The Town Churchard - St James Church – Southam

ground, is the grave and memorial of one Seth Bond who survived the Charge of the
Light Brigade. The inscription reads ‘ Trooper Seth Bond, 11 th Hussars, one of the six
hundred served at Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol; erected by public
subscription in recognition of nearly 25 years faithful service to his country’. A booklet
is available in the town library detailing his life. There is another Crimean memorial
just east of the south porch - ‘Thomas Abbotts killed at Alma and Thomas Pratt, both
of the 68 th Regiment; and James Baldwin, Royal Marines. These men died serving
their Queen and country when in defence of the Right, England and France waged
war with Russia, 1854/5.
There are a number of War Grave Commission headstones in the churchyard
marking the graves of forces personnel who died in action in the second world war
and one more recently in Afghanistan.
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Family history is fashionable nowadays and many people both from this country and
from all over the world visit the churchyard to see if gravestones still exist with old
relatives names thereon.
All the surviving parish records of births, marriages and deaths held by St James are,
as of January 2012, being transferred to the internet on freereg and findmypast,
these hope to be completed by 2013.
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THE ST JAMES SOUTHAM TOWN CHURCHYARD
REGULATIONS ARE SET OUT BELOW.
Printed leaflets are available in church or from the Church Office
74D Coventry Street, Southam. (Open Monday to Friday 9am - 1pm).
Burials in the upper churchyard.
Burials in new graves from September 2004 will be in the old part of the upper
churchyard adjacent to Park Lane immediately opposite the Rectory. In order to
comply with the consent for the reuse of this area only Blue Hornton stone is
permitted for memorial stones with a flat or slightly curved top, This is to ensure all
new memorials are in keeping with this old area of the churchyard. One hole only is
permitted in the base stone for a flower container. The maximum height of
memorials allowed above ground including the base slab is 76cm (30ins) and width
54cm (21ins). Artificial flowers are not allowed and no other containers, pots, toys,
photographs or decorations are permitted (and may be removed) neither should
bushes, shrubs or trees be planted on graves. As soon as the ground has settled
after burials the area will be levelled and seeded with grass to allow mowing to be
carried out safely.
It is suggested that no memorial be erected for a least twelve months after the burial
has taken place to allow for settlement. Wooden crosses are not permitted. Families
of the deceased should contact a stonemason at the appropriate time in respect of a
memorial. Stone may be sourced from the Hornton Stone Co.Ltd at Fir Tree Farm,
Warmington, Banbury, OX17 1JL (01295 690925) (who provide a lettering and