Church Micro 4078 Brockenhurst Multi-Cache
Church Micro 4078 Brockenhurst
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
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THE PARISH CHURCH OF St NICHOLAS, BROCKENHURST.
The grid above is for Brockenhurst Church, not the Cache site.
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. 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.
Two others items worth looking for while you are here are
BRUSHER MILLS GRAVE This Sculptured Head-Stone is near the New Zealand cemetery, marks the grave of Harry Mills, better known as Brusher Mills, who for a long number of years, followed the occupation of Snake Catcher, in the New Forest, He suddenly died on July 1st 1905 aged 65.
THE ENGRAVED WINDOW
In the corner at the west end is the Font, left of the porch, above is this engraved window by Tracey Sheppard, was installed in 2008.
THE PARISH CHURCH OF St NICHOLAS
Is open for viewing Daily between 2:30 - 5:00 pm. "The Roll Of Honour" is displayed in a specially created New Zealand corner in the church, in which there is also a commemorative plaque. 20 kneelers have been embroidered with New Zealand designs.
To find your Cache you need to visit the New Zealand Memorial ""THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE""
At the Base left side you will find a stone marking the visit of a family from Masterton, New Zealand, to see their son Ted's Grave. You need to get the numbers required from this stone.
In loving memory of our only Son (TED) who gave his life that the world may be made better.
November A..... B.. C.. D.. E..
Aged F.. G.. years.
To Record the visit of his father, mother to his grave
May H..J........ K.. L.. M.. N..
from Masterton, New Zealand.
CACHE WILL BE FOUND AT ::
N 50
( A - M ) ( E + H )
( C - B ) ( A + N ) ( L - F )
W 001
( G + B ) ( J + K )
( E - A ) ( D + N ) ( C - G )
You are looking for a 4 inch tube, with a Offical Geocache label on outside, contains only room for a log book, so please bring a pen. The cache is not hidden within the Church boundary.
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Erfgvat cynpr orarngu zvtugl bnx