Hanwell Cemetery
Encyclopedia
Hanwell Cemetery is a cemetery
located in Hanwell
, Ealing
, west London
. Originally called City of Westminster Cemetery it is owned and managed by the City of Westminster
's Parks Service.
In 1853, the board purchased 12 acres (4.9 ha) in Hanwell for their exclusive use. Robert Jerrard was appointed as architect
, who designed the church and administration buildings in a Victorian
Gothic revival architecture
style. Consecrated
on 6 July 1854, by the Bishop of London
Charles Blomfield, the total cost of cemetery and buildings was £14,741 17s 11d. The first internment took place on 2 August 1854.
In 1883, and additional 11 acres (4.5 ha) were purchased, making a total size of today of 23 acres (9.3 ha). In 1889, the cemetery was transferred to the Metropolitan Borough of the City of Westminster. The cemetery suffered extensive damage during World War Two, and at the end of the war in Europe a gift was given to the cemetery in the form of the renewal of the chapels south side stained glass window, depicting a miscellany of some 30 biblical emblems.
In 1965, the cemetery came under new management in light of local government reorganisation. In 1987, the cemetery was one of three that Shirley Porter
's Westminster City Council
controversially sold to land developers for 15p. But like East Finchley
and Mill Hill was reacquired by the new City of Westminster in 1990, and renamed at that point Hanwell Cemetery. The council undertook extensive restoration of the central buildings in 1994, and in 2001 replaced the entire roof and cleaned the exterior walls, as well as making all provisions required under the Disability Discrimination Act
.
A number of graves administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
are scattered throughout the cemetery. There is also a Royal British Legion memorial cross in the centre of the cemetery.
A number of people killed during World War Two in air raids were buried temporarily during the conflict, and then reburied afterwards. 200 residents of the City of Westminster are remembered on the civilian memorial, located near the centre of the grounds. Unveiled in 1950, it houses the grave of popular singer Al Bowlly
, who was killed during an air raid at his flat in Jermyn Street
on 17 April 1941.
stations are Ealing Broadway, Acton Town and Boston Manor
. First Great Western
stop at Hanwell railway station
from London Paddington.
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
located in Hanwell
Hanwell
Hanwell is a town situated in the London Borough of Ealing in west London, between Ealing and Southall. The motto of Hanwell Urban District Council was Nec Aspera Terrent...
, Ealing
Ealing
Ealing is a suburban area of west London, England and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Ealing. It is located west of Charing Cross and around from the City of London. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a rural village...
, west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Originally called City of Westminster Cemetery it is owned and managed by the City of Westminster
City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a London borough occupying much of the central area of London, England, including most of the West End. It is located to the west of and adjoining the ancient City of London, directly to the east of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its southern boundary...
's Parks Service.
History
By the 1840s, the cemeteries of London were full and almost overflowing. The Bayswater Road Cemetery and St. Mark's, North Audley Street were under the control of the St. George's Hanover Square Burial Board, who were unable to find a solution until the Metropolitan Internment Act of 1850 became law.In 1853, the board purchased 12 acres (4.9 ha) in Hanwell for their exclusive use. Robert Jerrard was appointed as architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, who designed the church and administration buildings in a Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
Gothic revival architecture
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
style. Consecrated
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on 6 July 1854, by the Bishop of London
Bishop of London
The Bishop of London is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers 458 km² of 17 boroughs of Greater London north of the River Thames and a small part of the County of Surrey...
Charles Blomfield, the total cost of cemetery and buildings was £14,741 17s 11d. The first internment took place on 2 August 1854.
In 1883, and additional 11 acres (4.5 ha) were purchased, making a total size of today of 23 acres (9.3 ha). In 1889, the cemetery was transferred to the Metropolitan Borough of the City of Westminster. The cemetery suffered extensive damage during World War Two, and at the end of the war in Europe a gift was given to the cemetery in the form of the renewal of the chapels south side stained glass window, depicting a miscellany of some 30 biblical emblems.
In 1965, the cemetery came under new management in light of local government reorganisation. In 1987, the cemetery was one of three that Shirley Porter
Shirley Porter
Dame Shirley Porter, Lady Porter, DBE, is a former Conservative leader of Westminster City Council in London and a prominent philanthropist in Israel and the UK. She is the daughter and heir of Sir Jack Cohen, the founder of Tesco supermarkets...
's Westminster City Council
Westminster City Council
Westminster City Council is the local authority for the City of Westminster in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council and is entitled to be known as a city council, which is a rare distinction in the United Kingdom. The city is divided into 20 wards, each electing three councillors...
controversially sold to land developers for 15p. But like East Finchley
East Finchley Cemetery
East Finchley Cemetery is a cemetery and crematorium in East Finchley in the London Borough of Barnet. The facilities are owned and managed by the City of Westminster....
and Mill Hill was reacquired by the new City of Westminster in 1990, and renamed at that point Hanwell Cemetery. The council undertook extensive restoration of the central buildings in 1994, and in 2001 replaced the entire roof and cleaned the exterior walls, as well as making all provisions required under the Disability Discrimination Act
Disability discrimination act
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a number of countries have passed laws aimed at reducing discrimination against people with disabilities. These laws have begun to appear as the notion of civil rights has become more influential globally, and follow other forms of anti-discrimination and...
.
War graves
The cemetery contains a relatively high number of war graves due to:- The number of people living in London,
- The fact it was a boarding point for transport to the British EmpireBritish EmpireThe British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, and - The BlitzThe BlitzThe Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...
and air raids of the LuftwaffeLuftwaffeLuftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
A number of graves administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an intergovernmental organisation of six independent member states whose principal function is to mark, record and maintain the graves, and places of commemoration, of Commonwealth of Nations military service members who died in the two World Wars...
are scattered throughout the cemetery. There is also a Royal British Legion memorial cross in the centre of the cemetery.
A number of people killed during World War Two in air raids were buried temporarily during the conflict, and then reburied afterwards. 200 residents of the City of Westminster are remembered on the civilian memorial, located near the centre of the grounds. Unveiled in 1950, it houses the grave of popular singer Al Bowlly
Al Bowlly
Albert Allick Bowlly was a Southern-African singer, songwriter, composer and band leader, who became a popular Jazz crooner during the 1930s in the United Kingdom and later, in the United States of America. He recorded more than 1,000 records between 1927 and 1941...
, who was killed during an air raid at his flat in Jermyn Street
Jermyn Street
Jermyn Street is a street in the City of Westminster, central London, to the south, parallel and adjacent to Piccadilly.It is well known as a street where the shops are almost exclusively aimed at the Gentleman's market and is famous for its resident shirtmakers Jermyn Street is a street in the...
on 17 April 1941.
Transport links
The cemetery is well connected to London's transport network, with buses E3, E8, 83 and 207 stopping outside. The nearest london undergroundLondon Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
stations are Ealing Broadway, Acton Town and Boston Manor
Boston Manor tube station
Boston Manor is a London Underground station serving the Boston Manor area between Brentford and Hanwell in west London. The station is on the Heathrow branch of the Underground's Piccadilly Line, between Osterley and Northfields stations...
. First Great Western
First Great Western
First Great Western is the operating name of First Greater Western Ltd, a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that serves Greater London, the South East, South West and West Midlands regions of England, and South Wales....
stop at Hanwell railway station
Hanwell railway station
Hanwell railway station is a railway station in Hanwell in the London Borough of Ealing. The station is managed by First Great Western but served by local services operated by Heathrow Connect from London to Heathrow Airport.-History:...
from London Paddington.
Notable interments
- Al BowllyAl BowllyAlbert Allick Bowlly was a Southern-African singer, songwriter, composer and band leader, who became a popular Jazz crooner during the 1930s in the United Kingdom and later, in the United States of America. He recorded more than 1,000 records between 1927 and 1941...
, singer. Killed in The BlitzThe BlitzThe Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...
, buried in the mass grave in the centre of the grounds - Marta CunninghamMarta CunninghamMarta Cunningham CBE , was an American-born European-based soprano-singer and philanthropist.Born in 1869 in Brazos County, Texas, her parents were Albert Baxter and Martha Minerva Tharp Cunningham, both from DeSoto Parish, Louisiana...
CBE, American soprano singer and philanthropist, founder of the Not Forgotten AssociationNot Forgotten AssociationThe Not Forgotten Association is a United Kingdom Armed Forces registered charity for serving and ex-service men and women that operates throughout the United Kingdom...
. - Freddie FrintonFreddie FrintonFreddie Frinton, born Frederick Bittiner Coo was an English comedian who remains a household name in Germany and Scandinavia because of his performance in Dinner for One....
, comedian - Sir John Ackerman K.C.M.GJohn AckermanJohn Ackerman was the second Vice Director of the National Security Agency of the United States and a Major General of the United States Air Force.-External links:**...
, Mayor of Pietermaritzsburg - Richard Bullen Newton, Paleontologist at the British Museum
- Col. Sir David SempleDavid SempleLieutenant-Colonel Sir David Semple MD was a British Army officer who founded the Pasteur Institute at Kasauli in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The institute later came to be known as the Central Research Institute ....
, First Director of Research India. Founder of the Pasteur Institute at Kasauli India. - Sir John Hunt O.B.EJohn HuntJohn Hunt may refer to:*John Hunt , Quaker minister, originally from London, England, and one of the "Virginia Exiles"*John Hunt , Quaker minister and journalist from Moorestown, New Jersey...
, First Town Clerk of the City of Westminster - (The Rev Andrew Charles Albert McLaglen and son Fred Charles McLaglen and wife Lillian Marian McLaglen) all relatives of 1935 Oscar Winner Victor McLaglen
External links
- Hanwell Cemetery at the City of WestminsterCity of WestminsterThe City of Westminster is a London borough occupying much of the central area of London, England, including most of the West End. It is located to the west of and adjoining the ancient City of London, directly to the east of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its southern boundary...