CH28. Inscribed on the wall beneath stained glass window
To the Glory of God / and the beloved memory of ROBERT CROOK WALFORD D.L.J.P. / at rest 6th Sept 1875 / and of his only Child EMILY MARY WALFORD / at rest 14th August 1889 / Ps CVII. 9. He satisfieth the longing soul.
The Walford Family
On the south wall of the chancel, there is a plaque in memory of Robert Crook Walford (1809-1875) and his only child Emily (1846-1889).
Robert Crook Walford born in Hillingdon, was the son of an Uxbridge solicitor, Thomas Witts Walford and his wife Rachel (nee Crook). Robert was a person of some standing in the local community, being described in the census returns as a “landed proprietor”, but also he was a Justice of the Peace and deputy Lieutenant of Middlesex. Historically the role of Lord Lieutenant and his deputy was to organise the county’s militia, a role first introduced by Henry VIII. Today the Lord Lieutenant and his deputy are the Queen’s personal representative in each county, their role being mainly handing out awards. The title of Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex was abolished in 1965 and there is now a Lord Lieutenant for Greater London.
When Robert married his wife Mary in 1835, a new house was built for them to live in, paid for by Robert’s father (who lived at The Lodge opposite St Andrew’s Church). The house was named “The Shrubbery” and was later was owned by the Fassnidge family. This listed building is still standing and up until recently was home to Pizza Express.
A stained glass window was installed in memory of Robert and his daughter Emily, presumably after her death in 1889. The window depicted Jesus’s miraculous feeding of the 5000. Sadly the window was damaged beyond repair in the bombing of World War 2 and was replaced in the 1950’s by the John the Baptist window.
Robert’s wife, Mary died in 1894. Her brother paid for a new pulpit in her memory ( CH035 ) and Mary’s name is inscribed around the base.
Robert and Mary are both buried in the churchyard in a large chest tomb ( B217 ) along with other family members.
Christine Bartlett
