Churchyard.

Churchyard, from south-west.
Churchyard, from south-west.

WE cannot trace any very ancient monumental inscriptions in the Churchyard, though some of them are of great interest. Near the Porch, in the south-west corner, is a Swithland slate, recently placed upright, inscribed :—

"To the Memory of John Flinders.
He died May 11th, 1798, in the 96 Year of his Age.

He served his Country 62 Years as a soldier, 34 of which he was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, 22 years in the 8th or King's Own Regiment of Foot, and 6 years in the 52nd Regiment, General Lambton's. Whilst in the 8th Regiment, he was in six Battles, and two Sieges, viz.: the Battle of Dettingen, Fontenoy, Falkirk, Culloden, Rackoo and Val, Stirling Castle, and Bergen op Zoom."

Gervas Martin's Headstone.
Gervas Martin's Headstone.

On one tombstone is a curious error. After recording that "Here lieth ye Body of Geruas Martin who departed March 27, 1739, aged 63 Years," the inscription goes on "Also Mary wife of the aforesaid Geruas Martin, departed this life Septem. 29, 1799, aged 35 Years." It is hard to see how the wife should have lived till 1799 and only been 35 years old, since over half a century elapsed between the one funeral and the other.

There are a great many tombstones erected, bearing the name of "Shelton."

At the north-east side of the chancel, there is a massive monument bearing inscriptions "To Francis Elliott, 1836; also William Elliott Elliott, Esq., 1844; also John Elliott Burnside, 3 March, 1904, aged 87." Near by is the tomb of "Everilde Beaumont (1848)."

Not far from the south gateway, on the right hand side of the path leading to the porch, is a handsome granite tomb, fenced with iron rails, bearing the following inscription:—

"To the Memory of Arthur Shrewsbury, for 28 years a Member of the Notts. County Cricket XI., and a renowned cricketer. This Monument was erected to perpetuate the esteem and regard of his relatives and friends. Born April 11th, 1856, died May 19th, 1903. 'Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding.'"

This monument was erected in 1905, and many thousands of people have visited Gedling Churchyard to look at the last resting place of this great Cricketer.

Arthur Shrewsbury's grave.
Arthur Shrewsbury's grave.

It is a very extraordinary coincidence that Gedling Churchyard should be the last resting place of two such world-famous Cricketers as Arthur Shrewsbury and Alfred Shaw, but such is the case, as Alfred Shaw lived in Gedling Parish some time prior to his demise, which took place in 1907, and is buried near the Rectory entrance to the Churchyard, at the south-east of the Church.