Henry Holmes, of Birdport, Worcester - died 26.8.1901 - interred where?

[Smilingwillowb]

Henry Holmes died as a result of illness contracted in South Africa, while serving there with the Worcestershire Regiment, on Sunday 28th August 1901, aged 34, and leaving a widow and three children.

The Worcestershire Chronicle's report of his funeral omits to identify either the church where the funeral service was, or where he was buried. A Canon Claughton officiated at the service, and there was a mention of the cortege reaching the cemetery gates. The places mentioned in the progress of his coffin were, in order, Birdport, the Cross, Broad Street, the cemetery gates, the church. Is, or was, there a church or chapel at Astwood Cemetery?

Birdport was where the north end of Deansway now is.

[Kay99]

I don't think it would Astwood Bank Cemetery as  it is too far from the city centre where the procession took place.

Canon Claughton is mentioned in a newspaper article of 1903 as the vicar of St Andrews.  Could this be their destination - although it was demolished in the 1940's  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glover%27s_Needle

Kay

[Smilingwillowb]

Thanks, Kay. St Andrew's, the spire of which still stands, was apparently in the vicinity of Deansway. That would make sense, being a church local to where he lived in Worcester, but if there was a graveyard, it's not there now. I agree, Astwood Cemetery looks to be too far away, but I'll give the Cemetery Office a call, just on the off-chance that he's there. https://www.worcesteranddudleyhistoricchurches.org.uk/index.php?page=worcester-st-andrew

[philheeks]

Hi There

I was born in Astwood ROAD Worcester & can assure you that its the main cemetery in Worcester but please don't confuse Astwood Rd with Astwood Bank.

As Im on holiday about 10 miles outside Worcester I'll have a look at the film of records for Astwood Road cemetery to see if I can find the person you are searching for

All the very best

Phil

ps I will also have a look at the burials for St Andrews in case Henry is there

[philheeks]

I just tried searching the Commonwealth War Graves site but can get no results on that page even when I put in details of an uncle of mine who I know is on those pages

All the very best

Phil

[philheeks]

Ive been searching Ancestry & the best I could find was the 1891 census for Norton Barracks
Henry HOLMES soldier private aged 22

All the very best

Phil

[philheeks]

Hi There

Please excuse my stupidity looking at the CWGC site for someone who died before WW1 ever started put it down to a senior moment :-)

All the very best

Phil

[Smilingwillowb]

Hi Phil. Thank you very much for taking the time to try and find his resting place - I've tried phoning Astwood Road Cemetery when I get home from work, but haven't found anyone in yet.

Actually, the CWGC does look after the graves of British soldiers (maybe the Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand graves too, I don't know about them) who died in South Africa during the Boer War, so perhaps they should also be added to the CWGC database. Sadly, the graves of the men who were invalided back to the UK and died here are mostly forgotten.

[philheeks]

Hi There

I've got him & he was in Astwood Rd cemetery so I didn't look any further but I did make a hand written copy of the entry for you

Entry No 29781
Name Henry HOLMES
Description Labourer
Residence Birdport St Andrews
Place of death Birdport St Andrews
Age 32
Buried 29AUG1910
Performed by Rev J. L. CLAUGHTON
No of grave space 4450
Buried In concectated ground

I hope this helps you a bit

All the very best

Phil on holiday from Somerset😊