When people think of military cemeteries, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), they often visualise cemeteries containing thousands of graves. However the CWGC is also responsible for very small military cemeteries. One such cemetery is Ramparts Cemetery (Lille Gate). Ramparts Cemetery lies within the town of Ieper itself, 1 km south of Ieper… Continue reading Ramparts Cemetery
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Red Farm Cemetery
When people think of military cemeteries, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), they often visualise cemeteries containing thousands of graves. However the CWGC is also responsible for very small military cemeteries. One such cemetery is Red Farm Military Cemetery. The village of Vlamertinge was just outside the normal range of German artillery, and… Continue reading Red Farm Cemetery
Duhallow ADS Cemetery
Heading north from Ieper, walking along the Diksmuidseweg (the N369) towards the village of Boezinge, there are four cemeteries along the road. The first cemetery is Duhallow ADS Cemetery. Duhallow Advance Dressing Station (ADS) Cemetery was started in July 1917 during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. The cemetery was named after the ADS that occupied… Continue reading Duhallow ADS Cemetery
George Dasch
The following article was taken from the famous cases section of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) web site. I became interested in the George Dasch case, following claims made by George Armstrong in his interrogation. OPERATION PASTORIOUS Shortly after midnight on the morning of June 13, 1942, four men landed on a beach near… Continue reading George Dasch
Brandhoek Cemeteries
Brandhoek is a hamlet approximately 4 km from Poperinge heading eastwards along the N308 towards Ieper. The hamlet contains three war cemeteries, all designed by by Sir Reginald Bloomfield and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). BRANDHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY Brandhoek Military Cemetery was created in May 1915, adjacent to one of the many… Continue reading Brandhoek Cemeteries
Canadian Executed WWI
While just over 300 British soldiers were executed for capital offences during the First World War, 25 Canadians were executed: 2 for murder, 1 for cowardice and 22 for desertion. THE COURTS MARTIAL SYSTEM AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS EXECUTED 1914-1918 NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS EXECUTED 1914-1918 UK SOLDIERS EXECUTED 1914-1918 A soldier’s service papers can be viewed online… Continue reading Canadian Executed WWI
Ypres Reservoir
During the First World War, the town of Ypres (now Ieper) was practically destroyed by shelling. Near the location of the western gate into the old town, were located the prison, a reservoir and a water tower. Three cemeteries were made near the old western gate: two between the prison and the reservoir, and one… Continue reading Ypres Reservoir
Brookwood Cemetery
Brookwood Military Cemetery is located 3 miles west of Woking (Surrey), located right next to Brookwood Rail Station and the privately-owned Brookwood (Civil) Cemetery. In May 1917, with the establishment of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, it was recognised that a cemetery for the burial of Commonwealth personnel who had died as a result of… Continue reading Brookwood Cemetery
Ball J & Sheffield F
Privates Joseph Ball and Sheffield, both of the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment, had gone absent in December 1914. After only six weeks active service, they had deserted together from their unit. This happened while the rest of their unit made its way to the front line, ready for the attack on Neuve Chapelle. Ball and… Continue reading Ball J & Sheffield F
David Stevenson
Private David Stevenson (52128), a member of 13th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, had absconded whilst in a forward area, and remained at large for seven weeks. Details of this offence were posted in Rouen on 2 August 1918. He was then seen in a village, located in the rear. When he was questioned, Stevenson claimed that… Continue reading David Stevenson