William Thomas DOWNHAM, Born 1845, Lambeth, Surrey

[BAC3]

Hello,

On 3rd June 1879 Corporal William Thomas DOWNHAM of the 10th Hussars died of Phthisis Pulmonalis (TB) in the Portsea Garrison Hospital.   He was buried on the 6th June in UNCONSECRATED ground in the Parish of Portsmouth Burial Ground.

Can anyone please explain why he was buried in unconsecrated ground???

Thank you,

BAC3

[ShaunJ]

Was he a Catholic or non-conformist perhaps?

See https://forums.lc/genealogy/index.php?threads/burial-in-unconsecrated-ground.3664/

[BAC3]

Sadly, no.........he was Church of England, baptised in the Anglican Church of St. Mary, Newington, Surrey.   Just for a moment I thought you had the explanation

[ShaunJ]

Perhaps the consecrated area was full, and they've put him in the next bit to be consecrated.

[JenB]

Sadly, no.........he was Church of England, baptised in the Anglican Church of St. Mary, Newington, Surrey.   Just for a moment I thought you had the explanation

Possibly, although baptised in the Church of England, he had become a practising member of a non-conformist church? That might explain burial in the non-Church of England part of the cemetery.

My own grandfather was baptised C of E but in his teens became a member of the Methodist Church and remained so all his life.

[Jebber]

A lot of nonconformists were baptised in both non and C of E  churches to ensure they qualified for parish assistance.

A lot of my paternal line were nonconformist and were baptised in both.

[BAC3]

Thank you for all your suggestions.   I'm very grateful.

The last knowledge of him before his death was his marriage in April 1871 which was conducted according to the rites of the "established church".

For the sake of being complete about his burial, the record states he was buried in Plot 2, 5th Row, 8th grave!!!........qualified by the word "unconsecrated".    Incidentally, this detail can be found on FindMyPast.

BAC3

[JenB]

The burial was carried out by John F Browne, who can be found in Portsmouth in the 1881 census.
He was R(oman) C(atholic) priest, Chaplain to Forces.
See RG 11 /1150/ 72/ 16

[ShaunJ]

Re Fr John Francis Browne:

https://www.jameshagerty.co.uk/the-first-commissioned-catholic-army-chaplains/