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A Local Cemetery Historian’s Retrospective
I thought that I would depart from my usual pattern of offering historical vignettes of some of the illustrious deceased buried in the two cemeteries and instead present the reader with some of my more memorable personal recollections, out of many, that have charted my time as a member of the Friends group and former…
A look back at the tragic sinking of the HMS Good Hope
With the hundred year anniversary fast approaching of one of Britain’s worst naval disasters, there is something quite mournful about the leaf covered wording on the side of the Hawkes family grave a few yards from busy Brockley Road. It records the death of Able Seaman Reuben Ernest Hawkes, son of George and Amelia of Woodpecker Road…
The grave of Inventor Alfred Charles Brown located in Ladywell cemetery
One of the singular delights of undertaking cemetery research are those serendipitous moments of discovery when the headstone of a long forgotten luminary is located. Such was the experience of finding the broken headstone of Alfred Charles Brown ‘ Inventor of the London fire alarm’ in Ladywell cemetery. Born in Holborn in 1858, Alfred Charles…
Dudley Granville Brown World War One fighter pilot
Dudley Granville Brown was a Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot who died in December 1918 when his plane crashed. Unlike most casualties of war, he is honoured in the Ladywell section of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries with a grand civil memorial. Dudley Granville Brown World War One fighter pilot (photo courtesy of Findagrave) Dudley Granville…
Cemetery tour at 2pm on Sunday 17th October led by Jeff Hart
Jeff Hart will be leading a General Tour of the Cemeteries on Sunday 17th October, starting at the Ladywell gate at 2pm. Find out about some of the “residents” as well as a bit of nature in the two Cemeteries as Jeff takes a circular tour. All are welcome!
GUIDED WALK ‘LOCKDOWN LUMINARIES’ – SUNDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 14.30 -16.30
There will be a guided walk ‘Lockdown Luminaries’ on Sunday 26th September 14.30 -16.30 Meet Ladywell Cemetery Main Entrance 10 minutes before start Mike Guilfoyle: Vice-Chair of Foblc will lead this free guided walk through both cemeteries stopping at recently discovered graves of historical significance, including those of artists, musicians, submariners and tragic love stories!…
Gus Manning – German and US Soccer Star’s family grave found in Ladywell cemetery
Dr ‘Gus’ Manning Finding the graves of long lost luminaries buried in Brockley and Ladywell cemeteries has kept me busily engaged over periods of enforced Covid lockdown when headstone searches have not always been possible. But as all cemetery burials are now digitised (1858-1999) and available to view via the Deceasedonline.com website (there is a…
Elizabeth Colgate (1834-1918) pacifist and anti-slavery campaigner
On the Ladywell entrance path to the dissenters chapel in Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries stands the headstone of Elizabeth Colgate. It can be seen from the main path towards the left just before you reach the chapel. The headstone commemorates a remarkable political and social activist of the Victorian era who campaigned against the key…
London Open House Festival 2021 – book your tours of Brockley & Ladywell cemeteries on Sunday 5th September
Open House Festival 2021 SUNDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 2.15 – 3.15pm Short Tour of Brockley Cemetery 2.30 – 3.30pm Short Tour of Ladywell Cemetery Both tours start from the Ladywell Cross of Sacrifice BOOKABLE ONLY VIA THE OPEN HOUSE WEBSITE The Chapel will be open and our publications will be on sale…
Elias and Frances Ford: great-great-grandson traces his family’s history
A few years ago I was given a very old family bible. In the back pages were detailed all its owners from 1724 to 1860 and this started my interest in discovering my family history. I’d heard various names mentioned in the past by my parents and grandparents but have to admit that I never…
Captain William Veale 1791-1867 ‘The Deptford Robinson Crusoe’
Most readers will no doubt be very familiar with the 1719 story by Daniel Defoe of Robinson Crusoe, based as it was on the experiences of a Scottish sailor, Alexander Selkirk who survived for five years on a desert island. But buried in Brockley cemetery is a seafarer with an equal claim to such maritime posterity…
Brockley Max 2021 – join us for our guided tour Saturday 5th June 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Join us for our guided tour on SATURDAY 5th JUNE 2.30pm – 4.30pm, meet at the Ladywell Road gate. This walk is part of the amazing Brockley Max 2021 Discover the many facets of the two Cemeteries: the famous, not so famous and infamous people as well as the abundant natural world of trees, plants, butterflies…
The link between Napoleon and Captain James McTernan, buried in Brockley Cemetery
On the bicentenary of Napoleon Bonaparte’s death in exile on St Helena, FoBLC vice-chair Mike Guilfoyle explores his link to Royal Naval surgeon Captain James McTernan, buried in Brockley Cemetery South London Press (p31, May 14th 2021 edition) Captain James McTiernan is not the only person with a link to Napoleon buried in the Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries. …
Captain Sergei Ulyanin inventor of the original drone
The Russian aviator, inventor of a 19th Century ‘drone’ who turned them into vital reconnaissance during the First World War, is one of the more important and unusual people buried in the Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries. We have previously featured Captain Sergei Ulyanin on this website and he is now the subject of a feature…
150th anniversary of Jane Clouson’s death
On the 150th anniversary of Jane Clouson’s death, FOBLC’s Mike Guilfoyle has written for the South London Press (p32) about her tragic death which became a cause celebre of Victorian London. One of the most famous and most visited graves in the Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries, Jane Clouson’s unsolved murder was recounted in this moving account…
Charles Forjett and the Martyrs of Bombay
As you pass along the meandering pathway from the Dissenters Chapel and round the corner walking towards the wall of remembrance in Ladywell cemetery, you could so easily walk past without noticing the drab headstone which denotes that a former Commissioner of Police from 1855-1864 for India’s most populous city Bombay (known as Mumbai since…
Captain Syder and The Pirates of the South China Sea
Located alongside one of the circular pathways in Ladywell cemetery perched at a perilous angle lies a family headstone whose inscription is all but weathered away. In a serendipitous moment when undertaking tombstone research the sunlight caught the stone and the bare outline of the word ‘Pirates’ was briefly visible! Other lettering revealed the name…
How Charles Penruddocke found notoriety in the Newgate Calendar
Charles Wadham Wyndham Penruddock (artist’s impression) Source : Depart Hence and Sin No More. David Kidd-Hewitt (2018) Located alongside the pathway close to the entrance to Ladywell cemetery is found a much faded headstone on which the keen observer can discern an inscription of the wonderfully named Charles Wadham Wyndham Penruddocke, born in Bath in…
THE DEPTFORD SEA CAPTAIN WHO MAY HAVE INSPIRED MOBY DICK
One of the most fascinating cemetery links with its rich maritime heritage is recounted in the remarkable journal of Thomas Reed Stavers (1798-1867) which is available to view online South Sea Whaling painting (New Zealand history) With the fine spectacle of whaling ships sailing from the port of London from the 16th century onwards, Thomas…
Grave of the Artist William Shakespeare Burton discovered in Ladywell cemetery!
It was with mounting anticipation that I searched for the last resting place of the artist William Shakespeare Burton (d.1916) on a rainy day in Ladywell cemetery. The burial record, accessed via deceased online after many serendipitous forays into past cemetery lives research, indicated that the grave number was F/229 and although this notation was…
Bringing in the New Year with Charles Dickens
The cruciform headstone of Marianne Layard (d.1879 whilst living in Blackheath) lies undisturbed aside a shady inner pathway in Ladywell cemetery. The Layards were a distinguished Huguenot family including two members with entries in the Dictionary of National Biography (Sir Austen Henry Layard included here and Daniel Peter Layard d.1802). Photo of Marianne Layard…
William Muir and the World’s first Railway death
Nestling at an angle in Brockley cemetery lies the peeling headstone of the Scottish born engineer and inventor William Muir (1806-1888) who achieved an enviable reputation as a leading manufacturer of machine tools and lathes, helping to erect the Britannia works in Manchester as William Muir & Co. This at a time of massive Victorian…
Serjeant Thomas Charles Joslin: a Soldier of the Great War.
The Grave of Thomas Charles Joslin lies a short walk from the entrance to Brockley Cemetery along a shady side path. 1881 -Thomas Charles Joslin was born in Holborn, London, on the 12th July 1881 to parents Thomas Joslin, a Gold Refiner by trade and his Mother Ellen Joslin nee Dawe. 1903 – Thomas enrolled…
The de Carvalho Brothers from Brazil who faced the firing Squad
Aside one of the inner pathways in Ladywell cemetery lies a cruciform shaped headstone. One of those remembered on one side of the headstone had an illustrious history as a naval architect and inventor, before becoming a political prisoner who died in broken spirits whilst living exile in London in 1898. His last recorded address…
Sir John Simon, (10 October 1816 – 23 July 1904) health reformer and chief medical officer
Sir John was a surgeon and public health reformer whose work to improve the hygiene of city life helped establish modern standards of public health service. In an article for the South London Press, FoBLC historian Mike Guilfoyle has written about his story and its relevance to our current Covid crisis, you can read it here. …
Open House London 2020: Guided walk of Ladywell and Brockley Cemeteries including the Non-conformist chapel
Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries are proud to have been selected to be a part of Open House London 2020 On Sunday 20th SEPTEMBER at around 2.15pm there will be a tour of Ladywell and Brockley Cemeteries, including the Non-conformist chapel, led by members of the FoBLC Due to social distancing requirements there will be a…
Gertrude Anna Middleton O.B.E – The Recent Discovery of a Heroine of the Great War in Ladywell Cemetery
Gertrude Anna Middleton O.B.E. Or Gertie as she is known on her headstone. A grave that has been passed by many over the years without giving a second glance. For what you see from the pathway is her mother Emma, look to the other side and you will find Gertie with her father Henry Milnes…
THE LEWISHAM PLAYBOY AND HIS FATAL ATTRACTION
Located underneath a sylvan canopy in one of the inner pathways of Ladywell cemetery lies the final resting place of Valentine Gadesden. The sadly broken headstone is just visible and is inscribed with his date of death – September, 1896 – and his place of death – Bad Nauheim (the German health spa town made…
Lion of Kent’s Grave Discovered in Ladywell Cemetery
EDGAR’ NED’ WILLSHER (1828-1885) For some years now one of the unrealised ambitions of the more active tombstone hunters of the friends group has been to locate the final resting place of the Kent and England cricketer Edgar ‘Ned’ Willsher (1828-1885) who was to write his name into cricketing history as the catalyst for the…
“The Island” Transformed
On the weekend of 14th & 15th March 2020, a group of five volunteers from the Friends’ group re-kerbed what has become known as “The Island” in Ladywell Cemetery. This originally was an ornamental oval which had become overgrown. With the agreement of Bereavement Services, the Friends volunteers have worked on this site for three…
CADS, CLERICS & CAPTAINS – Free guided walk on Sunday 23rd February at 2.00pm
CADS, CLERICS & CAPTAINS- Free guided walk on Sunday 23rd February at 2.00pm (meet at the Ladywell cemetery entrance) (Originally scheduled for 16th but postponed due to weather) Led by Mike Guilfoyle (Vice -Chair Foblc) All welcome The walk will last for around 1.5 hours and focus on some of the illustrious (and ill -famed…
Polish Underground Leader Mieczyslaw Thugutt (1902- 1979) Sent Friend a Food Parcel in Auschwitz With Tragic Consequences
Located in the former Roman Catholic section of Brockley cemetery near to the Brockley road boundary lies the Thugutt Family grave. There is a small presence of graves from the Polish diaspora within this area of the cemetery. When Mieczyslaw Thugutt died in exile at Wickham Road, Brockley aged 76, his ashes were interred here.…
Victorian Comic performer John Baldwin Buckstone is the star of the final episode of the first series of podcasts by Mike Guilfoyle
John Baldwin Buckstone John Baldwin Buckstone enjoyed enormous fame at the height of his career – an adored comic performer, a great friend of Dickens, a prolific writer for the stage and a successful impresario – but his gravestone was paid for by donations from close friends who had seen his fortunes dwindle. Learn about…
SAINTS, SINNERS & SAVANTS – free guided walk New Year’s Day 1:30pm
To shake off the Xmas torpor the Friends group are offering a free guided walk across two cemeteries (Brockley and Ladywell) stopping at the graves of some of the more or less illustrious deceased including clerics, acrobats, adventurers and scandalmongers! Meet at the Brockley cemetery gate on New Years Day at 1.30 pm Walk will…
REMEMBRANCE DAY EVENT SUNDAY 10th NOVEMBER 10.55am – 12.15pm
REMEMBRANCE DAY EVENT, SUNDAY 10th NOVEMBER 10.55am – 12.15pm approx Meet at the Ladywell Cemetery Cross of Sacrifice. There will be a brief introduction to the significance of the event. Following the 2 minute silence: Wreath laying at the Cross of Sacrifice, Ladywell Cemetery. Walk to the Brockley War Memorial via three relevant memorials Wreath…
Cemetery tour at 2pm on Sunday 20th October led by Jeff Hart
Jeff Hart will be leading a General Tour of the Cemeteries on Sunday 20th October, starting at the Ladywell gate at 2pm. Find out about some of the “residents” as well as a bit of nature in the two Cemeteries as Jeff takes a whistle-stop tour.
Guided Walk – Rounding off the Great War – Sunday 15th September 2pm-3.30pm
FOBLC historian Peter Mealing will be leading this guided walk (assisted by Mick Martin and Mike Guilfoyle) bringing together the strands of the First World War reflected in the memorials to some of those who fought and perished in the conflict, military and civilian, in the two Cemeteries as well as looking at its profound…
Famous Jamaican tenor Louis Drysdale is the subject of the 6th podcast by Mike Guilfoyle
The famous Jamaican tenor Louis Drysdale is the subject of the 6th podcast by Mike Guilfoyle. Louis came to England from Jamaica with little more than a love of music and a great voice. After training at the Royal College of Music he went on to become an internationally admired singing tutor, sought out by…
Drone’s eye view of Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries
One of the regular attenders of the Friends group Open Days is Bob McGowan and his family and it was following a chat at this years event that Bob asked if the friends group might like to take the opportunity of having a drone survey of the cemeteries undertaken. As Bob’s company Helidrone utilises drones…
The medals awarded to Gunner Arthur Howard, one of the heroes of Rorke’s Drift, have gone on sale for £50,000
The medals awarded to Gunner Arthur Howard, one of the heroes of Rorke’s Drift who lies buried in the Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries, have gone on sale for £50,000 according to the Daily Mail Gunner Arthur Howard’s South Africa 1877-79 medal is being sold at auction In September 2012 a new headstone for Gunner Howard…
Friends of Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries Open Day Sunday 7th July 2019 11.00am – 4.30pm
Author Sarah Crofts will be appearing at the Open Day at 12 noon to sign copies of new book celebrating the life of Thankfull Sturdee (1852-1934) Deptford Photographer. Members of the Friends group attended a recent guided walk and fascinating talk on the life and work of the Deptford Photographer Thankful Sturdee (who lies buried…
Mary Ann Bevan: the Ugliest Woman in the World. The latest instalment of London Epitaphs, a collection of fascinating short podcasts based on the headstones of Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery
In the 1920s, Mary Ann Bevan was known as the Ugliest Woman in the World but the story of how she came by the title is a tragic one. The third in a new series of true stories based on the gravestones of Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery in South East London. Read and researched by…
Brockley’s most important contribution to the D-Day landings
The most important local contribution to the invasion of Europe was made indirectly by William Potter Stone & Co., plumbers of Malpas Road. Frank Stone (1913-2004), a partner in the firm and the son of the founder, was born in Brockley, and was an old boy of Mantle Road School and Addey and Stanhope. He…
Brockley Max: Guided tour by Jeff Hart of Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries Saturday 1st June 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Saturday 1st June 2.30pm – 4.30pm. Meet at the Ladywell gate. Discover a little about the people memorialised in the Cemeteries, including poets, musicians, war heroes, educationalists, and sports people on this 2 hour (approx) walk. Also a bit about the flora, fauna and wildlife. Led by Jeff Hart of the Friends of Brockley &…
Nunhead Cemetery Open Day Saturday 18th May 2019 11am to 5pm
The FOBLC have a stall at this wonderful event organised by the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery. There will be tours of Nunhead cemetery, visits to the chapel and crypt (which is not usually open), plus special activities for kids like face painting, we hope to see you there!
FROM BROCKLEY TO BOOT HILL : APACHE CHIEF GERONIMO AND THE KILLING OF EDWARD WENTWORTH LYON.
The family grave of Arthur Wentworth Lyon lies in Ladywell cemetery. Although a challenge to locate amidst the tumble of broken headstones and gnarled vegetation in Ladywell cemetery, the faded remnants of the grave surround that holds the mortal remains of Arthur Wentworth Lyon (1852-1935) also holds a truly fascinating family history. Arthur spent periods…
SAINTS , SINNERS AND SAVANTS: GUIDED WALK LED BY MIKE GUILFOYLE SUNDAY 17TH FEBRUARY AT 14.00
This walk will be a gentle amble to graves of historic interest ( including a family grave linked to the famous American Apache Leader Geronimo ) GUIDED WALK LED MY MIKE GUILFOYLE- SUNDAY 17 TH FEBRUARY AT 14.00 PM MEET LADYWELL CEMETERY GATE. ALL WELCOME.
In memory of civilians who lost their lives through enemy air raids in Deptford, Hither Green and Sydenham in World War l
There will be an exhibition at the Deptford Lounge, Giffin Square, SE8 4RJ, Monday 10th December – Saturday 12th January in memory of civilians who lost their lives through enemy air raids in Deptford, Hither Green and Sydenham in World War l On display will be the information panels about the Hither Green, Sydenham and…
Thomas Archie Challis MC (1893 to 3rd Nov 1918), 2nd Lieutenant 13th Tank Corps, A Coy
Thomas Archie Challis was born in Walworth in 1893 to parents Charles and Rosa. He had two elder brothers – William and Charles, a younger brother Harold and sister Isabel. Charles, Thomas’ father worked as a general labourer and then as a sewerman or flusher for London County Council. Thomas is recorded as living at…
Remembering Private Elkins, torpedoed on the R.M.S Leinster 10th October 1918 in ‘ Ireland’s worst maritime disaster’
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Located on the berm that lies between the two cemeteries on the Ladywell side pathway is found the Elkins family grave. Private Thomas Elkins ( Middlesex Yeomanry) aged 36 years, Husband of Mabel Duncan Elkins, 39, Byne Road, Sydenham, was aboard the Royal Mail Ship ( RMS) Leinster when it was sunk by a German…
Death of a Local Hero : Major Charles Edward Fysh DSO MC and Bar. Killed in Action on the Marne, France July 28th 1918
Major Charles Edward Fysh (1894-1918) Located alongside one of the inner pathways in Ladywell cemetery lies the headstone (see photograph below) on which the name of Major Charles Edward Fysh is inscribed with those of his parents. He was with British troops taking part in Marshal Foch’s large scale and highly successful counter offensive of…
Messages, Medals, and Memorials – public art exhibition in Ladywell Cemetery Chapel Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th September 11am – 4pm
Messages, Medals, and Memorials – a public art exhibition which will be in the Chapel of the Ladywell Cemetery on Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th September 11am – 4pm, commemorates the contribution of Colonial troops and the Labour Corps to the war effort in the First World War. Though never fully acknowledged, Europe’s Great War…
Friends of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries 11th Anniversary Open Day, Sunday 8th July 2018 from 11am to 4:30pm
Please join us for our 11th anniversary Open Day on 8th July 2018, from 11am to 4:30pm. There will be FREE guided walks of the Cemeteries visiting the graves of sportsmen, poets, war veterans and local figures as well as flora and bird life. Times for guided walks will be 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and…
Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson’s Ladywell Cemetery link
The news on May 24th 2018 that President Donald Trump had posthumously pardoned Jack Johnson, boxing’s first black heavyweight champion, for a’ racially motivated injustice’ when the Boxer was imprisoned in 1913 gives us this opportunity to reveal a fascinating historical cemetery link. Located at the apex of an inner pathway in Ladywell cemetery lies…
NUNHEAD CEMETERY OPEN DAY Saturday 19th May 11am – 5pm
The FOBLC will again be having a stall at this event organised by the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery. It’s a great day, hopefully see you there!
RAF Centenary Guided Walk – Sunday 29th April at 2pm (Ladywell Gate)
A British Avro Lancaster bomber over Hamburg, 1943 Please join us to Commemorate 100 years of the formation of the Royal Air Force out of the Royal Flying Corps. The guided walk led by Foblc historians Peter, Mike and Mick will visit some of the family graves of those who lost their lives in both…
Spring Flowers walk Sunday 22nd April guided by Tom Moulton and Pete Robinson
Please join us for a Spring Flowers walk around the Brockley & Ladywell cemeteries on Sunday 22 April, starting from the Ladywell Gates at 2pm. The walk will be led by Tom Moulton and Pete Robinson whose flower survey of the cemeteries can be found here. We’ll also be listening out for the birds with…
Lance Bombardier Sydney James Hedger- ‘ Died for his Country’- Dunkirk 1st June 1940 aged 21 years
British troops line up on the beach at Dunkirk to await evacuation. Located amidst a cluster of graves in Brockley cemetery lies the gothic shaped family headstone of the Hedger family. The stark details of Sydney James Hedger’s sacrifice, lettered on the headstone, having been wounded at Dunkirk tell the viewer that ‘ he died…
A Tribute to Second Lieutenant Hugh Gordon Langton- killed at Passchendale October 25th 1917
One of many iconic images of the Passchendaele battlefield in 1917 Passendaele (Passendal) is a small village five miles north-east of Ypres in Belgium and is the name by which the final stages of the Third Battle of Ypres are better known. Along with the Somme, it has come to symbolise the Great War for…
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 12th November 10.55am – 12.15pm
Join us for our annual commemoration of the fallen of the First World War on SUNDAY 12th November 10.55am – 12.15pm Meet at the Ladywell Cross of Sacrifice for the two minute silence and wreath-laying. This will be followed by a walk via threerelevant graves to the memorial in the Brockley Cemetery for a further wreath-laying.
Women In Front – A Public Art Exhibition of Women’s Work in WW1 Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th September 2017, 11am-4pm
Women In Front – public art exhibition commemorates the contribution of women to the war effort at home and at the front in the First World War. As the war progressed with mounting casualties and the introduction of conscription, over 1 million women were employed for the first time in occupations previously reserved for men.…
Grave of Circus Star SAMUEL LOCKHART restored
The FOBLC are pleased to announce the recent restoration of the Lockhart Family headstone in Brockley cemetery. Samuel Lockhart was an accomplished clown and father of George and Samuel Lockhart, who became famous elephant trainers in the Victorian era. Thank you for the continuing commitment the Music Hall Guild has towards such historic restorations…
Photos from FOBLC’s amazing 10th anniversary Open Day
Thanks to Beyond Platform 7 and Robert Clark for these photos
Private Joseph Byrne (1897-1915) the first soldier to die at Lewisham Military Hospital remembered at Brockley Max Festival
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A moving tribute song was performed by the group 1965, a Folk and Roots duo, joined by friends as part of the 2017 Brockley Max festival . The song was written by a band member whose relative fought in the Dublin Fusiliers in the First World War and who was inspired to perform it in…
Wildflower and Nature Walk Sunday 23rd April
The Friends are hosting a wildflower and nature walk around the cemeteries on Sunday 23rd April, meet at the Ladywell Gate at 2pm. The walk will be led by Tom Moulton (see Lewisham Nature Walks) and Peter Robinson whose survey of flowers in the cemeteries can be found here. Bluebells, primroses, lesser celandine and cow…
ZEPPELINS TO THE BLITZ : LONDON UNDER ATTACK .1915 -1945
A “spotter” watching the skies of London during the Blitz Free Guided Walk -Sunday 19th February at 2.00 pm (meet at the Ladywell cemetery entrance) We will be visiting family graves in both cemeteries connected to air raids on London in the Two World Wars. It will also feature visits to family graves of airmen…
Frederick Innes OBE (1864-1921): Silvertown Explosion 1917
Contemporary newspaper illustration of the Silvertown explosion Close to the Ivy Road pathway in Ladywell cemetery enveloped in its chitinous grassy embrace lies the Innes family grave of Frederick Innes, who died aged 57 years on the 14th December 1921. Grandfather to FOBLC stalwart Ron Innes, Frederick was intimately connected to the biggest explosion ever…
Guided Walk Sunday 20th November visiting some of the fallen from the Battle of the Somme
– The Battle of the Ancre Heights There will be a free guided walk visiting the graves and headstones in the Brockley & Ladywell cemeteries of some of those who fought and fell during the 141 days of horror of the Battle of the Somme (July to November 1916). The walk will be led by…
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 13th NOVEMBER 10.55am – 12noon (approx)
We will be holding our Remembrance Day event again this year. This will start on Sunday 13th November at the Ladywell Cemetery Cross of Sacrifice at 10.55am and, after the two minute silence and wreath laying, proceed via two or three relevant points to the war memorial in the Brockley Cemetery for the laying of…
Private Graham Charles Hines Bulford (1895-1916): Soldier killed at the Somme
Part hidden by a spangle of dotted vegetation in a grove alongside one of the inner pathways close to the boundary between the two cemeteries lies the Bulford family grave. The son of Charles and Ada Bulford of 57 Adelaide Avenue, Brockley (lying opposite the green expanse of Hilly Fields) Graham’s name appears in a…
Animals In Service Exhibition Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th September
The FOBLC is proud to host Animals In Service, an art exhibition celebrating the heroism of animals in the First World War. It is part of National Cemeteries’ Week promoted by the National Federation of Cemetery Friends and the Commemoration of the Battle on the Somme, The exhibition will take place on Saturday 10th &…
Jane Clouson Book Reading by Paul Thomas Murphy
Paul Thomas Murphy’s new book about the extraordinary murder of Jane Clouson conclusively identifies the killer’s true identity. The FOBLC is proud to be hosting a reading of a new book about Jane Clouson, ‘Pretty Jane and the Viper of Kidbrooke Lane’ on Saturday 16th July from 2.30pm – 4pm at the Chapel in Ladywell Cemetery.…
‘Gentlemen , when the barrage lifts’ –Rifleman Kenneth Middleton Davies QVR, killed first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Situated aside the inner pathway close to Brockley Grove lies a forlorn cross which contains the evocative lettering ‘the barrage lifts’ and tells the onlooker that Rifleman Kenneth Middleton Davies, of the Queens Victoria Rifles or ‘Old Vics’ was killed in action aged 24 years in France on the first day of the Battle of…
Chief Electrical Artificer Charles Thomas Stringer remembered 100 years on from sinking of HMS Hampshire
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Stringer family grave in Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries. Photo courtesy of Billion Graves Amidst the untidy contours of meadow grass close to the Brockley Road boundary lies the modest headstone of the Stringer family. It was a serendipitous discovery that led to the realisation that Charles Thomas Stringer with the rank of Chief Electrical…
Battle of Jutland centenary: Able Seaman Arthur Mark Lane ( 1893-1916)
Destruction of the British Armoured Cruiser HMS Black Prince during the night of 31st May 1916 at the Battle of Jutland: painting by German artist Willy Stower. On the boundary between the two cemeteries aside a roughly trodden pathway lies a faded headstone inscription that reminds the onlooker of one of the last fateful engagements during the greatest…
The Somme Revisited
On Monday 25th April I accompanied three of my FOBLC colleagues Geoffrey Thurley (the Chair), Mick Martin and Peter Mealing (the driver) across the channel, following the route that General De Gaulle once called the ‘fatal avenue’, the sweep of low lying country in Northern France heading towards the much visited Somme battlefield (the Somme is the name…
Take A Walk On The Wild Side
Following the successful walk last year, the FOBLC invites you to take a walk on the wild side with Mike Keogh. During this free guided walk Mike will help you discover the varied wildflowers and diverse Nature in the two Cemeteries. Meet at the Ladywell Road gate at 2pm on Sunday 17th April. The walk…
Nunhead Cemetery Annual Open Day 21st May 2016
Choir in the ruined Nunhead Chapel The Friends of Nunhead Cemetery will be running their annual open day on the 21st May from 11am to 5pm. Admission is free and it’s a beautiful cemetery as well as being a popular and well organised event so put the date in your diary! ‘Bugman’ Jones There will…
OUTPOSTS OF EMPIRE – GUIDED WALK
Worcester Yeomanry at the Pyramids in Egypt during the Great War On Sunday 21st of February there will be a guided walk entitled OUTPOSTS OF EMPIRE. This walk will be co-led by FOBLC members Mike Guilfoyle and Peter Mealing . It will cover both cemeteries and stop at some of the graves of the soldiers, missionaries,…
THE DAY TSAR NICHOLAS II MET BROCKLEY AVIATOR
Russian aviator and inventor Captain Sergei Alexandrovich Oulianine (aka Ulyanin) 1871 -1921 Part hidden off the pathway heading towards the near seamless boundary between Ladywell and Brockley cemeteries, topped by a broken cruciform headstone, lies the final resting place of the distinguished Russian aviator and inventor Captain Sergei Alexandrovich Oulianine (aka Ulyanin) 1871-1921. He lies…
War poet David Jones commemorated with maroon plaque
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The unveiled plaque to David Jones On Wednesday 2nd December at 67 Arabin Road, SE4 there was an unveiling of a maroon plaque to commemorate the Great War poet, soldier and artist David Jones (1895-1974), who is buried in the Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries. Born in Brockley in 1895 he served in the Royal Welsh…
Commonwealth War Graves Tour
Commonwealth War Graves Tour 22/11/15 2pm to 3:30pm, meet Ladywell Chapel Our next guided walk will concentrate on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorials in Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries as part of their Living Memory Project. . We are also intending to have a small relevant display of photos and other information in the Ladywell…
Remembrance Sunday Event on Sunday 8th November
This Sunday 8th November from 10.55am – 12noon the FOBLC will be holding a Remembrance Sunday event. Please come and join us! We meet at the Ladywell Cross of Sacrifice for wreath-laying, then walk via three points of interest to the Brockley Heroes corner for the final wreath-laying.
Welcome To Hell: The battle for Lone Pine
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PRIVATE HAROLD GREENAWAY AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY KILLED IN ACTION 7th AUGUST 1915 GALLIPOLI On the pathway heading away from the Ladywell Chapel just before the wall of remembrance (Heroes Corner) lies the family grave of Private Harold John Greenaway who was killed in action on Saturday 7th August during the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign of 1915. Born in…
FOBLC OPEN DAY SUNDAY 12th JULY
Jeff Hart leads a walk on the 2014 FOBLC Open Day Please join us for our 8th anniversary Open Day on Sunday 12th July, from 11am to 4:30pm. There will be FREE guided walks of the Cemeteries visiting the graves of sportsmen, poets, war veterans and local figures as well as flora and bird life.…
‘WILFUL MURDER’ : THE SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA – MAY 7th 1915
‘ The departure of the Lusitania on her last fateful voyage, New York, New York, May 1915. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images) Photo: Library of Congress It was with a considerable frisson of excitement that I chanced, when looking at unrelated family headstones, upon the overgrown lettering at the foot of a family grave in Brockley cemetery (close to the…
Spring Flowers Walk Saturday 18th April
Lesser Celandines in Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries Many thanks to the large crowd who joined us for the Spring Flowers walk around the cemeteries on Saturday 18 April at 2.00 pm, making it one of our most succesful events. Ably led by Tom Moulton and Pete Robinson this tour looked at some the flowers in…
DEATH UNDER THE WAVES – GUIDED WALK SUNDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2PM – 3.30PM
sinking of RMS Lusitania This free guided walk will be co-led by FOBLC members Mike Guilfoyle and Peter Mealings and cover visits to family graves in the cemeteries associated with famous civilian and military maritime disasters , including the recently located headstone to victims of the sinking of RMS Lusitania as well as the Princess Alice, SS Yongala, HMS…
A Day of Surprises: Henry Williamson’s account of the Christmas Truce
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The Christmas Truce portrayed rather romantically by the Illustrated London News in January 1915 On Boxing Day 1914, Pte. 9689 of the London Rifle Brigade, wrote to his mother Mrs Williamson at ‘Eastern Road, Brockley, S.E.’ : “Dear Mother, I am writing from the trenches. It is 11 o’clock in the morning. Beside me is…
Director Derek Shiel to introduce screening in chapel of his film – David Jones: Innovation & Consolidation
FOBLC are pleased to welcome Derek Shiel, director of the film to introduce and discuss the work of David Jones DAVID JONES: INNOVATION & CONSOLIDATION The third film of Derek Shiel’s wonderful trilogy takes David Jones from the Second World War up to the time of his death in 1974 at Calvary Nursing Home in Harrow. This deals with Jones…
BROCKLEY’S CHOSEN FEW : GOETHE TO GERTRUDE!
On Sunday 17th August at 2.00pm there will be a guided walk which will feature some of the fascinating stories of artists, poets and assorted luminaries buried in the cemetery. Led by Mike Guilfoyle it will commence from the Ladywell Gate entrance at 14.00 pm and last approximately 1.5 hours. All are welcome to come along and the walk is free…
Wrenches, Trenches, and Stenches: a public art exhibition commemorating the start of the First World War
Ladywell Chapel hosted a two day art exhibition commemorating the start of the First World War. on Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd August 2014. The First World War – or the Great War 1914-1918 was fought on 3 continents and saw 14 million killed and 34 million wounded. This year commemorates the 100th year anniversary…
FOBLC Open Day
Here are some photos from our Open Day on Sunday. Many thanks to all those who helped and of course all the many who came! A good time was had by all Jeff Hart leads a walk Observing a lovely cluster of Rose Bay Willow Herb, the plant symbol of London Colourful Cinnabar caterpillar found…
The WW1 scandal of the sinking of Submarine E13
Following the recent cutting back of overgrowth by Bereavement Services employees in the Ladywell section of the cemetery we were particularly pleased to be able to locate the family grave of Able Seaman Alfred J Payne. The grave lies a few yards from the path that runs alongside the boundary with the Brockley side. In the early hours of August…
Nunhead Cemetery Open Day Saturday 17th May
We will be having a stall at the annual Nunhead Cemetery Open Day this Saturday, 17th May 11am – 5pm. It’s always a great day. Do pop along to look at the stalls, enjoy the guided walks and come by and see us
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
This Sunday 27th April, Mike Keogh invites you to ‘Take a Walk on the Wild Side’ will lead the walk which will look at the trees and plants in the two Cemeteries. Members with expertise in this area are welcome to join in with Mike. All members and members of the public are, of course, welcome…
‘Gentle Courage’: Gertrude Eliza Williamson
The grave of Gertrude Eliza Williamson lies in the Ladywell section of the Brockley & Ladywell cemeteries. It is a simple grave which many people will have walked past without a second glance and the faded inscription on the headstone gives little away. The words ‘my dear wife’ indicate that Gertrude was married, but her…
FORGOTTEN BATTLEFRONTS OF WORLD WAR ONE
With the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War later this year, the FOBLC will be undertaking a ‘curtain raiser’ guided walk to the family graves of some of the soldiers and seamen who gave their lives for King and Country in some of the lesser known war zones of World War 1. Men of the 1/5th Battalion of…
Seasons greetings from the Friends of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries
On behalf of the Officers and Committee of the Friends of Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries may wish you a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year, and thank you for your support during 2013. The next meeting is a General Meeting, and will be held on Tuesday 14th January 2014 at 7.30pm in the…
David Jones Between the Wars: The Years of Achievement
The David Jones Society has commissioned another film about the poet David Jones who lies buried in the Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries. Beginning with Jones’s conversion to Roman Catholicism and his joining the Ditchling community in 1921, the film traces his various sojourns in England, Wales and France. Through interviews with scholars, artists, writers and…
Storm damage – fallen tree blocks Ivy Road and takes out wall
Fallen tree takes out walls and blocks traffic on Ivy Road The Council are quickly on hand to clear the tree: repairing the wall will take longer
Queen Victoria’s Wars: Guided Walk
Our next guided walk, led by the inimitable Mike Guilfoyle, will feature visits to some of the graves of soldiers, diplomats and surgeons who saw action during Queen Victoria’s reign in the furthest reaches of the British Empire from the Ashanti to the Anglo-Zulu War. The walk starts at 2:00pm on Saturday 5th October and is free though donations are welcome. Meet…
MUSIC RECITAL SATURDAY 28th SEPTEMBER 7pm – 8pm
Local contemporary composer and musician (and FoBLC members) Hugh Shrapnel, his wife Ruth, and fellow composer/musician John Lewis, will be performing their own compositions, on a keyboard specially brought into the Chapel. Hugh and John’s pieces include topical references to Ladywell and Lewisham. Ruth will play pieces by classical composers. Because of limited capacity, this…
Francis Paget Hewkley: awarded Military Medal for bravery at the Somme
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Many thanks to Stuart Hallifax who has written a great piece on Francis Paget Hewkley in his Great War London blog. Hewkley was brought up in London, emigrated to Australia in 1912 and then enlisted a signalman in the Australian infantry. He served at Gallipoli before transferring to the Western Front where he won a Military Medal for…
Convicts, Conmen and Calamities – an introduction to the cemeteries’s amazing maritime history
On Sunday 18th August there will be a guided walk themed around the rich maritime history of the Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries. Entitled ‘Convicts, Conmen and Calamities’ and led by local historian and FOBLC stalwart Mike Guilfoyle the tour will run from 2pm to 4pm. The tour is likely to range…
British Lion and Great War hero
The somewhat run down family grave of Forest Hill Wine Merchant Bruce Beveridge Todd and his wife Phoebe lies next to the Dissenter’s Chapel in the Ladywell section of the cemetery. However that of their son Alexander Findlater Todd born 20 th September 1873 , known as ‘Fin’ to his friends, is sadly missing from…
Nunhead Cemetery 2013 Open Day
Our big sister the FONC are having their annual Open Day on Saturday the 18th May from 11am to 5pm. It’s always a great event and the Friends of Brockley & Ladywell will have a stand so we look forward to meeting you there. For more details go to www.fonc.org.uk
Rev John Innocent (1829-1904) – Methodist Missionary to China and Friend to General Gordon
The Reverend John Innocent (1829-1904) was a trail blazing Methodist Missionary to China and friend to General Gordon. Many thanks to Mike Guilfoyle for the following account. Born in 1829 in Sheffield John Innocent was sent to work as a grinder aged 16 years and made up for his lack of formal schooling by attending night school.…
Come meet us at the Ladywell Christmas Market
The FOBLC invites you to come and visit our stall at the Ladywell Christmas Market. The Ladywell market is taking place on Saturday 15th December from 11am to 5pm and is taking its inspiration from the BBC show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Click here for more infomation. We’ll be sharing with The Ladywell Society, and the master of…
Brockley Cemetery inspires Florence And The Machine song
Thanks to Brockley Central for revealing the link between indie rock band Florence And The Machine and Brockley Cemetery. During the course of a recent gig Camberwell born singer Florence Welch said ‘It is such a pleasure to be back at the Rivoli Ballrooms and also just to be back in Brockley. I actually spent quite a…
Armistice wreath laying
Thanks to all who attended the FOBLC Armistice commemoration on 11th November.
Commander Archibald Buckle’s grave in Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries restored
The grave of World War 1 hero Commander Buckle in Brockley Cemetery has been refurbished by members of the British Army Association. Sir Winston Churchill has referred to Buckle as one of the “salamanders born in the furnace,” who survived “to lead,to command, and to preserve the sacred continuity”. His history has been featured on…
Dedication of Gunner Howard memorial
The dedication to Gunner Howard was attended by Lewisham Mayor Sir Steve Bullock, as well as the organiser Cpl. Tim Needham and Prince Shange, the direct descendent of the leader of the Zulu forces at Rorke’s Drift.
Borders in the Literary and Visual Arts of David Jones
The modernist poet David Jones, whose work was greatly admired by T.S. Eliot and W.S. Auden, and who lies buried in the Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries is to be featured in a seminar by The David Jones Society in the Dissenter’s Chapel on Saturday 22nd September. You can read Mike Guilfoyle’s account of his life here and…
Dedication of memorial to Rorke’s Drift veteran, Gunner Arthur Howard
On Sunday 16th September, there will be a dedication of memorial to Gunner Arthur Howard at Brockley Cemetery. The event will take place from approximately 11:30am to 12:15pm. The initiative to fund the headstone was that of Corporal Bugler Tim Needham, Royal Marines, who started a campaign to have the defenders of Rorke’s Drift memorialised. …
Nunhead Cemetery Annual Open Day
Please come, it’s a great day out and we hope to see you there! For more information go to www.fonc.org.uk
‘Up The Line’: Evening Performance in Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries, 11th November
This is a guest post from John McKiernan (ex of Moonbow Jakes) about ‘Up the Line’ an event he is organising in Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries for Armistice. The event will take place on 11.11.09 from 7.30 until 8.41 (1 hour 11 minutes). “War is ultimately about death and destruction, avoiding war is by remembering…