Macclesfield Cemetery and Crematorium now available on Deceased Online

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Created: 16 February 2020 17:09
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Records from the historic Macclesfield Cemetery and Crematorium are now available to view on www.deceasedonline.com. Situated in Cheshire East and run by Orbitas, a company owned by Cheshire East Council, Macclesfield Cemetery is a beautiful Victorian cemetery first opened in 1866. The site includes a Grade II listed Neo-Gothic chapel, which is now used as office space. Macclesfield Crematorium was opened in 1960 in the building that was formerly the Non-Conformist Chapel.

Above: Macclesfield Cemetery

Macclesfield Cemetery is arguably most famous for providing the final resting place of Ian Curtis, the lead singer and lyricist of the band Joy Division, after his tragic suicide in 1980. Curtis was born in Stretford, Lancashire, but grew up in Macclesfield. He did well at school, developed a keen interest in music, philosophy, and poetry, and received several scholastic awards. Ian Curtis, along with Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Terry Mason formed a band named Warsaw, after a song by David Bowie. Warsaw was subsequently renamed to Joy Division in 1978, a name derived from the 1955 novel House of Dolls. Joy Division released two albums, Unknown Pleasures and Closer, before the death of Curtis.

Above: Macclesfield Cemetery

George Harold Eardley, a recipient of the prestigious Victoria Cross and the Military Medal, also rests in Macclesfield Cemetery. Acting Sergeant Eardley of the 4th battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in the face of the enemy in the Netherlands in October 1944. His platoon was ordered to clear enemy opposition from some orchards but, 80 yards from their objective, automatic machine gun fire swiftly halted their advance. Eardley dodged heavy fire to get close enough to one machine gun post to kill the enemy officer with a grenade, and then went on to destroy two more posts single-handed. His actions enabled his platoon to complete their objective and ensured the success of their whole attack. In 2004 a statue was erected in his honour in his home town of Congleton.

First World War hero Private Harold Whalley of 21st Manchester Regiment, given the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery carrying messages under heavy shell fire, also rests in Macclesfield Cemetery. Private Whalley died in London aged 23, the result of injuries received in France in 1918.

Above: historic memorials in Macclesfield Cemetery

Macclesfield Cemetery and Crematorium records comprise scans of the original burial and cremation registers, and details of those buried in the same grave in the cemetery. Other Cheshire East cemeteries and crematoria available to view on Deceased Online include: