Memorial Title
Church of St Mary the Virgin - WW1
Summary
Derbyshire War Memorials: a description of a composite WW1 war memorial comprising a tablet and a cross at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Higher Buxton, Derbyshire.
Images
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Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image. Further images may be available on request. |
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Click on a thumbnail to see larger images of the derelict cross before restoration. |
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Click on a thumbnail to see larger images of the demolition. | |||
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Click on a thumbnail to see the reconstruction. |
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Locations
| Last known location: Church of St Mary the Virgin Dale Rd (B5059) Higher Buxton Derbyshire |
Nearest postcode: SK17 6LN NGR: SK 05877 72954 (From online digital mapping.) (Map opens in new window.) |
Location details: The cross is in the churchyard near the northwest corner of the church. The tablet is on the south wall of the Lady Chapel inside the church. The quoted grid reference is for the cross. |
| Previous location: Churchyard St Mary's Mission Church Heath St Higher Buxton Derbyshire |
Nearest postcode: SK17 6LT NGR: SK 05938 72958 (estimated) (Map opens in new window.) |
Location details: It is said that the cross was originally erected to the south of the earlier Mission Church, close to Heath St and that it was moved to its present position during WW2. However, a photograph in Buxton Museum and Art Gallery is of the dedication ceremony with the cross clearly in its current location west of the new church which is visible in the view. Although the photograph is thought to be dated about 1919, the cross is more likely to have been erected in the early 1920s. Can you tell us more about the history of this memorial?. |
Type
| Overall type: Composite (cross and tablet). | Overall condition: Good. The inscriptions are legible and the memorial is cared for. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Description: A composite memorial comprising a sandstone cross and a limestone tablet. The canopied crucifix surmounts a tapered square pillar on a monolithic square battered pedestal with hollowed top, an ashlar plinth and a square base. The base originally comprised a loose rubble core with uncoursed rubble walls and an ashlar top, however the loose rubble core has been replaced by concrete. The oblong wall-mounted limestone tablet is recessed into an in-situ moulded frame and bears inscriptions and names incised in upright capital roman lettering coloured black. The names are arranged in three columns. The tablet is accompanied by other memorials and a wooden shelf for the placement of tributes, all of which are flanked by flags and candlesticks, but these are not considered to be part of the memorial. Glossary |
Components:
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Inscription
| 6 o'clock face of cross pedestal: | 1914-1918 OUR GLORIOUS DEAD R.I.P. |
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| Tablet: |
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Administration
Local authorities:
From WW1: Buxton Parish Council, Buxton Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council.
From 1974: Unparished; High Peak Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council.
History and Conservation
1920s: The cross was dedicated in its present location, east of the present church.
1920s: The tablet was installed inside the church. It states that the cross "was erected" which implies that the cross was already in place before the tablet was installed.
1939-1945: It has been suggested that the cross was moved to present location, but this now seems unlikely.
31st January, 1997: The church was listed Grade II, Heritage List for England number 1259380. (This afforded protection for the tablet but not the cross.)
2001: It was reported that a possible inscription on the 12 o'clock face of the pedestal had become illegible due to erosion, but it is now believed that any marks on that face are mason's dressing marks. The base had recently been partially renewed.
15th December, 2008: The memorial was surveyed by Roy Branson and Alan Willmot. It was in fair condition and cared for.
6th August, 2011: The base had become damaged by heavy frosts during the previous winter. It had become dangerous and was fenced off. A restoration appeal launched.
August-September, 2012: The cross was dismantled and rebuilt by 73 Engineer Regiment (Volunteers), Royal Engineers, as part of their community programme. The work was supported by a grant of £852 from the War Memorials Trust, reference WM4833, and grants from the Bingham Trust and the Satterthwaite Trust.
13th November, 2012: The cross was surveyed by Eric Naden. Structurally it was in excellent condition and its weathered appearance had been preserved.
1 July, 2013: The cross was surveyed by Roy Branson and Alan Willmot. It was in good condition.
14th February, 2017: The cross was listed Grade II, Heritage List for England number 1436521. (This afforded protection for the cross but not the tablet.
8th September, 2018: The tablet was surveyed by Roy Branson and Anne Branson. It was in good condition.
References
Buxton Advertiser; 6th August, 2011: report on the appeal for funding to restore the memorial.
Ibid; 24th August, 2012: report and photograph of soldiers from 73 Engineer Regiment (Volunteers), Royal Engineers beginning to dismantle the memorial prior to its reconstrucyion.
Church booklet; "A history and guide"; Anon; St Mary's Church 2017.
Comments