The purpose of this site
I am fascinated by military history, especially the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars era (1792-1815) and live very near Kensal Green Cemetery. This was the first public cemetery established in London when the law was changed to permit burials in places other than church yards. It was opened in 1833 and became very fashionable when plots were reserved for members of the royal family.
Kensal Green (formally known as The General Cemetery of All Souls, Kensal Green) has been managed and run by the same company throughout, unlike the others started in the same period (often known as the Magnificent Seven).
Civilian memorials and those in other locations may also be included here, but the priority is Napoleonic related memorials in Kensal Green Cemetery.
My intention for this site is to record my discoveries. I have not attempted to write at length about people but to give a summary and some references.
This is a purely personal project. I have no affiliation with the cemetery management. I have recently joined the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery but they have nothing to do with this.
Websites (open in new window):
Monument to Colonel Gideon Gorrequer
Organisation of this site
This is very much a work in progress but, for now, the site has three index pages:
- Military - Napoleonic Wars
- Military - Other
- Civilian
Use the top menu to select one.
Pictures
Unless otherwise stated all the pictures here were taken by me.
Click on the small pictures to see it enlarged in a window. Sometimes there are more pictures than are displayed as thumbnails. If so there are arrows, click to scroll.
Layout of Index Pages
Page: There is a page per initial letter of the surname. Clicking on this goes to the top of that page.
Name: If military, this includes the rank on the memorial.
Dates: Year only.
Ref: Cemetery reference.
Zone: Kensal Green Cemetery is divided into over 200 numbered rectangles (150 ft x 100 ft). There are also three catacombs, normally inaccessible, identified as Cat.A-C.
Location: An abbreviation such as PS-path side, RS-road side, IC-inner circle, IR-inner row, BC-by canal or a number indicating the row, i.e. how far back from the path or road.
Maps
A version can also be found on the CWGC website.
A general map of Kensal Green Cemetery can be found on the website of the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery.
Catacombs
There are three catacombs in Kensal Green Cemetery.
Catacomb A - The oldest. Below the colonnade on the north edge of the cemetery, directly north of the Anglican Chapel. This is derelict and inaccessible.
Catacomb B - Below the Anglican Chapel in the centre of the cemetery. This was probably the most popular of any of the catacombs in the major cemeteries (but there are still spaces available). There have been occasional opportunities to visit.
Catacomb C (sometimes listed as Z) - Below the Dissenters' Chapel at the east end of the cemetery. The remains have been moved to one area which is closed. The rest is often accessible during events at the chapel.
References
While I have provided a link to Wikipedia for many of the entries I recognise that this is not the most definitive source. I have, where possible, verified what I've written from other sources.
Key sources are:
"The Shades of Waterloo" by Daniel Frampton, published by the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery. (TSoW)
"Wellington's Men Remembered" by Janet and David Bromley, published by Praetorian Press / Pen & Sword. This is a monumental, two volume work listing memorials to soldiers who fought in the Peninsular War and the Waterloo Campaign. (WMR)
"The Waterloo Roll Call" by Charles Dalton. This list those officers present at Waterloo. A facsimile of the 2nd edition, 1904 is published by The Naval and Military Press. (WRC)
"Waterloo Medal Roll". A list of all those, of all ranks, who received the Waterloo medal. (MR)
Many other books and memoirs are available. I have a few.
Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity
This charity has recently been set up which may be of interest. It has the following objects:
- To advance education for the public benefit about the lives and experiences of members of the armed services and auxiliary forces who served at any point between 1775 and 1815, irrespective of nationality, by conducting research and disseminating the useful results of that research to the public.
- To promote and support the maintenance and upkeep of graves, cemeteries and memorials commemorating, and facilitate the burial of the human remains of, members of the armed services and auxiliary forces of all nationalities who served at any point between 1775 and 1815.
There is an introduction to the charity on YouTube and they are active on Twitter. I'm not yet aware of a website.