Here lies Thomas Thetcher, felled by weak beer

I found this really excellent gravestone in Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire, England. Apparently this poor soldier died from drinking small (read: weak) beer on a hot day. I respect the kind of guy who is willing to risk death on a hot day for a good beer.

 

The text itself is great, but I especially like the rhyming verse.

 

The entirety of the text reads:

In Memory of

Thomas Thetcher

a Grenadier in the North Reg. of Hants Militia, who died of a violent Fever contracted by drinking Small Beer when hot the 12th of May 1764. Aged 26 Years. In grateful remembrance of whose universal good will towards his Comrades, this Stone is placed here at their expence, as a small testimony of their regard and concern.

 

Here sleeps in peace a Hampshire Grenadier,

Who caught his death by drinking cold small Beer,

Soldiers be wise from his untimely fall

And when ye're hot drink Strong or none at all.

 

This memorial being decay'd was restor'd by the Officers of the Garrison A.D. 1781.

 

An Honest Soldier never is forgot

Whether he die by Musket or by Pot.

 

The Stone was replaced by the North Hants Militia when disembodied at Winchester, on 26th April 1802, in consequence of the original Stone being destroyed.

And again replaced by The Royal Hampshire Regiment 1966.

Done