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Buried in the Brockley section, close to the Ivy Road footpath, lies Lt Gilbert Arthur Price,  a British intelligence officer who died in a dramatic gun battle with the IRA on Dublin's Talbot Street on October 14, 1920. Republican leader  Seán Treacy was also killed in the fight which was a key moment in Irish history, commemorated in the famous  ballad that bears his name. The moment was captured in this iconic photo  taken by by celebrated photographer Johh  Horgan and used in many... Read Full Story

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Jeff Hart led a well attended tour of the cemeteries last Saturday. One of the highlights of any visit is the Jane Clouson memorial. Read Full Story

Lionel de Jersey Harvard was the only descendant of John Harvard (who gave his name in 1638 to the prestigious Ivy League University in the USA) ever to attend Harvard University. The direct descendant of John Harvard's brother, Thomas he entered the University in 1911 having gained a place with some assistance from Harvard president Lowell when he learned that Lionel was interested in attending. ( NY Times entry) Born in Lewisham on the 3rd June 1894 he attended St Olaves Grammar School... Read Full Story

As the Tour De France begins, the FOBLC remembers George Lacy Hillier who was the cycling superstar of his time. He was born in Sydenham in 6/6/1856. The attached a picture of him, was taken about 1878, when he lived in Chichester and raced for the Chichester and District Bicycle Club. Among various honours, he was for many years the English champion over all the then recognised competition distances, and also competed on the continent. Probably his most famous race was the 10,000 metre... Read Full Story

The Friends group was formed in July 2007, and now has a membership of 51 as at the end of March 2011. Although about 40 members live in and around South-east London, others live further away, including Canada. The Friends group had 7 open meetings during the year, excluding the 2009 AGM, plus one other committee meeting. 7 “work sessions” have taken place, including two in conjunction with the Council’s Nature Conservation Department’s Nature’s Gym. Work has varied from ivy clearance... Read Full Story

Around 40 people joined members of the Friends’ group in a guided walk round the two Cemeteries on Saturday 28th May. Appreciation was shown by attendees, and about £53 was donated towards our funds. Many thanks to all who shared the guiding, and who contributed to this successful event and of course to Brockley Max Read Full Story

Thanks to Mike Guilfoyle for uncovering this story of a notable sportsman buried in the Brockley & Ladywell Cemeteries Harry Albemarle Swepstone (1859-1907) who was born in Stepney, East London, made his England debut against Scotland in 1880. During this match he was beaten by a 'cannon shot' from the Scottish 'Rooney', Centre Forward George Kerr. Harry had the dubious distinction of conceding 18 goals in six international matches as England goalkeeper between 1880 to 1883. When the... Read Full Story

Admission to the Open Day is free and there will be woodcraft demonstrations, birds of prey, choral performances in the open air chapel and, for 2011, a sculpture show in the mausoleum. There will also be guided cemetery tours and other attractions including face painting, and the celebrated 'Bug Hunt' for children and refreshments. The FOBLC looks forward to welcoming you at its stall there! The cemetery is in Linden Grove, SE15 with Nunhead rail station nearby. Bus routes P12, 78, 343... Read Full Story

It's exactly 100 years today since the coastal trading ship SS Yongala sank in a tropical cyclone off the coast of Queensland, Australia on March 23rd 1911. The disaster became known as the 'Townsville Titanic' as all 122 passengers and crew were lost. The only body recovered was that of a racehorse called 'Moonshine' washed ashore some days later. That loss had a profound impact on Townsville which at that time had a population of just 15,000. There is a Brockley link in the person of 21... Read Full Story