Different Types of Headstones

[spidge]

Found these types of headstones in a country New South Wales war cemetery in Australia.

Has anybody ever seen any in this design?

Deniliquin War 53931 Matthews_EJ.jpg

Deniliquin War2.jpg

Deniliquin War 12985 Le Mescam_AB.jpg

[GPRegt]

They're standard CWGC headstones. The stone is probably 'locally' sourced for its suitability to withstand local climate conditions.

Steve W.

[spidge]

Originally Posted by GPRegt

They're standard CWGC headstones. The stone is probably 'locally' sourced for its suitability to withstand local climate conditions.

Steve W.

Standard in dimensions.............Yes?

Not a "standard" CWGC headstone.

[von Poop]

I may of course be missing something but, in what way are they not standard Spidge?

If it's just the Marble looking stone I've seen a few CWGC markers in other than the usual material.

Good stuff on GWF:
Headstones On British Cemeteries - Great War Forum
Could these be in the newer 'Botticino' stone? A search under 'Botticino CWGC' turns up a few references.

Cheers,
Adam.

[GPRegt]

Adam,

That's a very interesing thread, thanks for sharing it.

I also agree with you about the 'standard' format of Spidge's headstones.

Steve W.

[spidge]

Originally Posted by von Poop

I may of course be missing something but, in what way are they not standard Spidge?

If it's just the Marble looking stone I've seen a few CWGC markers in other than the usual material.

Good stuff on GWF:
Headstones On British Cemeteries - Great War Forum
Could these be in the newer 'Botticino' stone? A search under 'Botticino CWGC' turns up a few references.

Cheers,
Adam.

I am on GWF and read the attached thread before posting however being a WW2 stone the question would have been off topic.

The typeface and gold gilt is nothing like I have seen previously and have been sent many thousands from around the world. I have photographed every war cemetery within 100 miles of that cemetery and none look similar.

The original question was:

Has anybody seen any in this design?

This email I received below from a friend of the CWGC seems to answer many of the questions as to why it is "different" however I thought they looked really good and wondered if any more had been seen like it.

Local stones are often used - sometimes as an experiment - sometimes for economic reasons. These look like a type of granite but may be marble - I can't tell from the pics. Granite is not unusual in Australia and there are many different types/colours.

All typefaces should be the same but differences do occur. Sometimes it is a stonemason's error or the simple fact that he could not 'do' the required typeface. Many such variations occur. It may also be down to a misunderstood instruction etc when these were originally sorted by CWGC Australia or that the stone is of a type that made a different typeface easier to carve - not such delicate serif ends to the letters etc.

I have a vague memory that I have seen similar stones elsewhere downunder.

There are so many variations on headstones due to them all being hand-made and 'one-offs' until recent years when the laser machines were brought in that seeking answers to any particular variation is a fruitless task. Even CWGC will not know in all probability.

Cheers

Geoff

[craftsmanx]

There are several CWGC graves in St John's Churchyard in Llangollen and although of standard design are of slate. I know they're genuine as one is my grandfather's and my father attended the funeral and confirms that the stone is the original.