Ss. Simon & Jude, Cockshutt
From time immemorial, our churchyards have been, and still are, places of peace and tranquillity. If ever you have the time, it’s always worth taking a stroll among the graves – you never know what might make you stop for a moment and give you pause for thought.
One of the enduring mysteries here in our churchyard is a quite beautiful headstone. At its head it has a well-engraved floral arrangement and has clearly withstood the ravages of time. But whose grave is it?
Its inscription is as follows:
In Loving Memory
Of
DEAR HARRY,
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
MAY 22ND 1913.
I HAVE LOVED THEE WITH AN
EVERLASTING LOVE.
THERE SHALL BE NO MORE WEEPING
FOR THE LORD SHALL WIPE AWAY
ALL TEARS FROM THEIR EYES.
The first part of the verse is taken from Jeremiah 31: 3 and the second half from Revelation 21: 4.
The anniversary of Harry’s death is 110 years ago today. With the Parish Burial Records for this era now in the safe-keeping of Shropshire Archives, it isn’t an easy task establishing just who Harry was, so for now, this tantalizing mystery remains unsolved!
VJC
For further information about our churchyards, please follow this link.