Unknown British Soldier

Location:
St Barnabas Church
Bromborough
Wirral
Cheshire
CH62 7AA

Details on cross:

GRU metal strip at top of cross, Metal strip on cross member

Unknown British Soldier

Text type: GRU tags

Cross dimensions (millimetres please) Approximate measurements
Shaft Height: 1143mm
Cross beam width: 610mm
Width of wood: 50mm
Thickness or depth: 20mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Screwed to the wall, 3 nails in cross member, recessed in main stem
Detailing: Dark stained some deterioration of wood piece chipped off near bottom, grain and knots visible in wood. There is a small brass plate below the cross member with the words.
Evidence of use in field (earth marking, cracking, staining, shrinkage): evidence of use in the field up to 381mm
Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): no varnish or paint etc.,
Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): Good

1914-1918 This cross temporarily marked the grave of an Unknown British Soldier on the Western Front and is entrusted to your care by the Imperial War Graves Commission

There is a small hook on the stem for hanging a poppy wreath on.

Other information, notes and observations:

The cross is set on the wall near to the pulpit in the church. There is a large cross in the church grounds commemorated to those who lost their lives in the first world war. The church is very much part of the community, there is a lovely cafe in the community hall next door run by the ladies from the church made me think of “Home Fires”. A lovely lady called Jenny Hope took us round the church, this is the 3rd church on the site built 1864 designed by Charles Gilbert Scott.

Survey and photographs Margaret Draycott and Bev Goodwin.
Date of survey: 3rd August 2016