Brockenhurst is justifiably proud of its Churchyard. Located in a delightful spot overlooking the village and adjacent to St Nicholas Church. The church is reputed to be the oldest church in the New Forest and one of only two in the Forest mentioned in the Doomsday Book.

The Churchyard has a special relationship with the Commonwealth troops of World War I and particularly New Zealand.

The New Zealand Cemetery

In 1915 due to its proximity to south coast ports and its railway connections the War Office chose Brockenhurst as a World War 1 hospital centre. This consisted of the main section known as the Lady Hardinge Hospital, a 500 bed tented and galvanized hospital complex built on Church Hill, known to the locals as "Tin Town", and two minor sections at the commandeered Balmer Lawn and Forest Park Hotels, known as the Meerut General Hospital. The hospitals treated soldiers of the 3rd (Lahore) and 7th (Meerut) Divisions from the Indian Army Corps, sent to help the British Expeditionary Force fighting in France and Flanders. Almost 300 Indian wounded were treated before the Corps was posted to Egypt that November.

In January 1916, the hospitals were taken over to become the No.1 New Zealand General Hospital, and hutted accommodation was erected in Church Lane. Over 21,000 New Zealand casualties were treated, but sadly more than a hundred New Zealand, Indian and other soldiers died in these hospitals. There are 93 New Zealand graves, plus those of three Indian and three unidentified Belgian civilians. The No.1 New Zealand Hospital remained at Brockenhurst until it closed early in 1919. The impressive engraved head-stones, were erected 1924 on the order of the Imperial War Graves Commission, replacing the original white wooden crosses. The impressive memorial cross was erected in 1927. To this day an annual service is held here on the Sunday next to Anzac Day, attended by representatives of the New Zealand High Commission and of the New Zealand Forces, Many of today’s villagers also attend.

The churchyard today is in two parts. The smaller area immediately around the Church is under the auspices of the Church Authorities. The lower section below the steps is operated by the Parish Council.

Further information

If you would like to make enquires about our churchyard please contact our Parish Clerk on 01590 622829, or e-mail.

More information about the New Zealand hospital can be found at www.southernlife.org.uk/nzindex.htm and www.nla.gov.au/apps/cdview?pi=nla.pic-vn3312596&referercode=cat

Interment

Conditions and Fees for interment in the Churchyard The fees shown apply when interment is made between the hours of 9am and 4pm, or one hour before sunset, whichever is earlier, on a week-day, or when interment is required to be carried out immediately under the authority of a certificate issued by a Coroner or Registered Medical Practitioner. For non-residents the fees will be double the standard rate, except for former parishioners with addresses in Homes for the Elderly. The decision is at the discretion of the Parish Council. Fees Interment £ The body of a child not exceeding 12 years of age 150 The body of a person over 12 years of age for interment in : a single grave 800 a double grave 800 second burial in a double grave 530 Interment of cremated remains (ashes) 245 Charge for digging an ashes interment plot 115 Right of Burial Exclusive right of burial/s in an earthen grave for a period of 100 years 670 An area 2 ft by 2 ft in the section of the churchyard set aside for cremated remains 245 Monuments and Gravestones A headstone not exceeding 2ft 6ins 185 A name plaque 185 Flower vase, book or Bible 185 Cremation tablet 1ft 6ins by 1ft 6ins 185 Additional inscription on an existing memorial 95 Services of a minister of religion are organised and charged by the Funeral Director. The charge for digging a grave (not ashes plot) is not included and dealt with by the Funeral Director. The construction of a Wall Grave is not permitted in the Churchyard. Valid from 1st April 2013

1757 13042013