McCudden War Memorial and Grave

The McCudden War Memorial and Grave is a family grave and war memorial constructed in 1920, located within Maidstone Road Cemetery. The memorial is made of polished grey granite and consists of a cross fleurée rising from a four-sided, tapering plinth, which is set upon a square base and a single step. Carved in relief on the west face of the cross is a sword and scabbard with belt. Inscriptions are carved in incised lettering on the plinth and base.

The dedications commemorate Major James T. Byford McCudden V.C., D.S.O. and Bar, M.C. and Bar, M.M., Croix de Guerre de France, and an American Medal, who died accidentally while flying to France on 9 July 1918, aged 23. It also commemorates Flight Sergeant William McCudden R.F.C (pilot instructor), who died accidentally while flying at Gosport on 1 May 1915, aged 24; 2nd Lieutenant John Anthony McCudden, M.C., R.F.C (pilot), killed in aerial combat over Busigny, near Le Cateau, France, on 18 March 1918, aged 20; Arthur Scott Spears, their brother-in-law, who died by explosion on H.M.S. "Princess Irene" on 27 May 1915, aged 29; Maurice Vincent McCudden, late R.A.F., son of Mrs. A. McCudden and the late W.H. McCudden, who died on 13 December 1934; and William H. McCudden, late Warrant Officer, R.E., who died of injuries accidentally received on the railway on 5 July 1920, aged 56. A further inscription on the base reads: "Fly on dear boys from this dark world of strife, on to the land of promise, to eternal life. They are not dead, such spirits never die, they are unquenchable, they only sleep." The inscription notes that the three brothers were buglers in the Royal Engineers. The grave and memorial stand on a rectangular area of stone kerbs.