Grave Mistakes: February 2017

This is the first time I have seen a picture of a sewing machine on a gravestone.

Upton upon Severn Cemetery, Worcestershire. (Click on an image for a larger version)

A general view.

This is the first time I have seen a picture of a
sewing machine on a gravestone.
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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

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William was "killed by a train while at his work at Gresford Station".

Pershore Cemetery, Pershore, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

A general view

William was "killed by a train

while at his work at Gresford Station".

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A modern statue of a mother and child as part of a memorial.

Waterside Cemetery, Evesham, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

A general view

A modern statue of a mother and child as part of a memorial.

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An unusual metal monument dated 1572.

St Eadburgha, Broadway, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

St Eadburgha's Church has been a Christian place of worship since Saxon times. The dedication is rare and denotes a strong link with Alfred the Great's grand-daughter who as a child was offered jewels or a Bible as a gift, she chose the latter and dedicated her life to the service of God. The present cruciform church dates back to the XII century and contains some fine medieval and Jacobean woodwork.

An unusual metal monument dated 1572.

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An unusual and effective way to remember the war-dead of the village.

St James the Great, Harvington, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

The church originates from the 12th century though much of it was rebuilt in the 14th century when the nearby manor house and rectory were built and the distinctive green copper spire was added in 1855.

An unusual and effective way to remember

the war-dead of the village.

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Why do some people insist on using Roman numerals - much clumsier than the alternative?

All Saints, Seckington, Warwickshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

The Church of England parish church of All Saints is probably mid- to late-13th century in origin, but was significantly altered in a late 19th-century Victorian restoration.

Why do some people insist on using Roman numerals - much clumsier than the alternative?

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Raymond was killed on his final flight before a period of home leave!

St Andrew, Cleeve Prior, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

The earliest work visible is a 12th-century buttress at the north-east angle of the nave. It is probably not in situ, and the details of its rounded angles suggest the jamb of a chancel arch rather than an external member. The existing nave, however, is but little later, dating probably from the first years of the 13th century, and, from its proportions and the irregular set-out with regard to the later chancel, may possibly have been the complete church without a structural chancel. Later in the 13th century the present chancel and small north and south transepts were added, the priest's door and chancel windows being inserted in the following century. The tower dates from late in the 15th century. After the Reformation the transepts were destroyed, and the present brick south transept was constructed in the 18th century. The church has been repaired and restored in recent years.

Raymond Wilfred Stanley was killed as the result of a flying accident at Hounslow Aerodrome. This was to be his final flight before a period of home leave!

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Martha lost her husband and infant daughter in 18 days.

St Nicholas, Austrey, Warwickshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

The church consists of a Chancel and Nave, with north and south aisles, a south porch and a west tower with a spire. The earliest part of the church is the west tower with its broach spire, which dates from the 13th century. The rest of the church was rebuilt and enlarged about 1330.

Martha lost her husband and infant daughter in 18 days.
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Chris, aged 7, signed his own gravestone.

St Mary and St Milburgh, Offenham, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

The church stands on a Saxon site and has a Norman tower, the building is Grade II* and was largely rebuilt in 1860 by Frederick Preedy who also designed the stained glass windows. Frederick was born in Offenham in 1820.

Chris, aged 7, signed his own gravestone.

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"Just Jane" - one of our shortest inscriptions.

St Peter, Pebworth, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

This ancient Church building stands on a mound above the village and has been enlarged and restored since it was built in the 13th century. It is entered by the North door which is a fine example of medieval work, possibly hanging on its original hinges with 15th century iron work. St Peter's Church has large ring of ten bells which is unusual for a small rural church. A closed-circuit television camera in the belfry, enables the movement of the bells to be seen in real time view on a monitor in the ringing chamber.

"Just Jane" - one of our shortest inscriptions.

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An unusual decorated memorial to Revd. William Hartley.

St Mary, Childswickham, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

The church is 13th century with some 12th century remains and some 14th century additions. It was restored 1870 when the north and south walls were taken down. The Chancel was restored in 1872. The spire is a local landmark and can be seen for several miles.

An unusual decorated memorial to Revd. William Hartley.

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In the transept is the large tomb chest with three amazing effigies.

St Mary the Virgin, Elmley Castle, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

The church of St. Mary dates from the end of the 11th century, the chancel shows herringbone pattern stonework in the external walls, the font has a 15th-century octagonal bowl on a 13th-century square base decorated with stonecarved serpents and dragons and the church was much added to in succeeding centuries. It contains grand monuments to Thomas, 1st Earl of Coventry and 17th century effigies of members of the Savage family.

In the transept is the large tomb chest with three effigies - Sir William Savage d 1616, Sir Giles (son, centre) d 1631 and Lady Catherine (son's wife) d1 674. Lady Catherine, who is not buried here but at Malvern Priory Church, carries an infant daughter born after the death of her father. At her feet is the head of a unicorn, at the men's feet lions. Four sons kneel on an "extension" to the tomb at their parents' feet. The detail is wonderfully preserved, in alabaster which seems to flow like the cloth it is carved to represent.

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The splendid tomb of Sir Giles Reed and his family is one of the finest examples in the whole country.

St Giles, Bredon, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

The Normans began the present church, around 1180, and work continued until the middle of the 13th century. It seems possible that stonemasons who were at that time working on the great Abbey of Tewkesbury were called in to lend a hand in the construction of Bredon Church. Certainly the two external turrets at the west end and those at Tewkesbury Abbey have a marked resemblance.

The splendid tomb of Sir Giles Reed and his family is a fine alabaster and black marble monument of the Jacobean period, and is one of the finest examples of such work in the whole country. The family were great benefactors of Bredon.

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Buried in the "wrong" church!

St Mary the Virgin, Elmley Castle, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

This monument should not be in this church, but was made for the church at Croome d'Abitot nearby, the seat of the Coventry family. It is to the First Earl of Coventry who died in 1699 and is evidence of a bitter feud between the 2nd Earl and his step-mother. It is a fine monument of its period, with a canopy supported on four Ionic columns, flanking figures of standing angels, and effigy of the Earl in wig. The lower parts were intended to commemorate the Countess-dowager and like her husband above she is eulogised in Latin. She is described as of noble family,being the daughter of a Richard Graham of Norfolk, and a coat of arms is shown accordingly. However the second Earl declared his step-mother's pedigree to be false, she being supposedly a servant in the household and daughter of "Richard Grimes, a mean person, by trade a turner" who had married his father in his dotage.

Action was taken in the courts against the herald who had "contrived" the pedigree and false arms, but it seems that no decision was made and the action petered out. However the monument was refused entry into Croome church and was erected here at Elmley Castle by Mr Thomas Savage whom the Countess-dowager had then married. The date on the inscription for her death is left blank, she has no other memorial and is only recorded in the Elmley Castle parish register as being buried on April 10th 1724. .

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The final years of Dominick Duroy are described on his memorial.

St Faith, Overbury, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

Saint Faith or "Saint Faith of Conques" (Latin Sancta Fides, French Sainte-Foy, Spanish Santa Fe) is a saint who is said to have been a girl or young woman of Agen in Aquitaine. Her legend recounts how she was arrested during persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire and refused to make pagan sacrifices even under torture. Saint Faith was tortured to death with a red-hot brazier.

The final years of Dominick Duroy

are described on his memorial.

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His memorial rather misrepresents the facts of his later life!

St Giles, Bredon, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

John Prideaux (7 September 1578 – 29 July 1650) was an English academic and Bishop of Worcester. His memorial rather misrepresents the facts of his later life!

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A brother and sister who died on the same day - "who died in their innocence".

Waterside Cemetery, Evesham, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

A general view

A brother and sister who died on the same day

- "who died in their innocence".

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A memorial in the shape of a chair.

Waterside Cemetery, Evesham, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

A general view

A memorial in the shape of a chair.

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Fred Jones died at Fenham Barracks in 1926 - he was only 23 years old.

Waterside Cemetery, Evesham, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

A general view

Fred Jones died at Fenham Barracks

in 1926 - he was only 23 years old.

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A particularly poignant memorial to a young child.

Pershore Cemetery, Pershore, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

A general view

A particularly poignant memorial to a young child.

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Margarett Billamore lost her husband and only child in India within 5 months.

St John the Baptist, Fladbury, Worcestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

There has almost certainly been a Christian presence in Fladbury since the 7th century, but the present church, dedicated to St John the Baptist – as befits the church of a riverside community – dates predominantly from the 14th century. A particular source of interest is the work of Frederick Preedy, an able artist who combined the profession of architecture with the design, painting and manufacture of stained glass.

Margarett Billamore lost her husband and

only child in India within 5 months.

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