In the side streets around Southall, there are two small cemeteries. They're both very typical of west London suburban cemeteries: well-maintained now by the London Borough of Ealing, but with signs of the neglect in their past. The older, Havelock Cemetery on Havelock Road, opened in 1885 and is now closed to new burials. Havelock's most interesting monument is the small pipe organ for William Harry Martin, who died in 1933.
Round the corner, Hortus Cemetery was opened in 1944. It's a large, rectangular piece of ground; there's little planting apart from the hedged rose garden at the front. Nonetheless, it's been popular and now has almost run out of space, particularly in the Muslim section in the north-west corner.
Visiting: Both cemeteries are walking distance from Southall train station. Both are quiet: Havelock was empty on Saturday lunchtime, apart from two lads trying to teach their dog to jump over the wall. Hortus had more visitors, but no one seemed to object to my brief photography exercise.
Could I ask for some help? Trying to trace my grand parents grave and think they are in Havelock Cemetery. Could you provide numbers to call to make enquiries ?
Names are James & Dorothy Kennedy.
Thank you Karen
Ealing Council
Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, Ealing W5 2HL
Tel: (020) 8825 6030
I see that this was posted several years ago. Unfortunately times have changed and Havelock Cemetery is feeling the effects of tightened budgets at Ealing Council. Those responsible for the cemetery are managing as best they can but an increase in anti-social behaviour, especially street drinking and prostitution, means that they and the police are finding it difficult to prevent an air of neglect and lawlessness from affecting it. I was told by the person responsible for the care of Ealing's cemeteries that they were obliged to remove all the hedging and low hanging tree branches to allow a clear view of the whole space. It's very sad that a place that holds the mortal remains of those who made Southall a prosperous Victorian suburb, its railwaymen, shopkeepers and artisans, has ended up like this. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission cares for WW1 and WW2 burials there and those headstones stand out. They include those of two Russian airmen killed in accidents at Northolt in 1917 and a Royal Marine who died following the sinking of HMS Bayano in 1915. I have suggested the setting up of "Friends of Havelock" to Southall local history society and the borough's cemetery service and the response was positive. I live a few miles away in Greenford but would be happy to help set this up as long as I get some support. Anyone with an interest should use the link to my blog to find my contact details. You don't have to live nearby to get involved, I feel that the state of Havelock Cemetery should concern anyone with relatives buried there and anyone with an interest in London's history.
I was at the cemetery last week to visit my mums grave , very said indeed , we buried my mum sept 2015 and the tree lined paths looked very well kept but I to have been told that cut backs and safety to others mean the tress bushes have all been ripped up .
I'd be very happy to join a fb page , I live in Cambridgeshire , don't get to visit much .
That was a speedy response Karen! A Facebook page would be useful because it would let Ealing's councillors know that relatives care about what happens to Havelock. If you contact me on positivegreenford at hotmail dot co dot uk I'll let you know what's happening.
Replied from karenstone1964
I have four relative (of which I know) buried in the Havelock Cemetery. Frederick William Wells, Ethleen Alice Wells, Frederick Arthure Wells and George Thomas Well buried in graves 27J and 662 (cross section) (all dated between 1918 and 1927). Has anyone a gravesite location map? I'd like to figure out where these sites are.
Any forums or groups would be welcome info too.
I have four relative (of which I know) buried in the Havelock Cemetery. Frederick William Wells, Ethleen Alice Wells, Frederick Arthure Wells and George Thomas Well buried in graves 27J and 662 (cross section) (all dated between 1918 and 1927). Has anyone a gravesite location map? I'd like to figure out where these sites are.
If you're on Facebook look for friends of Havelock Cemetery or email me at positivegreenford at hotmail dot co dot uk