A memorial plaque in Folkestone

[chrisrisbridger]

Hi, nice forum you have here.
I have recently started researching my family history ahead of a trip to the UK in December (I live in New Zealand), and am attempting to track down the burial places of some of my relatives, in particular my Grandfather, William George Risbridger.
He died in 1968 and was cremated, but my father said there was a memorial plaque placed on a wall in a church garden in Folkestone (or Cheriton).
Is anyone able to suggest where would be a good place for me to look to try and find out where is memorial is.
Many thanks.

[spongebob]

Hi Chris welcome to the forum.

The majority of modern (including 1968) cremations in Folkestone are done at the Hawkinge Crematorium  in nearby Hawkinge.

They have a memorial wall there with hundreds of plaques, could it be here rather than a church that the plaque is, or did your father specifically say a church?

I'll be passing Hawkinge crematorium this week so will take a look on the wall for you.

Matt

[chrisrisbridger]

He was unsure when I last asked.
If you are passing through then that would be grand. He was born on 31/3/1900 and died in September of 1968. He was an RSM in the Royal Engineers and was awarded an MBE in 1956.
If you ever need anything looked up in New Zealand, don't hesitate to ask.

[spongebob]

He was unsure when I last asked.
If you are passing through then that would be grand. He was born on 31/3/1900 and died in September of 1968. He was an RSM in the Royal Engineers and was awarded an MBE in 1956.
If you ever need anything looked up in New Zealand, don't hesitate to ask.

In that case I think it may well be Hawkinge as it's the crematorium that serves the whole area. I should get there this week sometime.

[spongebob]

Hi Chris,

Apologies for the delay, took me a while before I was down that way.

I checked the memorial wall at Hawkinge for 1968 and then extended to the 1960's and early 1970's. Unfortunately I couldn't find any reference to Risbridger.

As you mentioned a church I wonder if he was cremated at Hawkinge, but then commemorated at his local church. Do you know where he lived, his address, or what church he attended? Might help us narrow down a church - I'm happy to go check some if we get a likely lead.

Matt

[casalguidi]

I've just had a thought ...................

I'm not sure what the situation is at Hawkinge (similar I wouldn't wonder) but at other remembrance gardens you "purchase" the space for the plaque for 5 or 10 years etc. ................... might it have been removed it nobody has "renewed" it?

I would recommend contacting the burials department (now comes under enviromental health) at Shepway District Council as they held records for cremations etc..  They have now sold the crematorium but they may still have their own records http://www.shepway.gov.uk/content/view/2077/1239/

Casalguidi

[panda40]

Out of intrest Hawkinge crematorium has a room full of all the old records relating to the burials and cremations. They will do look ups for you if you ask. I have a friend who works there and when she showed my the old books I was amazed. If ever there was a collection that needed to be archived and recorded its whats held at Hawkinge.

Some of the local churhes do have plaques inside on the walls dedicated to individuals. I know All Souls in Cherition does.
Regards Panda

[chrisrisbridger]

Hi all, sorry it's been a while but I've been waiting for the death certificate to arrive from the UK. Here are the details as far as I could decipher them:

The death was registered on 11 Sept, 1967 in the registration district of Folkestone, Kent.  He died on 8 Sept, 1967, aged 67.  The register number is 150 (for 1967).

At the time he was living at 3 Langdon Rd, Folkestone.  He died of Coronary Thrombosis, & the death was certified by D>A> Ewing, MB.

If anyone is able to track down where his remains are likely to be then that would be grand.

[panda40]

Hi Chris
He lived around the corner from me. If you want a picture of the house let me know. He would come under all all souls or St martins church. I'm at a family history course all weekend but will have a look around next week for you.
Regards Panda