Metal Plaque!

Now, this headstone in Chorley Cemetery has a large metal plaque fitted to it. Could it be that the original inscription had worn away or was it a way of recycling a previously used stone? I think it may be contemporary with the date of the last named, so of 1930s manufacture. What ever the reason, it is certainly a striking feature. Pte Walter Robinson who served in the Machine Gun Corps (infantry) is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as having been 24 when he died, not 23 as recorded on the headstone. He is buried in Delville Wood Cemetery at Longueval in France.

Wikipedia contains a lot of information about the Battle for Delville Wood which was fought over for some weeks during the Battle of the Somme. On 27 August, the Germans re-entered the wood from the north east side. The artillery fire from the Germans had been so fierce and relentless, that only one tree still stood. That tree is still there today. Rain had turned the shell holes into pools of water and mud, many containing already decaying German and Allied corpses. Fighting resumed in all earnest and on 30 August the 72nd and 73 Brigades of the 24th Division were sent in as reinforcements. Both brigades had Machine Gun Corps companies attached Robinson may have been serving with either of theses. The final German forces were driven from the wood on 3 September 1916.

Angels with Big Hands

My eyes were immediately drawn to the large hands on these angels. Any angel experts out there who could confirm they are male?

The memorial is  to William Taylor, past provincial grand master of the Chorley district of the Independent Order of Oddfellows M.U. who died in 1859. He introduced Oddfellowship into this district and laboured to promote its welfare in this and neighbouring towns for many years.

Star Angel

Another memorial at Chorley cemetery. It marks the grave of John, husband of Levina Varley who died April 21, 1903. This angel has a star on her head and a hole in her neck.

Fading Grief is a Memorial to Sisterly Love

I saw this grieving figure in Chorley Cemetery. Although an arm is missing and the facial features are crumbling, its face is a striking picture of grief. I think she is clasping a representation of an anchor to her bosom although if you think differently, please let me know.

The memorial reads: A tribute of love in memory of Mary Anne Welch who died January 14th 1884 Aged 67 - Erected by her sister Alice.

There is a poignant message recorded at the base: Love is too Precious to be Lost. Alice must have loved her sister very much . . .

An Angel scatters Blooms

In Chorley Cemetery, an angel scatters blooms that she has collected in her garment. When I saw this, I thought someone had slipped a charity wristband on her. A closer look revealed that her hand must have broken off and someone had used a thick layer of gum to stick the hand back on. The memorial records:

In loving memory of Matilda, wife of James Ollerton, who died January 20, 1898 aged 45 years - Not Lost But Gone Before.