Hook Severn Churchyard, Worcs, Memorial for Martin family
Mr. George Martin, of Ham Court, Upton Upon Severn, Worcestershire died in February 1905. His family contracted a young Eric Gill, who was then working as a London-based calligrapher, letter-cutter and stone mason, to provide a memorial for Mr. Martin at Hook Severn Church, just outside Upton, where he was buried, as well as a wall memorial within St Peter’s Church in the centre of Upton
In 1914 George’s widow, Maria Henrietta, died and his one Daughter contacted Eric Gill to add an extra inscription to the memorial in Hook Severn churchyard. However, at that time Gill would have been busy creating ‘stations of the cross’ for Westminster Abbey and the task of updating the memorial in Upton, as well as re-cutting the original inscription was given to William Forsyth, of Worcester
William himself was 80 at this time, but his business, based in the Tything, Worcester was being managed by his family and employees. How William was contracted, who did the work, and more details of the transaction are contained within eight remarkable letters held at the Hive, Worcester as part of the Bromley-Martin archive stored there
In 1914 George’s widow, Maria Henrietta, died and his one Daughter contacted Eric Gill to add an extra inscription to the memorial in Hook Severn churchyard. However, at that time Gill would have been busy creating ‘stations of the cross’ for Westminster Abbey and the task of updating the memorial in Upton, as well as re-cutting the original inscription was given to William Forsyth, of Worcester
William himself was 80 at this time, but his business, based in the Tything, Worcester was being managed by his family and employees. How William was contracted, who did the work, and more details of the transaction are contained within eight remarkable letters held at the Hive, Worcester as part of the Bromley-Martin archive stored there
