Key Hill Cemetery, Hockley, Birmingham (England).

Key Hill Cemetery, Hockley, Birmingham (England). Key Hill Cemetery, (grid reference SP059882), originally called Birmingham General Cemetery, a Nonconformist (non-denominational) cemetery, is the oldest cemetery (not being in a churchyard) in Birmingham, England. It opened on 23 May 1836. Located in Hockley, the city's Jewellery Quarter, it is one of two cemeteries there (the other being Warstone Lane Cemetery). It is no longer available for new burials.

Many of the fittings and memorials are of architectural and artistic merit - the entrance gates (piers by Charles Edge) and railings are Grade II listed. The Greek Doric chapel by Charles Edge has been demolished.]The cemetery is itself grade II on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. A campaign group, the Friends of Key Hill & Warstone Lane Cemeteries, lobby to have the cemetery restored. The entrance piers and gates on Icknield Street have now been restored and further works to the entrance at Key Hill are planned to commence in 2010/2011.

Notable people buried there include: * Alfred Bird - inventor of egg-free custard and baking powder, (d 18 December 1878, age 67), (plot 164.H) * Joseph Chamberlain (senior) - father of the politician Joseph Chamberlain, Master of the Cordwainer's Company of London, (plot 622.K) * Joseph Chamberlain and his two wives, Harriet and Florence - Mayor and reformer of Birmingham, MP, plot 610.K) * John Henry Chamberlain - local architect, (plot 701.K) * Robert Lucas Chance - director of Chance Brothers, glass makers of Smethwick, (d 24 November 1897, age 76), (plot 902.K) * Robert William Dale - preacher, (b 1 December 1829, d 13 March 1895), (637.K) * George Dawson - preacher, (d 30 November 1876, age 55), (plot 507.O) * Joseph Gillott - pen manufacturer, (b 1799, d 5 January 1872), (plot 374-375.E) * James Hinks - developer and manufacturer of oil lamps (company run by brother, Joseph Hinks), (d 1905), (plot 389.P) * Harriet Martineau - author, (b 12 June 1802, d 27 June 1876) (plot 790/I) * Robert Martineau - Mayor of Birmingham 1846, JP, Bailiff of Lench's Trust, (d 17 June 1870, age 72) (plot 790/I) * Robert Francis Martineau - JP, Secretary of the BMI, council member of Mason's College and then University of Birmingham, (d 15 December 1909, age 78) (plot 790/I) * Sir Thomas Martineau - Mayor of Birmingham 1884-7, (b 4 November 1828, d 28 July 1893) (plot 134.K) * A. Follett Osler - glass manufacturer, developer of time-pieces, ( d 26 April 1903, age 95), (plot 611.K) * John Skirrow Wright - reformer, MP, (d 15 April 1880, age 68), (plot 218.E) Edwin Yates - Mayor of Birmingham 1865, (d 30 June 1874, age 54), (plot 426.K)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Key
• Hill
• Cemetery
• Hockley
• Birmingham
• England
• Graveyard
• Grave
• Stones

[345moreb]

despite the music you will find no trouts there!

[paulph12002]

I used to live up the road from there, and it's a very interesting place to visit.

[RoseKatie123]

my last name is hockley :D that's why I typed it in ,

x

[jacquieh56]

I'm looking for my grandfather's grave - Leslie Frederick Moore. He died on November 23, 1934. My mother was only 4 when he died, and was never told which cemetery. If you have seen this name in a cemetery, pls. let me know.

[nikoolka000]

hi could anyone message me please - does this graveyard still has bodies in the graves?

[SMIKEMITH]

Fantastic !! i was there this week. Its an intriguing place.

smikemith

[jackiebus55]

Thiis was right next to the old main line which ran up to SNOW HILL STATION.

[kevkonk]

Excellent. I used to work in one of the buildings which backed onto the cemetery. There was a tiny ledge near the back door which we used to sunbathe on in the summer during our lunch break. Other times we had a rope which we used to climb down a steep slope into the grounds and go jogging amongst the gravestones, hard work climbing back up.

3.31 left side block I think it was.