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?

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.