St Luke's Church - Whyteleafe, Surrey, UK
N 51° 18.489 W 000° 04.966
30U E 703323 N 5688134
St Luke's has quite a large graveyard that, in the main, stretches to the south from the church. There is also a section that contains war graves and those of other military personnel - mainly flyers.
Waymark Code: WMJ8WZ
Location: South East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 10/12/2013
Views: 3
The church's
website tells us about the churchyard:
St Luke’s churchyard is open at all times and is
beautiful and peaceful. Churchyards have an important place in the hearts of
people throughout the land, particularly for those who have loved ones
buried in them. In order to retain their character, certain rules are
followed, which in our case come from the Chancellor of Southwark Diocese.
These regulations are there so that in future generations, people will be
able to visit the churchyard and it will have the same atmosphere that it
has today. It is impossible to insure the whole churchyard against theft or
vandalism, but some people find it adds to their peace of mind to take out
insurance on the plaque or headstone which is their special concern. Your
Funeral Director will be able to give you names of such insurers. If you
have a problem or a worry in connection with the churchyard, please contact
the Churchyard Secretary, who will be glad to help.
The church's website
also tells us about the war graves:
On 13th August 1940 St Luke's became the first Church
to be damaged by enemy action when a bomb landed outside the Church in
Whyteleafe Hill. On the north wall of the Nave is a 'Book of Remembrance'
recording the names of the R.A.F. personnel of the Battle of Britain who
served at nearby R.A.F. Kenley.
St Luke's still has strong links with R.A.F.A. The War Graves Commission
look after the graves in the churchyard of those killed in action during the
last war. We also have links with the local school and uniformed
organisations.