Fundraiser to preserve cross of Birr's fallen hero
A fundraising campaign to conserve a wooden cross commemorating Birr officer, Capt Lancelot Joseph Moore Studholme, has begun.
Described as "possibly Ireland’s tallest free standing wooden cross", the 6.6 metere tall oak cross is located on farmland outside of the town of Birr, and commemorates Capt Studholme who fell in action over 100 years ago during the Great War (1914-1918).
The wooden memorial cross was erected around 1917 as a tribute to Studholme’s memory, overlooking the house he grew up in, Ballyegan House.
"While the cross commemorates an individual it is a testament to generation of promising young men who went to fight in the Great War and didn’t return," says a statement on the GoFundMe page, set up by historian Stephen Callaghan.
Captain Studholme fell on 9 September 1916, during the Battle of Ginchy, whilst going to the aid of his batman who had been wounded.
"This project aims to conserve this nationally important cross," continues historian Stephen Callaghan. "However this work is not cheap, with the support of Offaly County Council we need to raise the sum of €6000 for this project to go ahead," he explains.
A conservation engineer has been contracted by Offaly County Council to access the condition of the cross, which has been on an exposed hillside for the past 100 years or so. The report indicates that cross is likely to remaining standing for another 5 years, however conservation work is required now to ensure the preservation of the cross for the foreseeable future. The base of the cross shows significant decay of the wood. Additionally cracks in the cross have allowed rot to set in.
Conservation of the cross will consist of injecting it with resin which will consolidate any rotten wood inside and ensure no more moisture will penetrate it. This procedure is expected to prolong the life of the cross by another 120-150 years. Additionally the bronze screws will re secure the plaque to cross and the original iron railing surround will be reinstated.
Born on 21 September 1884, at Ballyegan, Lancelot was the only son of Joseph Studholme and Mary Hastings Studholme (née Davis).
He was educated at Banstead Hall, Surrey, and at Uppingham and, then at Christ Church, Oxford. Since a child he had a lifelong interest in gardening and won many prizes. After the death of his father in 1904, Lancelot took over his estate and became a Justice of the Peace for King’s County. He later filled the office of High Sheriff in 1909.
On the outbreak of the Great War, Lancelot joined the 7th Battalion, Leinster Regiment as a private and was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.
Brother officer Captain Max Stainforth described Lancelot in letters as ‘Then we come to the platoon commanders. No. 9 is run by Studholme, 2nd Lt. I think probably you’d like him almost best. He’s an old house man, aged 29, dark, and very quiet – almost timid. Very shy, but very-thoroughbred and very fine-natured. I believe he owns half the town of Birr, and his hobbies are daffodils and kittens. Yes, certainly you’d like him.’
In January 1915 Studholme was able to return home for a brief period where he visited the school at Ballyegan giving the children sweets and gifts. He had been noted for his kindness and generosity.
During the assault on Ginchy Captain Studholme was leading his men over open ground when his batman, a man named Harte, who had previously worked for him on his estate at Ballyegan was wounded by a bullet, Lancelot stopped to assist him, but in doing so was killed himself by machine gun fire.
Lancelot has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.