SYDNEY VYVYAN TREVENEN & Kenneth Algernon BROOKE-MURRAY
Location: St Stephens Church, St Stephens Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 3AB
Cross 1
Details on Cross
Capt S. V. Trevenen MC, 40th Brigade RFA, 10.6.18.
This cross is mounted on the left hand wall of the Lady chapel in the meeting room of the church.
Text type Small brass plate with name, regiment and date of death
Due to it being wall mounted no measurements could be taken
It was up until 1945 the grave marker at Cheltenham Cemetery of Captain Sydney Vyvyan Treveven M.C. who served in The Royal Field Artillery. It was then moved to the church by his parents who also had a stained glass window made showing the figure of St George but the face is done in the likeness of their son.
Other information
Evidence of use in field None .
Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Plain wooden untreated cross
Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): Very good condition
Biographical information
Sydney Vyvyan Trevenen M.C. was born in Carlisle, Cumberland in 1894 to Jessie Atkinson and Sydney William Trevenen. Lived at his parents address Welton, Christchurch Road, Cheltenham,
AWARDED THE MILITARY CROSS 20TH OCTOBER 1916
His citation in the London Gazette of 20 October 1916 reads: For conspicuous gallantry. He crawled out some 1,000 yards in front of our forward trench, and brought back useful information. He twice acted as liaison officer and showed marked resource and coolness.
Death 10TH JUNE 1918
Sydney Vyvyan Trevenen M.C. died in Etaples, France in 1918, and died of wounds.
He was severely gassed and had to be evacuated out of the battle zone and hospitalised to Etaples, where he died from Septic Bronchial Pneumonia
Cross 2
Captain Kenneth Algernon BROOKE-MURRAY, Army Service Corps.
Details on Cross:
CAPT K. A. BROOK MURRAY ASC/ ATTACHED 15 SQUADRON RFC/ 23.9.16
This cross is mounted on the right hand wall of the Lady chapel in the meeting room of the church. Text type Small brass plate with name , regiment and date of death
Modern wooden plaque with soldier details below.
Due to it being wall mounted no measurements could be taken
Other information
Evidence of use in field None .
Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Plain wooden untreated cross
Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): Very good condition with slight damage at the base.
Biographical information
The original wooden battlefield grave marker of Captain Kenneth Algernon BROOKE-MURRAY, Army Service Corps attached Royal Flying Corps. He was an observer in an aircraft shot down on 16th September 1916, dying of wounds on 23 September 1916. The cross marked his grave at the Boulogne East Cemetery between 1916 and 1923. He is commemorated on the Cheltenham War Memorial and the St Stephen’s Church Roll of Honour.
Survey and photographs courtesy of Ian Spelman
Date of survey: 18-02-17
