Managed To Grab A Few Minutes Of Sunshine

[debris4spike]

I had a text froma  friend at Bible Study group this afternoon finding out if I was enjoying the day.  It reminded me that the sun was actually out, so I ought to pick up camera (and crutch) and go somewhere.  As I hadn't really planned anything I just drove the 1/2 mile to the cemetary!  It is a very peaceful place - only opened about 1880, so no really ancient monuments, but still some beautiful tributes.

One of the oldest monuments was this one, to 160 people who died in a theatre fire in 1887 ... thus showing that Mum & Dad had been right in not letting me go to shows (too dangerous!)











This was part of the memorial garden for the infants ... there was a nice bench and a child dressed up as an Indian Chief.


Within most cemetaries are assorted Commenwealth War Graves - Exeter is no exception.


Unusual to see a female war grave - especially for WWI


This is the war memorial for this section of Exeter in WWI ... I have never seen similar though.  The flat stones around the cross are also inscribed with the names of those who died (as well as appearing on the actual cross itself, as normal)





Exeter suffered bombing on a few major occasions.  They are called The Baedeker Raids - as the famous guide was published before the war, and to lower moral these beautiful cities were bombed.

Many civilians lost their lives -






A typical Commenwealth War Cemetary memorial cross, complete with a "Sword of Sacrifice"-


A typical Commenwealth War Cemetary lay out -





BTW - the stones on the far left are German dead, and among the British dead are many Polish servicemen.

Comments

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

Lovely! Theatres used to catch fire a lot! Wooden structures, curtains and props limelight and gaslight!


A tip. If in a theatre a call comes over the PA " Is there a Mr Sands in the house?" Exit calmly and quietly. It's code to alert the staff that the building is on fire!

[debris4spike]

Until you listed the theatre hazards I had forgotten how many there were.

Sad if a Mr Sands, as he is growing up, wants to become a theatre critic!

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

Heh poor Mr Sands!

The Theatre Royal avoided fires from 1819 till the 1990s when it caught fire during rehearsals for Aladdin! Luckily the fire brigade put it out before too much damage was done!

[debris4spike]

Obviously his magic lantern was toooooooo magic ... or not magic enough. Glad not much damage was done.

[debris4spike]

I have just checked - Exeter Theatre has had to have 3 buildings - the one pictured here is a mass grave, and according to this archive the worst in theatre history for loss of life.

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's infamous in theatre history.. they also overcrowded theatres and getting out of the pit and gallery was not easy.. a terrible tragedy!

[debris4spike]

I know it was sad - but still thought you might be interested, seeing as that's what you do!!!! ...... Well, you know what I mean!

[crimson-newmoon.livejournal.com]

They arranged it beautiful ^^

[debris4spike]

British cemetarties are usually pretty well maintained - but Commenwealth War Graves, the world over, are protected and cared for.

[illuminanted.livejournal.com]

It is actually pretty interesting for me to see an authentic English cemetery because I have only seen those in the movies... Here cemeteries look rather messy and some of the graves look as if they are "out of place". (which is pretty sad...) Therefore, it is a nice change to see such a beautifully arranged cemetery.

(And now I am in a BTVS mood because cemeteries always remind of the show...)

[debris4spike]

British cemetarties are usually pretty well maintained - but Commenwealth War Graves, the world over, are protected and cared for.

LOL - Hadn't thought about that ... now you've got me thinking I must get on with my next episode (is 8am tooooooooo early to turn on the TV!!)

[jaded-jamie.livejournal.com]

How lovely and that dog one is so cute. How sad for the civilian who died when the city was attacked, that no one knew who he/she was. I like well kept cemeteries, I think it's the Goth in me. Lovely photos Debs, thank you for sharing.

[debris4spike]

That dog image reminded me of Jiffy!

There were quite a few unknames civilain graves - I get used to seeing unknown War Graves, but seemed worse, somehow, civilians being un-recognised. No ages were put on the named graves, which I think may have been a good thing.

I love cemetaries - always have ,,, when I was a kid in Flint, I used to ask Granddad to walk to see "the pretty pebbles" ... in other words the old graves with marble chips on them!