Gravestones

[Guest fisherman]

I have just returned from a visit to Ypres. Whilst visiting Larch Wood cemetry I noticed that some gravestones were of a material resembling marble.

Is this a replacement for the original stone material?

[Aurel Sercu]

The original stone as you know is Portland (from Portland Island quarries, Dorset). On some CWGC cemeteries in the Ypres Salient you find the greyer and rougher Hopton Wood (south-eastcoast of England, between Norfolk and Suffolk). E.g. Lyssenthoek Cemetery (Poperinge), Bard cottage (between Boezinge and Ypres).

And the most recent sort is Botticino. A white marble that was originally used for British headstones in CWGC cemeteries in Italy, from the marble quarries of Botticino near Brescia (North-Italy). This kind is a lot smoother, not water absorbing and weather-resistant.

I think in recent years it has used when damaged or broken headstones had to be replaced, and of course for new headstones of recently found soldiers.

Aurel

[bkristof]

I only can confirm Aurel. personaly i don't like the botticino as it stays to white...

i like a bit of corrosion and the grey colour.

greets,

kristof

[Terry Denham]

Remember that many different stones have been used for CWGC headstones. Do not get into the mind set that they are all Portland Limestone.

Often local stones have been used - including limestones of a red and a green colour. Granite and slate are also frequently used - although not on the Western Front.