2 Crosses
2/LT. C.M. PENN,
Location: St. Michael’s, Chester Square,
Town/village: Belgravia
County: London
Details on Cross:
4/H/6
2/LT. C.M. PENN,
6/ R. BDE ATTD. S.L.I.
11-2-15
(please note actual initial is “G” not “C”).
Text type: Stamped on metal strips. (G.R.U)
Cross dimensions: Did not get.
Shaft Height: Unable to obtain.
Beam width: Unable to obtain.
Width of wood: Unable to obtain.
Thickness: Unable to obtain.
Surface insertion depth: N/A
Circle plate: N/A
Outer diameter: N/A
Width of circle: N/A
Thickness: N/A
Square plate: N/A
Width of Square arms: N/A
Thickness: N/A
Mounting to wall: Hanging, unfixed.
Detailing:
Evidence of use in field: Rotted at the bottom
Finish: unvarnished.
Condition: good condition, but feels light and fragile.
Other information: One of two original First World War battlefield crosses in the Memorial Chapel. There is also a second world war cross, but this looks commemorative in nature and doesn’t appear to have been used outside anywhere. The Memorial Chapel was added to the existing church in 1921 and was designed by Sir Gilles Gilbert Scott.
Underneath the cross a wooden plaque reads, “This cross was brought from Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium, where it marked the grave of Geoffrey Mark Penn 2nd Lieutenant Rifle Brigade who was killed fighting for his country February 11th 1915, aged 28 years.”
He is buried in Rifle House Cemetery in Ploegsteert Wood and was the son of William and Constance Penn, of 34, Wilton Crescent, Victoria, London.
The church opened up specially after I called them. You have permission obtained to photograph and use images by Andrew Holmes.
Capt. C.E. Tufnell
Location: St. Michael’s, Chester Square,
Town/village: Belgravia
County: London
Details on Cross:
Capt. C.E. Tufnell, 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards.
Killed in Action
15.9.16.
(G.R.U metal tag and regimental badge at top).
Text type: Main text hand-written. G.R.U stamped on metal strip.
Cross dimensions: Unobtainable.
Shaft Height: Unobtainable.
Beam width: Unobtainable.
Width of wood: Unobtainable.
Thickness: Unobtainable.
Circle plate: N/A
Outer diameter: N/A
Width of circle: N/A
Thickness: N/A
Square plate: N/A
Width of Square arms: N/A
Thickness: N/A
Mounting to wall: Hanging, unfixed.
Detailing: Inset carving to ends of beam and top of shaft
Evidence of use in field: Rotted at the bottom, markings just above ground level.
Finish: unvarnished.
Condition: good condition, but feels light and fragile.
Other information: One of two original First World War battlefield crosses in the Memorial Chapel. There is also a second world war cross, but this looks commemorative in nature and doesn’t appear to have been used outside anywhere. The Memorial Chapel was added to the existing church in 1921 and was designed by Sir Gilles Gilbert Scott.
He was killed in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette on 15th September 1916. He was originally buried in our on the outskirts of Ginchy. His remains were exhumed and he was reburied in Delville Wood Cemetery after the Armistice. The CWGC notes that his remains were identified by a Regimental Cross that had been placed where he was originally buried. It is not clear if it is this one or not.
The church opened up specially after I called them. Permission to use images
Survey and Photographs: Andrew Holmes.
