Edward Harcombe

 Edward Thomas Harcombe

Rev. Edward Harcombe was born in Chippenham, Wiltshire in 1868. He graduated from London University with a B.A. and was curate at Rotherhithe, then St. Catherine's Nottingham before becoming a missionary in Natal, S. Africa for 4 years. In 1905, he became Vicar of Newcastle, South Africa. 

He returned to England in 1908 and became Vicar of Mansfield Woodhouse before becoming Vicar of St Michael's Melbourne. He was made Rural Dean in 1923.

Edward married Alice Elizabeth Lewis sister of Rev. Claude Lewis Vicar of St. Catherine's Nottingham and they had 2 sons, Robert Gerald and Charles Edward Kenneth and 2 daughters.

Rev. Edward Harcombe

In 1931 Edward and Alice visited Jerusalem and the Holy Land. When money was needed to overhaul the ancient bells of the church Edward appealed to Melbourne in Australia for help to raise the money. The Melbourne City Council declined but much of the money was raised by public subscription. 

Edward died in 1935 after an operation at Derby Royal Infirmary, at the age of 67. Robert Gerald Harcombe, his son, had also become a Vicar and officiated at his funeral. Robert went on be Vicar of Sawley and then Vicar of Repton from 1947 to 1959.

Alice died in Worcester in 1955, aged 85, and a funeral service was held in Melbourne Church.

After Edward's death a Rood Cross was erected high above the main arch of the Crossing with a carved stone plaque lower down dedicated in his memory.

The word "Rood" is an ancient Saxon one and means Rod or Pole. This was used before the word Cross was introduced. The 2 figures either side the Rood are Mary, Mother of Jesus and John the Apostle. Most medieval churches had a Rood Screen to separate off the Chancel, which was topped with a Rood Cross of Jesus, Mary and John. All medieval Rood's in Britain were destroyed in the Reformation of the 16th century as were most Rood screens.