Anglican church leaders in Sussex have surrounded two gravestones in Rottingdean with protective coverings as a result of new attention being paid to racial slurs on both monuments.
The two stones, erected in 1962, mark the resting places of blackface-wearing music-hall singer and dancer G. H. Elliott (George Henry Elliott) and fellow performer Alice Banford who went under the stage name of Lal Cliff.
Both monuments refer to the performers using a historic term for their on-stage appearance that is widely regarded as completely unacceptable.
Of the memorials in the churchyard of St. Margaret's, the Archdeacon of Brighton and Lewes has spoken about them in highly critical terms.
The Ven. Martin Lloyd Williams said:
"I find the inscription on these two headstones deeply offensive, and am sure that the vast majority of people would agree and would want them changed."
He continued:
"Over the last few months, investigations have been underway as to the legal and other considerations around seeking a solution, not least seeking to identify and contact the next of kin — who own the headstones.
"Meanwhile, the headstones have been temporarily covered up."
Though little can reliably be found today about Alice Banford, sources give G. H. Elliott's birthplace as Rochdale in Lancashire, in 1882.
His most famous numbers included "Mammy's Mississippi Home" and "I Used To Sigh for the Silvery Moon".
He retired to Rottingdean and recorded his last song in 1960, with his life drawing to its end in 1962.
His gravestone and that of Alice Banford both date from that year.
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