A.I. F. Burial Ground-Flers

[Guest mruk]

I have a few lads from the 10th West Yorks buried in the A.I.F. Burial Ground near to the village of Flers. Would I be right in assuming that "A.I.F." is short for the "Australian Imperial Forces"? But why the "A.I.F. Burial Ground" when it was intially the Kiwis who captured the village of Flers during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette in September 1916? Can anyone answer please?

Kind Regards,

Dave

[Tom Morgan]

Dave, you're right about the abbreviation, but I think it's "Force" and not "Forces". The cemetery has that name because it was started by Australian medical units who were in the area from about November 1916.

Tom

[Guest mruk]

Thanks Tom,

I'll make a note of the full meaning so there's no confusion.

Cheers,

Dave

[Ken Lees]

It wasn't the Kiwis who captured the village of Flers, it was the 41st Division on 15th Sept. 1916, assisted by the Tanks. The NZ Division attacked the ground close to the village, bypassing it to their right, although some NZ troops did enter the village in support of 41st Div.

The cemetery was begun by Australian medical units, posted in the neighbouring caves, in November 1916-February 1917.

Edit: Note to self - must type faster!

[Guest mruk]

Thanks for clearing that up Ken.

Cheers

Dave