Wem in Shropshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Whitchurch Road Cemetery

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 18, 2026

1. Whitchurch Road Cemetery Marker

Inscription. In 1891 this 2.7acre site, formally meadow land, was purchased and opened under the Government Burial Act of 1853 as a cemetery. The chapel and the lych-gate were built soon afterwards and 80 lime trees were planted which still surround the cemetery today. The yew trees that flank the central path were planted in 1892.

The Chapel, designed by London architect George H. Birch of Devereux Chambers, is an integral part of the cemetery. It was built in 1892 and paid for by subscriptions from the people of Wem.

This cemetery is unusual, as the Lichfield Diocese only knows of one other cemetery in this diocese that comes under the Government Burial Act of 1853. This means that it cannot be officially closed and passed over to the Town Council of Wem. This cemetery and the chapel are owned by the community of Wem vested in the incumbent of the parish and the Parochial Church Council. No new burials have taken place in this cemetery since 1975 other than into existing family graves.

Several graves of important historical significance are found in the cemetery. The most notable is that of the hybridist Henry Eckford, who

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moved to Wem in 1888 to continue his work with sweet peas and to start his world famous seed business. Henry Eckford died in 1905 and his memorial is located beyond the chapel.

Three past Rectors of Wem Parish are buried here. Their graves are towards the end of the central path behind the chapel. They are Revd Harry Vane Russell buried 1895, the Revd Hon. Archibald Parker buried 1931 and Revd Percy Reginald Turner buried 1966.

There are eleven Commonwealth burials of local men here: ten from the 1914-18 world war and one from the 1939-45 world war.

The cemetery is a haven for wildlife. The abundant wild flowers include several kinds that were typical of old meadows but which have become scarce in the countryside. These, in turn, attract many butterflies, other insects and birds. A meadow strip was sown in 2010 on the north side of the cemetery.

Erected by Wem Town Council.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 52° 51.716′ N, 2° 43.268′ W. Marker is in Wem, England, in Shropshire. It is on Whitchurch Road, on

Tombstone of Henry Eckford image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 18, 2026

2. Tombstone of Henry Eckford

the right when traveling south. The marker is located just within the cemetery gates. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Whitchurch Road, Wem, England SY4 5BP, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands.

It is also on the British Marches.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 18 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Welcome to Whitchurch (approx. 12.2 kilometers away); Walks around Whitchurch (approx. 12.3 kilometers away); History on the Spot (approx. 12.3 kilometers away); Life in 18th & 19th century Whitchurch (approx. 12.3 kilometers away); a different marker also named History on the Spot (approx. 12.3 kilometers away); Castle Gates Library (approx. 17 kilometers away); Cadman (approx. 17.2 kilometers away); The Drapers Hall (approx. 17.2 kilometers away).

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 26, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.