Find out where ‘Leamington Licker’ is buried

As part of this year’s Leamington Looks Back History Festival programme Alan Griffin, Allan Jennings, Barry Franklin and Nigel Briggs, members of the Leamington History Group, have organised five walks around the cemetery.

They will point out a number of interesting characters who have lived or died in the area.

You can find out: where the ‘Leamington Licker’ is buried; who died in Lipton’s doorway during the bombing on November 14 1940; hear about the King’s Messenger; where 2 two VCs are buried; a Crimean War veteran; an England football captain; the only woman who died in Lillington during the bombings; a man who had a six ton rock put alongside his grave site; hear about the Leamington woman who was bombed twice by the Germans; the United States naval commander who died on the river at Emscote; the remarkable Nun of Kenmare; one of Nelson’s admirals and the tragic Place sisters,.

This year’s festival takes place from June 21 until July 6. Full details can be found at www.leamingtonlooksback.co.uk

A number of booklets giving full details of the various events have been placed on the table at South Lodge, Jephson Gardens. They are also available from the Tourist Information Centre.

The walks will last around 60-90 minutes. There is no need to book, just turn up at the middle cemetery entrance on Brunswick Street.

The dates and times of the walks are: Thursday June 26 – 2pm and 6pm; Sunday June 29 – 2pm; Friday July 4 - 2pm and 6pm.

A 24-page booklet has been produced giving a brief history of the cemetery and a potted history of 17 of the interesting characters that will be pointed out during the walk. They will be available on the walks (while stocks last) at £3.

Booklets will also be on sale at South Lodge, Jephson Gardens for the next few Tuesday mornings.

n As part of this year’s Leamington Looks Back Festival, Lillington History Group has asked Allan Jennings to give another presentation about the bombings of Leamington during the Second World War. This will be held at Lillington Primary School, Cubbington Road, on Friday June 27, 7.30-9pm. It costs £2. Refreshments will be available. Everyone welcome.

Allan said: “Over the years a number of people have written in to the Courier with their memories of the war – but memories play tricks especially if you were a child at the time. Add to that the fact that official information was restricted and we get a limited, confusing and sometimes distorted picture of events.

“When I talk to people about what happened in Leamington they usually mention the statue of Queen Victoria being moved or make some reference to Lipton’s shop on the Parade. Occasionally someone mentions a bomb in the river, but very few if any are aware of the full detail.”