Jekyll Memorial, Busbridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jekyll Memorial |
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Memorials to the Jekylls, left, and Francis McLaren, right
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| Type | Memorial |
| Location | Busbridge, |
| Area | Surrey |
| Built | C.1932 |
| Architect | Edwin Lutyens |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: Jekyll Memorial | |
| Designated | 1 February 1991 |
| Reference no. | 1044532 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: McLaren Headboard | |
| Designated | 1 February 1991 |
| Reference no. | 1188875 |
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The Jekyll Memorial is a special monument in Busbridge, Surrey, England. It remembers a famous gardener named Gertrude Jekyll and her family. Her good friend and fellow designer, Edwin Lutyens, created it in 1932. This memorial is so important that it's protected as a Grade II listed structure. This means it's a historic building that needs to be preserved.
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Remembering Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932) was a very important gardener. Her ideas changed how people thought about and designed gardens. She worked closely with Edwin Lutyens, a famous architect. Together, they designed over 100 gardens!
In 1896, Lutyens even designed Gertrude's own house. It was called Munstead Wood and was near Busbridge. Gertrude was known as "Aunt Bumps" to Lutyens.
Why the Memorial Was Built
Gertrude Jekyll passed away in December 1932. Her brother, Herbert, had died just a few months before, in September of the same year. Because of these losses, Lutyens decided to design a memorial for the Jekyll family.
Later, more tributes were added to the memorial. These were for Herbert's wife, Lady Agnes, who died in 1937. There was also a tribute for their only son, Francis, who passed away in 1965.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The Jekyll Memorial is located at the south-east corner of the Church of St John the Baptist in Busbridge. It has three stone slabs, like tombstones. These are placed in front of a curved stone wall, called an exedra. A semi-circular urn sits on top of this wall.
A famous architectural expert, Pevsner, described the memorial as a "complex design." He felt it looked a bit like the work of another architect, John Soane, but with a more modern, blunt style from the 1930s.
The first words carved on the memorial honored Herbert and Gertrude Jekyll. They said that the Jekylls found joy in their work. It also said that the beauty they created would live on as their memorial. Later, words were added to remember Lady Agnes Jekyll. These words said her spirit was always full of kindness.
Just like the Jekyll Memorial, the entire structure is a Grade II listed site. This means it's officially recognized as a building of special historical interest.
Remembering Francis McLaren
To the right of the Jekyll Memorial, there is a special carved wooden headboard. This headboard remembers Francis McLaren (1886–1917). Francis was married to Barbara Jekyll, who was the daughter of Sir Herbert and Lady Agnes.
Sadly, Francis McLaren died in a flying accident in 1917. This headboard was also designed by Edwin Lutyens. It has five wooden panels held together with pegs. These panels show the symbols of the Royal Flying Corps, which was an early air force. The headboard also shares details about Francis McLaren's life. It mentions his time as a member of parliament and his rank as a 2nd lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. This headboard also has its own Grade II listing, meaning it's a protected historic item.
