© John Clarke 2014-
John Clarke
Historian of Brookwood Cemetery
Forthcoming Publications
My new booklet on Brookwood’s Mausolea is now available. Further details are posted here.
I am also working on a booklet (with Peter Hodgkinson) on First World War Dead for the Friends of West Norwood Cemetery. This project has been delayed due to restrictions caused by the Covid pandemic, but should be available later in 2022.
The booklet will summarise the research on First World War commemorations at West Norwood Cemetery, and it is planned to publish the detailed information via the Friends of West Norwood Cemetery website.
Forthcoming & Recent Lectures
Wednesday 12th October 2022 at 7pm -
For further information on lectures I have undertaken in 2021 and earlier, please follow this link.
Current Research
* First World War Dead in West Norwood Cemetery (currently 500 names and more to come)
* West Norwood Conservation Area
*More on the Brookwood Cemetery railway (for a new edition)
* Pauper Burials at Brookwood Cemetery
Hello, and welcome to my website
I'm a freelance writer, former administrator and medical librarian based in London.
My writing and research has mainly focused on Brookwood Cemetery and West Norwood Cemetery, but I have also written on various railway-
Over the years I have presented many lectures on Brookwood Cemetery and its railway funeral service. If you are interested in booking me for a local (or national) group then please feel free to contact me via the contact page on this website or email me at info at john-
I have also authored some websites which explore the rich content of some of the part-
Information about all of these areas are incorporated into my website.
Latest News:
Charles Bradlaugh’s Monument Restored
I was fortunate to be invited to the official unveiling of the fully restored authentic replica bust & wreath on the memorial to Charles Bradlaugh in the North Cemetery. This event took place on 17 October 2021. The project was jointly supported by the National Secular Society, the Brookwood Cemetery Society and Brookwood Cemetery. We owe them a great debt for making sure this iconoclastic Victorian politician’s grave was restored so magnificently. It should be admired and appreciated for years to come -
London Cemeteries in Old Photographs
Just published (May 2021)
by Brian Parsons
Price £12 (paperback), including UK postage
94pp. with nearly 190 illustrations
Only available via www.brianparsons.org.uk
You can read my book review here.
Coffins by Corpse Van
My article on corpse vans has recently been published in the April 2021 issue of Backtrack.
The article describes and illustrates a number of hearse vans used on Britain’s railway system.
Oakwood Press is celebrating an astonishing 90 years of specialist transport publishing. It remains the oldest publisher of its type still in business.
My first book was published by Roger Kidner, Oakwood’s founder and owner, just before he retired in 1984. The firm was sold to Jane Kennedy (ex-
I am fortunate indeed to have worked with all three owners. Happy 90th!
St Magnus the Martyr Memorial Restored
It is good to see the fully repaired and restored monument over the St Magnus the Martyr plot at Brookwood. The human remains were removed on sanitary grounds to Brookwood in 1893-
All credit to the church and Skillingtons for undertaking this work.
The photograph is courtesy of Michael Cooper, Parish Clerk.
You can read more news here