The tragic tale of the Rector of Brampton Abbotts, Harry St Helier Evans, who died of a heart attack after rescuing two children from drowning in the River Wye, has touched many local people.

They have been fascinated to discover the story behind the memorial cross on the bank of the river and a second memorial cross in Brampton Abbotts’ Church.

However as the church at Brampton Abbotts is now closed and is unsafe for anyone to enter there was some concern as to the fate of the memorial that was erected in the church.

A report at the time referred to a handsome brass cross with a brass inscription plate beneath.

Mr Freer, a resident of Ross-on-Wye who knew the Reverend St Helier Evan’s daughters, who continued to live at Greytree until the end of their lives, supplied a photograph of the cross.

It was mounted on a piece of polished black marble, about four foot by two foot. The cross was erected by public subscription and the plaque underneath explains why it was put there.