The memorial marks the graves of ‘storm washed’ historical remains found within the parish of Padstow. The area is notorious for historic wrecks and the remains of souls that have been lost to the sea are often uncovered along the coastline. One such person was uncovered following storms at Newtrain Bay, Trevone, in November 2022. Archaeological analysis has shown that he was a male of around 25 to 40 years of age, originally from the Somerset/Gloucester area, had well developed upper body density which fitted the lifestyle of a sailor/fisherman and was alive at some point between 1580 and 1790. In such circumstances, the Coroner requires reburial within a specified time in an open cemetery. It was also important not to ascribe any faith to the deceased, not knowing what this would have been in life, so Padstow Town Cemetery seemed the best fit.

The commission for a suitable memorial was won by Stephane Rouget, a stone carver based in Mabe Burnthouse, who designed and made the memorial. Stephane has a background in traditional hand stone carving. He now passes on these traditional masonry skills to a new generation of stone carvers in Cornwall. The memorial is made from three pieces of granite and depicts a deliberately blank gravestone being washed by a wave. The wave is made from Irish granite, representing the Celtic Sea, with the gravestone and plinth being of Cornish granite, representing the coast. On the base are the simple words ‘Returned from the Sea’, making a graphic representation of the lost that are buried there and their journey. The design was required to fit into the setting of the traditional cemetery, meeting the Parish Regulations for memorials, but still remain a statement piece, that people could visit as a representation of all those lost to the sea and whose remains may not ever be found.

Commissioned by The Lost Gardens of Heligan, the triptych commemorated the Centenary of World War I. The connection is that the Tremayne family and generations of their staff worshipped and are buried at St Ewe Church. The artist, Lize Kruger, was born and educated in South Africa, but relocated to the UK in 2014, and describes feeling 'a deep connection to Heligan and its history’. The work was initially exhibited at Heligan and was then moved to a permanent home on a blank vestry wall at St Ewe Church.

The installation has found an immediate resonance with both the local community and visitors from further afield. It has also served as a catalyst for engagement with members of the public who may not ordinarily have come into the Church and there are community art, music and history projects currently under development at the Church which are intended to engage more people with the installation.