The Churchyard....
The Lychgate
Copyright Stephen Smith
The Lychgate was dedicated by Mr R.D Radcliffe on December 30th 1900 in memory of his parents; and is found at the northwest entrance .
It has particular historic interest as it is made from oak timbers from an old house in Finch Lane, West Derby known as ‘Boltons’ (demolished 1897).
Boltons was the oldest house in West Derby, built around 1400. The oak is believed to be Croxteth Oak and is over 600 years old.
The arch of the canopy of the high table from the old house is incorporated in the gateway, together with other features from the original building.
The cost of labour to build this, due to the toughness of the wood, was at the time a massive £400
The Builder was James Wainwright of Huyton, and the Carpenter Samuel Woods of Old Swan
The inscription on the gate reads:
(Facing the road)
‘Grant, O Lord, that through the grave and gate of death we may rise to our joyful resurrection. This gate made mostly of oak from Bolton’s, Finch Lane, built MCCCC, pulled down MDCCCXCVII, is set here by R. D Radcliffe, MDCCCC.'
Pro hoc memento mei Domine. Concerning this, remember me, O Lord.’
(Facing the church)
’In affectionate memory of Richard Radcliffe and Anne, his wife, on whose souls may God have mercy. Peace to those who enter. Well-being to those who depart.’
The Churchyard
Shortly after 1885 the portion of the old churchyard that was originally set aside for single interments was completely filled. As the rules of burial in that portion did not allow gravestones, the Vicar Canon Powell placed a large memorial cross in the ground, for those laid to rest between 1836 and 1890. (right)
In 1895 – Miss A.M Thompson had purchased a field behind the vicarage and presented a portion to the church as an addition to the churchyard. On July 16th 1895 this land was Consecrated and a sundial was placed here - which is still there today.
Interesting Graves
There are several gravestones worthy of study in the yard.
FACT! You will find those near the vestry door with a date preceding the opening of the church. This was because they were originally from St Nicholas’ Church at the Pier Head and were moved when the dock road was constructed.
We have tombs from the Gladstone Family of Court Hey – relations of the former Prime Minister William Gladstone.
It is said that there are more Lord Mayors and Mayors of Liverpool buried here than any other in the city.
TITANIC GRAVE - We have a memorial grave of Norman Harrison, second engineer on the Titanic, who washed up on the shore of Newfoundland. He lived with his wife Mary at 27 Baden Road, Knotty Ash. The Hampshire Independent Newspaper published the following on 17th April 1915:
'In most loving memory of Norman Harrison, second engineer of the SS Titanic, who laid down his life in the fulfilment of his duty when that vessel foundered off the coast of Newfoundland, on the morning on Monday, April 15th, 1912. ''Fidelis usque ad mortem.'' ''Steel true and blade straight, the Great Artificer made my mate''.
The Grave (above) reads:
In loving memory of Swainston Harrison Junior, who died at Ibi, Central Africa, 16th March 1892 aged 24 years.
also Norman Harrison, second engineer SS Titanic foundered off the coast of Newfoundland April 15th 1912 aged 38 years "Faithful Unto Death". Also Eliza Harrison, mother of the above, who fell asleep 1st March 1917 aged 74 years."He Giveth his Beloved Sleep"
also Swainston Harrison who died 4th July 1919 aged 87 years.
FACT! You will find those near the vestry door with a date preceding the opening of the church. This was because they were originally from St Nicholas’ Church at the Pier Head and were moved when the dock road was constructed.
We have tombs from the Gladstone Family of Court Hey – relations of the former Prime Minister William Gladstone.
It is said that there are more Lord Mayors and Mayors of Liverpool buried here than any other in the city.
TITANIC GRAVE - We have a memorial grave of Norman Harrison, second engineer on the Titanic, who washed up on the shore of Newfoundland. He lived with his wife Mary at 27 Baden Road, Knotty Ash. The Hampshire Independent Newspaper published the following on 17th April 1915:
'In most loving memory of Norman Harrison, second engineer of the SS Titanic, who laid down his life in the fulfilment of his duty when that vessel foundered off the coast of Newfoundland, on the morning on Monday, April 15th, 1912. ''Fidelis usque ad mortem.'' ''Steel true and blade straight, the Great Artificer made my mate''.
The Grave (above) reads:
In loving memory of Swainston Harrison Junior, who died at Ibi, Central Africa, 16th March 1892 aged 24 years.
also Norman Harrison, second engineer SS Titanic foundered off the coast of Newfoundland April 15th 1912 aged 38 years "Faithful Unto Death". Also Eliza Harrison, mother of the above, who fell asleep 1st March 1917 aged 74 years."He Giveth his Beloved Sleep"
also Swainston Harrison who died 4th July 1919 aged 87 years.
Commonwealth War Graves
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission ensures that 1.7 million people who died in the two world wars will never be forgotten. We have a total of 9 Commonwealth War Graves in our graveyard.
Their details are listed below:
JOHN MAKIN DANSON
Ordinary Seaman
Service No: J/81656
Date of Death: 08/11/1918 Age:18
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy H.M.S. Coreopsis
Son of Mrs. Edith Danson, of Old Swan, Liverpool.
FRANK GRIFFITHS
Lance Sergeant
Service No: 2111836
Date of Death: 05/12/1942 Age:27
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers 170 Tunnelling Coy.
Son of Alfred Edward and Ada Alice Griffiths, of Knotty Ash, Liverpool; husband of Elsie Griffiths, of Knotty Ash, Liverpool.
A W HAMMOND
Private Service No: 1633
Date of Death: 29/05/1918 Age:18
Regiment/Service:East Yorkshire Regiment Depot
Son of George Daniel and Emma Jane Hammond, of 37, Marmaduke St., Edge Hill, Liverpool
ANDREW HOWARD
Captain
Date of Death: 28/10/1919 Age:24
Regiment/Service:Royal Air Force
Son of James and Margaret Howard, of Knotty Ash, Liverpool.
Formerly Asst. Paymaster H.M.S. "Carribean." 2nd Lieut. R.N.V.R.
JAMES WILLIAM JOHNSTON
PrivateService No:3713471
Date of Death:08/03/1940 Age:20
Regiment/Service:King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)
Son of William and Margaret Johnston, of Knotty Ash, Liverpool.
KENNETH LONG-WHITFIELD
Private
Service No:2931682
Date of Death:16/10/1941 Age:21
Regiment/Service:Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders 2nd Bn. The Liverpool Scottish
Son of Edwin and May Long-Whitfield, of Broad Green, Liverpool.
PHILIP GASCOYNE MOTTRAM
Sergeant - Air Bomber
Service No:1101314
Date of Death:20/02/1944 Age:28
Regiment/Service:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 630 Sqdn.
Son of John Edward and Elizabeth Mottram, of Stoneycroft, Liverpool.
THOMAS O'SHEA
Company Quartermaster
Sergeant
Service No:200961
Date of Death:30/04/1921 Age:37
Regiment/Service:The King's Regiment (Liverpool) 5th Bn.
Husband of Blodwen O'Shea, of 24, Victoria Rd., TueBrook, Liverpool.
J H SMETHUM
Sergeant
Service No: 200007
Date of Death: 20/10/1917
Regiment/Service:The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 1st/5th Bn.
Some of the above information taken from the book 'Knotty Ash' by Gordon Radley. Edited by S. Thorpe and R. Southern
Commonwealth War Graves information taken from http://www.cwgc.org/
Commonwealth War Graves information taken from http://www.cwgc.org/