Saturday 11 January 2014

Wolvercote Cemetery



This week I happened to be in Oxford again so took the opportunity to visit
Wolvercote Cemetery so those of you who visit from Inspired Sunday my apologies for no interiors this week. It was also the chance to visit the grave of a famous author.
The cemetery was opened in 1889 and has areas for various denominations & religions and quite a few notable people are buried here. There are also 44 Commonwealth War Graves though I admit I did not find that many. There is also a small chapel and an old Mortuary building. It is one of four old cemetery's in Oxford five if you include Botley
In this blog I will endeavour to show some of what I recorded.
October 2023 I added some new photos


The entrance to Wovercote cemetery off the Banbury road


On display as you go in are a couple of awards 





The first burial area you see is the Jewish one 


Where I came across the grave of Fight Sergeant J.L Shaer Navigator Royal Air Force.
The plaque below has the inscription.
In honored memory of Fgt/Sgt Joseph Shaer from his old pals from Brady Boys Club
Also in Memory of his friend and fellow Bradian   P/O David Miller shot down over Germany 22/10/1943
He is buried in Hanover War Cemetery 3.B.7


Walking on by and along the footpath you come to this  broken memorial


The top which was a crucifix is standing against the base
The wording on the other side of the base is hard to make out but the name I could make out was
 Margaret Rebecca Hughes


This is the Children's Remembrance area 


Though the fountain seems to be turned off and not working


Can't find any information  on Princess Bridget Esiri who is buried here


 Some of the more modern graves in the cemetery


I love the verse on the back of this headstone
 

 Couple of different religions  buried near each other

 
I just liked the simplicity of these headstones
 

These are green burials with a tree as a memorial 


 The Russian Orthodox area of the cemetery 
 

These crosses have been laid over for Health & Safety reasons 
 
 
More recent view of the cemetery


 There are some beautiful headstones and graves here


The cemetery chapel  
 
 
The entrance which was locked

 
 This was rather a stunning memorial


An anchor which I forgot the meaning behind, I always thought it was because they were old seafarers 
 

Some of the older headstones


Various crosses 


Lieutenant C.A.Pittar  MC of the Coldstream Guards another off the 44 commonwealth war graves in the cemetery
 

I Think this is the old mortuary for the cemetery


 A crucifix memorial which has been laid over for H&S reasons  


More of the cemetery, the memorial of the little girl was that of a child 


Some of the crosses 


Looking towards the chapel

 
 The main reason I cave to visit was to see this grave which is that of J R R Tolkien

 
 I felt a bit disappointing as I thought it needed some TLC
 
 
My latest visit showed the grave has been tided up 


 You van see the inscription now


One of the taller crosses


Frame holding watering cans used for the flowers on graves
 
 
Have a Peaceful Sunday.


29 comments:

  1. Thanks for the tour through this old cemetery. I enjoy what's written on tombstones and seeing the statuary.

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    1. I did not spend as much time there as I would have liked, I was more over awed by what I saw there

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  2. What a fine post, Bill.
    «Louis» agrees with you that the Tolkien grave needs attention.

    You mentioned liking simple gravestones. You might like these.

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    1. Think I've read that before Louis but thanks for showing it me again, they are a bit simpler that our war grave headstones. Seems to be well trodden round Tolkiens grave so I would have thought they would keep it tidy

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  3. i think you addition was perfect for our InSPIREd Sunday get together. what loving stones. so different from the US. i agree with you - very stunning. ( :

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    1. Thanks Beth, I like visiting cemetery's as well and there are a few more I want to visit yet.

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  4. Why is it that we are so fascinated by cemeteries Bill, I can't resist them when I'm visiting somewhere new. Parts of the cemetery look really well visited and others a little neglected. I've been surprised by the simplicity of some celebrity sites as well ..I really enjoy coming along on these trips :)

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    1. Think I should repost some of my old blogs, you might enjoy them

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  5. I'm like you I enjoy the tombstones-and from time to time the headstones are totally captivating and original and some are as Edith Mary's somewhat neglected .

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    1. The cemetery in next town has many neglected ones so covered in Ivy you think it was a bush

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  6. Beautiful Bill. I love the ornaments!

    Enjoy your week! ;-)
    Gert Jan Hermus
    dzjiedzjee.blogspot.com

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    1. Yes I notice there was even a dragon on the rosebush. Thanks for visiting and the comment Gert

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  7. What an amazing and varied cemetery. Fantastic picture.

    Thank you for linking up with Cemetery Sunday

    Beneath Thy Feet

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    1. Yes though I was a bit overawed as to what should be photographed.

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  8. Some of these stones are so lovely ---- wonderful photos, as always! :)

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    1. Thank you Jen, there some wonderful ones there

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  9. I'd love to wander that cemetery! It would be so interesting.

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  10. An impressive series with such varied head stones and comments. Well done.

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  11. Nice one, Bill. There's something about cemeteries - so many stories; and you have shown us some particularly stunning memorials. Talking of cemeteries - I'm off to Ypres later this year with some friends, to visit WW1 sites; my 3rd visit.

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    1. You know I'd love to go and visit them but have no passport now, look forward to seeing your blog on it. There are a few more disused cemetery's in Oxford I'm going to visit sometime and one in Reading

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  12. Always appreciate your sharing on Taphophile Tragics, Bill. :)

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    1. As I said before not problem, always a pleasure

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  13. A stunning series. happy the Man or (woman!) is a lovely phrase- I used to love the old Genesis track by that name.

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    Replies
    1. I went to see Phil Collins at Earls Court many years ago so you have a Genesis fan here.

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