Derbyshire War Memorials
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Memorial Title

Maj H Gorell DSO - Cross

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a WW1 war memorial cross commemorating Maj H Gorell DSO (Baron Gorell of Brampton) at St Peter and St Paul's Church, Old Brampton, Derbyshire.
Images
Setting Cross Plaque Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.
Further images may be available on request.
Locations
Last known location:
St Peter and St Paul's Church
Main Rd
Old Brampton
Derbyshire
Nearest postcode:
S42 7JG

NGR:
SK 33610 71929
(From online digital mapping.)
(Map opens in new window)
Location details:
The memorial is on the west wall of the nave.

Previous location:
Ypres Battlefield
Belgium
Nearest postcode:
-

NGR:
-
Location details:
The exact location of the battlefield grave is not known.

Previous location:
Sint-Maartenskathedraal
(Ypres Cathedral)
Vandenpeerboomplein
Ieper
Belgium
Nearest postcode:
-

NGR:
-
Location details:
The cathedral was completely destroyed during WW1 (save for a few isolated structures such as doorways) and the cross was presumably salvaged from the débris.
Type
Overall type: Cross


Overall condition: Fair The inscription is legible and the memorial is cared for.

Description:

A large wooden cross with an inscription at the head painted in black upright capital lettering. At the foot is a brass plaque mounted on a wooden backboard and bearing an incised inscription in mainly upright capital roman lettering.

Glossary
Components:

Component Material Height Width Depth Condition
Cross Wood 2370 560 100 Fair
Plaque Brass 180 200 5 Fair
Backboard Wood 200 200 50 Fair
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.
Inscription
Cross: Plaque:
MAJOR LORD GORELL DSO
19TH
LONDON BATTY
RFA
KILLED
IN
ACTION
16.1.17
THIS CROSS,
FROM YPRES CATHEDRAL,
WAS ERECTED BY HIS COMRADES
OVER THE GRAVE OF
MAJOR HENRY GORELL
2ND. BARON GORELL OF BRAMPTON
D.S.O., R.F.A.
KILLED IN ACTION NEAR YPRES
ON 16TH, JANUARY 1917.
AFTER 22 MONTHS SERVICE IN COMMAND
OF HIS BATTERY AT THE FRONT,
AND IS PLACED HERE AS A MEMORIAL
BY HIS BROTHER
RONALD, 3RD. LORD GORELL.
"Give thanks for the glory of the Dead."

Conflicts and people named:
Conflict First World War (1914-1919) Totals
Action
Number died 1 1
Number served and returned 0 0
Total names 1 1
Administration
Custodian: Presumed to be the parochial church council.

Local authorities:
From WW1: Brampton Parish Council; Brampton and Walton Urban District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From WW2: Brampton Parish Council; Chesterfield Rural District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1974: Brampton Parish Council; North East Derbyshire District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
History
c January 1917: The cross was salvaged from the ruins of Ypres Cathedral and used as a battlefield grave marker.

c1920s: The cross was removed from the battlefield grave and brought to Old Brampton.

31st January, 1967: The church was listed Grade I, Heritage List for England number 1117041.

19th October, 2016: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson and Anne Branson. It was in fair condition and cared for.
References
The King's England series, Derbyshire volume, Hodder and Staughton, London, p208 in the 1947 edition: a very brief reference to this memorial.
Comments
The former Ypres Cathedral had been relegated to the staus of a parish church in 1801 but is still widely known as the cathedral.

It was common for bodies of the fallen to me moved from isolated battlefield locations and reinterred in new military cemeteries where they would be provided with a CWGC headstone. Redundant battlefield crosses were often offered to the family of the deceased.

Can you add to or correct anything on this page? Let us know.
Page © Roy Branson