Lawnswood Cemetery Part Six

Lawnswood Cemetery, located in the Adel area of Leeds, is a significant historical site with rich architectural and cultural heritage.

Origins and Design
Established in 1874 by the Headingley-cum-Burley Burial Board, Lawnswood Cemetery was developed to accommodate the burial needs of the growing population in the suburbs of Headingley and Far Headingley. The cemetery officially opened in 1875, with the Church of England section consecrated on 31 December of that year . The first burial took place on 23 January 1876 .

Renowned Leeds architect George Corson designed the cemetery's layout and buildings, aiming for a "simple and unpretending" style that harmonized with the surrounding scenery. He was assisted by landscape gardener William Gay, known for his work on Undercliffe Cemetery in Bradford .

Architectural Features
The cemetery features two chapels connected by a colonnade, constructed between 1870 and 1876 in the Gothic Revival style. In 1905, a crematorium designed by Walter Braithwaite was added, notable for being the first in Great Britain to use a gas cremator .

Notable Memorials and Burials
Lawnswood Cemetery is the final resting place for several prominent individuals, including: George Corson (1830–1910): The cemetery's architect, buried here in 1910

The cemetery also contains war graves of 138 Commonwealth service personnel from World War I and 67 from World War II. Additionally, a screen wall memorial lists 105 service personnel originally buried in the now-closed Leeds General Cemetery .

Heritage Status
Lawnswood Cemetery is recognized for its historical significance and is listed on the National Heritage List for England. The cemetery grounds are designated as a Grade II park and garden , and the chapels and crematorium are listed as Grade II buildings