WELCOME TO SPALDING CEMETERY

 

Some information about the history of Spalding Cemetery to help you enjoy your visit.

 

There was an urgent need for a public cemetery in Spalding revealed by a public enquiry held in 1851. At that time burials were taking place in the Parish churchyard and in the attached burial grounds of the General Baptist Chapel in Chapel Lane, the Particular Baptist Chapel in Love Lane, the Friends Meeting House in Double Street, and in vaults under the Independent Chapel in Pinchbeck Street.

 

 

The senior curate at the Parish Church, the Rev. J Topham, MA who gave evidence at the enquiry stated “The burial ground has been much worse lately. It was a common occurrence when the sexton was digging a fresh grave, to disturb and break up two or three graves.                                                                                                                     

 

The ground was so overcrowded that the sexton could not dig down three feet without disturbing human remains. The burial ground attached to the General Baptist Chapel was described as “overcrowded to a most unpleasant extent.” So much indeed that the bodies could hardly be said to be buried at all.

 

 

The Spalding Improvement Commissioners were established by the Spalding Improvement Act of 1853 which received Royal Assent on 4th August 1853, provided the Commissioners with “sufficient powers” for paving, lighting, watching, draining, cleansing, supplying with water and gas, and providing cemeteries etc. They lost no time in acquiring the land for the purpose of a cemetery. They fixed “on the pasture land adjoining Pinchbeck Road, and so much of the adjoining pasture land that would make up six acres.” The property belonged to Miss Catherine Massey, a member of a well-known local Quaker family

 

 

 

 

PLANNING THE CEMETERY

 

In planning the cemetery dykes around the boundary were to be cleaned, and a good park paling fence to be erected. There were to be two chapels, one for the Church of England, and one reserved for Dissenters.  both exactly alike together with a lodge for the porter. The contract was secured by Mr Samuel Dolman, builder of Commercial Road, Spalding, at £1837 11s, and was signed on 7th April 1854.

 

 

It was at about this time that the old Town Hall was demolished, and the material sold to the contractor at 1s 6d a load for delivery on the cemetery site where it was used in the erection of the chapel etc. In September a gardener was advertised for at 16s per week, and the lodge rent free when built. On October 3rd, it was reported that “the chapels are not completed, the porter’s lodge is not started, and the road not prepared – all else is in a state of abeyance.”

 

 However, on the 15th November, the Bishop of Lincoln consecrated half the cemetery, and it was then declared open for interments. Two days later it was discovered that the hearse could not get through the lynch gate – it needed to be 1 foot 3 inches higher. In October, the following year, the paths were gravelled, and in 1856 yews were planted along the outside of the wall, and £10 spent for three dozen mixed shrubs to go round the chapels and the remainder on more yews     

 

 

. The roofs of both chapels needed twice repairing before being re-roofed with blue slate in February 1860. It was reported that on one occasion the bell rope at the cemetery was cut to prevent the bell being rung at the funeral of a well-known tradesman. In 1875 and consideration was given to stop improper conduct at the cemetery. As a result smoking was forbidden. In 1876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

THE JOHNSON MAUSOLEUM

A mortuary for the dead from crowded houses.

 

Theophilus Fairfax Johnson, born 1790, the second son of the Rev. Maurice Johnson of Ayscoughfee Hall, lived at Holland House in the High Street. He decided to build a family mausoleum which should be a free-standing building, a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or people, a type of tomb, or the tomb within the mausoleum. It was built by George Andrew and John Sharpe. The splendid and noble structure stood in a field at the back of his mansion and was built in 1843. It was consecrated in the same year on 24th August by the Lord Bishop of Lincoln.

 

When the house was sold in 1892, it was first suggested that the mausoleum should be moved to the churchyard. But this proved impractical so in 1894, it was agreed to re-erect it in the cemetery for use as a mortuary for bodies awaiting burial. A plaque was added stating that it was “for the use of the Poor and in memory of T. M. S. Johnson”.  it was decided that a good, properly gravelled road be put down the centre, thus clearly dividing between the consecrated portion, and that reserved for Dissenters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first burial was that of Alfred, the son of Will and Maria Plumpton, who died 16th November 1854, aged 3. the Commissioners purchased an additional 3 acres 1 rood 23 perches of land at a cost of £390, in order to provide for further expansion. In 1924 three more acres were added.

 

SPALDING WAR GRAVES

 

Each year, individuals make pilgrimages to the former battlefields of the two World Wars to pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. But here are more than 306,000 casualties buried in the United Kingdom at over 12,000 locations. .

Reasons for Casualties in the United Kingdom

 

One of the most common questions we hear is ‘why are there war graves in the United Kingdom?’ There is a widespread assumption that all casualties of the two World Wars are buried overseas, but the reality is much more complicated. A casualty may be commemorated in the United Kingdom for the following reasons:

 

• They died of sickness or disease in a military hospital after being repatriated for treatment.

• They died due to training or other accidents whilst in service.

• As a result of enemy action over the UK, such as air raids.

• Killed in action in the air or at sea and their remains were later washed ashore.

We have over 35 war graves at Spalding Cemetery; some in a designated area, but others scattered around the site close to family members and friends. We have one Polish soldier from WW2 and until the early sixties we had eight WW1 German soldiers from a local prison camp. Their bodies have now been repatriated with their comrades at the German Military Cemetery, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire.

Each year fresh crosses and poppies at placed on each grave by the British Legion, and a short ceremony conducted by local Army cadets

 

 

Private Barbara June CANNON, aged 19; died 9 June 1942, daughter of Tom Devine and Florence Mary Cannon, Holbeach Road, Spalding had died while serving with the Auxiliary Territorial Service. She passed away in Mill Hill Hospital, Huddersfield being due to Tubercular Meningitis. She had fallen down some stairs at Huddersfield, She was apparently all right after the incident but reported sick a week later, and was shortly afterwards taken to hospital where she died  June 9th, 1942.   

 

 

Norman CRAFT, aged 24, died 3 March 1941 Royal Artillery gunner, 446 Battery, 65 (2/6th Bn., Essex Regiment) Searchlight Regiment, born in Yorkshire, son of Frederick and Mary Craft of Spalding, the husband of Gladys Evelyne Craft of Spalding. News was received that Norman Craft, of Corrine Grove. Hannam Boulevard, had been killed by enemy action, aged 24 years. He joined the army at the outbreak of the war and was with the Royal Artillery, and had been in the army 11 months,, serving the searchlight battalion & gun emplacement.

 

 

SPALDING CEMETERY TODAY

Spending time can be pleasure for all the family simply wandering around Spalding Cemetery and taking in the views, pretty flowers and peaceful atmospheres, even enjoying a picnic. If you are looking for some open space to spend some family time in the fresh air Spalding cemetery has plenty of space to run around in whilst soaking up some history as well.  Enjoy pleasant walks and on open days go inside the chapel and mausoleum, do some grave stone rubbing, take photographs or do some painting. If you enjoy nature spotting; try and see the muntjac deer, grey squirrels, and a variety of birds. We have well established trees both from Europe and the Americas.

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