Chase Road. The walk is short and relatively flat, making it suitable for casual visitors and families. The grave itself is a modest stone set into the ground, surrounded by a low kerb and often adorned with small tokens left by visitors. Information panels nearby explain Freda’s story and the history of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on Cannock Chase, placing the memorial in its wider historical context. Because the site is exposed, it is best visited in mild or dry weather, and sturdy footwear is recommended for the uneven ground.

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