There are a number of things that we don’t fully understand, and are keen to get any information, memories or clues to help us develop our knowledge, records and this site. If you have any information or ideas about any of the conundrums on this page, we would love to hear from you via our Contact page.
Unmarked Iron Memorial
At the rear of the chapelyard, near the memorials of Albert J. Scammell (1898-1962) and Albert Cheater (died 1969) with Ada Cheater (died 1987), is this unusual metal object.
We believe it to be made of iron (possible from Stuckton Ironworks?) and that the letters on top look like ‘RIP’.
It is however otherwise unmarked, and we can find no records of anything related to it.
Our belief is this is a memorial for a grave that could have been painted rather than physically inscribed, and that over the years the markings have disappeared.
Do you have any knowledge of this, or memories of it looking any different? Have you seen anything similar elsewhere?
Unmarked Vase Bases
At the front of the chapel, on the left hand side as you go through the gate, we have unearthed two stone vase bases, which are unmarked.
One is slightly larger than the other, and they are laid in parallel with each other but are not on concrete footings.
These are similar to other memorials and we would have normally expected them to be inscribed, but no such markings exist.
We believe the mark two graves from a family, as they match and are adjacent.
The Hampshire Genealogical Society 2009 survey does list them as being found when it was undertaken, but were unmarked at this time too.
Do you have any knowledge of who they may be for?
SOLVED – Missing Jubilee Bench
Outside the front of the church there was a bench installed to celebrate the Queens Jubilee. In the adjacent picture you can see Hazel Cheater sitting on the bench in a quiet moment of reflection, looking at the chapel.
We have the plaque which was on the bench, and it reads:
“From the people of Stuckton to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee and in fondest memory of Her Majesty the Queen Mother”
Does anyone know what happened to the bench, and why it disappeared?
We understand the bench decayed and was lost, and the wider area has overgrown significantly. We understand the Parish Council are aiming to sort the growth out in this area, including replacing the bench. So hopefully this can be fully reinstated!
SOLVED – Missing Tablet
The Hampshire Genealogical Society lists two tablets inside the chapel as part of their 2009 survey. One is that of Henry Downer (pictured to the right) and a second for Rev. Grant. It is recorded as reading:
“Sacred to the memory of Rev. Thomas Grant, born at Bath February 13 1790 for more than 40 years a teacher and preacher of the Gospel in the neighbourhood and for 22 years the ordained Paster of the church now assembling in the adjoining Chapel, and honoured of God in the conversion and unification of many souls. He died in peace August 19 1867”
Interestingly this is exactly the same text as on his memorial vault outside the church – but is specifically listed as a second tablet inside the chapel. Do you have any memories of such a tablet this inside the building or elsewhere?
We have learned that rather than being a stone tablet, this was a framed portrait with the words above adjacent to it within the frame. This was at the back of the church and removed when the church was prepared for sale. It resides with the EFCC.
Thank you for your interest, and we will keep this page updated as an information comes to light. If you do have any information or ideas about any of the conundrums, we would love to hear from you via our Contact page.