Saint Symphorien Cemetery, Mons

[AlanCurragh]

I was amazed to find the graves of the (reputed) first and last British victims of the Great War lying so close....

[AlanCurragh]

On the left, Private J Parr of the 4th Middlesex who died on the 21st August 1914

[AlanCurragh]

..and on the right, Private G E Ellison of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, who died 11th November 1918

[toofatfortakeoff]

Hope Im not stating the obvious but the rough area was officially the first and last points of contact between the British and German forces in the Great War.

Whether it was the definite first point of contact is unsure as there was an incident in German East Africa it is said that two companies of troops-Askaris and their officers met each other and had only heard a rumour of War, so they haa cup of tea together and maybe even struck camp together for the night. Of course Paul von Lettow Warbeck surrendered much later as well-November 30th 1918 if Im noit mistaken because he was running rings round the Allies and didnt have a good communication system it being Africa and all in 1918. True or false?

[AlanCurragh]

True or false? No idea, but it's as well to be reminded that not everything in the Great War was in Europe!

[gerb]

Great photos. Where in Mons is the cemetery. Do you have an address or directions?

Thanks

gerb

[AlanCurragh]

Gerb - here are the directions from CWGC - St. Symphorien Military Cemetery is located 2 km east of Mons on the N90 a road leading to Charleroi. On reaching St. Symphorien the right hand turning from the N90 leads onto the Rue Nestor Dehon. The cemetery lies 200 metres along the Rue Nestor Dehon.

Here is the Cross of Sacrifice -

[AlanCurragh]

Another view of the Cross, with Commonwealth graves in the background, and German ones in the foreground.

[AlanCurragh]

One of those Commonwealth graves in the last picture is Private G L Price, killed at 10.58 on 11th November 1918, and reputedly the last Allied death before the Armistice