Unknown British Soldier
Christ Church Graveyard,
Rossett,
Nr. Wrexham
Wrexham County borough (Clwyd)
LL12 0GD
Details on cross: This is a replica cross made in 1999 unfortunately we could not find out any more about it. There is only the cross member remaining of the original cross and this is in very poor condition
Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved):On the replica cross is a brass plate bearing the words “In memory of the unknown soldier”
Other information
Mounting to wall: The replica cross is attached to a metal support set in a stone block. The remainder of the original cross sits on a stone slab below in a glass/wooden case which is also badly deteriorated.
Detailing: N/A
Evidence of use in field (earth marking, cracking, staining, shrinkage): N/A
Surface insertion depth (into ground if apparent): N/A
Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): N/A
Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): The cross member is cracked and split with no colouring it is typical of the crosses to an unknown soldier . The replica cross is painted black which is peeling in places, with a grooved line all around.
Other information, notes and observations:
The cross stands near the front of the church and is surrounded on three sides by privet hedges neatly trimmed. We were unable to find out more about who made the cross as the Vicar was unaware of same and its origins he had only been there 5 years. There is a large stone cross at the front of the church remembering those from the parish who died in the first and second world wars. The most amazing feature in this church were the two beautiful stained glass worth a visit just to see these. One depicts a soldier receiving medical treatment from a member of the R.A.M.C., The other of a Tommy in action advancing through the enemy trenches. On the wall to the left of the window is a sheet of paper beautifully written describing the panels the detail in them is incredible and very moving. There is also an article placed on a stand in front of this window, about a William Hughes from the parish who was killed on 3rd march 1916 in France.
The person who wrote it states that he was his great uncle and that he believed Williams mother was responsible for the grave of the cross of the unknown warrior at the front of the churchyard, although this is not so evident now.
Survey and photographs courtesy of Margaret Draycott, Bev Goodwin
Date of survey: 31.08.2016
Very interesting. My Father was in Wales in 1944 training for Normandy invasion. I plan to visit Swansea in June 2017 and see the areas where he was. Also will see an old farmhouse where the Thomas family lived and became friends with my Father. I have been in contact with the Granddaughter of the Thomas family.
When we called to Rossett the stone at the base of the cross had writing on that was illegible but receiving from Gethin Matthews a historian from Swansea a reference to that slab we returned with a stiff brush and were able to make out the dedication which proved interesting. It reads “This cross brought from the La Bassee Bethune sector on the Western front having been replaced by a headstone was presented by Capt. H. Smith DSO sec of the British Legion Liverpool to the Rossett Branch of the Legion and consecrated by his grave the Lord Archbishop of Wales on sun June 21 – 1931. Lest we Forget
We have done what we can to stabalise the timber of the cross member. It is now on display inside the church to the left (west) of the memorial window. Otherwise, the memorial “to an unknown soldier” remains in its original place as described above.
The WW1 cross portion has now been removed from the site in the churchyard. The timber has been stabalised as far as possible. The cross portion is now on display inside the church to avoid any further deterioration as far as possible. It can be seen on the wall to the left (west) of the memorial window shown in the photograpf above.
I have just come across your responses John from May 2019,
That’s marvellous news and thank you so much for doing that.
When we are allowed to travel again we will call to the church and photograph it in position in the church and post the photo to the site.
Once again thank you