Category: Research

Stories from the Stones.

I am afraid that, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to suspend our Stories from the Stones project for a short period.  The original organisers and sponsors of the project were ‘Caring for Gods Acre’ but their support was limited to 2 years and that expired at the end of last year.

We have managed to hold some recording events since but need to reorganise our team as we want to make every effort to continue with the valuable recording of grave inscriptions for posterity.

Please watch this page for details of when these events will re-commence and we hope to include some weekend opportunities as requested !

Stories from the Stones

Just a reminder that FBEC will be working with Caring for Gods Acre again on this project throughout 2023. This will be our third year. Unfortunately they had to cancel the March event due to snow and ice ! The next event will be 10th April. This is a fascinating project and a chance for you to take part in recording this information for future generations. Contact Josie to reserve a place at any, or all, of these FREE events.

Civilian Garden in the spotlight.

Today we were able to tell the story of the Civilian Garden of Remembrance and those that lie within.

Many of our visitors today had no  idea that  this peaceful area of reflection existed and certainly knew nothing of those buried within.

 

With the help of Matt Felkin and his wealth of knowledge,  we were able to answer many questions about Civilian casualties and local areas that received bomb damage.

Our thanks again to everyone that helped us deliver this Heritage Event and those who took the time to visit us, especially in this strange time of public mourning.

Tantalising information.

Those of you that follow a series on Chanel 5 called ‘Planes that won the War’ will have seen, in the episode screened on the 1st of July, the story of 8 Air man who lost their lives when their Lancaster  crashed into ‘Ben Eighe’, a mountain in Scotland. The crash site was very remote, and still is.

One of those lost, their Navigator, lived very locally and is  buried in Brandwood End. We hope to feature his story in the near future, so watch this space.

Should any of his relatives read this, please contact us at friendsofbec@gmail.com as we would love to know more.

 

National Cemeteries week comes to a close.

We do hope you have enjoyed reading the research we have posted and we remind you that there are 86000+ graves in Brandwood End, so lots more to do !  We welcome anyone who would like to join us doing long term research.

We also highlighted the gardening and general tidying work that the Friends do- and again we are always welcoming, as an extra pair of hands helps spread the load.

The Friends are always in need of supporters to help with weeding in the Civilian Garden of Remembrance as the two large round beds are now well established and ground cover plants are flourishing but weeds still are an issue. We had a very successful rota but I am afraid most of the volunteers have either moved away or feel physically unable to continue. Weeding  there can be done when ever you want  but we do need to know before you go for insurance purposes. A text to 07811393259 or an e mail to friendsofbec@gmail.com is equally acceptable. If you would rather work in a group then let us know and we will arrange w work party for a few of us. We hope one of our supporters can help. 

A huge  thankyou to those that already go above and beyond to assist.

The sinking of the Lusitania 0n 7th May 1915

You may wonder why we have included the above event in our National Cemeteries week, and why today? Maybe the date gives you a clue, as it is 107 years today since the Lusitania sank and on board was Reverend Canon Ernest Maxwell Phair- who  is buried in Brandwood End Cemetery.

 

 

Follow the link below to find out who he was and why he was travelling on the Lusitania that day.

 

FBEC – REVEREND CANON ERNEST EDWARD MAXWELL PHAIR

Family lose husband and twins to bombing raid

Todays story is sad, but unfortunately not an isolated incident during WW2. During the day of the 19th November 1940  no one could have foreseen what would happen overnight. It was another night of bombing in Birmingham but worse than most. Alfred Cope, a member of the AFS, and both of his twin sons, Stanley and John, lost their lives when a bomb fell in St Stephens Road Selly Park. Our thanks to BARRA, Doug Smith and  Lynda Peedle (Grand daughter) for their contributions.

For more information you can access our research via the link below in green. 

FBEC – ALFRED COPE AND TWIN SONS 1940


Chelsea Pensioner

Sergeant-Major Charles Dawes died in 1932 aged 96. Todays information is short, but he definitely needs a mention.

Kings Royal Irish Hussars – Service No. 1428
Crimean and Indian Mutiny Veteran – Chelsea Pensioner
Died 1st August 1932 aged 96 – 270 Clifton Road Balsall Heath, Birmingham.

“The last Birmingham survivor of the Crimean War was buried with full military honours on
Saturday (6th August 1932) at Brandwood End Cemetery, Birmingham. Hundreds of
people lined the route of three miles from his home and there were several hundreds
more at the cemetery.
Hampshire Telegraph – Friday August 12th 1932.”

Charles was born in Upper Street, Tettenhall Regis, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, and
baptised 25 October 1835. His father was James Dawes (a gardener from Penn) and his
mother was Elizabeth. He married Caroline Whyatt from Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire in
1867.
Two of his sons had Indian connection middle names – Albert Edward Shinwarrie Whyatt
Dawes and Charles William Gwalior Whyatt Dawes.

Firefighters Memorial Day 4th May

Firefighters Memorial Day will have been marked by a minutes silence at midday today to honour Firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.  Over 2300 such deaths are recorded.

Brandwood End is the resting place of Sydney Charles Tropman who was one of the above number.

As part of National Cemeteries Week we would like to highlight some of his story.

FBEC – SIDNEY CHARLES TROPMAN WW2 FIREMAN