The British Cemetery of Montevideo ( es, Cementerio Británico) is one of the oldest operating cemeteries in
Uruguay
Uruguay (; ), officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay ( es, República Oriental del Uruguay), is a country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast; while bordering ...
.
History
This land, now on Central Avenue, was known as the ''Cementerio de los Ingleses'' as during the failed
British invasions of the River Plate
The British invasions of the River Plate were two unsuccessful British attempts to seize control of areas in the Spanish colony of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata that were located around the Río de la Plata in South America – in p ...
a battle took place there on 20 January 1807, known as the
Battle of Cardal
The Battle of Cardal (also known as Battle of Cordón), on 20 January 1807, was the main conflict between the Spanish defense forces of Montevideo, Uruguay, and British troops during the siege of Montevideo during the second British invasion ...
, against forces of Vazquez Feijoo and where several British soldiers were killed. Their comrades buried their bodies on the land on which they had fallen. Shortly afterwards on 3 February, the Battle of Montevideo and for one month the city was occupied by the British till they were defeated in
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires ( or ; ), officially the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires ( es, link=no, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires), is the capital and primate city of Argentina. The city is located on the western shore of the Río de la Plata, on South ...
and had to definitively withdrew from the
Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata
The Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata ( es, Virreinato del Río de la Plata or es, Virreinato de las Provincias del Río de la Plata) meaning "River of the Silver", also called "Viceroyalty of the River Plate" in some scholarly writings, in ...
.
On 24 October 1818 a Portuguese resident of the Cordon area of Montevideo, Padre don Manuel Salinas took possession of a piece of “unoccupied” land situated in the centre of the city on the site of the present “Intendencia”, that was donated to him, during the occupation of Montevideo by the Portuguese Government, by the then Governor Lecor, Viscount of Laguna.
On 30 September 1825 Padre Salinas sold and transferred the land to a British resident, John Hall, for the sum of $400. On 14 April 1828 the British Consul in Montevideo, Mr Thomas Hood bought the land from John Hall in the name of the British government, and it is from this date that the British Cemetery became more formally recognised.
This cemetery initially was a
Protestant
Protestantism is a Christian denomination, branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Reformation, Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century agai ...
cemetery according to the first entrance books, that being the main reason why so many Germans were buried in the original cemetery. In 1835 a German citizen by the name of Enrique Jakobsen died in San Jose, and was denied burial there on account of being a
freemason
Freemasonry or Masonry refers to fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities ...
and a
heretic
Heresy is any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs or customs, in particular the accepted beliefs of a church or religious organization. The term is usually used in reference to violations of important religi ...
. His body was brought to Montevideo, and was also initially denied burial for the same reason. At that time all cemeteries were under the sole management and control of the
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
. After his burial in the Cementerio Central which had been inaugurated earlier the same year the First Bishop of Montevideo,
Jacinto Vera
Blessed Jacinto Vera Durán (Atlantic Ocean, 3 July 1813 – Pan de Azúcar, Uruguay, 6 May 1881) was a Uruguayan Roman Catholic prelate who served as the first bishop of Montevideo. He was an active minister in Uruguay, although his efforts to ...
declared that no other burial could take place in that Cemetery until the body was removed. Because of this the Government stepped in, and on 10 October 1835 passed a decree whereby all cemeteries in this country would come under the direct influence of the Jefatura de Policia. Subsequent to this decree, years later, by Government decree of 28 June 1858 the administration of all cemeteries of this country was conferred on the Juntas Economicas Administrativas who depended directly from the Municipios. On 3 October 1837 the title deeds were issued to Mr. Hood with the provision that the land should be used exclusively for the burial of British subjects. Within a context of religious intolerance the Uruguayan Government requested that Protestants of other nationalities should also be buried there, and as can be seen from the record books this has always been respected. The British Cemetery has no restrictions regarding religion or nationality.
On 1 January 1879 a decree was passed prohibiting burials within the Cemetery, with a few exceptions due to an outbreak of
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is a viral disease of typically short duration. In most cases, symptoms include fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains – particularly in the back – and headaches. Symptoms typically improve within five days. In ...
. On 1 October 1884 the President of the Republic, General
Máximo Santos
Máximo Benito Santos Barbosa (15 April 1847 – 19 May 1889) was a Uruguayan political and military figure.
Background
Santos pursued a career in the military, prior to serving as Minister for War from 1880 to 1882. He was a member of the Color ...
, had a decree passed to finally close the Old Cemetery and the Government made a
Compulsory Purchase
Compulsion may refer to:
* Compulsive behavior, a psychological condition in which a person does a behavior compulsively, having an overwhelming feeling that they must do so.
* Obsessive–compulsive disorder, a mental disorder characterized by i ...
of the land. Anticipating this possibility, in August 1878 a piece of land was bought next to the
Buceo Cemetery
Cementerio del Buceo is a cemetery in Montevideo, Uruguay. It was established in 1872.
It is located in the ''barrio'' of Buceo, near the shores of the River Plate. Nearby is the British Cemetery.
Notable burials
* Rafael Barradas (1890–192 ...
(which had been inaugurated on 20 March 1872) for the purpose of opening a Cemetery in this new location. In 1885 the gardens and paths were designed and constructed inside the walls of the New Cemetery, a house for the caretaker, offices, stables, a shed for the workers, and the Chapel. Any improvements or maintenance that has been done to these installations over the years has respected the original designs, and today all of these buildings still stand as fine examples of late 19th century architecture. On 14 October a dedication ceremony was carried out in the newly constructed Chapel by the Right Reverend Waite Hockin Stirling who was the Lord Bishop of the
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands (; es, Islas Malvinas, link=no ) is an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about east of South America's southern Patagonian coast and about from Cape Dubouzet ...
.
In 1888 the railings and a water well were constructed. The first Burial in the New British Cemetery was that of a German citizen by the name of Nicolas Laukant on 9 April 1885. Cristian Schenzer, who was the caretaker of the Cemetery at the time, was contracted to carry out the onerous task of transferring the remains of bodies interred in the old cemetery and their corresponding monuments to the new site. This was done between 13 October 1887 and 4 February 1888.
In the year 1897 the British Community decided to build a
community hall
Community centres, community centers, or community halls are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole co ...
and as a way of commemorating her
Diamond Jubilee
A diamond jubilee celebrates the 60th anniversary of a significant event related to a person (e.g. accession to the throne or wedding, among others) or the 60th anniversary of an institution's founding. The term is also used for 75th annivers ...
it was named after
Queen Victoria
Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 21 ...
. The Victoria Hall Society was formed, and after obtaining a loan from the British Cemetery Society, a very suitable piece of land in calle Rio Negro was purchased, where the building was finally erected. The drive for funds for its construction was very small, and payments had to be made during the construction of the building, so that continuous loans had to be granted by the Cemetery Society, until such time as the building was finished. The so-called Victoria Hall Society could not even meet the payment of interest on the total loan, so finally an agreement was reached whereby the property was transferred to the British Cemetery Society. In this building, with a private entrance, the Acacia Lodge Temple was constructed, and the Acacia Lodge obtained a loan from the British Cemetery Society to import from the United Kingdom the furniture required for the
Masonic Temple
A Masonic Temple or Masonic Hall is, within Freemasonry, the room or edifice where a Masonic Lodge meets. Masonic Temple may also refer to an abstract spiritual goal and the conceptual ritualistic space of a meeting.
Development and history
In ...
. When all the public utility companies, such as railways, waterworks, tramways etc. passed into the hands of the Government, the general idea was that there would no longer be any British Community. No use was made of the Victoria Hall; it was partly kept by the rent obtained from leasing it for weekend dances and theatre. Expenses, management, repairs, taxes etc. had to be paid by the British Cemetery Society with yearly losses, and as finally the community was no longer using the hall, decision was taken to sell it.
Upon the death of Queen Victoria, on 22 January 1901, the British Community in Uruguay decided to raise funds to build a monument in her honour. F. Pozer & Company constructed an
obelisk
An obelisk (; from grc, ὀβελίσκος ; diminutive of ''obelos'', " spit, nail, pointed pillar") is a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape or pyramidion at the top. Originally constructed by Anc ...
with grey granite from the hills near Minas, 8 metres high, with the inscription "Victoria, Queen and Mother of her People". The monument was inaugurated at 3pm on Sunday 10 August 1902. The ceremony was led by the Walter Baring – British Minister & Consul General at Montevideo, Reverend Basil Cobbett and the President of the British Society W. Galway accompanied by 6 sailors from HMS Basilisk. The monument still stands in its original position within the entrance to the Cemetery.
At a meeting of the British Cemeteries Society held on 13 February 1908, Mr. J.J. Hore, then Honorary Treasurer of the Society, brought forward a scheme for the establishing of a British School in Montevideo, for those children whose parents could not afford to send them for their education abroad. The proposal was eventually carried through, and the then Rector of the Anglican Church, Rev. Alpass, who had educational experience, was instructed that whilst in England he should obtain the services of a headmaster and teacher for the projected school. He was also instructed to purchase the required furniture and books for the school. Apart from paying Assisted Education for various children once the School was installed in calle Salsipuedes (now Blanes), the British Cemetery Society made the School a grant of $5,000 for a period of three years, and that it should be continued until such time that the school could pay its own way. When the School moved from calle Blanes to 18 de Julio continued assistance was granted. From there the British School decided to build their own property, and in this respect purchased land in
Pocitos :''Pocitos is also the colloquial name for the city of Salvador Mazza, Salta Province, Argentina''
Pocitos is an upscale beach ''barrio'' (neighbourhood or district) in Uruguay's capital city, Montevideo.
Location
This area is located along the ba ...
, where the School was built. Edward, the Prince of Wales laid the Foundation Stone in 1925. The Cemetery Society guaranteed and paid all the mortgage interest on the property built in Jose B. Lamas, on the condition that on the Board of the British Schools Society there should always be two members of the British Cemetery Society until such time as the final payment of the mortgage on the property had been made.
During 1910 the British Hospital decided to vacate their old premises on the street
Juan Lindolfo Cuestas
Juan Lindolfo de los Reyes Cuestas (6 January 1837 – 21 June 1905) was a Uruguayan politician who served as the 18th President of Uruguay from 1897 until 1899 and for a second term from 1899 to 1903.
Background
Juan Lindolfo Cuestas was a promi ...
, and build a new hospital in Avenida Aldea (now Avenida Italia), where it stands today, and known as the
Edward VII
Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910.
The second child and eldest son of Queen Victoria an ...
Hospital. The total investment for the construction was $60000, and it was made out in debentures. The British Cemetery Society had to guarantee the 6% interest on these debentures. As the British Community could not meet the total $60000, the British Cemetery Society had to absorb one third. Also, some years later, when the extension to the
Edward VII
Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India, from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910.
The second child and eldest son of Queen Victoria an ...
Hospital was made, of what were called the new wings, the British Cemetery Society granted a further loan, which covered 40% of this construction at a low interest rate.
In the year 1945 when practically all the British public utility works were sold to the Uruguayan Government the then Presidents of the various British Societies together with their committees decided to sell out, as they thought that it could be the end of a British Community in this country. Consequently, the Victoria Hall, the Old English Club and
Montevideo Cricket Club
The Montevideo Cricket Club (abbreviated "MVCC") is a Uruguayan sports club based in Montevideo, established in 1861 by English immigrants. Its predecessor had been the now defunct "Victoria Cricket Club", founded in 1842.
sold out.
In accordance with the statutes of the Society, at the end of every financial year, if there is a profit in the running of the Society the same is disbursed amongst medical entities.
Types of crosses
Distinct styles of monuments are to be found within the Cemetery, reflecting the wide variety of nationalities and religious groups which are represented.
File:G 261.jpg, Latin Cross
File:E 051.jpg, Latin Cross, with lilies
File:SC 178.jpg, Stepped Cross, with Anchor
File:G 113.jpg, Crucifix
File:British Cemetery, Montevideo, Plot A 038.jpg, Celtic Cross
File:Могила Николая Соловья на Британском кладбище в Монтевидео.jpg, Russian Orthodox cross
File:G 292.jpg, Bottonee Cross
File:WW 039b.jpg
File:EW 294.jpg, Wooden Cross
Notable burials
Soldiers, sailors and airmen
The British Cemetery contains the graves of quite a number of soldiers, sailors and airmen of different nationalities, although the majority are of British descent. Some served with the Armed Forces, and others are from merchant ships that were in the River Plate area at the time. A few of these ships are well known to the general public, such as the Royston Grange or the Achilles, which was involved in the "Battle of the River Plate".
Various United States Marines are buried here.
* Frederick Crocker (1821–1911). American naval commander and US consul
Armonía Somers
Armonía Liropeya Etchepare Locino (7 October 1914 – 1 March 1994) was a Uruguayan feminist, pedagogue, novelist and short story writer. She was sometimes referred to as Armonía Etchepare de Henestrosa or, by her pseudonym, Armonía Somer (some ...
(1914–1994). Pseudonym of Uruguayan writer Armonía Liropeya Etchepare Locino
*
Carla Witte
Carla Witte (20 May 1889 – 8 May 1943) was a German Uruguayan, German-Uruguayan painter, sculptor, and teacher.
Biography
Carla Witte was born in Leipzig, a German city in Saxony on 20 May 1889, and studied plastic arts in Berlin. In 1927, sh ...
William Leslie Poole
William Leslie Poole (England, 7 November 1866 – Montevideo, 22 August 1931) was a Kent-born English immigrant to Uruguay who was important to the development of association football in Uruguay and became known as the "Father of Uruguayan Fo ...
(1866–1931). English teacher at the "English High School" Montevideo. Played football in Albion Football Club, known as the "Father of Uruguayan Football"
Thomas Havers
Thomas Havers was a British businessman and architect, active in the Falkland Islands and Uruguay in the middle of the 19th century. He is noted for designing the ''Mercado Central de Montevideo'' (Montevideo Central Market). The English In South America Michael George Mulhall, Standard Printing Office, Buenos Aires, and E. Stanford, London, 1878
=Others
=
*
Samuel Fisher Lafone
Samuel Fisher Lafone (Liverpool, 1805 – Buenos Aires, April 30, 1871) was a British-born Uruguayan businessman.
Lafone developed an important economic activity in Montevideo and Argentina. He established a settlement at Hope Place on the sou ...
(1805–1871). English businessman
*
Thomas Tomkinson
Thomas Tomkinson (1631–1710) was an English Muggletonian writer born at Ilam, near Dovedale, in Staffordshire. His parents, Richard and Ann, farmed at Sladehouse and Thomas took over the business as a yeoman farmer even while his father was aliv ...
# The history of the Cemetery was taken from notes collected by Sir Robert Jackson, President of the British Cemetery Society during many years.
# Use has also been made of an article in "El Plata", newspaper published in Montevideo on 26 February 1934.