George Arthur Bebbington

Location: St John the Baptist, Church hill, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6DH

The cross is displayed in the memorial chapel which is located on the right hand side as you face the altar. The cross is sitting on a shelf in the centre. It commemorates Lance Corporal George Arthur Bebbington.

Details on cross:

There are 3 GRU tags on the cross:

GRU
21446 J.A.BEBBINGTON.19/K.LIVERPOOL S
a partial tag which reads K.7.

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): 3 GRU tags.

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 584.2mm.
Cross beam width: 393.7mm.
Width of wood: 63.5mm.
Thickness or depth: 25.4mm.

Other information
Mounting to wall: n/a
Evidence of use in field (earth marking, cracking, staining, shrinkage): No evidence, as the cross has been cut off at the bottom.
Surface insertion depth (into ground if apparent): n/a.
Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Dark brown stained wood.
Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): There is a crack across the cross member and a couple of holes. Another piece of wood has been placed on the back of the cross to support it. Otherwise the cross is in good condition.

Notes and observations:

The memorial chapel at St John the Baptist commemorates the fallen of both World Wars. It features old oak panels and has four British Legion flags and many poppy wreaths. The brass lectern is particularly unique as it is made from WW1 shell cases brought back from Flanders and presented to the church by the Rev ‘Tubby’ Clayton. There is also a beautiful WW1 memorial window, underneath which sits a poppy from the Tower of London. The ship’s bell from HMS Wren is also in the chapel – the ship was adopted by the town in 1943, and it’s inhabitants provided comforts for the crew. It was presented to the town for safe keeping in 2010.

Although the GRU tag reads J.A.Bebbington, it is actually George Arthur Bebbington. He was the son of G.W.Bebbington & the late Alice S.Bebbington of 26 Bexton Road, Knutsford. He was a member of the Kings Liverpool Regiment, 19th Battalion. He died on 30th July 1916 aged 31, and is buried at Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, Somme, France (Grave ref V.D.2).

St John the Baptist is an Anglican Parish Church in the diocese of Chester which is Grade II listed. It is built in the neoclassical style. Down either side of the church are tuscan columns with arches and galleries above. In the centre aisle is a brass chandelier which dates back to 1763. The church also features a popular cafe serving the community which is open in term times on Monday to Friday until 2.30pm. During these times visitors are able to wander around inside the church.

Survey and photographs courtesy of Beverley Goodwin and Margaret Draycott
Date of survey: 8th March 2017