The 'Brave Hearts' of Burgh by Sands (Cumbria)
.jpg) |
| 1. Burgh by Sands War Memorial (Front) |
.jpg) |
| 2. Names of the Burgh by Sands 'Fallen Heroes' of WW2 |
.jpg) |
| 3. Statue of King Edward I at Burgh by Sands village green |
.jpg) |
| 4. St Michael and All Angels Church, Burgh by Sands |
=======================================
posted by ritsonvaljos at 8:43 pm
8 Comments:
Additional information
Burgh by Sands, Cumbria
The parish of Burgh by Sands ('Burgh' being pronounced as 'Bruff') is situated in the extreme N.W. of Cumbria (previously Cumberland). It is near the the southern side of the Solway Firth. In the 21st Century Burgh by Sands is a generally a place of peace and tranquility. Yet, because of its geographical situation it has seen some turbulent times.
In the days of the Roman Empire the present day Burgh by Sands was the site of the Roman fort Aballava, a principal fortification along Hadrian's Wall. According to local legend, during the Dark Ages Burgh by Sands was the site of Avalon where King Arthur died. It is also reputed that Avalon was where King Arthur's fabulous sword Excalibur (the 'Sword in the Stone') was forged.
It was on the outskirts of Burgh by Sands, on the marsh overlooking Scotland, where the English king Edward I (1239 - 1307) died. At the time Edward I, also known as 'Longshanks' and the 'Hammer of the Scots' was leading his troops in a campaign to face the Scots led by Robert the Bruce. On 6 July 1307 Edward and his army were encamped at Burgh by Sands within sight of Scotland which is on the northern side of the Solway Firth. The following morning the 68-year old Edward died in the arms of his servants.
The king's body was initially taken to the fortified Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels (Photograph No 4 above). This church was largely built from stones taken from the nearby Hadrians Wall. After having lain in state at Burgh by Sands the king's body was taken to London where it was eventually buried in Westminster Abbey on 27 October 1307.
In 1685 a large monument dedicated to Edward I was erected on the marshes at Burgh by Sands to mark the place where he died. On 3 July 2007, a few days before the 700th anniversary of King Edward I's death at Burgh by Sands, one of his descendants, HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, unveiled a new statue of King Edward I next to the village green. The statue can be seen in Photograph No 3 above.
It is worth noting that one of the many roles undertaken by HRH the Duke of Kent is President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. His father, HRH Prince George Duke of Kent, a Group Captain in the R.A.F. in the early part of WW2, was accidentally killed in a plane crash in Scotland on 25 August 1942. Prince George, Duke of Kent, is one of the WW2 casualties commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
--------------------------
The Burgh by Sands War Memorial
The Burgh by Sands War Memorial was originally unveiled on 31 October 1921 to commemorate the 'Brave & Valiant Hearts' of the parish who lost their lives during the First World War (Photograph No 1). This monument is located in the churchyard extension of St Michael's Church. It takes the form of a Celtic cross.
The inscription on the front of the memorial is as follows:
In memory of the men of this Parish who fell in the Great War
1914 - 1918.
They gave their lives for Freedom and for Honour.
Their example will be an abiding inspiration.
.....................
The WW1 "Brave & Valiant Hearts" of Burgh by Sands
These are the names of the 16 parishioners of Burgh by Sands who died in the First World War, which are engraved on the left and right hand sides of the memorial:
2nd Lt. ROBERT M. CALVERT
17th Manchesters
Cpl. ROBERT C. FITCH
Seaforth Highlanders
Pte. WILLIAM ABBOTT
Border Regt. M.G.C.
Pte.WILLIAM BELL
Canadian Highlanders
Pte. JOSEPH ELLIOTT
1st Border Regt.
Pte. JOHN M. JESSAMINE
Royal Scots
Pte. EDWARD LIGHTFOOT
11th Border Regt.
Pte. RICHARD J. LIGHTFOOT
11th Border Regt.
Pte. DAVID LITTLE
Royal Scots
Pte. THOMAS McCRONE
D.L.I.
Pte. ROBERT MOFFAT
8th Border Regt.
Pte. WILLIAM PEAL
East Yorks L.I.
Pte. ANDREW SCOTT
S.A. Regt.
Pte. MASON STOREY
11th Border Regt.
Pte. WILLIAM WALLACE
8th Canadian
Pte. WILLIAM WILSON
11th Border Regt.
--------------------
CWGC citations for the WW1 casualties
1. 2nd Lieutenant Robert Mayson Calvert
Name: CALVERT, ROBERT MAYSON
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Date of Death: 09/07/1916
Age: 20
Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment, 17th Bn.
Grave Reference: XXIX. E. 2.
Cemetery: SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No.2, Somme (France).
Additional Information:
Son of Robert and Fanny Maria Calvert, of Burgh-by-Sands, Cumberland.
Educated at St. Bees School;
Hastings Exhibitioner at Queen's College, Oxford.
......................
2. Corporal Robert C. Fitch
Name: FITCH, R C
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: S/6054
Date of Death: 11/04/1917
Regiment/Service: Seaforth Highlanders, 2nd Bn.
Grave Reference: III. A. 36.
Cemetery: BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY, ROEUX, Pas de Calais (France).
Additional Information:
(Next of kin details not listed)
...............................
3. Private William Abbott
Name: ABBOTT, W
Rank: Private
Service No: 146000
Date of Death: 01/10/1918
Regiment/Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 12th Bn.
Grave Reference: III. E. 8.
Cemetery: DOINGT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme (France).
Additional Information:
Son of Mr. T. Abbott, of Langworth Cottage, Low Moorhouse, Carlisle.
...........................
4. Private William Bell
Canadian Highlanders
(Unable to correctly identify on CWGC records)
..........................
5. Private Joseph Elliott
Name: ELLIOT, J
Rank: Private
Service No: 17424
Date of Death: 20/11/1917
Regiment/Service: Border Regiment, 1st Bn.
Grave Reference: II. C. 15.
Cemetery: MARCOING BRITISH CEMETERY, Nord (France).
Additional Information:
(Next of kin details not listed)
........................
6. Private John Morrison Jessamine
Name: JESSAMINE, JOHN MORRISON
Rank: Private
Service No: 18780
Date of Death: 01/07/1916
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots, 16th Bn.
Panel Reference: Pier and Face 6 D and 7 D.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme (France).
Additional Information:
(Next of kin details not listed)
..........................
7. Private Edward Lightfoot
Name: LIGHTFOOT, EDWARD
Rank: Private
Service No: 13349
Date of Death: 01/07/1916
Age: 24
Regiment/Service: Border Regiment, "A" Coy. 11th Bn.
Grave Reference: I. C. 11.
Cemetery: BOUZINCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme (France).
Additional Information:
Son of Thomas and Ruth Lightfoot, of Halfway House, Dalston Rd., Carlisle;
Husband of Maggie Bell Huddard (formerly Lightfoot), of Bank Cottage, Skinburness, Silloth, Carlisle.
................................
8. Private Richard J. Lightfoot
Name: LIGHTFOOT, R
Rank: Private
Service No: 81932
Date of Death: 05/06/1917
Regiment/Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 9th Bn.
Grave Reference: I. D. 6.
Cemetery: FEUCHY BRITISH CEMETERY, Pas de Calais (France).
Additional Information:
(Next of kin details not listed. Previously Border Regt.).
..............................
9. Private David Little
Name: LITTLE, DAVID
Rank: Private
Service No: 38806
Date of Death: 17/10/1918
Age: 24
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots, 15th Bn.
Grave Reference: I. E. 3.
Cemetery: HAMBURG CEMETERY, Germany.
Additional Information:
Son of David and Catherine Little, of Amberfield, Burgh by Sands, Carlisle.
.................................
10. Private Thomas McCrone
Name: McCRONE, THOMAS
Rank: Private
Service No: 24297
Date of Death: 01/04/1918
Age: 31
Regiment/Service: Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 50th Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 90 to 93.
Memorial: POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme (France).
Additional Information:
Husband of Margaret McCrone, of 4, Queen St., Spennymoor, Co. Durham.
(Previously with Durham Light Infantry)
...........................
11. Private Robert Moffat
Name: MOFFATT, ROBERT
Rank: Private
Service No: 17314
Date of Death: 08/06/1917
Age: 23
Regiment/Service: Border Regiment, 8th Bn.
Grave Reference: II. B. 11.
Cemetery: WESTHOF FARM CEMETERY, Belgium.
Additional Information:
Son of Mrs. Mary A. Percival, of Burgh-by-Sands, Carlisle.
..................................
12. Private William Peal
Name: PEAL, WILLIAM
Rank: Private
Service No: 12298
Date of Death: 26/04/1916
Age: 32
Regiment/Service: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), 9th Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 6.
Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL, Belgium.
Additional Information:
(Next of kin details not listed).
.....................................
13. Private Andrew Scott
Name: SCOTT, A
Rank: Private
Service No: 787
Date of Death: 12/03/1915
Regiment/Service: South African Signal Service
Grave Reference: E.C. 1507.
Cemetery: JOHANNESBURG (BRIXTON) CEMETERY, South Africa.
Additional Information:
(Next of kin details not listed).
....................................
14. Private Mason Storey
Name: STORY, MASON
Rank: Private
Service No: 57333
Date of Death: 12/02/1919
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Depot
Formerly 11th Bn. Border Regiment
Grave Reference: In South part.
Cemetery: BURGH-BY-SANDS (ST. MICHAEL) CHURCHYARD, Cumberland.
Additional Information:
Son of Thomas and Fanny Story, of Cumwhinton, Carlisle.
.................................
15. Private William Wallace
Name: WALLACE, W
Rank: Private
Service No: 187277
Date of Death: 27/11/1916
Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry, 8th Bn.
Grave Reference: III. B. 13.
Cemetery: VILLERS STATION CEMETERY,
VILLERS-AU-BOIS, Pas de Calais (France).
Additional Information:
(Next of kin details not listed).
................................
16. Private William Wilson
Name: WILSON, WILLIAM
Rank: Private
Service No: 13755
Date of Death: 01/07/1916
Age: 25
Regiment/Service: Border Regiment, 11th Bn.
Panel Reference: Pier and Face 6 A and 7 C.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme (France).
Additional Information:
Son of William and Mary Jane Wilson, of Thurstonfield, Carlisle.
--------------------------
Re-dedication of the War Memorial
During the Second World War it is now believed that 10 'Brave Hearts' from the parish of Burgh by Sands lost their lives. In remembrance of their sacrifice, shortly after WW2 a bronze memorial tablet surrounded by a carved wooden frame was unveiled inside St Michael's Parish Church. Until November 2009 the War Memorial in the churchyard commemorated only the 16 parishioners who had died during the First World War.
During 2009 Burgh by Sands Parish Council and St Michael's and All Angels Parish Church Council collaborated to update the memorial in the churchyard by adding the names of the parishioners who had died during the Second World War (Photograph No 2 above). At the same time the memorial was cleaned and re-dedicated on Remembrance Sunday, 8 November 2009.
Since WW2 the names of those who had died in the war had always been read out during the Remembrance Sunday service each November. Exactly why the names were not added to the memorial before 2009 appears to have been lost over time.
According to Rev. Canon Gill Hart, who was Vicar at St Michael's and All Angels Parish in 2009, it had always been intended that the names of the parishioners who died during WW2 would be added to the memorial. Rev. Canon Hart, who was subsequently appointed Team Rector in the Netherton (Maryport) area in Carlisle diocese, explained:
“Quite why it never happened, I’m not sure. We always have a ceremony around the memorial and the names of those from World War Two are always read out with those from World War One. Now they are on the monument it is quite nice." Also, according to Rev. Hart, the re-dedication of the memorial in 2009 was not just for a stone or only about the past.
The War Memorial is about people and remembrance is an on-going issue. There are still people who lose their lives as the result of wars and conflicts. The War Memorial is also a commitment for people to live peacefully.
----------------------
The WW2 "Brave & Valiant Hearts" of Burgh by Sands
This is the inscription that was added to the War Memorial in 2009:
A/B G.M. CAMPBELL,
R.N. (Royal Navy)
Cpl. RICHARD HARRISON
11th R.S.F.
Sgt. FRANK OSBORNE
961 Sqdn., R.A.F.V.R.
F/O (Nav.) GEORGE C. REED
166 Sqdn., R.A.F.V.R.
L/Sgt. JOHN T. RICHARDSON
85th A.T. Regt., R.A.
Pte. WILLIAM RICHARDSON
8th Para. Regt.
W.O. II THOMAS W. STODDART
1st Gordon Highlanders
Sgt. JAMES TINNING
Anti-Aircraft Regt., R.M.
Gnr. JOSEPH N. WAITE
301 Field Regt.
Mrne. JOHN J. RICHARDSON
--------------
CWGC citations for the WW2 casualties
1. Able Seaman George Mulcaster Campbell
Name: CAMPBELL, GEORGE MULCASTER
Rank: Able Seaman
Service No: D/JX 154689
Date of Death: 26/11/1940
Age: 19
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy
French Ship Medoc.
Panel Reference: Panel 37, Column 2.
Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Devon
Additional Information:
Son of Joseph and Mary H. Campbell, of Longburgh, Cumberland.
.................................
2. Corporal Richard Harrison
Name: HARRISON, RICHARD
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 3604314
Date of Death: 22/08/1944
Age: 31
Regiment/Service: Royal Scots Fusiliers, 11th Bn.
Grave Reference: I. B. 8.
Cemetery: ST. DESIR WAR CEMETERY, Calvados (France)
Additional Information:
(Next of kin details not listed)
................................
3. Sergeant Frank O.B. Osborne
Name : OSBORNE, FRANK OSTELL BLAYLOCK
Rank: Sergeant
Service No: 1104514
Date of Death: 19/08/1942
Age: 33
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 961 Sqdn.
Panel Reference: Panel 90.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey.
Additional Information:
Son of Henry Hamilton Osborne and Margaret Osborne;
Husband of Dorothy Osborne, of Redbridge, Hampshire.
.................................
4. Flying Officer (Navigator) George Carlisle Reed
Name: REED, GEORGE CARLISLE
Rank: Flying Officer
Trade: (Nav.)
Service No: 151078
Date of Death: 24/03/1944
Age: 29
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 166 Sqdn.
Grave Reference: 6. C. 1.
Cemetery: BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY, Germany.
Additional Information:
Son of James Boyd Reed and Mary Emily Reed;
Husband of Minnie Alexander Reed, of Burgh-by-Sands, Cumberland.
..............................
5. Lance Sergeant John T. Richardson
Name: RICHARDSON, JOHN THOMAS
Rank: Lance Serjeant
Service No: 3598110
Date of Death: 10/02/1942
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery, 85 Anti-Tank Regt.
Panel Reference: Column 7.
Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Singapore.
Additional Information:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Richardson, of Aspatria, Cumberland.
..........................
6. Private William Richardson
Name: RICHARDSON, WILLIAM
Rank: Private
Service No: 3600656
Date of Death: 06/06/1944
Age: 25
Regiment/Service: The Parachute Regiment, A.A.C., 8th Bn.
Grave Reference: Grave 278.
Cemetery: WATCHFIELD MILITARY CEMETERY, Berkshire.
Additional Information:
Son of Samuel and Annie Richardson;
Husband of Phyllis Maisie Richardson, of Cattedown, Plymouth.
..............................
7. Warrant Officer II Thomas William Stoddart
Name: STODDART, THOMAS WILLIAM
Rank: Warrant Officer Class II
Trade: C.S.M.
Service No: 2873284
Date of Death: 12/06/1940
Age: 33
Regiment/Service: Gordon Highlanders, 1st Bn.
Panel Reference: Column 126.
Memorial: DUNKIRK MEMORIAL, Nord (France)
Additional Information:
Son of William Robinson Stoddart and Sarah Alice Stoddart;
Husband of Freda Stoddart, of Belle-Vue, Carlisle.
..............................
8. Sergeant James Gordon Tinning
Name: TINNING, JAMES GORDON
Rank: Sergeant
Service No: EX/1799
Date of Death: 02/09/1941
Age: 22
Regiment/Service: Royal Marines
A.A. Regt., R.M. Group. M.N.B.D.O. (1).
Grave Reference: 5. C. 4.
Cemetery: BELGRADE WAR CEMETERY, Serbia.
Additional Information:
Husband of Margaret Tinning, of Burgh by Sands, Cumberland.
...........................
9. Gunner Joseph Nixon Waite
Name: WAITE, JOSEPH NIXON
Rank: Gunner
Service No: 14320219
Date of Death: 12/02/1944
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery,
attd. 301 Field Regt. East African Artillery
Panel Reference: Column 6.
Memorial: EAST AFRICA MEMORIAL, Kenya
Additional Information:
Son of Joseph Nixon Waite and Lydia Stordy Waite, of Burgh-by-Sands, Cumberland.
.........................
10. Marine John Johnson Richardson
Name: RICHARDSON, JOHN JOHNSON
Rank: Marine
Service No: PO/X 108234
Date of Death: 15/09/1942
Regiment/Service: Royal Marines
Grave Reference: 9. A. 1.
Cemetery: TOBRUK WAR CEMETERY, Libya
Additional Information:
Son of William and Elizabeth Richardson, of Burgh by Sands, Cumberland.
------------------
Dedication
This article is dedicated to the 'Brave and Valiant Hearts' from Burgh by Sands, Cumberland who made the ultimate sacrifice during the two World Wars. Their sacrifice has not been forgotten.
"O valiant hearts who to your glory came
Through dust of conflict and through battle flame;
Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved,
Your memory hallowed in the land you loved."
'O Valiant Hearts' (first verse)
Words by Sir John Stanhope Arkwright (1872 - 1954).
---------------------
Acknowledgements
Cumbria Archive Centre, Carlisle
'News & Star' / 'Cumberland News'
Rev. Canon Gill Hart
St Michael's & All Angels Parish Church,
Burgh by Sands.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
++++++++++++++
Post a Comment
<< Home