Passed Close Together

This memorial marks the grave of an elderly couple who died within a few days of each other.

In Loving Memory of Henry Walker Wilson who died Nov 4, 1913 aged 69 and Jane, his beloved wife who died Nov 10, 1913 aged 72. Lovely and Pleasant in their Lives - In Death, Not Divided

Fragile State

Jesus Called A Little Child Unto Him, records the saying above the inscriptions on this memorial in Clitheroe Cemetery in Lancashire. It records the passing of the two young children of Albert and Susie Sykes. Cecil Robert who died in his fifth year in 1875 and Bertie who died in his second year in 1864.
Albert, who was a Yarn Agent, had three more sons and a daughter who died at 28 years. Albert died in 1906, daughter Gladys in 1908 and Susie in 1910.

It is a beautiful headstone but if you look closely, a section of the inscription is in a fragile state. Water must have seeped in and there is a distinct line fold each side. It would take just a touch by a passing visitor and it would fall away and smash on the ground. Long may it remain intact.

Effects of Erosion

I have been wondering recently about why the facades of certain headstones crumble away to nothing. I thought I would look at the effects in more detail. Here is the first stone. While the weeping willow and tomb at the top of the headstone are fine, the top third of the inscribed lettering has fallen away. No trace of it exists so it must have been disposed of. I hope gravestone recorders collected the information before it was lost. The lower part is close to falling away.

A Stonemason's Memorial

There is something very touching about this memorial in Clitheroe Cemetery. A sad figure stands beside a broken column. She holds a wreath in her right hand, while her left reaches out to touch the column. Curiously, you would expect her to be looking in the direction of the column, but maybe she is looking down to earth where the deceased is buried. Again, I am confused by the chronology of the naming. It appears to be back to front. From the top, it reads:

In loving memory of Thomas Mitchell of West View, Clitheroe
Born 24 December 1851 Died 3 October 1914
And Ellen his beloved wife Born 5 July 1853 Died 19 June 1906
Also William their beloved son
Born 14 July 1886 Died 16 Nov 1891
Also John their beloved son Born 28 Oct 1877 Died  5 October 1931

Thomas Mitchell, I discover, is listed as stone mason in 1881, employing eight men and a boy. In 1891, he is listed as a retired (39 years old). In 1901, his son John is a stone mason on his own account, while sister Bessie is a 16-year-old pupil Teacher.

Angelic Support

Some months ago, I published a photograph of two angels supporting a figure in Aldershot Cemetery. I didn't expect to find another when I made my first visit to the exquisite Victorian cemetery in Clitheroe, Lancashire last weekend. The figures are less ornate but still very striking. The memorial is to Frances Westhead who died on 8 September 1907 aged 35. It also marks the last resting place of her husband, William, who died 8 January 1959 aged 86. A separate plaque on the grave records that their daughter, Frances May, died on 12 September 1984 at the age of 86. Because William who died second is named first on the memorial, I believe the lettering may have been replaced at a later date.