12464 Private James Beech, Scots Guards - St Michael's Churchyard, Lichfield

[BereniceUK]

Find a Grave has a photo of the family sarcophagus with his name on it, in St Michael's Churchyard, Lichfield. James Beech Jr. (1869-1917) - Find a Grave Memorial

CWGC says he's remembered on a screen wall in the same churchyard, no mention of a grave location. Private James Beech | War Casualty Details | CWGC

and The War Graves Photographic Project has a view of the churchyard with what might be the 'screenwall' on the left. Photograph of the final resting place of Beech, James - The War Graves Photographic Project (twgpp.org)

Does anyone know if the sarcophagus is still there, and is that where James Beech lies buried?

Below is part of the sarcophagus.

 

Edited 9 February , 2022 by BereniceUK

[PaulC78]

Looking at the grave registration documents on CWGC, it appears that all commemorations at St MIchael's Churchyard were moved to a screen wall. I'm not sure why that should have been the case for Beech when his headstone still appears to be in situ. It's a question you would have to ask the CWGC.

I looked up the other names at St Michael's, the original headstone for Samuel Victor Brown is also still there; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/213178137/samuel-victor-brown

There is also a Commission headstone for Alfred Ronald Wolfe, though his grave reference is "Screen Wall. Old part. Sec. B. Row J. Grave 10.", so does that mean he is also on the screen wall? https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/155232480/alfred-ronald-wolfe

[BereniceUK]

Thanks, Paul. This particular screen wall seems to be a bit confusing.

The War Graves Photographic Project says that the final resting place of Samuel Victor Brown is Bootle Cemetery, Merseyside, and that he's remembered on the screen wall at St Michael's, Lichfield. Photograph of the final resting place of Brown, Samuel Victor - The War Graves Photographic Project (twgpp.org) He died in Hull.

Alfred Ronald Wolfe. Photograph of the final resting place of Wolfe, Alfred Ronald - The War Graves Photographic Project (twgpp.org)

John Bear, also on the screen wall, has the same photo of his last resting place as James Beech does. Photograph of the final resting place of Bear, John - The War Graves Photographic Project (twgpp.org) A close-up of the screen wall, showing individual names, would have been a better image, imo, but how likely is it that the screen wall is anyone's final resting place?

[BereniceUK]

Samuel Victor Brown was interred at Lichfield.

"The funeral took place on Friday of 2nd Lieut. S. Brown, late Sergt. R.W.F., son of Mr. D. H. Brown, Trent Valley Station, who has been in France almost continually since 1914. His remains were sent from Hull near the quarters of the 3rd Lancs. Fusiliers, the regiment he was gazetted to when commanded by the Earl of Westmoreland. Three officers from his Corps attended the funeral by request, whilst the band fron the Lichfield Garrison, who also supplied the gun carriage, bearers, Cadet firing party, etc. was in attendance."

Lichfield Mercury, Friday 22.11.1918

 

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Edited 10 February , 2022 by BereniceUK

[PaulC78]

I missed it before, but the Brown photo on Find-a-Grave has a caption saying it's a family memorial at Bootle.

59 GOLDSMITH, BROWN, DAVIES. (C.1.Row.3.)

Large upright white stone robed female figure on a tiered base. Erected by Mary E. GOLDSMITH. / In loving memory of / her daughter / Lily Christian, / dearly loved wife of / S. V. BROWN, / who died 15^th February 1917, aged 22 years. / Also the above Samuel Victor, / 2^nd Lieut: 3^rd Lancashire Fusiliers, / who died at Hull 11^th November 1918, / aged 30 years. / Interred at Lichfield. / "Re-united." / Also Mary Elizabeth GOLDSMITH, / died 19^th May 1951, aged 79 years. / Resting where no shadows fall. // Also John, brother, / and beloved son of / E. E. & M. E. GOLDSMITH, / who died 12^th November 1899 / aged 11 months. / "Safe in the arms of Jesus." // Also granddaughter of / M. E. GOLDSMITH, / Gladys, / beloved wife of Sydney DAVIES, / died 20^th Jan. 1940, aged 20 years. / "At rest." / Also Clara Theresa, / dear wife of Frank DAVIES, / elder daughter of M. E. GOLDSMITH, / died 28^th March 1947, aged 55 years. / "Peace, perfect peace."

Edited 11 February , 2022 by PaulC78

[BereniceUK]

Thanks Paul. It's only when you can read the inscription on the Goldsmith gravestone that you know that Brown isn't buried there. The War Graves Photographic Project calling it a "family memorial" is meaningless because it doesn't say that it's the Goldsmith family memorial, and so it could be assumed that it's the Brown family memorial.