Burial in Canada Farm Cemetery, Ypres/Ieper

[Michael Pegum]

Private Martin Hogan was in the 7th Btn. (South Irish Horse) Royal Irish Regiment. The designation of this newly-formed unit had been made only four weeks earlier. He died on 25th October, 1917, and was buried in Canada Farm Cemetery, 8.5km. north-east of Ieper/Ypres. According to the C.W.G.C., “Canada Farm Cemetery took its name from a farmhouse used as a dressing station during the 1917 Allied offensive on this front. Most of the burials are of men who died at the dressing station between June and October 1917.”

Now, the puzzle: at the time of his death, his unit was based in Ervillers, 18km south of Arras, and 105km from Ypres. The Regimental War Diary says that, on 22nd. October, “49th Brigade relieved 48th Brigade. South Irish Horse moved into support in left sub-section relieving 2nd Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers. B. Company attached left sub-section line battalion (7th/8th Royal Irish Fusiliers). A. Company to Sunken Road T17 c.7.6. C. Company Strong points C.6 to C.10. S. Company Sunken road T22 a.3.2. Battn. Hdqrs at T 22 d.8.9.” I presume that this is within marching distance of Ervillers. On the day of Pte. Hogan’s death, all that happened was: “Improvements to dug-outs. New dug-outs commenced at Bn Hdqrs. Working parties under RE.”

How did Martin Hogan come to be buried near Ypres? He is the only member of the R.I.R. buried there. Even if he had been wounded, or was ill, he would hardly have been taken to Ypres, would he?

Michael

[Derek Robertson]

Michael,

Contact the CWGC and see if they still have a copy of the burial records for the cemetery - this may give you an idea of where his body came from.

[Coldstreamer]

Hello

Did they ever serve near there ?

Ian

[Peter Bennett]

Without wishing to veer off the subject. One of the "Accrington Pals" who died on the first day of the Somme is buried in Tilloy-les-Mofflaines near Arras.

[Aurel Sercu]

Michael,

Maybe I myself am making a silly mistake now. Yet ...

OK, Martin Hogan was 7th (South Irish Horse) Bn. / Royal Irish Regiment. That's what you say and what CWGC on line says.

And so you - understandably - checked what the Reg. History wrote for 7th Royal Irish Reg. on that day.

However, when I check SDGW for Martin Hogan, what I find is :

Battalion etc: South Irish Horse

Regiment, Corps etc. : Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (incl. Yeomanry and Imperial Camel)

No mention of a 7th Bn. Royal Irish Regiment.

So maybe Martin Hogan was nowhere near where 7/R.Ir.Reg. was at the time (Ervillers), but somewhere in the Ypres area ? (I must say I would not know right now how to find out where South Irish Horse / Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line was on 25 Oct 1917.)

Just an idea. Sorry of I am wrong and if there is no doubt at all that Martin Hogan was near Ervillers indeed.

If so, this is indeed a puzzle !

Aurel

[Aurel Sercu]

Michael,

Yes, it looks like I indeed made some error. I've just had a look at the Mother Site, and it says :

"2nd South Irish (...) was amalgamated with 1st South Irish Horse at the end of Aug. 1917. Converted into infantry and became 7th Bn. (South Irish Horse) the Royal Irish Regiment."

Yet, somehow, maybe, who knows ... ?

Aurel