UNKNOWN BRITISH SOLDIER

Location: St Margaret’s church 22 West Street, Ditchling, East Sussex, BN6 8TS

The cross is displayed on the wall on the right hand side as you face the altar. The cross commemorates an unknown British soldier.

Details on cross:

UNKNOWN BRITISH SOLDIER

The GRU tag is missing at the top of the cross.

There is a tag which reads ‘Unknown British soldier’ on the cross member. There is also a brass plate which reads ‘This cross of an unknown British soldier was replaced by a stone in St.Julien war cemetery Flanders.

It was presented to St Margaret’s Ditchling by Capt.Howard Rose (vicar of this parish 1958-1964) who was in the 12th Batt. Royal Sussex Regt. when St Julien was captured in the Third Battle of Ypres on July 31st 1917.’

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): 1 GRU tag.
Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 1143mm.
Cross beam width: 406.4mm.
Width of wood: 76.2mm.
Thickness or depth: 25.4mm.

Other information
Mounting to wall: The cross is screwed to the wall on either end of the cross member.
Detailing: n/a
Evidence of use in field (earth marking, cracking, staining, shrinkage): There is visible staining towards the bottom of the cross where it has been inserted into the ground.
Surface insertion depth (into ground if apparent): 304.8mm.
Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Light stained wood.
Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): There are lots of small holes in the wood, and two nails in the cross member, but in good condition overall.

Notes and observations: There is also a marble tablet and a wooden tablet in the church commemorating fallen soldiers from both wars. St Margaret’s Church is a beautiful building dating from the 12th century which sits on a knoll overlooking the village. It is open daily.

Survey and photographs Beverley Goodwin
Date of survey: 10th May 2017