Publisher Description:
Flaybrick Hill Cemetery (now known as Flaybrick Memorial Gardens)
Designed by renowned Victorian landscape designer Edward Kemp and opened in 1864. Flaybrick is the final resting place of over 100,000 people from the Wirral area and beyond, including Kemp himself. The cemetery's significance is recognised by its Grade II listing on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
With over 100,000 people buried in 10,000 graves. Flaybrick is a place to remember the people who have gone before us and to celebrate their achievements. Among the most important people buried or commemorated in Flaybrick are: Edmund Kemp one of the leading landscape designers of the mid C19th century, whose notable works included Flaybrick Cemetery, Anfield Cemetery and Grosvenor Park in Chester. Isaac Roberts a pioneer of astronomy. His monument is an outstanding Egyptian design, rich in symbolism relating to his life, work and belief. Lewis Hornblower landscape designer responsible for the major structures in Birkenhead Park including the Grand Entrance Lodge.
Numerous members of the Laird family. The family crypt of William Laird, grandson of the shipbuilder, William Laird, features a Celtic cross with a carved dog and a boar guarding the now blocked entrance.
In contrast to the many impressive and imposing monuments, large unmarked pits for pauper burials can be seen in the Anglican section. There is a large memorial to casualties of the First World War and a number of individual war graves throughout the cemetery.
Important events linked to Birkenhead include the graves of Joseph McLoughlin who drowned on the Lusitania and Charles Morgan a victim of the Titanic. John and Patrick Williamson whose bequests created Wirral's Williamson Art Gallery and Museum.
During World War Two Arthur Doodson was the world's leading authority on tides and based at Bidston Observatory. On D-Day the Allies wanted to land on French beaches at low tide so hidden obstacles could be seen. It was due to Doodson's calculations that the invasion took place on Tuesday June 6th 1944. |
