I thought that the cross of sacrifice located in CWGC cemeteries only had one sword on its primary face. However, looking at some images of Niederzwehren Cemetery provide by Fritz, it appears that the cross has a sword on both faces. Am I seeing things or not reading the photos correctly?

Here is the link.

Ceebee - I can't honestly say from looking at the photos and I've never been there myself. But if Niederzwehren does have two swords, it won't be the only one.

Tom

Tom

Thanks for your response. One of the photos is not very clear, which lead to my query.

I went through a good selection of my photos of CWGC cemeteries and could not find a single example of two swords. This probably has something to do with the location of the cross in the cemetery. I suppose if the cross is within the grave layout rather than at the head or on a boundary there is a chance that it will have two swords. Of course, this is all speculation on my part and is subject to the original design intent and practice of the CWGC.

Chris

Chris I think you are right. The cross at Tyne Cot has two swords, and it's a central feature visible from all sides. I think (not certain) that the one at Essex farm also has two. This cross is right next to the entrance gate, so it's visible to all who pass by on the road outside, but also visible from all points within the cemetery. Pretty sure also that the one at Brandhoek New has two crosses and that is also right in the middle of the cemetery.

Tom

Interesting question !

A couple of examples > Authuile MC, which has its cross as close to the entrance as you can get (two swords) >

And just over the river, Aveluy MC with its cross in the middle if the burials (one sword)

Tom M

You're absolutely right about Tyne Cot. However, Essex Farm would throw my hypothesis of a central location out the window. Perhaps the double sword at Essex Farm is due to the Cross being right on the entrance. The road facing side of the cross presents as a front, whist the inside face, also requires a sword because it presents to the graves in the manner of other cemeteries.

Tom T-M

Thanks for the photos of Aveluy Wood Cemetery. Although the cross is located centrally there is only sword. I wonder whether this has something to do with the cemetery design, particularly in terms of the grave layout and axis pathways. Cemetery size may also be an influence.


Cheers

Chris

And here is Devonshire Cemetery where the location and orientation of the cross might lead you to expect two swords (there is one) >

Bulls Road, with the cross amongst the graves and two swords >

But Bouzincourt Ridge, which is much bigger than (say) Bulls Road, again with the cross amongst the graves yet just one sword. ......................................................... So, the answer is -

(Ah - Bouzincourt Ridge, - on a winters day; howling wind; rain whizzing along horizontally like little razor blades; up and down lanes swamped with six inches of mud and slurry; and a map which shows it "over here" when in fact its "over there" ! - You have to remind yourself that grandad did this for real, and plug on).

regards - Tom

There are two swords on the Cross of Sacrifice in the CWGC enclosure in Kensal Green cemetery NW London. For some reason they have both been painted white.

There doesn't seem to be a pattern. It could just be a site by site decision.

Tom T-H, thanks for posting the additional photos. In the Devonshire Cemetery set, the left side image appears to be at odds with the centre image.

Wesley, the white painted sword is most unusual. Is it undergoing a conservation process?

Ceebee

I’m unsure if the cross is undergoing conservation, don’t the CWGC usually put up a notice informing visitors that work is being undertaken? There was nothing obvious that I could see.

I’ve had a little root around in some old photo files and the swords were white back in September last year, so if conservation is being undertaken it must be a fairly lengthy process!

Anyway, here’s the cross complete with white swords from both directions...

(clickable images)

I should like to thank my old friend Tom T-M for his photos too. The photo of Devonshire Cemetery Ceebee refers to threw me too, for a moment, but it's OK - what looks like the right-hand corner of the boundary wall is in fact the open gateway into the cemetery. The other side of the gateway, complete with the open gate, is out of shot to the right.

Tom

Ten Tree Alley, with two crosses. A very small cemetery

John

Wesley, thanks for the pics. Very curious about the white paint. The sword blends with the stone surface to some extent. Wonder if that is intentional.

Tom, I can see the arrangement now. Had a look at the cemetery plan too and it's all clear. The left photo was taken on the path leading to the cemetery. The middle photo is taken more or less on the entrance threshold.

Frajohn, thank you too for your photos.

Cheers

Chris

I'm confused by the confusion ! - but of course when you already have a mental image of the place what appears "obvious" might not be obvious to everyone else ................. To clarify - in the CWGC sketch below, my 1st photo is taken from the path leading to the cemetery looking north-west towards the entrance gate .......... Photo 2 was taken from the top of the wall imediately left of the gate (looking NW) ....... and Photo 3 is from the very north end of the cemetery looking SE.

(Nb - remember when "you" used to get to Devonshire Cemetery via the dirt track ............. the days before they built the mini by-pass off the main road - and the coach park ?!).

regards - Tom

Tom

Thanks for the clarification.

Chris