Hellingly, Sussex
The parish church stands on the only remaining undamaged 'ciric' in Sussex. A ciric was a raised circular Celtic burial ground. The churchyard is interesting in that on the north side a row of cottages fronts directly onto the churchyard with no road in between. The churchyard also contains examples of gravestones with inset terracotta plaques. These were produced by Jonathan Harmer of Heathfield in the early nineteenth century.
'Hunnisett' MIs found in Hellingly
Frederick Hunneysett is commemorated
both on the memorial in the churchyard
and a plaque in the church
Frederick Hunneysett (1891-1917), a grandson of Stephen Hunneysett, blacksmith of Hellingly.
Known as 'Pat' in Hailsham, where he had worked on the railway, he enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1914 and was sent to France where he was wounded and gassed. He later joined the Royal Engineers and was decorated for distinguished conduct in the field and promoted to lance-corporal. While serving with the 98th Light Railway Train Crew Convoy he died on 31 December 1917 when the 'Aragon' was torpedoed while carrying troops to Egypt. His remains were interred at Alexandria War Memorial Cemetery, Hadra, Egypt.