At peace, not forgotten

The cemeteries around BCP are home to some interesting residents…

Across our three towns we have many notable people buried in the cemeteries. Many are household names made famous in their own right, such as Mary Shelley and Lewis Tregonwell, others are less well known but their historical importance in our area is just as important and is one worth sharing. It only takes a walk around some of the local cemeteries to learn more about these people and here we look at three of them.

Alfred Russel Wallace January 1823 –November 1913

Co-discoverer of the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

Buried in Broadstone Cemetery, Poole, Dorset

In our modern world of social media and 24hour rolling news coverage, we often forget it was not that long ago that it was more of a case of whoever got their book or paper published first, were the ones who gained the fame and recognition. This is one such case.

Situated in plain sight 30 metres on the right as you enter Broadstone Cemetery, Poole, you see a strange monolith placed over a grave. The pillar is in fact a fossilised tree trunk, thought to be Conifer and its origin is believed to be from the Portland area of Dorset. This marks the final resting place of Alfred Russel Wallace, naturalist, explorer,

Frederick George Abberline 8 January 1843 – 10 December 1929

Famous as the lead detective in the 1888 Jack the Ripper murder investigations

Buried in Wimborne Road Cemetery Bournemouth

One for the criminologists among us, the Whitechapel Murders, or more commonly known as the ‘Ripper Murders’ took place in the late 1880’s where five grizzly murders were attributed to the infamous (and never identified) serial killer. Upon retirement, the lead detective in the case moved to Bournemouth and is buried in the town which qualifies him for his place in this article.

Christopher Crabb Creeke – March 1820 – May 1886

Famous for the early development of Bournemouth

Buried in Wimborne Road Cemetery, Bournemouth

Although Lewis Tregonwell is long regarded as the founder of Bournemouth, it was Christopher Creeke who was the main architect of the town who brought together the landowners and then gained their cooperation in the task of planning geographer, anthropologist, biologist and illustrator who, independently of Charles Darwin, was the co-discoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection. drains, water supply and roads which is needed for the development of any town. Born in Cambridge, Creeke moved to Bournemouth in the mid 1850’s on a commission from Mary Shelley to convert a large property into her beach retreat. Upon her death, Creeke remained in Bournemouth.

Both Wallace and Darwin knew each other and although both did their research independently of each other, they are both credited with the discovery of natural selection. Together they presented a scientific paper to the Linnean Society, London in July 1858 which was then published in August 1858. It was Darwin however who got his book published first and then in all probability enjoyed a greater share of the credit.

Upon Wallace’s death in 1913 it was suggested he was buried in Westminster Abbey alongside Darwin, however it was said his own wishes, along with that of his family, was he wanted to be buried in Broadstone Cemetery, Poole.

Frederick Abberline was born in Blandford Forum, Dorset and trained as a clockmaker. He moved to London in 1863 where he joined the Metropolitan Police (N - Division) rising rapidly through the ranks. He was promoted to Inspector First class in 1888 and then Chief inspector in December 1890.

Such was the respect Abberline gained from his colleagues, along with his esteemed knowledge of the local area, that he was place in the position of Lead Detective investigating the Ripper murders heading up the investigating team.

Although the case had many leads and suspects no one was ever charged. Abberline retired from the police in 1892 in the rank of Chief Inspector and retired to Bournemouth where he lived until his death in 1929, he is buried in Wimborne Road Cemetery, Bournemouth.

At the time, Bournemouth did exist but in a very disorganised haphazard way. In 1856 parliament allowed the establishment of Bournemouth Commissionaires, of which Christopher Creeke was appointed surveyor. His remaining years were spent advising the commissionaires and land owners in designing the town in a way that is still very evident today.

Christopher Creeke died in 1886 and is buried in Wimborne Road Cemetery which he himself had designed.