In the churchyard the earliest identified burial dates from 1670, and the oldest person to be interred was Richard Purser, who died in 1868, aged 111. There are also graves of numerous Victorian generals and men who had influential careers in India, in the army, civil service or as planters. Three holders of the Victoria Cross have memorials, as does Dr Edward Wilson, who died on Scott’s Antarctic expedition. Baron de Ferrières, a great benefactor to Cheltenham, is buried there, and two stained-glass windows are dedicated in his memory.
Our churchyard is still in use, but the earliest graves, all close to the west end of the church, date back to the 17th century. Among well-established local names are numerous Ballingers, Barretts, Caudles, Cherringtons, Fletchers, Halls, Hickses, Joyners, Pearmans, Pursers (including the celebrated Richard, who died in 1868 aged 111) and Townsends. From Leckhampton Court there are the Tryes – both lords of the manor and clergy – and John Hargreaves and his wife, née Edith Platt.
Our churchyard is also the resting place for a surprising variety of people of renown from Cheltenham itself and even beyond. By the mid-19th century many Cheltenham churches had little or no available burial space of their own, and even after the creation of the municipal cemetery in 1864 Leckhampton offered a fashionable alternative. Hence the Revd Joseph Fenn, Vicar of Christ Church, who died in 1884, is buried here.
Most readers will already know where to find the graves of Dr Edward Wilson of Antarctic fame, Cheltenham’s mayor and philanthropist Baron de Ferrières and the British Museum’s architect Sir Robert Smirke. Among the many military graves lie a score of generals and three holders of the Victoria Cross – William Fraser McDonnell, Cdr Cecil William Buckley and Major Douglas Reynolds. The approximate locations of these and some others are shown on the plan opposite.
Those who had served the British Empire in India are well represented. Many are military, but there are civilians too. James Cox, of Thirlestaine Hall, and George Nevile Wyatt, buried in adjacent plots, had both made their fortunes as indigo planters. The widow of the latter, Mrs Augusta Wyatt, was patron of both the Leckhampton churches at the beginning of the 20th century.
Other noteworthy names are:
- The musician John BARNETT and his son Domenico, of Cotteswold, on Leckhampton Hill. John Is described as the ‘father of English opera’, though his work goes unperformed today. Domenico taught music at The Ladies’ College.
- Thomas BILLINGS, the developer of the Park Estate, among other speculative enterprises.
- Evangeline Butler, the 5-year old daughter of the social reformer Josephine Butler. Evangeline died at her parents’ feet after falling over the banister rail at their home at The Priory one evening in 1864.
- Fanny Duberly, “the officers’ darling” from the Crimean War, who witnessed the Charge of the Light Brigade and rode into Sebastopol after the siege, and who also wrote about her experiences during the Indian Mutiny.
- John FLETCHER, a former Parish Clerk, and his successor for 45 years Neighbour PEARMAN, who was also manager of Leckhampton Quarries.
- Alexander SHIRER, the founder of Shirer and Lance’s stores.
- Nathaniel SMITH, who built the house named Wychbury (now demolished) in Moorend Road.
- Barnard George THOMPSON, Headmaster of Leckhampton School. Thompson Drive named after him.
- Frank WEBLEY, a photographer who had a shop at the end of Church Road and sold his postcards of the area.
Our churchyard is a rich source of information for local historians but is also of interest to those researching military graves or wanting to know more about their ancestors’ birthplace. With this in mind, I plan in due course to bring out a booklet listing the more significant ones, with short biographies where appropriate.