It’s not that common to see Commonwealth War Graves at remote Norfolk churches, but All Saints at Hemblington have two war dead, both marked on one grave. They are the graves of Squadron Leader George Ernest Weston, who died at the age of 23, and Flight Sergeant Godfrey Randal Weston, who died at the age of 22.

The men were brothers, sons of George and Frances Lesley Weston, of Nelson City, New Zealand and they were buried together, but died in separate air crashes, with George dying on 1 October 1942 and Godfrey dying on 20 April 1944. There’s a photo of Godfrey at https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C22286.

The real highlights of this rural church are inside, a medieval wall painting, rood stairs and a spectacular font, so I’ll have to return when they’re able to open internally.

The church are busy praying for lots of people, seems like a pro-active congregation.

The round tower is the oldest part of the church, constructed in the twelfth century.

The bulk of the rest of the church was built in the early fourteenth century, although some dates from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. There was a sensitive restoration that took place to the church in 1904 and a piscina and niche were discovered, although the wall paintings weren’t noticed until later on in the twentieth century.

The porchway which was added to the church in the early part of the sixteenth century.

Part of the churchyard has been turned into a wildlife garden. I’m looking forwards to going back when I can see the interior, this is a beautiful and remote church.