Camberwell Cemeteries
Encyclopedia
The two Camberwell cemeteries
are within close proximity to one another in Honor Oak
, South London
, England
. Both have noteworthy burials and architecture. and they are an important source of socioeconomic
data in recording the historical growth and changing demography
in the community for this part of Southwark
over the past 160 years.
The old cemetery
, located on Forest Hill
Road, covers approximately 30 acre (0.1214058 km²). It is part of the second wave of mid 19th century cemeteries that were established in London to solve the problem of overcrowding in church yards
. The first wave of cemeteries are commonly known as the Magnificent Seven
.
The site was purchased in 1855 by the Camberwell Cemetery Board (formed 1850) from the Trustees of Sir Walter St John's Charity
at Battersea
for £9,927.00. It was originally meadow land, which was then designated as a Burial Ground of St Giles
, Camberwell
.
The first interment took place on the 3rd July 1856, over 30,000 burials took place in the subsequent 30 years. In 1874 the cemetery was expanded by a further seven acres with the inclusion of land bought from the British Land Company for £4,550.00. By 1984, 300,000 interments had been carried out at the cemetery.
The Gothic Revival
lodge and chapel
were designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott's architectural firm. When burials were transferred to the New Cemetery the chapel fell into disrepair and was eventually demolished. Later the architectural importance of the lodge was recognised and when it was destroyed by fire in the 1970s it was restored rather than being torn down. The lodge was used in the 1970 film adaptation of Joe Orton's
play Entertaining Mr Sloane
.
On the 1st and the 21st July 1944 V1 flying bombs landed in the cemetery. The blasts caused damage to surrounding properties, but no casualties.
On the 3rd November 2011 Azezur Khan (a.k.a. Ronnie), was shot dead following a funeral in the cemetery. Police believe that Mr Khan was an innocent bystander.
The cemetery is located on Brenchley Gardens about half a mile from the old cemetery. In the early 20th Century it was recognised that the original cemetery would be at capacity in the near future. The land for the new cemetery was purchased in three lots in 1901:
Following its acquisition much of the 68 acre (0.27518648 km²) of land was rented out for other uses, including a golf club and a fireworks
factory run by Joseph Wells
. Although much of the land was later used for internments there are large portions that remain unused for burials. Some of this land is now a recreation ground and there now is strong local opposition to this land being used for its original purpose of burials.
In 1926 the first part of the land was laid out as a cemetery and was consecrated by the Right Reverend William Woodcock Hough
, Bishop
of Woolwich
. The first internment took place on the 23rd May 1927. A smaller section was set aside for use of Free Churches.
The lodge, waiting room and mortuary chapels were designed by Sir Aston Webb
and his son, Maurice. Maurice Webb was the architect for the crematorium, built in 1939 to meet a growing demand for cremations. It is situated in the cemetery grounds, ten acres of which were landscaped as memorial gardens. The crematorium is also a listed building and is notable for its beautiful stained glass
window. By 1984 over 91,000 cremations had been conducted.
The cemetery has recently been used as a filming location for London Boulevard
and Hereafter
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
are within close proximity to one another in Honor Oak
Honor Oak
Honor Oak is an inner suburban area principally of the London Borough of Lewisham, with part in The London Borough of Southwark. The name originates from Oak of Honor Hill, or One Tree Hill. The legend is that on 1 May 1602, Elizabeth I picnicked with Sir Richard Bulkeley of Beaumaris in the...
, South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Both have noteworthy burials and architecture. and they are an important source of socioeconomic
Socioeconomics
Socioeconomics or socio-economics or social economics is an umbrella term with different usages. 'Social economics' may refer broadly to the "use of economics in the study of society." More narrowly, contemporary practice considers behavioral interactions of individuals and groups through social...
data in recording the historical growth and changing demography
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
in the community for this part of Southwark
London Borough of Southwark
The London Borough of Southwark is a London borough in south east London, England. It is directly south of the River Thames and the City of London, and forms part of Inner London.-History:...
over the past 160 years.
Camberwell Old Cemetery
51.4508°N 0.0585°WThe old cemetery
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
, located on Forest Hill
Forest Hill, London
Forest Hill is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It situated between Dulwich and Sydenham. The area has enjoyed extensive investment since plans to extend the East London Line to Forest Hill were unveiled in 2004....
Road, covers approximately 30 acre (0.1214058 km²). It is part of the second wave of mid 19th century cemeteries that were established in London to solve the problem of overcrowding in church yards
Churchyard
A churchyard is a patch of land adjoining or surrounding a church which is usually owned by the relevant church or local parish itself. In the Scots language or Northern English language this can also be known as a kirkyard or kirkyaird....
. The first wave of cemeteries are commonly known as the Magnificent Seven
Magnificent Seven, London
The "Magnificent Seven" is an informal term applied to seven large cemeteries in London. They were established in the 19th century to alleviate overcrowding in existing parish burial grounds.-Background:...
.
The site was purchased in 1855 by the Camberwell Cemetery Board (formed 1850) from the Trustees of Sir Walter St John's Charity
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
at Battersea
Battersea
Battersea is an area of the London Borough of Wandsworth, England. It is an inner-city district of South London, situated on the south side of the River Thames, 2.9 miles south-west of Charing Cross. Battersea spans from Fairfield in the west to Queenstown in the east...
for £9,927.00. It was originally meadow land, which was then designated as a Burial Ground of St Giles
St Giles' Church, Camberwell
St Giles' Church, Camberwell, is the parish church of Camberwell, a district of London which forms part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is part of Camberwell Deanery within the Anglican Diocese of Southwark in the Church of England. The church is dedicated to Saint Giles, the patron saint of...
, Camberwell
Camberwell
Camberwell is a district of south London, England, and forms part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is a built-up inner city district located southeast of Charing Cross. To the west it has a boundary with the London Borough of Lambeth.-Toponymy:...
.
The first interment took place on the 3rd July 1856, over 30,000 burials took place in the subsequent 30 years. In 1874 the cemetery was expanded by a further seven acres with the inclusion of land bought from the British Land Company for £4,550.00. By 1984, 300,000 interments had been carried out at the cemetery.
The Gothic Revival
Gothic Revival architecture
The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement that began in the 1740s in England...
lodge and chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
were designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott's architectural firm. When burials were transferred to the New Cemetery the chapel fell into disrepair and was eventually demolished. Later the architectural importance of the lodge was recognised and when it was destroyed by fire in the 1970s it was restored rather than being torn down. The lodge was used in the 1970 film adaptation of Joe Orton's
Joe Orton
John Kingsley Orton was an English playwright.In a short but prolific career lasting from 1964 until his death, he shocked, outraged and amused audiences with his scandalous black comedies...
play Entertaining Mr Sloane
Entertaining Mr Sloane (film)
Entertaining Mr Sloane is a 1970 black comedy film directed by Douglas Hickox. The screenplay by Clive Exton is based on the 1964 play of the same title by Joe Orton...
.
On the 1st and the 21st July 1944 V1 flying bombs landed in the cemetery. The blasts caused damage to surrounding properties, but no casualties.
On the 3rd November 2011 Azezur Khan (a.k.a. Ronnie), was shot dead following a funeral in the cemetery. Police believe that Mr Khan was an innocent bystander.
Notable graves in the Old Cemetery
- Albert Edward McKenzieAlbert Edward McKenzieAlbert Edward McKenzie VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
VCVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... - William StanlakeWilliam StanlakeWilliam Stanlake VC DCM was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
VCVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... - Charles Waters, founder of the International Bible Reading Association
- James John Berkeley, chief engineer of the Great Indian Peninsular RailwayGreat Indian Peninsular RailwayThe Great Indian Peninsula Railway was a predecessor of the Indian Central Railway, whose headquarters was at the Boree Bunder in Bombay . The Great Indian Peninsula Railway was incorporated on August 1, 1849 by an act of the British Parliament. It had a share capital of 50,000 pounds...
Camberwell New Cemetery
51.4542°N 0.0477°WThe cemetery is located on Brenchley Gardens about half a mile from the old cemetery. In the early 20th Century it was recognised that the original cemetery would be at capacity in the near future. The land for the new cemetery was purchased in three lots in 1901:
- The central portion of 24 acre (0.09712464 km²) was bought from Alfred Stevens, farmer and landowner of Peckham RyePeckham RyeFor the rail station of the same name see Peckham Rye Railway StationPeckham Rye is an open space and road in the London Borough of Southwark in London, England....
for £11,305 - The western portion, 32 acre (0.12949952 km²), next to One Tree HillHonor OakHonor Oak is an inner suburban area principally of the London Borough of Lewisham, with part in The London Borough of Southwark. The name originates from Oak of Honor Hill, or One Tree Hill. The legend is that on 1 May 1602, Elizabeth I picnicked with Sir Richard Bulkeley of Beaumaris in the...
was bought later in 1901 also from Alfred Stevens for £19,469 - A final 12 acre (0.04856232 km²), adjoining the BrockleyBrockleyBrockley is a district of south London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross.It is covered by the London postcode districts SE4 and SE14.-History:...
footpath were bought from the Governors of Christ's HospitalChrist's HospitalChrist's Hospital is an English coeducational independent day and boarding school with Royal Charter located in the Sussex countryside just south of Horsham in Horsham District, West Sussex, England...
for £6,325
Following its acquisition much of the 68 acre (0.27518648 km²) of land was rented out for other uses, including a golf club and a fireworks
Fireworks
Fireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
factory run by Joseph Wells
Joseph Wells Fireworks
Joseph Wells & Sons Fireworks is a fireworks manufacturing company founded in 1837.- History :The company was founded by Joseph Wells, who was originally an explosives lighterman on the River Thames in London, England...
. Although much of the land was later used for internments there are large portions that remain unused for burials. Some of this land is now a recreation ground and there now is strong local opposition to this land being used for its original purpose of burials.
In 1926 the first part of the land was laid out as a cemetery and was consecrated by the Right Reverend William Woodcock Hough
William Woodcock Hough
The Rt Rev William Woodcock Hough was an Anglican Bishop, the second Bishop of Woolwich.William Woodock Hough was born into a medical family, son of the eminent surgeon James Hough, FRCS, JP. He was educated at The Perse School and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and began his working life as a...
, Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
. The first internment took place on the 23rd May 1927. A smaller section was set aside for use of Free Churches.
The lodge, waiting room and mortuary chapels were designed by Sir Aston Webb
Aston Webb
Sir Aston Webb, RA, FRIBA was an English architect, active in the late 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century...
and his son, Maurice. Maurice Webb was the architect for the crematorium, built in 1939 to meet a growing demand for cremations. It is situated in the cemetery grounds, ten acres of which were landscaped as memorial gardens. The crematorium is also a listed building and is notable for its beautiful stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
window. By 1984 over 91,000 cremations had been conducted.
The cemetery has recently been used as a filming location for London Boulevard
London Boulevard
London Boulevard is a 2010 British film noir released in the United Kingdom on 26 November 2010. It is based on a novel by Ken Bruen with screenplay and direction by William Monahan, marking his directorial debut...
and Hereafter
Hereafter (film)
Hereafter is a 2010 American drama film directed by Clint Eastwood, from a screenplay by Peter Morgan and produced by Steven Spielberg. The film tells three parallel stories about three people affected by death in similar ways - all three have issues of communicating with the dead; Matt Damon plays...
Notable graves in the New Cemetery
- Freddie MillsFreddie MillsFreddie Mills, was an English boxer, who was the world light heavyweight boxing champion from 1948 to 1950. He was born in Poole, England.- Early life :...
world light heavyweight boxingBoxingBoxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
champion from 1948 to 1950 - George CornellGeorge CornellGeorge Cornell was an English criminal and member of the Richardson Gang, who were scrap metal dealers and criminals.He was shot and killed by Ronnie Kray at the Blind Beggar public house in Whitechapel...
East end gangster famously shot by the Kray twinsKray twinsReginald "Reggie" Kray and his twin brother Ronald "Ronnie" Kray were the foremost perpetrators of organised crime in London's East End during the 1950s and 1960s...
in 1966 at The Blind Beggar public housePublic houseA public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller... - William Pullum world weight-lifting champion