St Andrew's Church, Fontmell Magna. Ep 2/65 Dorset's Best Churches

Описание: St Andrew's Church has it's foundation in Saxon times. According to Brendan Lehane's book 'Dorset's best Churches', one of the Parsons died of the Black Death in 1348, another lost his head under Queen Mary and one, 17th Century Thomas Dibden, was a passable poet.

In the church is a copper plaque erected to the memory of Rolf Gardiner, 1902 to 1971; father of conductor John Eliot Gardiner and nephew of composer Balfour Gardiner.

Some details on Philip Salkeld from Wikipedia:-
Salkeld was 26 years old, and a lieutenant in the Bengal Engineers, Bengal Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he together with Duncan Charles Home was awarded the VC:

Lieutenants Duncan Charles Home- and Philip Salkeld, Bengal Engineers, upon whom the Victoria Cross was provisionally conferred by Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, Bart., K.C.B., for their conspicuous bravery in the performance of the desperate duty of blowing in the Cashmere Gate of tho Fortress of Delhi, in broad daylight, under a heavy fire of musketry, on the morning of the 14th September, 1857, preparatory to the assault, would have been recommended to Her Majesty for confirmation in that distinction, had they survived.

He was killed in action at Delhi on 10 October 1857.

Salkeld's companion at King's College School, Robert Haydon Shebbeare also received the Victoria Cross on the same day for his action in the fourth column attacking Delhi at the Kabul Gate.

Photos of the church and parts of the village can be found here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/WCExplor...