Thought originally to be the headstone of Sir Henry Wilmot VC but is in fact the grave of a Thomas Moorley, erected by Sir Henry Wilmot VC father

Wilmot Family Plot, St Marys Churchyard Chaddesden Derbyshire.

 photo left to right, Sir Henry Wilmot Bart, VC, KCB. Dame Charlotte Cecilia Wilmot, Wife of Sir Henry

Constance Harriott Wilmot, Sister

Sir Henry Wilmot VC, KCB

Dame Charlotte Cecilia Wilmot wife of Sir Henry Wilmot VC, KCB

The Wilmot Family plot showing to the right the Headstone that Sir Henry Wilmot (4th Bart) had erected to Thomas Moorley this stone in the reference books is said incorrectly to be Sir Henry Wilmot VC It was possible to rectify this mistake following receipt of information from Mr Peter Cholerton, former Assistant Churchwarden at St. Mary’s, and current Clerk to the Wilmo, Gilbert & Beresford Trust. (A Charitable Trust for poor and needy members of the Parish) The Committee offer our thanks to Peter and look forward to meeting up with him in the near future

The Nottinghamshire Victoria Cross Committee

Sir Henry Wilmot’s original miniature collection.

1^st on the left:-             Victoria Cross awarded to Brev Major Henry Wilmot

2^nd on the left:-                        Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow

3^rd from left:-              Second China War 1857-60, 2 Clasps, Taku Forts 1860, Pekin 1860

4^th from left:-               Volunteer Decoration 1st Type

5^th from left:-               Companion order of the Bath

The Indian Mutiny Medal

 Was a campaign medal approved in 1858, for issue to officers and men of British and Indian units who served in operations in suppression of the Indian Mutiny.

The medal was initially sanctioned for award to those troops who had been engaged in action against the mutineers. However in 1868 the award was extended to all those who had borne arms or who had been under fire, including such people as members of the Indian judiciary and the Indian civil service, who were caught up in the fighting Some 290,000 medals were awarded.

The obverse of the medal depicts the head of a young Queen Victoria and bears the inscription Victoria Regina. The reverse shows a helmeted Britannia holding a wreath in her right hand and a union shield on her left arm. She is standing in front of a lion. The words "India 1857-1858" are inscribed on the reverse of the medal. The ribbon is white with two scarlet stripes.

Five clasps were authorized, though the maximum awarded to any one man was four. The medal was issued without a clasp to those who served but were not eligible for a clasp. The vast majority of these awards were made to those who became entitled to the medal as a result of the 1868 extensions of eligibility.

The Second China War Medal

 It was issued by the British Government in 1861 to members of the British Army and Royal Navy who took part in the Second Opium War of 1856 to 1860 against China. The medal was designed by William Wyon. The medal's obverse shows the diademed head of Queen Victoria with the legend ‘VICTORIA REGINA’. The reverse has the same coat of Royal Arms and shield found on both the First China War Medal with the inscription ‘ARMIS EXPOSCERE PACIM’ and the word ‘CHINA’ in the exergue below. The suspender is the same as that used on the Indian Mutiny Medal.

The medal was issued with the following clasps:

China 1842 (awarded to those who had already received the medal for the First China War), Fatshan 1857, Canton 1857, Taku Forts 1858, Taku Forts 1860 and Pekin 1860.

The 32 mm ribbon is crimson with yellow edges. The medals are named in indented Roman capitals for the Army, while members of the Royal Marines and Royal Navy were usually issued with unnamed medals.

The Most Honorable Order of the Bath

The Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate medieval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing (as a symbol of purification) as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath George I "erected the Knights of the Bath into a regular Military Order" He did not (as is often stated) revive the Order of the Bath since it had never previously existed as an Order, in the sense of a body of knights who were governed by a set of statutes and whose numbers were replenished when vacancies occurred.

The Volunteer Officer’s Decoration

Instituted in 1892 to reward the long and meritorious service of officers of proven capacity in our volunteer forces in Great Britain and extended to the colonies. The qualifying period was twenty years commissioned service,  with any service in the ranks counting at half the rate.

The medal is a silver skeletal in the form of oval oak wreath tied with gold, 43mm high by 25.5mm wide, containing the gilt finished crown cypher of Queen Victoria, the reverse is plain except in the case of the earlier ones which are hallmarked, suspension is by a free ring, no name is normally on but unofficially names where added by some at a later date, the ribbon is 38mm wide in dark green.

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Sir Henry Wilmot VC, KCG

Update

On the 20^th January 2011, Tony, Geoff, Derek and Ben of the Committee had a meeting with the Reverend Wayne Stillwell, Vicar of St. Mary’s Church, Chaddesden, Derby, and Mr Peter Cholerton, a local historian.

Two very nice people, proud of their Community and their local history. The meeting was to discuss the renovation of the family burial plot of Sir Henry Wilmot VC, KCG, in the churchyard at St Mary’s. The Committee gave an overview of past projects and explained what, in our view, we would like to do, funds permitting.

After explaining our position, and the work we envisaged, both Reverend Stillwell and Peter added their ideas and thoughts, in a very open discussion, as to the works they would like to see carried out to the burial plot. Their views were along similar lines to those of the Committee, with one or two very good additions.

Ben, a Committee member, valued advisor, and a very highly regarded Stonemason within his industry, outlined his proposals for the works required. He explained in great detail the procedures for the work that needed to be carried out to conform to regulations which, in all projects like this, must be adhered to. This is to make sure that all work on the memorial is carried out safely, with due reverence, and be long lasting for future generations to visit.

One idea was to plant snowdrops within the boundaries of the plot rather than to infill the space with chippings.  This would add another link to the family, as one of the Wilmots was named Ada Snowdrop.

Tony asked Reverend Stillwell if he would be willing to conduct a Service of Rededication after the project had been completed.

(The Reverend was thinking further ahead than the Committee, and suggested that when the project was completed, we make it a day celebrating the life of Sir Henry Wilmot VC with a service involving local schools, the community, Air Cadets etc).

Later we were shown round the Church by Reverend Stillwell and Peter, who pointed out a very old worn plaque with Ada’s name inscribed on it (See photo and transcript), as well as many other interesting memorials and items of interest.

1997 saw the 650^th Anniversary of the first known reference to the Church. It is one of only two Grade A listed churches within the City of Derby. It is not as well known as it should be, but certainly well worth a visit, with a wander round the churchyard as well.

The Church serves a very large suburban population, and is still very much a working building which has undergone countless changes since the 14^th Century, but still retains much from those earlier times.

Peter’s family has a very long history with the Church (his family has lived in Chaddesden since at least 1565),which perhaps explains his passion and knowledge for the building. In the mid 1960’s he wrote his first booklet, and then in 1997 for the 650^th anniversary, he produced a completely new and very informative booklet :-

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Chaddesden. A guide and history.

ISBN 0 9531260 0 5

This booklet, which costs £2, is one of the most informative church history booklets we have come across, full of excellent diagrams, text, and explanations. Excellent value for money, which is hard to come by these days, and a must if you are going to visit this Church and churchyard.

A meeting like this shows the professionalism in which the Committee conducts itself, from a large project like the memorial in Nottingham Castle grounds, to a new headstone, a burial plot renovation, down to a small plaque.

All are of great importance to everyone on the Committee. We have no interest in having our names known, or gaining personal awards. We are content with just the finished memorials to these brave men, and our everlasting passion passed on to future generations for all to enjoy.

Remember them with pride.

The Meeting at St. Mary's

Left to right

Peter Chorlerton Local historian and The Reverend Wayne Stillwell, with Tony, Ben and Derek from the Committee.

Peter has written a very interesting booklet about St. Marys history, details below.

St. Mary's

One of the beautiful stained glass windows in the Church

Inside St. Mary's, Chaddesde

Looking towards the Chancel