Grave Mistakes: November 2017

The monumental mason made a spelling error in the word "memory".

All Saints, Chebsey, Staffordshire (Click on an image for a larger version)

Standing above the village on a natural mound of higher ground, the church is mostly built from reddish sandstone in the Gothic style and dates from the 12th century. The west tower dates from the 15th century, and is constructed from mostly grey with some red sandstone blocks. The external staircase turret (on the southeast corner of the tower) at Chebsey, is an unusual feature. The church was extensively renovated in 1897 under the supervision of Staffordshire ecclesiastical architect Andrew Capper.

The monumental mason made a

spelling error in the word "memory".

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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

FACEBOOK SOCIAL HISTORY GROUP
https://www.facebook.com/groups/609806292391471/

FACEBOOK CEMETERY EXPLORATION GROUP
https://www.facebook.com/groups/345000398956884/

You really do have to wonder why Roman numerals were used in this memorial.

St Mary and St Thomas a Becket, Much Birch, Herefordshire (Click on an image for a larger version)

The church was rebuilt by Thomas Foster in 1837.

You really do have to wonder why Roman

numerals were used in this memorial.

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Private Sydney Dale "died from gas" in November 1918.

St Michael, Dulas, Herefordshire (Click on an image for a larger version)

The church was built in 1865 by G C Haddon of Hereford. This is the replacement for a much older building, which was demolished when Dulas Court was built; all that remains of the original church are an ancient cross and a couple of gravestones on the front lawn of the residential home.

Private Sydney Dale "died from gas" in November 1918.

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"Also of 7 children buried here".

St Eigon, Llanigon, Powys
(Click on an image for a larger version)

The parish church of Llanigon, Wales is dedicated to "Saint Eigon", but this almost certainly refers to Eigion, brother of St Cynidr, to whom the parish church in neighbouring Glasbury was dedicated.

"Also of 7 children buried here".

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Unusually the dates of birth, baptism and death are all reported.

St Andrew, Cranford St Andrew, Northamptonshire
(Click on an image for a larger version)

St Andrew's dates from the later part of the 12th century, the nave arcade surviving from that time. The tower was added during the following century, at which time the church was largely rebuilt, and a north chapel was added. Further building took place in the 14th century when the clerestory and porch were added and new windows were inserted. The south chapel was added in the following century. In 1847 a north transept was added to form a family pew for the Robinsons of Cranford Hall.

The dates of birth, baptism and death

are all reported on this memorial.

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The portcullis motif is a shorthand way of showing the deceased had been a member of parliament.

St Peter, Lowick, Northamptonshire
(Click on an image for a larger version)

Although the church has early 14th-century origins, it is mainly late 14th and early 15th century, being built for the Greene family of Drayton House.

John Rathbone was Member of Parliament

for Lewes from 1974-1997.

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Thomas Roberts had two wives - details of both appear on his gravestone.

Ringstead Cemetery, Ringstead, Northamptonshire
(Click on an image for a larger version)

General view.

Thomas Roberts had two wives - details of both appear on his gravestone. The engraving of a bell is most unusual.
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She said, "Not German, not English, but European".

St Nicholas, Twywell, Northamptonshire
(Click on an image for a larger version)

The church contains 12th to 14th century elements then nothing until the 19th century.

She said, "Not German, not English, but European".
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Jack Waldron was an "adopted Kenyan".

Lapley Graveyard, Lapley, Staffordshire
(Click on an image for a larger version)

A general view

Jack Waldron was an "adopted Kenyan".

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Where is the best place to see pictures of other unusual graves?

FACEBOOK SOCIAL HISTORY GROUPhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/609806292391471/

FACEBOOK CEMETERY EXPLORATION GROUPhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/345000398956884/

We love these old fashioned boards that mention benefactors of the church.

St James, Cardington, Shropshire
(Click on an image for a larger version)

The presence of a church on the site is recorded in the Domesday Book. The village, including its church, was given in 1167 to the Knights Templar, and remained in their possession until 1308. They were responsible for starting the building of the present church in the later part of the 12th century. During the following century the chancel was rebuilt and extended, and the tower was added. Further additions and alterations were made during the following three centuries, followed by the porch in 1639. Restoration was carried out between 1852–68, which included removal of the gallery.

We love these old fashioned boards that mention benefactors of the church.

The tomb of Judge Leighton (d 1607) shows his 3 sons and 5 daughters - one of whom died in infancy.

St James, Cardington, Shropshire
(Click on an image for a larger version)

The tomb of Judge Leighton (d 1607) shows his 3 sons and 5 daughters - one of whom died in infancy.

The monumental mason must have engraved the forename of the deceased incorrectly.

All Saints, Lapley, Staffordshire
(Click on an image for a larger version)

The church probably dates from the late 11th or early 12th century. The nave and chancel are clearly Norman as is the lower part of the tower but the upper portions appear to be 15th century.

The monumental mason must have engraved the

forename of the deceased incorrectly.

An unusual design featuring a stone scroll.

Great Malvern Cemetery, Worcestershire (Click on an image for a larger version)

A general view

An unusual design featuring a stone scroll.
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Mary Little was the daughter of Wesleyan missionaries. She loved India and served there for 27 years.

Great Malvern Cemetery, Worcestershire (Click on an image for a larger version)

A general view

Mary Little was the daughter of Wesleyan missionaries. She loved India and served there for 27 years.

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"Ain't Misbehavin'"

Llanwnog Cemetery, Llanwnog, Powys, Wales (Click on an image for a larger version)

General view

"Ain't Misbehavin'"

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A husband and wife who died on the same day.

St Gwynog, Llanwnog, Powys, Wales (Click on an image for a larger version)

Gwynog was born in Wales in 511 A.D., the son of Gildas, 'a most ancient British historian' and a monk of Bangor. Gwynog was a pupil of St. Ffinnian, an Irish monk. Gwynog left the country to take refuge in Brittany with his father, who had stirred up the wrath of the Welsh princes - especially that of Cyr!las, who was Prince of Powys. Gwynog took orders late in life and became Bishop of Vannes, but after rousing the anger of the King he was sent into exile. He died in Angers at the age of 69, in 580 A.D., just 10 years after the death of his father. He lived in this part of Powys between 540 and 550 AD.

A husband and wife who died on the same day.
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Unusually the day of the week that the deceased was buried has been mentioned on the gravestone.

Baptist Chapel, Nantgwyn, Powys, Wales (Click on an image for a larger version)

The Church was formed in 1766 and the first chapel was built in 1792, with a hipped roof. When the Baptist chapel was rebuilt at Nantgwyn in 1877, bricks of contrasting colour were used, to give the impression of Classical pillars.

Unusually the day of the week that the deceased was buried has been mentioned on the gravestone.

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Oh dear - the mason had a few problems!

St David, Newtown, Powys (Click on an image for a larger version)

The foundation stone of the church was laid by the Countess of Powys on 27th October, 1843. By the early 1870s the building was being described as "most inconvenient" and structural faults had appeared and as a result a faculty was granted in 1873 for major alterations. This entailed the removal of the galleries and the construction of a chancel with organ chamber and vestry, the removal of the reredos, which had been erected using the screen from the old church, and the replacement of the old box-pews by oak pews free to all. Sadly many problems proved insurmountable and the church had to close in June 2006 and the Parish of Newtown merged with the Parish of Llanllwchaiarn.

Oh dear - the mason had a few problems!

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The rather crudely drawn angels blowing trumpets are delighful.

St Gwynog, Llanwnog, Powys, Wales (Click on an image for a larger version)

The rather crudely drawn angels blowing trumpets are delightful.

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The First Baron Hindlip (1811-1887) represented East Worcestershire in the House of Commons.

St James the Great, Hindlip, Worcestershire (Click on an image for a larger version)

The original church appears to have consisted of chancel, nave and tower, but was almost entirely rebuilt in 1864, when a south transept was added. In 1887 the church was further enlarged, the chancel lengthened eastward, the transept pulled down and the present aisle, chapel and vestry added. The church was also re-roofed and the tower considerably restored, so that little of the original fabric remains.

The First Baron Hindlip (1811-1887) represented East Worcestershire in the House of Commons.

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Robert Berkeley was the Founder of this cemetery.

Spetchley Cemetery, Spetchley, Worcestershire (Click on an image for a larger version)

General view

Robert Berkeley was the Founder of this cemetery.

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"Also faithful friend, Eric his Dog".

St Mary, Kempsey, Worcestershire (Click on an image for a larger version)

St. Mary’s church was built between the 12th century and 15th centuries, and the 15th century tower is 82 feet tall. The composer Sir Edward Elgar lived in the village from 1923 to 1927, during which time he was made Master of the King’s Music and he practised on the Organ in St Mary’s Church.

"Also faithful friend, Eric his Dog".

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A. S. Gledhill served under an alias.

St James, Norton, Worcestershire (Click on an image for a larger version)

The church was extensively restored in 1874-75 by Hopkins and Ewan Christian. The older parts are of sandstone rubble. It comprises a nave with a 12th century north wall and a modern south aisle of four bays, a rebuilt 14th century chancel, a later medieval west tower and a timber porch on stone foundations.

A. S. Gledhill served under an alias.

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The Galton family is remembered on the brass plaque on the south wall of the nave.

St James, Oddingley, Worcestershire (Click on an image for a larger version)

No part of the fabric is earlier than the 15th century, when the existing building, with the exception of the tower, was erected. The nave, judging from the position of the doorways, was originally longer, and was shortened when the tower was added, probably in the 17th century. Although the church retains its original windows, they have been much restored and their stones recut, doubtless when the chancel was rebuilt in 1861.

The Galton family is remembered on the brass plaque on the south wall of the nave, which, originally erected in Hadzor church, celebrates the life of Robert Cameron Galton, the youngest son of John H Galton, the lord of the Manor.

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