David Jones Between the Wars: The Years of Achievement

The David Jones Society has commissioned another film about the poet David Jones who lies buried in the Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries.

Beginning with Jones’s conversion to Roman Catholicism and his joining the Ditchling community in 1921, the film traces his various sojourns in England, Wales and France. Through interviews with scholars, artists, writers and friends,and featuring an abundance of his carvings, engravings, sketches and paintings, we hear of Jones’s development as a painter, engraver and poet; his friendships and relationships; his breakdown (1932-33) and the success of his epic war poem  In Parenthesis,  concluding with the turbulent years approaching the Second World War. Contributors include
Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the art historians Paul Hills and Frances Spalding.

You can view the film here

Storm damage - fallen tree blocks Ivy Road and takes out wall

Fallen tree takes out walls and blocks traffic on Ivy Road

The Council are quickly on hand to clear the tree: repairing the wall will take longer

Queen Victoria's Wars: Guided Walk

Our next guided walk, led by the inimitable Mike Guilfoyle, will feature visits to some of the graves of soldiers, diplomats and surgeons who saw action during Queen Victoria's reign in the furthest reaches of the British Empire from the Ashanti to the Anglo-Zulu War.

The walk starts at 2:00pm on Saturday 5th October and is free though donations are welcome.  Meet by Ladywell Gate.

MUSIC RECITAL SATURDAY 28th SEPTEMBER 7pm – 8pm

Local contemporary composer and musician (and FoBLC members) Hugh Shrapnel, his wife Ruth, and fellow composer/musician John Lewis, will be performing their own compositions, on a keyboard specially brought into the Chapel.

Hugh and John’s pieces include topical references to Ladywell and Lewisham. Ruth will play pieces by classical composers. Because of limited capacity, this is will be for “Friends & Family”, so please let geoffrey@foblc.org.uk know if you intend to come.

Doors will open at 6.30pm.  There will be no admission charge, but donations will be gratefully received tocover general expenses. Glass of wine or juice available for an additional donation.

Entrance will be via the Brockley Grove gate, opposite Henryson Road. Please be aware that there is no lighting in the Cemetery, and the path is uneven. As the evenings are getting chilly, and there is no effective heating in the Chapel, please dress appropriately.

Geoffrey Thurley
FoBLC Chair & Secretary
020 8690 3590
geoffrey@foblc.org.uk

Francis Paget Hewkley: awarded Military Medal for bravery at the Somme

Many thanks to Stuart Hallifax who has written a great piece on Francis Paget Hewkley in his Great War London blog.  Hewkley was brought up in London, emigrated to Australia in 1912 and then enlisted a signalman in the Australian infantry.  He served at Gallipoli before transferring to the Western Front where he won a Military Medal for his bravery in the Battle of the Somme.

One of Hewkley’s drawings for the ANZAC Book

However in June 1917 Hewkley was killed in action at Zonnebeke Ridge.  He was buried in a nearby Belgian military cemetery but is commemorated on his parent's headstone in the Brockley & Ladywell Cemetery. 

For the full article please click here




Frances Paget Hewkley Family Grave: source Billion Graves