SR readers add more names

Consulting my colleagues, who know Bexhill cemetery well and lead guided walks around it, I can confirm that Alfred John Hill, CME of the Great Eastern Railway, is laid to rest there along with his wife, although it had not come to anyone’s attention as to who he was. We have examined a report on his death in the Bexhill Observer for 1927, which give a brief biography and details of the funeral. It seems to have been well attended by former GER and LNER officers. Among the wreaths was one from Herbert Nigel Gresley. Hill was born in Peterborough in 1862, and as your biograph states, he died on Monday March 14, and the funeral was held three days later. A keen golfer, he was preparing for a game of billiards at the New Club, just at the end of the row of seaside houses where he lived (and which are still standing) when he suffered heart failure. His legacies included the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, among others. The grave seems to be in good order, proving that the £30 paid for it in 1929 [nearly £1,700 in today’s money] was well spent. News of Harry Wainwright being buried in Bexhill was

a bit of a surprise as the museum has done a lot of work and research on graves in the cemetery. Unfortunately, the current cemetery officer has confirmed that Wainwright is not buried there. It seems that he did die in Bexhill on September 19 1925 above a corner shop in the town centre (Flat 2, Seaford Mansions, Sea Road, Bexhill). It is said he liked the town as it was close to his mother (presumably she died before him) and sister, who lived in St Leonards-on-Sea, just along the coast to the east. We suspect he was on holiday, as it is unlikely to have been his main residence. The reports advise that it was a sudden death (heart attack?) and the funeral and interment took place at the Church-in-theWood, Hollington, St Leonards-on-Sea, on Friday September 25. According to the London Gazette, he died intestate, and the administrator of his estate was Albert Wainwright of 9 Chisholm Road, Croydon. Bexhill, therefore, has a claim to fame as being the place where two CMEs died. LNER CME is definitely not buried at either Hyde Part or Rose Hill Cemetery. Matthew Stirling’s resting place is proving elusive. What we do know is that he died in the West Sculcoates, in Hull. All internet sources seem to agree that he died on October 5 1931. I believe that Matthew Stirling may well have been buried at Kingston upon Hull, where he died. My records do not mention a place of burial, nor did my internet research reveal a location. Three of his family members buried in Hyde Park Cemetery are Patrick (senior) and two of his sons, Patrick and Robert.