Yorkshire Regiment War Graves, - Golders Green Crematorium

The Memorial to Those Who Lost Their Lives in both World Wars and who are cremated in the Golders Green Crematorium.
Photo : waynetyke123 (<waynetyke123@aol.com>)

It is only since the beginning of the 20th century that the ancient custom of cremation instead of burial has been followed to any extent in the United Kingdom, and soon after the turn of the century the Cremation Society of England felt the need for the establishment of a crematorium in the vicinity of London to serve the requirements of the Metropolis. The London Cremation Company Limited was formed for this purpose, and the Crematorium was opened in 1902. Men and women who died in the service of their country during both world wars were cremated here. After the Second World War a site was selected and made available to the Commission, through the generosity of the London Cremation Company Limited, for the erection of a memorial to the men and women who died in the two world wars and were cremated here. The Memorial, which is situated at the end of the long terrace in front of the memorial cloisters, immediately behind the ornamental lily pool, was designed by the Commission's Chief Architect and Artistic Adviser, Sir Edward Maufe, R.A., to harmonise with the adjacent buildings. It consists of a small Portland stone colonnade protecting and enshrining three bronze panels bearing the names. Inside the curved pediment are the dates 1914-1918 and 1939-1945, and carved on the frieze beneath are the words "PRO PATRIA". The columns are linked at the base by wrought iron balustrades, and a sea shell, representing immortality, is engraved on the capital of each column. The memorial, which was unveiled by Lord Wigram and dedicated by the Bishop of Willesden in May 1952, is approached on either side by a curved flight of steps, and is set against a background of trees.

One Officer of the Yorkshire Regiment is commemorated on the above memorial, and his ashes are interred elsewhere in the Crematorium.

We are very grateful to waynetyke123 (<waynetyke123@aol.com>) for the photos from this crematorium.

Click on the thumbnail of the image below for a larger version of the photo which opens in a new window.

Captain Percy B MacDonald. 8th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Roderick & Evelyn McDonald. Born Greenock, Renfrewshire. Lived 38 Leinster Sq., Hyde Park, London. Died at home 19 May 1917. Aged 37. (Name spelled as "McDonald" in the CWGC Register but "MacDonald" on the funeral urn and in the Green Howards Gazette).

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The Funeral Urn for Captain MacDonald in Golders Green Crematorium
Photo : waynetyke123 (<waynetyke123@aol.com>)

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