Gravestone at St Peter’s Church, Bexhill on Sea commemorating Coastguard William Meekes d. 1832 after being wounded in a battle with smugglers
Location
St Peter's Church, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, England
Transcript
'In memory of William Meekes, Chief Boatman of the Coastguard Station No XLII Tower. He was mortally wounded on the night of the 21st February and died on the 23rd February 1832, aged 35 yrs'
Details
Type: Gravestone
People
Meekes, William Age: Date of Death: 23/2/1832 Cause of Death: Unknown/None Rank / Occupation: Chief boatman Organisation: Coastguard
Extra
Bibliography: William Webb 'Coastguard: an official history of HM Coastguard' (London,1976) p. 28. Recorder: E. R. Stage 1982
Gravestone in Talland, Cornwall dedicated to Robert Mark d. 1802
Location
St Tallanus' Church, Talland, Cornwall, England
Transcript
'ERECTED / TO THE MEMORY OF / ROBERT MARK / late of Polperro, who unfortunately / was shot at sea the 24th day of Jan. / in the Year of our LORD GOD / 1802, in the 40th Year of his Age / in prime of life, / most suddenly, Sad tidings to relate, / here view my utter destiny, / and pity my sad state. / I by a shot which rapid flew, / Was instantly shot dead. / Lord forbid the offender who / My precious blood did shed, / Grant him to rest, and forgive me / All I have doen amiss: / And that I may be rewarded / With everlasting Bliss.'
Headstone at Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff commemorating William Cleverdon d. 1924 HM Customs
Location
Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff, Wales
Transcript
'In affectionate remembrance of / William Cleverdon / who died May 1st 1876 / at Dudley Street Docks, / Aged 45 years / My presence shall go with thee / And I will give thee rest / Also of / Mary wife of the above / Who died Dec 30th 1904 / Aged 72 years / By grace ye are saved / Also William / beloved husband of William Ann Cleverdon / And son of the above named / late chief preventative officer of / H.M. Customs & Excise / who died April 4th 1924 / Aged 62 years / In Thy presence is fullness of joy.'
Gravestone at Holy Cross Church, Binstead, Isle of Wight, commemorating Thomas Sivell d. 1786
Location
Holy Cross Church, Binstead, Isle of Wight, England
Transcript
'To the memory of THOS SIVELL / who was cruelly shot on board his / sloop by some Officers of the Customs / of the Port of Portsmouth on the / 15th June1786 at the Age of 61 Years, / leaving a disconsolate Widow & family. / All you that pass pray look and see / How soon my life was took from me / By those officers as you hear / they spilled my Blood that was so dear / But God is Good and just and true / And will reward to each his due.''
Details
Description: Carved with a relief of a cutter under sail. Type: Headstone Position: Churchyard
People
Sivell, Thomas Age: 61 Date of Death: 15/6/1786 Cause of Death: Unknown/None Rank / Occupation: smuggler Organisation:
Extra
Notes: Smuggler. Shot on board his own ship while attempting to evade pursuing excise officers. Bibliography: Margaret Green 'Churches of the Isle of Wight' (Winchester, 1969). http://www.customscowes.co.uk/ Cowes & Isle of Wight Customs History.
Memorial in Hong Kong Cemetery commemorating Alfred Eagles d. 1879, Imperial Chinese Navy
Location
Hong Kong Cemetery, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, China, Rest of the World
Transcript
'In memory of Alfred EAGLES, aged 28 years. Quarter master, H.I.C.M.S. 'PENG CHOA HAI', who was killed by smugglers on the night of May 10th, 1879.This stone is erected by the Commander, Officers and his other shipmates by whom his loss is deeply lamented'
Details
Description: Headstone. The inscription surrounded by foliage, a foul anchor above. Type: Headstone Materials: Stone Vessel: HICMS Peng Choa Hai
People
Eagles, Alfred Age: 28 Date of Death: 10/5/1879 Cause of Death: Unknown/None Rank / Occupation: Quartermaster Organisation: Imperial Chinese Navy
Gravestone at St Mary’s Church, Hunstanton, Norfolk commemorating William Webb, 15th Light Dragoons, d. 1784
Location
St Mary's Church, Hunstanton, Norfolk, England
Transcript
'In memory of William Webb late of the 15th Lt. D'ns who was shot from his horse by a party of smugglers on the 26 of Sepr. 1784. / I am not dead but sleepeth here / And when the trumpet sound I will appear / Four balls through me Pearced there [sic] way / Hard it was I'd no time to pray / This stone that her you do see / My comrades erected for the sake of me'
Details
Position: Churchyard
People
Webb, William Age: Unknown Date of Death: 26/9/1784 Cause of Death: Murdered Rank / Occupation: Soldier Organisation: 15th Light Dragoons
Extra
Bibliography: Joseph Jefferson Farjeon 'The Compleat Smuggler' (London, 1938) p.144. Recorder: David Saunders
Memorial at St Helen’s Church, Sandown, Isle of Wight, commemorating Richard Matthews d. 1816
Location
St Helen's Church, St Helens, Isle of Wight, England
Transcript
'Sacred to the memory of Richard Matthews who died 5th December 1816. All you who pass by, pray look and see / how soon my life was ta'en from me / by the cruel officer who as you'll hear / Spilt my blood, which was so dear; / But God is good and just and true, / and will reward to each his due; / And when you come my grave to see / Prepare yourself to follow me.'
Details
Type: Gravestone
People
Matthews, Richard Age: 34 Date of Death: 5/12/1816 Cause of Death: Unknown/None Rank / Occupation: smuggler Organisation: Unknown
Extra
Notes: A smuggler shot by a revenue man at Sandown. See also Thomas Sivell. Bibliography: H.E. Matthews 'The Smugglers are Out' (1933); Richard J. Hutchings 'Smugglers of the Isle of Wight' (Newport, 1985).
Gravestone at All Saints Church, Wyke Regis, Dorset commemorating William Lewis d. 1822, a smuggler
Location
All Saints Church, Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Dorset, England
Transcript
'Sacred to the memory of William Lewis / who was killed by a shot from the 'Pigmy' schooner / 21st April, 1822, Age 33 years', 'Of life bereft (by fell design), / I mingle with my fellow clay. / On God's protection I recline, / To save me on the Judgement Day. / There shall each bloodstained soul appear, / Repent, ah! ere it be too late, / Or else a dreadful doom you'll hear, / For God will sure avenge my fate'
Details
Description: Carved with two ships in low relief Type: Gravestone Position: Churchyard, by roadside wall, north east of church Materials: Portland stone
People
Lewis, William Age: 33 Date of Death: 21/4/1822 Cause of Death: Unknown Rank / Occupation: Smuggler Organisation: Unknown
Extra
Notes: (From the church guide) refering to the moralising verse 'this is obviously a shaft directed against the crew of the schooner. The fact that the members of the crew were doing their duty, whilst Lewis was the law-breaker, seems to have been ignored by the author of the verse’. Memorial in very worn condition.
Bibliography: C.R. Domonley 'A History of the Parish Church of All Saints, Wyke Regis, Weymouth.' (Wyke Regis,1976). Recorder: F. Turland 1984
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Commemorating seafarers and victims of maritime disasters
