Saturday 27 February 2010

Phoenix Rising!

I was revisiting a series of photographs that I took a few months ago in the spectacular Bath Abbey Cemetery.  I was intrigued by what I took to be a large bird atop a large column that marked a grave.

Closer scrutiny revealed it to be a representation of a Phoenix - the mythical, sacred firebird. The reason for its inclusion became clear when I looked at the inscription on the grave. It marked the grave of John Monk Lambe who died in 1865. The inscription noted that he was formerly a Paymaster in the Royal Navy who served on HMS Phoenix - a wooden paddle sloop launched in 1832, converted to screw propulsion in 1845, and sold in 1864. I wonder if his will included a request for a phoenix rising from the ashes be included on his memorial?



Sunday 7 February 2010

Proud of a Job well done!

Quite a rare photograph of grave diggers by a recently dug grave. Is the more smartly dressed figure on the right the foreman? It. is interesting to see their tools - the spades, a long-handled shovel and the besom brush that was used to brush the soil from the grass around the grave.

Is there a Murderer among the Mourners?

 At the graveside of the recently deceased, a group of mourners gather to pay their respects and admire the floral tributes laid on the ground. But, what's this? A policeman stands among them. Was the deceased a victim of some terrible crime? Is the poisoner within the throng? I don't know, but I wish someone had recorded what was depicted on the back of this card. If I knew which cemetery it was, that would help.

Welcome to the Graveyard Detective

An illustrated look at the World of Graveyards and Cemeteries. There are many Stories behind the Stones that Stand in them. Who knows what we might find?

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