Robert Percy Pulleine

Location:  Parish Church of St Hilda, Easby, Near Richmond, North Yorkshire  DL10 7EU

Details on cross :

GRU

On cross beam – 

2 LT.  R. P. PULLEINE

R.F.A.

4-9-16

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): Pressed metal plaques, named to wood.  Each line of text on cross beam on separate plaque.

 Cross dimensions (millimetres please) – unknown

Other information

Mounting to wall:  Brass brackets on the cross piece – one on each side of the upright

Evidence of use in field (earth marking, cracking, staining, shrinkage):  different colour and more wear at base

Surface insertion depth (into ground if apparent):  unknown

Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc):  weather beaten rough wood, unfinished

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):  Seems good condition, well preserved

Notes and observations:

Silver commemorative plaque next to the cross – under the relief profile of Lt Pulleine is an inscription  –

ONLY SON OF CAPT AND MRS H. P. PULLEINE

OF SANDFORD HOUSE – GAVE HIS LIFE

ON SEPT 4th 1916 IN THE GREAT WAR

AGED 19 YEARS

Note: The relief is by Sculptor Percy Metcalfe CVO RDI. Metcalfe is most famous for his coin designs including designing the coinage of the first Irish Free State in 1928. He also redesigned the George Cross in 1940, Car mascots and worked for Ashstead Pottery. Metcalfe’s design based on the Trinity College harp was adopted as the basis for the Great Seal of the Irish Free State in 1923 and has remained the model for all official representations of the harp emblem on seals of state, Irish coinage and the coat of arms. His work is stunning. I assume there is a link within the Pulleine family to Metcalfe although I have no proof of this at present. More info on Metcalfe here and here.

(photograph: Hotchkiss Collection)

Nick

The building is often open during the day.

The cross is located in the outside wall of the Lady Chapel – right aisle when facing the altar.  Wall mounted with silver commemorative plaque  to Lt Pulleine next to it.  On opposite wall is the WW1 memorial also including Lt Pulleine’s name.

This link is about the soldier commemorated –  2nd Lt Robert Percy Pulleine.

It gives some biographical information and location of grave.

Survey and photographs courtesy of Helen Joiner

Date of Survey 20/9/2017