Unknown British Soldier

Location:
All Saints Church
Raby Road
Thornton Hough,
Wirral
Cheshire
CH63 1JP

Details on cross

There is a metal tag on the cross member

Unknown British Soldier

Text type: GRU tags.

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 974mm
Cross beam width: 381mm
Width of wood: 50mm
Thickness or depth: 12mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: The cross is attached to a wooden block which is screwed to the wall the cross leans forward
Detailing: The cross is of the same type as the other unknown crosses, dark stained, in good condition looks as though some preservation work may have been done. The main shaft is pointed at the end. Below the cross member is a large bunch of artificial poppies.
Evidence of use in field (earth marking, cracking, staining, shrinkage):
Surface insertion depth (into ground if apparent): No obvious evidence of having been in the ground
Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Dark stained
Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): Good condition

Notes and observations:
The cross is set up high on the wall on the left hand side as you enter the church above some pews not currently used. The standard of the Thornton Hough and District branch of the Royal British Legion is draped above the cross. It has been in the church since November 1962. The standard was carried for nearly thirty years at many parades of ex servicemen

This is a beautiful old church built in 1867, in a delightful village on the wirral that is well worth a visit. The church is open until 4pm each day and is obviously well supported by the community.

It is part of the Thornton Manor/Leverhulme estate (he of Port Sunlight fame).

There is an inscribed wooden “Roll of Honour” to those who died 1914-1919 with the heading “Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friends”

There is also a beautiful stained glass window with the inscription:- “To the Glory of God and in grateful memory of the men of Thornton Hough Church and Parish who died for their country in the Great War”. In the guide to the church it states that the cross temporarily marked the grave of an unknown British Soldier on the Western Front during the 1914-1918 war. It has been entrusted to the care of this church by the I.W.G commission.

I’d like to thank the Rev. Daniel Flood for his interest and help.

Survey and photographs courtesy of Margaret Draycott and Beverley Goodwin
Date of survey: 7th September 2016