Text and photographs by Megakles Rogakos, MA MA PhD
The British Cemetery in Corfu is located on the hill of San Salvatore, in the proximity of the San Rocco square. Founded in 1814, when Corfu became a British Protectorate (1814-1864), it was used as a place where the British officials, soldiers and residents were interred. After the departure of the British from the island, the cemetery served as the graveyard for the foreign families who stayed on. The earliest legible grave dates back to 1817. There are nearly 500 graves in the cemetery. It is still being used as a cemetery for the Anglican residents of Corfu. Among the most notable graves are John Connors’ grave, died in 1857, a private in the 3rd Regiment of Foot, who was awarded the Victoria Cross during the Crimean War, and the monument to the seamen of the Royal Navy destroyers HMS Saumarez and HMS Volage, which ships were mined by the Albanians in 1946 (The Corfu Channel Incident).
The whole place looks more like a garden than a cemetery. It is gracely blossomed all year long with a great variety of flowers, bushes and trees. There is also a small basin with goldfish and water lillies. The cemetery is crossed by a slight ascending road, on which one can spot many types of flora, like the anemones, marguerites and the famous orchids.
Sadly, this historic cemetery is in dire need of restoration. If there are any donors sensitive to this matter, they should get in touch with the following person in charge: Ms Alison Turney, Vice Consul, British Vice Consulate, 18 Mantzarou Street, 49100, Corfu, Greece, +30 26610 30055, alison.turney@fco.gov.uk
1. Corfu British Cemetery – entrance.
2. Corfu British Cemetery – garden view with pot and basin in the background.
3. Corfu British Cemetery – basin with goldfishes and water lilies.
4. Corfu British Cemetery – ossuary and nearby graves.
5. Corfu British Cemetery – ossuary’s façade.
6. Corfu British Cemetery – ossuary’s rear view.
7. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of William Boycroft, who died 15 May 1846.
8. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of John Rutherford, who died 12 February 1839.
9. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of Edward Johnson Esq., who died 10 November 1829.
10. Corfu British Cemetery – oblique aspect of the grave of Johnson, pictured above.
11. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of Charles Gustavus Monckton, who died 9 August 1831.
12. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of John Kettlewell, who died 29 December 1833.
13. Corfu British Cemetery – grave erected by the Royal Artillery Battalion in 1856.
14. Corfu British Cemetery – obelisk.
15. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of James William Taylor, who died 14 February 1879.
16. Corfu British Cemetery – grave with a cross on a Celtic design.
17. Corfu British Cemetery – grave with iron railing in Victorian style.
18. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of a Deputy Commissioner-General.
19. Corfu British Cemetery – detailed aspect of the grave pictured above.
20. Corfu British Cemetery – grave with statue of angel holding living torch down.
21. Corfu British Cemetery – oblique aspect of the grave pictured above.
22. Corfu British Cemetery – grave crowned with a replica of Michelangelo’s “Pietà”.
23. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of a Deputy Adjutant General.
24. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of Gertrude Spengelin, who died 25 February 1837.
25. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of Lieutenant T. E. Thompson, who died 6 April 1830.
26. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of Harriet Browne Pecco, who died 8 July 1825.
27, Corfu British Cemetery – grave of Elise Fels, who died 24 November 1851.
28. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of Ken Crossley, who died 25 January 1945.29. Corfu British Cemetery – statue by Georgios Bonanos of a seated lady reading from a book.30. Corfu British Cemetery – grave of James Woodhouse KCMG, who died 26 February 1866.
2 thoughts on “Corfu British Cemetery”
So interesting & your notes bring these historical people alive once more.
I look forward to visiting again in September.
Also I appreciate these blog you are issuing, makes Corfu so special.
So interesting & your notes bring these historical people alive once more.
I look forward to visiting again in September.
Also I appreciate these blog you are issuing, makes Corfu so special.
Thank you so much for your kind words!