Grave Mistakes: August 2016

An elaborate late 16th-century monument to a member of the Haselwood family.

Abbey of the Holy Cross with Saint Edburgha, Pershore, Worcestershire

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The main building was begun in about 1100. In the fourteenth century it benefitted from the generosity of Adam de Harvington, Chancellor of the Exchequer 1327-30, who was probably related to the Abbot, William of Harvington. The abbey was dissolved in 1539. When the north transept collapsed in 1686, a wall was built in its place. Further alterations were carried out, including a restoration by George Gilbert Scott in 1862-64. His work included the removal of the belfry floor and the opening up of the lantern tower to expose the beautiful internal tracery panelling. In 1913, two western flying buttresses were added to replace the support from the missing portion of the building.

Against the west wall of the south transept is an elaborate late 16th-century monument to a member of the Haselwood family; on a panelled base rests the armed recumbent effigy of a man, at his head kneels a lady and at his feet a man in civilian attire. A flat canopy with an entablature round is supported on three black marble Corinthian columns. On the cornice is a repainted shield of arms.

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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/

Midshipman Charles Parker died after a "short illness off one week".

St Peter, Little Comberton, Worcestershire

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A Norman limestone church with a tall and beautiful 15th century west tower. The nave is Norman, the chancel was rebuilt as part of an extensive restoration in 1886.

Midshipman Charles Parker died after a "short illness off one week". HMS Boyne was renamed HMS Excellent in 1834 and became a training ship. Excellent was broken up in 1861

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Charles Parker was Rector of the church for 57 years.

St Michael, Great Comberton, Worcestershire

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A limestone church, the nave walls are Norman, the tower was added in the 15th century. There is other work from the 14th and 15th centuries and the chancel was rebuilt by Sir G G Scott in 1862.

Charles Parker was Rector of the church for 57 years. He is remembered both inside the church and in the churchyard.

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

St John the Baptist, Fladbury, Worcestershire

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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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Can you spot the error in the inscription?

St Mathias, Malvern, Worcestershire

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The initial church was designed by Sir G G Scott. It seated 300 people, and cost £1,900 to build. It was completed in 1846 and consecrated by Bishop Pepys of Worcester on the 13th of January. In 1858, the church was extended to the south, and a new tower was added in 1862. In 1880, the church was found to be too small, and the decision was made to extend it eastwards. Tenders were invited and Thomas Collins of Tewkesbury estimated the costs to be £2,400. The costs of this extension were principally met by Earl Beauchamp.

Can you spot the error in the inscription?
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Harvey Combe was MP for the City of London

St Andrew, Cobham, Surrey

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The community of Church Cobham grew up around St. Andrew's Church, which dates from the 12th century. Although much altered and extended in the 19th century, the church preserves a Norman tower and is a Grade I listed building.

The elaborate memorial to Harvey Christian Combe and his wife Alice. He was elected the Member of Parliament for the City of London in 1796.
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"Home in time for Christmas".

Methodist Chapel, Effingham, Surrey

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A general view.

"Home in time for Christmas".
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"An orphan from her earliest years ..." .

St Nicolas, Great Bookham, Surrey

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The church is mentioned in Domesday, and it is not improbable that the present nave is of the same size as that of the 11th-century building, and may have some of the original stones incorporated in its walling.

"An orphan from her earliest years ..." .
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The S.S. Zent was torpedoed without warning off Fastnet, Ireland on the 5th April 1916.

St Michael and All Angels, Bricklehampton, Worcestershire
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The church is mainly in Decorated style. The south doorway is late 12th century, with one order of nook shafts with waterleaf capitals, and arch with chevrons, label with billet frieze and head stops. The timber-framed porch has open arcaded sides over rendered panels and dwarf walls, and has cusped barge boards.

S.S. Zent was built at Belfast in 1905 by Workman, Clark & Co. She was owned by Elders and Fyffes and was on a voyage from Garston to Santa Marta, Colombia when she was torpedoed without warning off Fastnet, Ireland on the 5th April 1916.
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25 new books on graves and grave-hunting

Claire and I have been visiting churchyards and cemeteries for about 8 years. All our discoveries are posted on our website and the highlights get posted on the blog you are currently reading.

We also support the many Facebook groups that enthusiasts have set up - particularly the Social History and the Cemetery Exploration sites.

In the early days we would go out locally for 2 or 3 hours and drive perhaps 20 or 30 miles to find sites we had not visited before. Now we are having to travel a minimum of 60 miles to find an unexplored site and on a typical day we might drive 200 miles! It has become a very expensive hobby.

We have written a number of books based on our discoveries hoping that group members who enjoy reading our blog will buy copies to help with our costs.

All these books are available from Amazon in the USA and in the UK

The Grave Hunters Series

Grave Hunting - Tips and Tales

The Explorers Guide Series

The Honolulu Memorial

Unique Australian War Graves and Memorials Worldwide

Unique Canadian War Graves and Memorials Worldwide

Unique Indian War Graves and Memorials Worldwide

Unique New Zealand War Graves and Memorials Worldwide

Unique South African War Graves and Memorials Worldwide

Unique United Kingdom War Graves and Memorials Worldwide