Radford Headstone Approximately 3 Metres East Of Chancel Of Church Of St Mary

Radford Headstone, located approximately 3 metres east of the chancel of the Church of St Mary, is a headstone dated 1896 in memory of Rev. W T A Radford. It is made of Bath stone and volcanic stone, featuring polychrome mosaic and enamelwork in a Gothic style. The upright stone stands about 1 metre high and has a moulded plinth made of purple volcanic stone. It has a pointed top with moulded edges and flanking pilasters that contain sunken panels with trefoil heads and shaped finials. The top panel displays a relief Bottonee cross set against a background of gold and red mosaic, which includes an enamel representation of a grail on the left and a circular depression from a lost motif on the right. The inscription in the lower panel is in Victorian Gothic lettering, commemorating the death of Rev. W T A Radford in 1889. This headstone is part of a series of unusual headstones known for their use of polychrome mosaic. Rev. W T A Radford was a significant figure in the High Church movement in the Diocese of Exeter, serving as squire, parson, patron, and incumbent for half a century. He had strong views on architecture and was a founding member of the Exeter Diocesan Architectural Society, influencing the restoration of the church with the help of personal friends like G E Street and Clayton and Bell.