The London Necropolis - Brookwood

Here are two vintage postcards showing views of Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey. The first shows four views of an immaculately maintained cemetery. It was sent to a Mrs Foot at Station House, Dartford, Kent  in October 1912 by the recipient's sister who thought it suitable as a 'birthday' card! [I have also posted a more recent image of the Pelham-Clinton memorial featured in the bottom left photograph to show how the scene has changed . . . The second shows St. Cyprian's Avenue in the grounds of Brookwood Cemetery.

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According to the author of London's Necropolis, John M Clarke the Pelham-Clinton memorial  is probably the most important in the cemetery. The statue group depicts a grief-stricken man crouching over the corpse of a woman,with one hand cupped behind her head. Above them, her angelic form soars heavenward, wings outspread and her face turned back with an expression of great  sympathy.

The sculpture is called Into the Way of Peace and commemorates Matilda Jane Pelham Clinton (1825-1892) who was married to Lord Edward Pelham-Clinton. She served in Queen Victoria's private household. A bronze inscription plaque was stolen some years ago. Her husband was the only non-Royal to attend Victoria's funeral in 1901. John Clarke records that the new King asked Pelham-Clinton to scatter earth on the late Queen's coffin.caption