Churchyard Memorials
Memorial information
Please note the churchyard is still in use for burials and should be respected as such. There is a sung communion service is held in the Church at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays. In February the churchyard is covered in a carpet of Snowdrops.
The grave locations can be found by clicking on the word "Map" after each item below. This will take you to an external website for the burial management of the churchyard. The data was complied by Adrian Dale using the church burial records.
The Burial Management System covers records back to 1813.
Military
The Cross of Sorrow (erected 1920 by public subscription) stands on mound to the east of the Church. Map. The Cross was restored in 2020, again by public subscription and a grant from the Wind Farm Trust.
A slate plaque (installed by the Parish Council in 1996) on the wall under the east window has five names from WW1 and one from WW2. Map.
The plaque was gilded in 2018 in remembrance of the 100 years since the end of WW1.
Tower memorial
On the east tower wall is a war memorial, dedicated on 24th September 1980, to the 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 40th Combat Wing, 8th Air Force, USAAF who were stationed at the nearby RAF Chelveston from 1942 to 1945. Map.
The Group flew 480 missions from Chelveston and gained the nickname "Can Do". During the course of the war, numerous acts of valour were recognised, including the award of two Distinguished Unit Citations and two pilots received the Congressional Medal of Honour - the United States military's highest decoration.
The 305th Bomb Group Memorial Association (BGMA) funded restoration work of the church tower, including the installation of the plaque. The continuing close cooperation between the 305th BGMA and the parish resulted in the Group's emblem being incorporated into the Parish Council's crest in 2010.
The Commonwealth War Grave of Flt Sgt C.W.Auld (R/98159) Royal Canadian Air Force [1929-1942], which was replaced on 6th December 2023. Map.
Flt Sgt Charles W Auld RCAF (PDF, 72 Kb)
Background to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintained grave for Flight Sergeant Charles W Auld RCAF in the churchyard of St John the Baptist Church.
Parishioners
Arthur Reu Birtchnell [1921-1981], landlord of the Star & Garter in 1971, Map.
Andrew Leighton [1795-17.Jan.1868], land agent to Sir E.C.Disbrowe for 35 years, Map.
Miss Mary Helen ("Pollie") Simspon MBE [23.Apr.1871-31.Oct.1947], Churchwarden, sportswoman and first President of the Chelveston W.I. Map.
Fredrick Childs Meadows [1879-19.May.1935], shopkeeper & sub-postmaster, Map.
George Arthur Tilley [1900-15.Jun.1940], landlord of the Star & Garter in 1931, Map.
George Wyldes [1846-05.Feb.1931], farmer and founder of the Wyldes's charity, Map.