Brookwood Cemetery 3

Three more statues photographed at Brookwood Cemetery. Such differing representations of symbolism.

Brookwood Cemetery 2

A recently found negative produced this nice image of an Angel at Brookwood Cemetery. Note the star above the head . . .

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.

Add 

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

Anchor Symbolism

The grave of Thomas Henry Leak in Brookwood Cemetery. A really fine example of an anchor with its chain draped over the cross. The anchor represents hope or eternal life.

Brookwood American Cemetery

According to the American Battle Monuments Commission, the 4.5 acre Brookwood American Cemetery and Memorial in England lies to the west of the large civilian cemetery built by the London Necropolis Co. and contains the graves of 468 US war dead of the First World War. Close by are military cemeteries and monuments of the British Commonwealth and other allied nations. Automobiles may drive through the Commonwealth or civilian cemeteries to the American cemetery. It is the only American Military of the Great War in Britain.


The two postcards below show the view to the visitor reception centre with its central archway and the view from the archway out to the war graves. They both mention 437 dead so other casualties must have been buried later in the postwar period. I have visited the cemetery twice and it is very impressive.

Brookwood Cemetery's Saddest Memorial

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.

Photo: Laurie Manton

Brookwood Cemetery

Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey opened its gates in 1854 and was said to be the largest burial ground in the world when it opened. It contains around 250,000 burials. One of the most impressive memorials in Brookwood is to the memory of Lady Mary Laura Wyatt who died in 1900. The  statue is said to be a likeness of the deceased who is depicted standing and reading a book. Her husband, Sir Richard Henry Wyatt died four years later from injuries and shock after he accidentally set his clothes on fire at his home.

Photo: Laurie Manton

Rock of Ages

An image I shot many years ago at Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey made me feel like Gulliver. Then I realised it was a small grave ornament in the grass rather than a full-sized memorial. I think it quite unusual and I have never seen another.

Angels raise a Question

When I visited Brookwood Cemetery many, many years ago, I took photographs of several of the angel memorials. When scanning the negatives recently, I noticed they had stars on their heads. Does anyone know why? I read somewhere that a five pointed star on a memorial linked the deceased to Freemasonry.