John Gilbert Overman

Location: St Peter’s church
Town/village: Weasenham St Peter
County: Norfolk
Postcode: PE30 4AF

Details on cross:

At head of cross
‘GRU’

On plate
2nd Lieut A/Captain
John Gilbert Overman 9th Batt KOYLI
killed in action Sep 9th 1918
Aged 21 years’

‘GRU-YP 46/19916’ below casualty detail plate on cross upright

Text type: GRU tags

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 1372
Cross beam width: not recorded
Width of wood: not recorded
Thickness or depth: not recorded

Circle plate (if celtic type)
Outer diameter: not recorded
Width of circle: not recorded
Thickness: not recorded

Other information
Mounting to wall: Screwed to wall; base of cross on the floor
Detailing:
Evidence of use in field: Blackened marking approx 8 inches high to foot of cross
Surface insertion depth: Approx 8 inches
Finish: unfinished, Appears to be close grained hard wood.
Condition: Overall good condition
Other information, notes and observations: large bronze memorial plaque mounted above the cross reads: ‘To the glory of God and in thankful memory of 2 Lieut John Gilbert Overman killed in action in France whilst leading his company, Sept 9 1918, this chapel and window were erected’ Left of altar in South Aisle. (AW)

He is buried at Gouzeaucourt Military Cemetery near Peronne. Son of Gilbert Wellesley Overman and Mary Overman, of The Manor House, Weasenham, St. Peter, King’s Lynn. He was 19 years old when he died. (NS)

His CWGC headstone is marked ‘Greater love hath no man than this’

Survey and photographs courtesy Andrew White
Date of survey: 11 August 2016