Vivian Charlotte Lewis - Died in her racing car

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Vivian Charlotte Lewis, All Saints Churchyard, Bisham Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory of Vivian Charlotte wife of David Lewis Born 22 April 1923 - Died in her racing car at Brighton Speed Trials 14th September 1963"

Vivian Charlotte Lewis was born Vivian Charlotte Hordern on 22nd April 1923.  Search on her life has proved difficult as the spelling of her first name constantly changed throughout official records.  All that is known of Vivian's life is that she married David Lewis in 1952 in Westmister.


Sadly due to the manner of her passing, a lot is known about her death.

"London, Saturday holiday markers saw a woman racing driver killed when her car somersaulted and burst into flames at Brighton today.

The car hit a kerb, exploded and crashed into a children's playground on the promenade.

The driver Mrs Vivenne [sic] Lewis, 35 [sic] of Cookham Dean, Berkshire, was competing in the Brighton speed trials when her Jaguar hit the kerb and went out of control.

Damaged

Flames shot 20ft into the air as it exploded

Two timing marshals narrowly escaped as parts of the wreckage landed a few yards from their desk. Some of the timing equipment was damaged.

Racing was stopped for 40 minutes after the crash - the first fatality in the 58 year history of the trials.

Mrs Lewis was married but had no children" - The Sydney Morning Herald 15th September 1963.

SPEED ON THE FRONT

Seems Vivian was lying about her age, as she died aged 40, not 35.

On that day Vivian was racing a 1958 Tojeiro Jaguar that she shared with her husband.  The actual car that was involved in the accident was sold, restored and recently came up for sale at auction.

Vivian's car restored

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Rupert Ernest Neve - Killed in an aeroplane accident

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Rupert Enrest Neve, Peggy Neve, Marjory Edith Neve and Anthony Holloway, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In humble submission to the will of God and in happy memory of Rupert Ernest Neve R.F.C killed in an aeroplane accident jan 26th 1918 aged 24 years - For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord, whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.  Rom 14. 8

Also Peggy, daughter of H. H & B Neve died Feb 21st 1915, aged 27 hours.

And Marjory Edith Neve, died July 29th  1947 aged 56 years.

Also Anthony Holloway died March 29th 1948 aged 2 days."

Rupert Ernest Neve and his twin brother Arthur Osmond Neve were born on 15th September 1893 in Maidenhead Berkshire to Alfred Hovenden Neve, a draper and clothier operating from 57-61 High Street Maidenhead, and Emma Hankin Skillman.  Rupert attended Desborough School for Boys in Maidenhead, the school has a private memorial to him in their building.

In 1911 Rupert was boarding at 121 Castle Hill, Reading with the Venn family.  His occupation is listed as an ironmongers apprentice.  On 23rd April 1913 Rupert was involved in a motorcycle accident, the Slough, Eton & Windsor Observer on 26th April 1913 reported;

"A motorcycle and van collide-

About 8:30 Wednesday evening, a horse and van, driven by George Haines, of 17, Grenville [sic] Place, Maidenhead, was proceeding to London, when a motorcycle, ridden by Mr. Rupert Ernest Neve, of High Street, Maidenhead, who was going in the same direction, collided with the rear of the van.  Neve sustained a cut lip and was attended by Dr. Sadler, of Slough.  Mr. William Egleton, of Bray Mills, near Maidenhead, was riding on the carrier of the cycle and received a bruised head and cut fingers."

Rupert was one of the first groups of young men to volunteer at the outbreak of World War I.  He first enlisted on 15th September 1914 in the Public Schools Battalion of The Royal Fusiliers and was then promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th King's Shropshire Light Infantry but shortly transferred to the R.F.C (Royal Flying Corps).  Ruperst twin brother served as a Lance Corporal in the Royal Army Medical Corps.  Rupert passed is flying certificate on a Maurice Farman Biplane on 6th July 1916.  During an aerial fight over France sometime in March 1917, Rupert was severely injured but was able to bring his plane back behind British lines. 

Rupert had only just been reported fit to for active service when on 26th January 1918, his Sopwith Camel B.5235 biplane collapsed midair over Croyden, Surrey due to excessive vibration.

Sopwith Camel B.5235

Peggy Neve was born on 20th February 1915 to Harold Hovenden Neve, Rupert's elder brother and Beatrice Rolfe.  Sadly she was to pass away on 21st February 1915 just 27 hours after her birth.

Marjory E Neve

Marjory Edith Neve, known as Madge, Rupert's elder sister, was born on 29th May 1891 in Maidenhead Berkshire.  She lived and worked at her father's drapery store at 57-61 High Street Maidenhead.  She never married and died aged 56 on 29th July 1947

Neve Bros

Unfortunately There is very little I can find out about Anthony Holloway, other than his mother's maiden name was Neve.  I am unable to locate a marriage between a Neve and Holloway that fits.  There is one, but it took place in 1973, 25 years after Anthony's death.


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Cemetery Sunday - Gardens Of Rest

 

 

Braywick Cemetery in Berkshire opened in the July of 1953 and was set out as a lawn cemetery with specific sections for different religions; Church of England, Non Conformist, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and a section for the burial of babies and children.

 

The Gardens of Rest are for the interment of cremated remains. 

 

Cremation has been around for centuries, but fell out of favour in Great Britain when Christianity came to its shores.  However interest in cremation was reawakened in Victorian Britain when it became apparent that local cemeteries and churchyards were running out of space.  Cremation finally became legal in Great Britain in 1882.  On the 26th March 1885 he first 'legal' cremation took place, that of Mrs Jeannette Caroline Pickersgill at Woking Crematorium, Surrey England. 

The Hampshire Advertiser reported on Sunday 28th March 1885-

 

"Cremation In Surrey.

 

On Thursday morning the crematory erected at St. John's, Woking, Surrey, was made use of for the first time, the body reduced to ashes being that of Mrs, Pickersgill of Clarence-gate, London.  It had previously been subjected to an autopsy. The deceased was well know in literary and scientific circles, and expressly stipulated in her will that her body should be cremated.  With a view to this she had previously become a subscriber to the Cremation Society of England.  The cremation, which lasted one hour, is said to have been eminently successful from every point of view." 

 

Two further cremations took place that year.  Those of Mr Charles W. Carpenter in October and Mrs Grattan in December.  Ten cremations followed in 1886.  Today cremation is a popular alternative to full burial and there are many crematoriums around the country.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donovan Foster Smart - 'Shorty'

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Donovan Foster Smart 'Shorty' and Mary Ann Foster, All Saints Chutchyard, Bisham, Berkshire.

"Donovan Foster Smart 'Shorty' December 1 1934 Aged 28 years

Mary Ann Foster September 11 1936 Aged 81 years."

Donovan Foster Smart was born in Chingford, Essex in 1906, eldest child of Harry Casimir Smart, an Austrailian working in the Publicity Branch of the Austrailian Government Office in the UK, and Daisy Hope Foster.

Living with the Smart family in 1911 was Daisy's mother Mary Ann Foster and sister Grace Foster.

Mary Ann Foster was born Mary Ann Scudamore in Bishopsgate, Middlesex 1856 to Robert Scudamore, a Lithographic Printer and his wife Elizabeth.  On 21st November 1880 Mary Ann married Henry William Foster in Hackney, London.  Along with Henry's five children from his previous marriage, Helen, Symons, Mary Ann, Ethel, Gertrude and Harold, Henry and Mary Ann had three children of their own, Sidney Kirkman, Daisy Hope and Grace.

Sadly Mary Ann was widowed in 1898 after 18 years of marriged when Henry passed away.

One question that keeps popping up, why was Donovan known as Shorty and why was his nickname placed on his grave stone?



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Colonel David Sherlock - His Lovely Life Ended

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Colonel David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire.


"In devoted memory of Colonel David J. C. E. Sherlock D.S.O (distingished service order) Royal Artillery the beloved husband of Constance Nash Sherlock   Born June 6th 1879  His lovely life ended February 18th 1938  Constance Nash Sherlock 1900 - 1959."

David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock was born 6th June 1879 in Dublin Ireland to David Joseph Sherlock and Mary Zeena Elizabeth Murphy.  In 1900 David joined the army, serving in the Great War, first with the Royal Horse Artillery and then later with the Royal Field Artillery.  In 1930 David married Constance Nash.

The Catholic Herald printed a small notice of death for David on 28th February 1938 -

"Gallant service during the European War, in which campaign he was wounded and was six times mentioned in despatches. brought high honour, both from Britain and from France, to Colonel David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock, who died on the 18th inst. at his home at Burnham, Buckinghamshire. The Royal Honours List awarded him the D.S.O., while France made him a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour and gave him also the Croix de Guerre.

Colonel Sherlock was in his fifty-ninth year. The son of Mr. David Sherlock, D.L., of Tullamore, he was educated first of all in Ireland, at Clongowes Wood College, and afterwards at Beaumont. He joined the Army in 1900. In the Great War he served with the R.H.A. and the R.F.A. He retired about eight years ago."

Sadly for such a well decorated man I can find very little information on his life or that of his wife Constance.

Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt
Where Right and Glory Lead

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Edith Marion Rosse - Murder?

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Memorial to Edith Marion Rosse (Milady), All Saints Church, Bisham, Berkshire.

"In love ever remember Edith Marion Rosse [Milday] who peacefully fell asleep in London on the 14th day of Septmeber 1932"

Unfortunately I cannot find out much about Edith's early life, but the end of her life is embroiled in mystery. 

In 1932 Edith was living with a fellow stage actor Arthur Maundy Gregory.  Arthur was experiencing financial difficulties. He was under pressure to repay to the executors of Sir George Watson £30,000 advanced for a barony he never received.  At the time Edith had £18,000 in her bank account.  She refused Arthur's requests for a loan, saying that the money was for her old age.

On 14th September 1932, Edith slipped into a coma and died and left all her money to Arthur, in a will scrawled on the back of a menu card from the Carlton Hotel. Arthur supervised her burial, specifying a riverside plot in the churchyard at Bisham. He ordered the coffin lid to be left unsealed and the grave to be dug unusually shallow, only 18 inches from the surface.

Edith's niece, who expected to inherit from her aunt's will made a complain and the police exhumed Edith's body on 28th April 1933.  The coffin was found to be waterlogged.   Bernard Spilsbury, a forensic scientist used by the police, was in little doubt that the burial arrangements Arthur had made were intentional since, "the effect of water on decaying remains would make it impossible to detect the presence of certain poisons."

Arthur was arrested in Germany, but never tried for the suspected murder of Edith.  Arthur died in a German Camp in on 28th September 1941.


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May Peabody Osborne - Dig the grave and let me lie

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Memorial to May Peabody Osborne, All Saints Church, Bisham, Berkshire.

"In Memory of May Peabody Osborne beloved wife of Charles Glidden Osborne.  April 14th 1936.

Under the wide and starry sky, dig the grave and let me lie, glad did I live and gladly die.  And I laid me down with a will.

This be the verse you grave for me, here he lies where he longed to be.  Home is the sailor from sea and the hunter home from the hill."

May Peabody Osborne was born May Henderson Peabody on 28th April 1891 at Evanston, Cook County, Illinois, USA to Francis Stuyvesant Peabody and May Henderson.   May first married Addison H Stillwell on 2nd January 1914 at St James Episcopal Church, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA.  They were to divorce 1922.

On 1st September 1923 May married her second husband Charles Glidden Osborne and sailed with him and her children from her first marriage,  May Henderson Stillwell, Elizabeth Allison Stillwell and Frances Peabody Stillwell, on the Leviathan to England in the October of 1923.  In 1928 May and Charles had their only child together, Mahmea Enid Lolita Osborne.

May Peabody Obsborne died on 14th April 1936 in Marlow, Buckinghamshire aged just 44 years old.

It was the verse on May's gravestone that caught my eye first.  The line, 'under the wide and starry sky, dig the grave and let me lie', struck a cord with me.

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Adeline Blanche and Thomas Young

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Adeline Blanche Young and Thomas Young, All Saints Church, Bisham, Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory of Adeline Blanche wife of Thomas Young who Died November 14. 1922.  Aged 52 years.  Also of Thomas Young who Died May 18th 1932 in his 70th year."

Adeline Blanche Young was born Adeline Blanche Strafford on 3rd February 1870 in Middlesex to Thomas William Strafford, an insurance clerk at Westminster Fire Office and Eliza Rutland.  Adeline remained with her family until she married Thomas Young on 2nd June 1904 at the age of 41.  On the 1911 census Adeline can be found living with her husband Thomas at Warren House, Bisham, Berkshire.  Eleven years later Adeline was to pass away at the age of 52.

Thomas Young was born in Hackney, London in 1863 to Thomas Young and his wife Margaret.  On the 1911 census Thomas's occupation is listed as surveyor of insurance.  Maybe Thomas Young worked at the same company as Adeline's father.  Unfortunately I was unable to find out much more about Adeline and Thomas.

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Ann Green - 106 Years Young

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


Monument to Ann Green, All Saints Churchyard, Bisham Berkshire.

"In Memory of Ann Green.  For many yeard the faithful housekepper at Temple House.  Who departed this life the 4th of February 1862 aged 106 years."

Ann Green was born in Ireland around 1756 which makes researching her ealry life very difficult.  She appears on the 1861 Bisham cenus aged 105 as a widow boaring with Thomas and Maragret Smith near Temple Lodge, Bisham Berkshire.  As I don't have a maiden name for Ann and I haven't been able to find her on the 1841 and 1851 census returns, my research has hit a brick wall.

Temple House, Bisham

Temple house was a large manor house built by Samuel Wyatt for the mill owner Thomas Williams in the late 18th century.  The Williams were a very important family in Bisham with many of the men entering into politics.  It seems that they were very fond of Ann, making sure she had a beautiful marker for her final resting place.


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Cliveden House - Pet Cemetery, Taplow, Buckinghamshire

Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.


The 'burials' date from 1874 - 1956 and contain mainly dogs and a few horses or ponies, unfortunately I can find no information on the history of the pet cemetery, or whether all the animals belonged to the same family, the Astors of Cliveden House.  It's in the Ilex Grove part of the grounds and sadly is not very well maintained or even sign posted.  We just happened across it.

There has been a house on the site at Cliveden, meaning - valley among cliffs, in Taplow Buckinghamshire since 1666.  The present house was built in 1851 and is a Grade I listed Italianate mansion.  In 1893 the estate was purchased by William Waldolf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor.  He became a virtual recluse after the death of his wife Mary Dahlgren Paul in 1894.  In 1906 Viscount Astor gave Cliveden and its ground to his son Waldorf on his marriage to Nancy Langhorne. The Astor family remained at Cliveden until 1969 when the house and grounds were leased by Stanford University.  The house is now owned by The National Trust and is a Luxuary Hotel.

It seems that most of the pet 'burials' took place during the time the Astor family resided at Cliveden.  It is such a shame that no more is known of this peaceful resting place for man and woman's best friends.

"Christoper, A favourite pony"

"Flossie"

"Missie"

"Chono"

"Laddie"

"Trixie"

"Baloo"

"Doushky"

"Dixie"

"Daphne"

"Midget"

"Blennie"

"Pugsy, dear pug"

"Tommy"

"Wallace"

"Snuff"

"Traffic Light"

There is another more famous pet cemetery in Hyde Park, London.  To read more about it, click here.

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