Unknown British Soldier
Location:
St Johns
Birkdale,
Southport
Merseyside
PR8 4JP
Details on cross:
GRU
Unknown British Soldier
Text type (e.g. hand-written, GRU tags, carved): 2 tags – ‘GRU’ at the top of the cross and ‘Unidentified British soldier’ on the crossbeam.
Cross dimensions (millimetres please)
Shaft Height: 1093
Cross beam width: 406
Width of wood: 69
Thickness or depth: 25
Other information
Mounting to wall: The cross is attached to the wall by screws.
Detailing: There are 4 small nails also on the cross beam as if another tag has fallen off perhaps. There is also a hook screwed into the shaft just under the cross beam.
Evidence of use in field (earth marking, cracking, staining, shrinkage):
Surface insertion depth (into ground if apparent): It looks to have been inserted approx 279mm into the ground
Finish (varnish, paint, oiled, unfinished etc): rough unfinished wood
Condition (cracked, paint peeling, woodwork, damage etc): There is some cracking near the bottom of the cross, but otherwise it is in good condition.
Notes and observations:
Location: The cross is located at the back of the church (on the left hand side as you go in). There is also a large memorial plaque at the back of the church to commemorate the fallen. The cross is situated just under this. The cross is dedicated to an Unknown British Soldier.
Survey and photographs courtesy of Beverley Goodwin and Margaret Draycott
Date of survey: 18th September 2016
