U~Boat Attack on HMS Lapwing

A total of 158 men lost their lives when HMS Lapwing was torpedoed by a German U~boat U968 on March 20th 1945, as it travelled with other allied ships to the Kola Inlet, in Northern Russia.

The memorial was recently held in Saffron Walden, because during the Government's War Week in 1941, the town raised a large amount of money to sponsor a ship and HMS Lapwing was chosen to bear the town's coat of arms on it's quarter deck.

Every two years the Lapwing Association and Royal British Legion meet up with the last remaining crew members and their families to honour and remember those who gave their lives.

Happy Easter

Wishing You a Happy and Peaceful Easter

Spring Is Just Around the Corner

Who would have thought that since my last post when the snow laid all around, just a few short weeks would pass before the sun would appear and these Snowdrops would herald the beginning of Spring.

Ladybirds bask in the sun then get busy, doing whatever it is that ladybirds do....

Blanket of Snow

Blanket of Snow

Resting under a blanket of snow,

like a child who is tucked in his bed,

the body eternally sleeps,

laid down, is a life weary head.

No frozen tear, need you cry,

For a soul under this snowy white down,

They are forever beside you,

In the brightness that is all around.

Sue Jones

Wednesday's Children

Standing along the path at the side of St. John the Baptist in Pinner, are the headstones of the  Hill and Weall families, their similarity in style and close proximity could suggest they may have been related.
However, the one thing they do share is the sad loss of their daughters.

The four headstones on the left belong to the Hill's and the two on the right are the Weall's 

Here Lyeth

the Body of

Jane Hill, Daughter of

Daniel & Susanna Hill

of this Parish

who departed this life

3rd June 1803

in the 8th Year of her Age

Here Lyeth

the Body of

Ann Hill, Daughter of

Daniel & Susanna Hill

of this Parish

who departed this life

29th October 1800

In the 14th Year of her Age

Here Lyeth

the Body of

Mary Weall Daughter of

John and Mary Weall

of this Parish

who departed this life

4th September 1800

Aged 8 Years

His Tongue Was Cut Out

In Memory of

William Locker

Who Died April 6th 1879

Aged 45 Years

His tongue was cut out seven months

before Death

Day by Day we all do miss him

'Thy will be done'

Rebecca His Wife

John Pilling

Who Died Nov. 4th 1875

Aged 81 Years

Esther His Wife Died August

6th 1879 Aged 74 Years

I thought I would start the New Year with a most unusual epitaph that I recently discovered whilst visiting Warrington Cemetery. Thanks to a helpful Supervisor, who pointed out this headstone when I asked him if there were any monuments of particular interest. Unfortunately he could give me no more information about the particulars of this most unusual epitaph.

Tis' the Season for Yellow Holly

After all the excesses of Christmas Day feasting, their can be no better antidote than a Boxing Day Graveyard trip with your family ~ the help of the additional headstone spotters, ensured that no stone remained unturned.
My Mum spotted this unusual yellow berried Holly in Warrington Cemetery in Cheshire.

Bacciflavia a yellow berried holly, first mentioned in 1775 although some sources refer to 1657. Dark green olive leaves. The berries often remain until well into the spring.