Christopher Hildyard

The Reverend Christopher Hildyard, Minor Canon and Sacrist of Westminster Abbey, was buried in St Faith's chapel in the Abbey on 17th July 1987 during his memorial service. An oval stone tablet, by Paul Cooper, with a carved shield of arms above it, was installed in September 1989. The inscription reads: 

In this chapel rest the ashes of Christopher Hildyard L.V.O. M.A. 28th April 1901-17th May 1987 Minor Canon 1928-1973, Sacrist 1958-1973, Sacrist Emeritus, Chaplain at Westminster Hospital 1937-1956. An eye for beauty, a heart for friendship, a tongue for wit. He enriched the Sacristy with taste and discernment, proclaimed the Scriptures to the edification of God's people and served the Abbey with fidelity and distinction

The arms show "three mullets or, a chevron argent".

His life

His family was of Saxon origin and his father, Reverend Lionel Hildyard, was a musician, cricketer and Minor Canon at St George's chapel, Windsor. His mother Dora was the daughter of Robert Hildyard, and he had a sister Noel. His great uncle was General Sir Henry Hildyard. He was born at Windsor Castle and sang in the choir there (he was present at Edward VII's funeral). Educated at Repton and Cambridge he was ordained in 1925.

In 1928 he became an assistant Minor Canon at Westminster Abbey and a Minor Canon in 1932.  He retired in 1973 and became Sacrist Emeritus. As Sacrist he was in charge of all the vestments and plate. He was a good artist and designed the figures for the Abbey's new Christmas Crib in 1965 (the figures were carved in Oberammergau). He was to have married a titled lady but he broke it off and died unmarried at his house (of which he had a freehold), no.2 The Cloister, in the Abbey cloisters.