John H. Cash, Frederick J. Lloyd, Charles Herbert Williams and Robert Cash

Location: St. John the Evangelist, Great Sutton, Wirral, Cheshire, CH66 4RE

We arranged to meet Anthony the Reverend at the Church. He showed us the crosses and was enthusiastic about the project. He has an interest in History (thats probably an understatement ). He has since put a link to the website on the churches website. The 4 crosses are on the left hand side as you enter the church displayed on the wall one on each side of a lovely stained glass window and two underneath, with a poppy on each cross member, there is also a framed detailed sheet next to each cross giving the details of each individual. Between the crosses is a wooden carved roll of honour to the men of the parish who served or died in the first world war. There is also some other very interesting stained glass windows in the church. The Church was built in 1878 and consecrated in 1879. project lead Nick thought their might be a relationship between the Cash men and created a family tree to establish that they were brothers, he also suspects that Fred Lloyd is related to them through their fathers first marriage but further work is required. He also wondered whether there had been a family pilgrimage to bring the crosses back. Looking at them I would say that the Crosses of the cash brothers look in better condition than the others for whatever reason.

Since this survey Anthony has met a lady at the church who was over from Canada is related to Lloyd and is doing the family tree and was going to let him have more information when she returned.

There is a commemorative plaque in the church to Hugh Peter Egerton Mesnard Melly (related to George Melly the Liverpool Jazz and Blues singer) who was killed on the first day of the somme aged 19 and is buried in Sucrerie Military Cemetery Colincamps. He was the son of Hon. Col. Hugh Mesnard Melly V.D.

Addenda: It would also appear that other brothers in the Cash family also served, James Ellis Cash served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers survived and married and had a family including two boys called John and Robert. – Nick.


Cross 1

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): There are 5 GRU tags

GRU

IV-D-18

GNR CASH. J.
202 S-B R-F-A.
6.5.17

(actual date of death is 16.5.17)

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height:1120mm
Cross beam width:410mm
Width of wood:75mm
Thickness or depth:25mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Hanging on hooks on wall
Detailing: None
Evidence of use in field (earth marking, cracking, staining, shrinkage): Cross goes to a point but is straightened off at the end.
Surface insertion depth (into ground if apparent): No obvious signs of having been in ground
Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Dark stained
Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): Cross is in good condition and looks to have been treated and preserved

Notes and observations:
Gunner John H. Cash 92294 of Royal Garrison Artillery although it states RFA on GRU tag. He was listed on grave registration documents as CASK D.O.D. 6.5.17. He is buried in the British and Commonwealth War cemetery at Douchy-les-Ayette, Pas de Calais.


Cross 2

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): 4 metal GRU tags.

1st tag at top of shaft

GRU

43806 PTE F J LLOYD
11th ESSEX REGT
24th APRIL 1918

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 860mm
Cross beam width 390mm
Width of wood:65mm
Thickness or depth:25mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Hanging on hooks on wall
Detailing: None
Evidence of use in field (earth marking, cracking, staining, shrinkage): Cross has been straightened at the end, Groove in wood near top of shaft.
Surface insertion depth (into ground if apparent): Slightly lighter at bottom of shaft, wood is rough at end possibly where it has been in the ground up to 120mm
Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Dark stained
Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): Cross is in reasonable condition some splitting on cross member

Notes and observations.
Frederick J. Lloyd is buried in Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, Ypres grave II. J. 14. At present we have no further information on PTE Lloyd, it was even difficult to establish his first name.


Cross 3

There are 6 metal tags

At top of shaft

GRU

There is a small metal tag just above the cross member it has two nails in it.

illegible.

37337 PTE E. H. WILLIAMS.
11th LANCS FUS.
KILLED IN ACTION.
12th APRIL 1918

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved) GRU metal tags.

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 860mm
Cross beam width: 380mm
Width of wood: 70mm
Thickness or depth 25mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Hanging on hooks on wall
Detailing:
Evidence of use in field (earth marking, cracking, staining, shrinkage): End of main shaft is chipped, broken and splintered, probably where inserted in the ground
Surface insertion depth (into ground if apparent): unable to ascertain depth
Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Dark Stained, with shadings perhaps water marks
Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc) The cross is cracked and splitting in a number of places, reasonable condition.

Notes and observations:
On cross member as E.H. Williams, on grave registration document as B.H. Williams but is actually Charles Herbert Williams who died of wounds (Gas) on 12th April 1918 age 25. He was the son of the late Richard and Fanny Williams of Whetstone Hey Farm, Great Sutton. The Husband of Lillie Williams of 16 Station Road Hooton, nr. Birkenhead. He is buried in Aire Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais grave IV F 28. Inscription of headstone “Thy will be done”


Cross 4

Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): 4 Metal GRU tags on cross.

At top of shaft

GRU

48699 PTE R. CASH
6-R. INNIS. FUS.
11.11.1918

Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height 1120mm

Cross beam width:410mm

Width of wood: 70mm

Thickness or depth: 25mm

Other information
Mounting to wall: Hanging on hooks on wall

Detailing: This cross is long and goes to a sharp point the end of the shaft.

Evidence of use in field (earth marking, cracking, staining, shrinkage): There is lighter shading of the wood at the end of the shaft, looks like some ingrained soil. Up to 20mm

Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): Dark stained in good condition.

Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc):

Notes and observations:
Pte Robert Cash is the brother of Gunner John H. Cash cross no.1. They are the sons of Edward James and `Sarah Cash of Green Lane Great Sutton. He died on the last day of the war, aged 23 and is buried in Busigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France Nord Grave ref. II B 32 Inscription on headstone “Rest in Peace”.

Robert died on Armistice day.

Survey and photographs courtesy of Margaret Draycott and Beverley Goodwin
Special thanks to Rev Anthony
Date of survey: 11.10.2016