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Location: Kensal Green Cemetery, London (Plot 10680/77/1R)
Type: Grave
Material: Brick
Date of death: 4 March 1853 Place of death: 22 Rutland Gate, London (his home)
Description: Plot granted 8 March 1853 for 15 guineas to Dame Harriet Capel (widow). A brick grave set in mortar, capable of taking 6 coffins (Dame Harriet was buried there in 1866). Sir Thomas’ tomb is the centre of three Capel family tombs, to the left being that of an unknown member of the family, and to the right that of Lady Caroline Capel. Each tomb consists of a brick vault, overlaid by a main limestone slab 25 cm thick, under which an underslab 10 cm thick is visible. On the top of the main slab there is an upper slab which carries the main inscriptions. Sir Thomas’ tomb is ridged with sloping faces like a pitched roof.
Sir Thomas’ main inscription is readable except for two dates. There is also an inscription running round the upper slab, which is mostly illegible. Lady Caroline’s inscription is legible, but not the one on the third grave (the ‘unknown’ member of the family).
Dimensions: Each grave is 122 cm × 274 cm overall, with 2 cm between them.
Transcription
in memory of
admiral the honourable
sir thomas bladen capel
who departed this life on
[illegible date]
thus closing a long and
distinguished career of
service rendered to his
country during which time
he served actively for
thirty one years
from his entry into the royal
navy in [date] until his death
nile
dardanelles
trafalgar
There is also a mostly illegible inscription running round all four sides of the upper slab