Tag: National Cemeteries Week

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

National Cemeteries Week

Starting tomorrow we will be highlighting Brandwood End as part of National Cemeteries Week. Over the week we will passing on lots of our research, reminding you of the extensive flora and fauna within the cemetery and pointing out some items of interest that may have passed you by.

On Tuesday 3rd we will be leading a small walk through the cemetery to give some background on its history. Numbers are limited but we do still have a couple of places. If you wish to attend please e mail to reserve a place to  friendsofbec@gmail.com   Meet by the Lodge at 12.30pm.

To kick off the week can we recommend that you take part in this brilliant short project organised by Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust. You may remember we ran a superb Hedgehog project with them a couple of years ago.

City Nature Challenge 2022 | The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country (bbcwildlife.org.uk)