Memorial Title

Sgt R Searston

Summary

Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a WW2 war memorial tablet to Sgt Raymond Searston in Alfreton Cemetery, Derbyshire.

Images

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image.
Further images may be available on request.

Locations

Last known location:
Alfreton Cemetery
Rodger's La
Alfreton
Derbyshire

Nearest postcode:
DE55 7FF

NGR:
SK 41173 55927 ±5m
(Map opens in new window.)

Location details:
About 30m southwest of the heritage centre.

Type

Overall type: Tablet

Overall condition: Fair. The inscription is legible.

Description:

A freestanding, unfixed white marble tablet on a precast concrete slab base on a family grave. The tablet is in the style of an unfurled scroll and has an inscription inlaid in upright sentence case gothic and capital block lettering.

The grave also bears a CWGC grave marker to Sgt Searston and is surrounded by oblong limestone kerbs.

Glossary

Components:

Component	Material	Height	Width	Depth	Condition
Tablet	White marble	510	430	235	Fair
Base	Concrete	50	560	315	Fair
CWGC grave marker	Limestone	840	380	75	Pristine
Kerbs	Limestone	240	880	2100	Fair
Dimensions in millimetres ±5mm unless stated otherwise.

Inscription

Tablet:

Conflicts and people named:
Conflict	Second World War (1939-1945)	Totals
Action	Not stated
Number died	1	1
Number served and returned	0	0
Total names	1	1

A
token of esteem
for
SGT. RAYMOND SEARSTON,
R.A.F.
FROM WORKMATES AT
RIDDINGS IRONWORKS
THY WILL BE DONE

CWGC grave marker:

1818726 SERGEANT
R. SEARSTON
U/T AIR BOMBER
ROYAL AIR FORCE
6TH AUGUST 1943 AGE 20
HIS DEATH WAS SUDDEN
THE BLOW SEVERE
WE LITTLE THOUGHT
HIS END SO NEAR

Administration

Custodian: Not known.

Local authorities:
From WW2: Alfreton Parish Council; Alfreton Urban District Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1974: Alfreton Town Council; Amber Valley Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council.

History and Conservation

18th April, 2018: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson and Alan Willmot. It was in fair condition and the inscription was legible.

References

—

Comments

Although this is the CWGC War Grave of Sgt Searston and would not normally count as a war memorial according to the definition adopted by most heritage organisations, the accompanying tablet is theoretically portable so is a valid war memorial.

Can you add to or correct anything on this page? Let us know.