Grave Mistakes: July 2016

Arlington National Cemetery - Columbia Space Shuttle

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The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred on February 1, 2003, when Columbia disintegrated over Texas and Louisiana as it re-entered Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven crew members. During the launch a piece of foam insulation broke off from the Space Shuttle external tank and struck the left wing of the orbiter and the damage allowed hot atmospheric gases to penetrate and destroy the internal wing structure, which caused the spacecraft to become unstable and slowly break apart.

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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/

Arlington National Cemetery - Audie Murphy (soldier)

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Audie Leon Murphy (20 June 1924 – 28 May 1971) was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II, receiving every military combat award for valour available from the U.S. Army, as well as French and Belgian awards for heroism.

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Arlington National Cemetery - Joe Louis (Boxer)

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Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981), best known as Joe Louis, was an American professional boxer. He held the world heavyweight championship from 1937 to 1949, and is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.

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Arlington National Cemetery - Richard Byrd (Polar explorer)

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Richard Evelyn Byrd, Jr., was an American naval officer who specialized in feats of exploration. He was a pioneering American aviator, polar explorer, and organizer of polar logistics. His claim to have reached the North Pole is strongly disputed.

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Arlington National Cemetery - Finn Ronne (Polar explorer)

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In 1923 Finn Ronne immigrated to the U.S. and gained citizenship in 1929. After working at Westinghouse Electric Corporation for some years, he took part in two of Richard E. Byrd's expeditions to the South Pole, and in 1939 Ronne served as Byrd's executive officer helping discover one thousand miles of new coastline.

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Ann died in childbirth and was buried with her daughter.

Bruton Parish Church, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, USA

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Bruton Parish Church is located in the restored area of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg. It was established in 1674 by the consolidation of two previous parishes in the Virginia Colony, and remains an active Episcopal parish.

Ann died in childbirth and was buried with her daughter.
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Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania - remembering baby John.

Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA

General view

This charming statue remembers John who died aged 9 months.

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Jennie died "while making bread for the Union soldiers".

Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA

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General view

Jennie died "while making bread for the Union soldiers".
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Captain William Dorr was killed in action at Spottsylvania in May 1864

Christ Church, Philadelphia

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Founded in 1695 as a parish of the Church of England, Christ Church played an integral role in the founding of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

Captain William Dorr was killed in action at Spottsylvania in May 1864
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Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia - No names just numbers on a war memorial.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia

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General view - Notorious criminals such as Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton were held inside its innovative wagon wheel design. At its completion, the building was the largest and most expensive public structure ever erected, and quickly became a model for more than 300 prisons worldwide.

No names just numbers on a war memorial.
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Nevil Everard Reeves was one of the greatest fighter pilots of the Second World War.

St Mary, Ripple, Worcestershire

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The history of St Mary’s is somewhat shrouded in mystery. It was built sometime in the early 1190s possibly by the Lord of Ripple Manor and at some point in the 15th century gained 16 misericords - a complete set of 12 labours of the months, plus four others - it is worth noting that they bear a striking resemblance to the misericords at both Great Malvern Priory (with the exception of March, which in Ripple shows harrowing whilst at Great Malvern it shows sowing) and the misericords at Worcester Cathedral.

Nevil Everard Reeves was one of the greatest fighter pilots of the Second World War.

Flying Officer Nevil Everard REEVES (110797), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 89 Squadron Since his arrival in Malta this officer has destroyed 5 enemy aircraft during darkness, and another in daylight, bringing his total victories to 7 aircraft destroyed. Throughout his operational career Flying Officer Reeves has displayed great skill, courage and devotion to duty.

Flying Officer Nevil Everard REEVES, D.F.C. (110797), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 89 Squadron. This officer is a most skilful and courageous pilot. In operations in the Middle East he has displayed exceptional keenness and great powers of endurance. Flying Officer Reeves has destroyed 9 enemy aircraft at night.

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Arlington National Cemetery - One of the greatest soldiers you have never heard of

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A general view

Sir John Greer Dill (25 December 1881 – 4 November 1944) was a senior British Army officer. From May 1940 to December 1941 he was the professional head of the British Army, and subsequently in Washington, as Chief of the British Joint Staff Mission and then Senior British Representative on the Combined Chiefs of Staff, played a significant role during the Second World War in the formation of the "special relationshio" between the United Kingdom and the United States.

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"Here repose the bodies of English Nuns of the Order of Poor Clares ..."

St Michael, Churchill, Worcestershire

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A 14th century church in a small Worcestershire village, St Michael's origins may reach back to the early medieval period. Fragments of a 12th century building can be seen in the walls of the current structure. The church is externally very simple, with only a nave and chancel, and a small bellcote at the west end.

"Here repose the bodies of English Nuns of the Order of Poor Clares ..."
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Arlington National Cemetery - Alexander Scott Medal of Honor Winner

Arlington National Cemetery - Medal of Honor Winner

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A general view

Citation: "at Monacracy July 9, 1864 this soldier, a corporal in Co. D, 10th Vermont Volunteers and carrying the State Flag while his regiment was withdrawing under very heavy fire of the enemy saw the color sergeant bearing the national colors fall out of line exhausted and drop to the rear which meant inevitable capture. Corporal Scott then nearly overpowered by the heat and fatigue picked up the national flag and carried both colors during the remainder of the action."

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Arlington National Cemetery - Died protecting the President

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General view

Leslie William "Les" Coffelt (August 15, 1910 – November 1, 1950) was an officer of the White House Police who was killed while defending U.S. President Harry S Truman against an armed attack on November 1, 1950 at Blair House, where the president was living during renovations at the White House.

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Benjamin Treeton suffered the partial lost of his limbs and speech - presumably following a stroke.

St Peter, Bushley, Worcestershire

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The church was entirely rebuilt in 1843 by Canon Dowdeswell and consists of chancel, north and south transepts, nave and west tower and spire. The present chancel replaced a shallow original apse in 1857 and was designed by Sir Gilbert Scott. It is in the style of the 14th century and has a chapel on the south side opening to both chancel and transept. On the north the chapel is enclosed by an oak screen and on the west by one of iron supporting a rood with attendant figures.

Benjamin Treeton suffered the partial lost of his limbs and speech - presumably following a stroke.

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"Sunrise" and "Sunset" have been used rather than "Born" and "Died".

St Paul, Cookhill, Worcestershire

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In the early nineteenth century, the population of New End and Cookhill expanded rapidly as a result of the growth of the needle making industry at Astwood Bank. In March 1836, it was decided that a chapel of ease should be built in the Ridgeway area. However, the project lapsed and the church was eventually built forty years later on a site given by the Marquess of Hertford. The church was consecrated on 26th October 1876, at a service presided over by the Lord Bishop of Worcester.

"Sunrise" and "Sunset" have been used rather than "Born" and "Died".
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A grieving woman leaning on a pedestal cradling a baby on her hip.

St John the Baptist, Feckenham, Worcestershire

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The church still has traces of its Norman origins but the building has work from several later periods including the 13th century north arcade. It was much restored in the 19th century by William Butterfield who rebuilt the chancel in 1853 and by Henry Day who restored the nave in 1866.

In the chancel is a large memorial to Robert Boulton Waldron who died 1823. It shows a grieving woman leaning on a pedestal cradling a baby on her hip.
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A curious memorial built into the external wall of the church.

St Mary the Virgin, Hanbury, Worcestershire

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Once the site of an Iron Age Hill Fort and later the home of monks, the present building dates from 1210. It has evolved under the patronage of two important local families, the Bearcrofts of Mere Hall and the Vernons of Hanbury Hall.

A curious memorial built into the external wall of the church.
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Walter wrote "I die strong in the faith of Christ" - then died!

St Mary Magdalene, Himbleton, Worcestershire

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Pevsner (2007) refers to Himbleton as one of the most worthwhile medieval churches in the area. Its origins are Norman, the porch is 12th century, and there is work from several later periods. A large amount of medieval stained glass survives, sensitively reset in later windows.

Walter wrote "I die strong in the faith of Christ" - then died!
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