New research exploring Lincoln’s burial grounds set to launch

The book features contributions from various members of the Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) academic community

The Survey of Lincoln is set to unveil its latest literary endeavour on Saturday 2^nd December, with the launch of new book: ‘Lincoln's Burial Grounds: Commemorating the City's Dead.’

The book is edited by local historian Dr Andrew Walker and features contributions from various members of the Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) academic community.

Andrew Priestley, a current third-year student pursuing a BA (Hons) in Military History at BGU, contributed a chapter named ‘Memorials to the fallen in Eastgate Cemetery: a survey of the different ways soldiers, sailors, and airmen are commemorated in a small urban cemetery’. Andrew’s research efforts focus on finding military graves in civilian graveyards and identifying the reasons behind their placement.

Andrew said: “The research process for my chapter in ‘Lincoln’s Burial Grounds’ was an exciting opportunity to discover some real insights into the memorialisation of war dead within smaller, civilian sites in Lincoln.

“I hope my contribution highlights the diverse stories of local soldiers.”

Programme Leader for Archaeology and Heritage, Dr. Derwin Gregory’s research ‘Lincoln's Emergency Mortuary During the Second World War’ uses conflict archaeology to examine a crucial aspect of the city's wartime history. The opening chapter ‘Archaeology and Lincoln's Early Cemeteries’ is authored by Dr. Mick Jones, Visiting Reader in Archaeology.

Dr. Hazel Kent’s chapter ‘Remembering Lincoln's Civilian War Dead (1939-1945): Memorials and Graves’ focuses on those who lost their lives in Lincoln during World War II, whether as a result of enemy action, military accidents, or civil defense duties. Dr. Kent said: "Participating in this research has been enlightening. It underscores the value of diverse academic perspectives from various backgrounds in bringing our local history to life.

“It's great to have so many members of BGU involved in the new research and we’re excited to share our findings with the community.”

The official book launch is scheduled for Saturday 2^nd December at St Hugh's Church Hall, Monks Road and is open to the public. Doors will open at 9.30 am, with short talks about selected chapters beginning at 10 am. Attendees can enjoy tea, coffee, and biscuits, and copies of the book, as well as previous volumes, will be available for purchase.