Haifa War Cemetery

[michaeldr]

From the CWGC web-site:

"Cemetery: HAIFA WAR CEMETERY

Location Information: Haifa War Cemetery lies 3 kilometres from the central railway station on the Tel-Aviv road. From the south on Highway 4, the cemetery is on the left hand side, just before shops and Haifa docks. 300 metres after the cemetery turn left into Dugit Street. Turn left at the traffic lights and the cemetery will now be on the right hand side, 300 metres after the lights.

[Anyone coming by train from the south (e.g. Tel Aviv or its airport, etc), may get off at the Bat Gallim Station (the stop before Haifa Central) and turn left along the main thoroughfare, Jaffa Road; the cemetery is then only a five minute walk instead of the 3 kilometres mentioned above]

Historical Information: Haifa was captured by the Mysore and Jodhpur Lancers on 23 September 1918 and the 33rd Combined Clearing Hospital was moved to the town on the 15 October. Haifa War Cemetery, which was originally part of the German cemetery, was used mainly for hospital burials, but some graves were brought in from the battlefields Haifa was of great strategic importance during the Second World War because of its deep water harbour and airfield. It was also the terminus of the railway line from Egypt and of the Kirkuk-Haifa oil pipeline. Haifa became one of the main supply bases and arms depots serving the Middle East forces and a large naval depot was established at Haifa Bay. The cemetery was again used during the early part of the war until the new war cemetery at Khayat Beach was opened. Haifa War Cemetery now contains 305 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 86 of them unidentified. Second World War burials number 36. No. of Identified Casualties: 257"

Thus we see that Haifa War Cemetery was developed out of the existing German Templer Cemetery. The latter was established in 1869 to serve the newly founded Templer colony in Haifa. This Christian sect [correctly the Tempelgesellschaft or Temple Society, a pietist group from Württemberg] had come to the Holy Land from Germany and built communities at Jaffa, Sarrona, Jerusalem and Haifa between 1869 and 1873. Other settlements such as Wilhelma were established later in the years up to 1908. From 1885 onwards the Haifa colony bought additional land on Mount Carmel and in 1887 they laid a road up the mountain from the bay. In 1890 they built a small neighbourhood there, calling their new community Karmelheim. The original idea was for it to provide a summertime retreat from the heat and humidity of the bay area. There the Hotel Pross was built in 1893 and Pastor Schneider established a large hospice.

These developments came as something of a surprise to the advancing allies during WWI [from "With our Army in Palestine" by Anthony Bluett, Late of 'A' Battery, HAC & Egyptian Camel Transport Corps]

"I wonder how many people are aware of the extent to which the Germans carried their policy of "peaceful penetration" in Palestine and Syria? Whenever in our wanderings we came across a neat, modern town or village, be sure that the inhabitants were mainly German.....The language of all was German, and their extraordinary thoroughness in devising means to overcome the climatic and other difficulties of the country was also German, with the result that they waxed fat and prosperous, while the people indigenous to the soil scraped a precarious living by tending the flocks and tilling the land of the interlopers. All through the country from Gaza, where there was actually a German school, to Haifa, of which the largest and wealthiest portion of the population was German, you will find these colonies occupying almost invariably the most commanding sites and situated in the midst of the most fertile tracts of land.

It was, I think, by contrast with these prosperous places that the ruins of Palestine and Syria took on an added desolation and loneliness: you could with difficulty visualise the past splendours of a crumbling mass of mighty pillars when on the hill opposite stood a town of bijou villas with modern appurtenances.

A mournful example of this was at Athlit, the remains of whose greatness lay half-buried almost at the foot of Mt. Carmel. For a brief moment you could capture the spirit of a bygone age; the massive walls seemed to ring again with the clash of arms and the shouts of that little band of Crusaders who were fighting their last fight in their last stronghold on holy soil. Then your eyes lit on the great barrack of a German hotel on the top of Carmel, and the great fortress dissolved into a crumbling, shapeless pile at your feet."

In this German aerial view of Haifa and the north-west part of Mount Carmel which was probably taken in 1918, north is at about 4 o'clock. The regular pattern of the fields of the Templer colony can be seen at the foot of Mount Carmel, towards the right hand side. The buildings of the Templer colony lie between those fields and the rest of Haifa which is in the lower left half of the picture. The small group of buildings seen on Mount Carmel at the left edge of the picture is Karmelheim.

[michaeldr]

During the First World War the high ground of the Carmel range provided good terrain for the observation posts of the Ottoman-German forces and it was also the centre [at Simmarin (or Zimmarin) today's Zichron Ya'aqov] of the activities of the pro-British NILI spy ring. Joseph Lishansky writing in March 1917 reported

"On Mt. Carmel there are patrols that keep watch over the sea and, when the [british] planes are flying, notify by phone all army posts in the Valley of Jezreel so that they may ready the guns and [cause] the army to disperse in the fields. The [british] ships should be notified to take great care with their wireless telegraphs (or perhaps they allow people to come ashore who are [in reality] spying for the Turks), for [the Turks] boasted in my presence that a long time before the ships are seen, and even long before the appearance of the planes, they know they are coming. Let them be careful and check carefully their doings lest, God forbid, they cause our downfall as well."

Increased U-Boat activity made the ship visits too risky and another form of communication had to be tried. Ironically, it was the capture of one of these British carrier pigeons which led to the downfall of the NILI spy ring. Sarah Aaronson shot herself after arrest and torture; she did not die instantly, but survived in agony for several days. Reuben Shwartz was arrested and then found hanged in his prison cell in Nazareth. Lishansky and Naamam Belkind were both hanged in Damascus on 16th December 1917. Others were tortured and then imprisoned at either Damascus or Istanbul until the armistice.

In the autumn of 1917 the hospice at Karmelheim was converted by Dr Steuber, [the chief medical officer of the Ottoman-German force in Palestine] into a convalescent home for German soldiers, and provided with lorries to take them the short drive down the mountain to the Mediterranean beach. In March 1918 the new commander of Army Group F in Palestine, Marshal Liman von Sanders, was a guest at the Hotel Prost. This was probably between the 5th and 7th March when the marshal and General Djevad Pasha, commander of the Eighth Army, inspected the coastal sector and the Carmel ridge.

General of Cavalry Otto Liman von Sanders standing at the entrance to the Hotel Pross, Karmelheim, March 1918. [under the terms of the contract of the German military mission he was entitled to the next higher Turkish rank and is therefore usually referred to as Marshal]

[michaeldr]

To digress slightly; like the Germans before them, after the war the British were attracted to the splendid panoramas and more comfortable climate offered by Mount Carmel. In the winter of 1938-39 Major-General Bernard Montgomery had a house here while he commanded the British 8th Division and the northern half of Palestine. Earlier in the 1930s, Sir Arthur and Lady Florence Downes came here to retire, and opposite their house they built an observation point, facing north across Haifa Bay to the western Galilee hills. There they placed a plaque to the memory of their nephew who was killed on the Western Front. Lady Downes was the sister of Lady Allenby and her nephew was the son of General Sir Edmund Allenby. The initials on the plaque are MHHA and probably reflect a family preference, as the CWGC suggest HMHA is the correct order [see ALLENBY, HORACE MICHAEL HYNMAN Initials: H M H Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Horse Artillery Unit Text: "T" Bty. Date of Death: 29/07/1917 Awards: MC Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: II. D. 1. Cemetery: COXYDE MILITARY CEMETERY] Our Pal, Geert has posted a link to a photograph of Michael Allenby's heastone here

 

The citation for his MC appeared in the Supplement to The London Gazette, 13 February, 1917

"His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Military Cross on the undermentioned Officers and Warrant Officers in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in- the Field :—

2nd Lt. Horace Michael Hynman Allenby, R.H.A.

For conspicuous gallantry in action. He ran out communications to the two forward companies and sent back very useful reports on the situation. Later, 'he rescued a wounded man under heavy fire. He displayed marked courage and determination throughout the operations."

For a photograph of Lt. Michael Allenby M.C., and an extract from 'Allenby – A Study in Greatness' by Gen Sir Archibald Wavell, go to post #14 below

Part of the small semi-circular observation point overlooking Haifa Bay. In the centre of the low parapet wall is a plaque indicating the names of a few of the views. This plaque is supported on a short buttress which is faced with a memorial to Lady Downes' nephew, Lieutenant Allenby. It bears a simple inscription; "In Memoriam, M. H. H. A., Paschendaele, July 1917"

[michaeldr]

On 25th October 1898 the Kaiser and Kaiserin landed at Haifa for their visit to the Holy Land. They took a great interest in the German colonists and were taken by them up Mount Carmel for a view over their settlement and across the bay. An obelisk was raised to commemorate the imperial visit and it is said to be near this spot that the Turks had dug-in their last gun defending Haifa in 1918. [From the Australian OH Vol.VII, Ch.XLI, "...Chauvel ordered Macandrew to capture Haifa with the 5th Cavalry Division, and the horsemen, after being held up for a few hours by shells and machine-gun fire, galloped into the town. Several Turks were killed by the Indians in the streets, and 135 prisoners and a few guns, including two naval pieces on (Mount) Carmel, were captured."] Locally, it is also said that after the battle here, 'In anger, the British inflicted damaged on the obelisk.' If they did, then it was also later restored by them and an old Turkish cannon added to the site to mark their victory over the Ottoman-German forces here on 23rd September 1918. A further restoration has just recently been completed.

''Wilhelm's obelisk'' and the Turkish cannon on Mount Carmel overlooking the German Templer Colony. The cannon is dated 1857, but the manufacturer's name appears to have been ground off. It is numbered '38' and has inscribed the further detail '3092 KIL'.

To return to the Templer settlers; they retained their German nationality, spoke German with a distinctive Schwarbisch accent, welcomed the visit of the Kaiser, and generally supported Germany in World War One. Following the occupation of Palestine by the allies they were interned as enemy aliens. After the war however, they were allowed to return to their settlements and the Haifa Templer community raised its own Memorial to the First World War.

The central avenue of the Templerfriedhof [Templer Cemetery] and its memorial to the First World War. The inscription reads;

"Iheren im Weltkrieg +1914-1918+ Gefallen Mit Burgern, Die Deutsche Kolonie Haifa"

[michaeldr]

In the late nineteenth and the first decade of the twentieth centuries the Templer cemetery must have been the only Protestant burial ground in Haifa and in the years 1905-7 three representatives of the local Anglican church were buried there; a Canon of the cathedral in Jerusalem who drowned while swimming off Haifa [see note] a Chaplain of Haifa and a lady of the CMS [there was a CMS school in Haifa at this time]. Their burial in the German Templer cemetery followed a precedent set earlier in 1886 when Mrs Alice Oliphant was given a grave there. It is unclear what the motive was behind the peculiar position of Mrs Oliphant's grave. Was it Laurence Oliphant and his in-laws, the le Strange family, who wanted her distanced from the Germans? Or was it the Germans who decided that while this English lady could be buried in their cemetery, they did not want her to be placed in their very midst? Whatever the reason was, in 1886 Mrs Oliphant was buried well to the south of any others interred at that time. This has had a happy consequence in that when the allies came to take over part of the Templer cemetery in 1918 in order to create what became the Haifa War Cemetery, they took over the area including Mrs Oliphant's grave, which is now abutted by those of brave men, many of whom were probably not even born when she died. This must be a candidate for being the oldest grave which is in regular receipt of the expert attentions of the CWGC's gardeners.

An article from the Dictionary of National Biography Vol.12 by Leslie Stephen (1895) describing Laurence Oliphant can be read here http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/ntor/oliphants5.htm

It is a fascinating tale of a life that was way out of the ordinary. Was it perhaps Mr. Oliphant's fringe philosophical/religious beliefs which persuaded the Templers, hardly mainstream themselves, to allot Mrs. Oliphant a burial plot so far from their own?

The inscription around the tomb reads

"Alice wife of Laurence Oliphant daughter of H. L. S. le Strange

of Hunstanton, Norfolk, died at Dalieh 2 January 1886 aged 40"

At the very end of this inscription and in much smaller lettering, 'V Cant 2' has been added. Our Pal, Tom Morgan has suggested that this may be a reference to Dante's "Paradise", Canto 5, verse 2, which begins, "I see (for nought can cheat a Spirit's sight) The scintillations of eternal light." Bearing in mind that Laurence Oliphant believed that Alice soon came back to him in spirit, and sent him messages, then this is probably a very good guess.

The tomb is a tasteful example of the late Victorian stone mason's art, having a decorative 'A' at her head and a series of intertwined 'O's at her foot. The whole is topped by a large cross at whose head is a wreath enclosing Christ's monogram, XP or Chi-Rho. The horizontal bar of the cross bears the Greek legend 'EN TOUTΩ NIKA' - In this sign conquer.

The tomb of Alice Oliphant in Haifa War Cemetery

[michaeldr]

Alice had caught a fever during a visit to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee and she died at the Oliphants' house in Dalieh [today's Daliyat el-Carmel, see note] the large Druze town on the Mount Carmel range. While at Dalieh, Laurence Oliphant employed Naftali Herz Imber as his secretary. By coincidence in the same year that Mrs. Oliphant died, 1886, Imber published his first book of poetry entitled Morning Star. One of his poems included in that first collection was Tikvateinu ("Our Hope") which has provided the words for the Israeli national anthem 'Hatikvah.'

Mrs. Alice Oliphant was the daughter of Henry L'Estrange Styleman le Strange and the sister of Hamon le Strange, who were the developers of the Victorian resort of Hunstanton, Norfolk. Her nephew Roland le Strange died on service during the Great War; the CWGC give his details as Captain, General List Staff Officer, London District, Commanding the Chinese Labour Corps. He died 20 February 1919, aged 49, and is buried in Hunstanton (St. Mary) Churchyard, near the north-east corner of the church.

To return to Haifa, when laying out the cemetery the gardeners and designers took great care to plant a lot of palms for shade and these have now matured into tall, broad trees which not only provide the required relief from the sun, but also mark out the cemetery in this, one of the city's major thoroughfares. When I asked for directions to the cemetery I was told that it was not difficult to find; 'just look out for all the palm trees.'

Haifa War Cemetery looking eastward along the central avenue towards the Cross of Sacrifice

At a later date I hope to add a second part to this virtual tour of Haifa War Cemetery

[michaeldr]

Acknowledgements & Notes:

* Many of the details of the German Templer colony, including two photographs, are taken from 'The Changing Land Between the Jordan and the Sea' by Benjamin Z. Kedar, published by the MoD and Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi Press, Israel 1999. ISBN: 965-05-0975-5

Mr. Kedar gives the following references: the 1918 aerial view is from the album of Adolf Schreiber [Ms. S. Kolmar and Mr. D. Ruegg, Munich]. Lishansky's report is from 'Joseph Lishansky, Man of Nili. Writings, Letters, Memoirs' edited by J. Nedavah, Tel Aviv 1977. The photograph of Otto Liman von Sanders is from Hauptmann Eric Steiner's collection [steiner served as observer and commander of German Squadrons 302 and 305] deposited by B. Z. Kedar with the Department of Geography – A. P. U., the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

* The details of the fate of the members of the NILI spy ring are from an undated memorandum written by Alex Aaronsohn DSO, as reproduced in Appendix A of 'Agents of Empire' edited by Anthony Verrier, published 1995 by Brassey's (UK) Ltd. ISBN: 1 85753 034 9

* My thanks to G W F Pals 'Dominic' and 'Tom Morgan' for their assistance with searches, translations, etc.

* Quote-"a Canon of the cathedral in Jerusalem who drowned while swimming off Haifa"

This was the Rev Canon Percy A. R. Marriott who died 22nd August 1907. His great-grandson is looking for further information on the Canon and I will be happy to pass on the e-mail address of anyone who can help him; please send me a PM if you are able to assist.

* Dalieh – "The largest Druze town in Israel (and the most southern) is Daliyat el-Carmel, located on Mount Carmel in the heart of the Carmel National Park, southeast of Haifa. Established some 400 years ago, Daliyat el-Carmel has a population of 13,000 Druze residents, who trace their ancestry to the hill country near Aleppo (Halab) in northern Syria, attested to by their strong Aleppo accent and the name of the largest family in the village - Halabi. The large market in the center of the town boasting traditional Druze and Arab products draws tourists from home and abroad, and there is a memorial center for fallen Druze IDF soldiers. The shrine of Abu Ibrahim is located in Daliyat el-Carmel." [Dr. Naim Aridi]

* Last but not least; I am grateful to the late Saddler Ahmed Abdor Rahman of the Egyptian Camel Transport Corps whose remembrance here on the G W F first prompted me to visit the Jaffa Road group of cemeteries in Haifa.

[Greenwoodman]

A fascinating read for a Christmas Eve morning - thank you Michael, and happy Christmas.

[michaeldr]

Thanks Richard

and a very Happy Christmas to your good self & all the G W F

Michael

[michaeldr]

* Quote-"a Canon of the cathedral in Jerusalem who drowned while swimming off Haifa"

This was the Rev Canon Percy A. R. Marriott who died 22nd August 1907. His great-grandson is looking for further information on the Canon and I will be happy to pass on the e-mail address of anyone who can help him; please send me a PM if you are able to assist.

My thanks to Wroclaw who has come forward with the offer of ideas to assist Canon Marriott's g-grandson; the wealth of information on the G W F turns up trumps again.

If anyone else has any info on this clergyman which you think might be of interest to his family member, then please PM with your e-mail address and I will be happy to pass it on.

regards

Michael

[steve fuller]

Thats brilliant Michael, what a labour of love!

[michaeldr]

Thanks Steve

Glad you enjoyed the tour

Happy New Year

Michael

[michaeldr]

The following details have just come to my attention and I believe they provide a poignant post script to the story of Canon Marriott.

When Canon Marriott drowned off Haifa in 1907 he left a son of about 13 years of age. This young man eventually went on to attend the Royal Military College and on 15th August 1914 he was made a Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. One year later he was awarded the Military Cross;

'For conspicuous gallantry and ability on 9th August, 1915, at Hooge, when the enemy had blown in the trenches near the crater, leaving a considerable gap in this part of the line, Second Lieutenant Marriott on his own initiative collected a few men and a machine gun and held this line under heavy shell fire till dark, when he was reinforced. He was twice wounded before being relieved, and set a fine example to his men.'

A further thirteen months later he was killed; details from the CWGC

Name: MARRIOTT, RICHARD HENRY

Initials: R H

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Lieutenant

Regiment/Service: King's Shropshire Light Infantry

Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Age: 22

Date of Death: 18/09/1916

Awards: MC

Additional information: Son of Gertrude E. Marriott, of "Heatherstone," Westover Road, Fleet, Hants, and the late Canon Percy A. R. Marriott

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. Y. 2

Cemetery: GUARDS' CEMETERY, LESBOEUFS

[michaeldr]

further to post #3 above

The photograph and the following extract on the death of Lt. Michael Allenby M.C. are from 'Allenby – A Study in Greatness' by Gen Sir Archibald Wavell

"In the last week of July Allenby made another tour of inspection on the Palestine front. He returned to Cairo on July 31 to meet a cable from Lady Allenby telling him that their only child Michael had been killed in France. He had been hit by a splinter of shell which went through his steel helmet while he was walking from a detached gun to the remainder of the battery. He lived five hours, but never recovered consciousness. He was half-way through his twentieth year, and had won the Military Cross and been recommended for promotion to the rank of captain.

His battery commander wrote of him :

'He had absolutely no notion of fear, and in every operation wished to go forward as Forward Observing Officer, but, of course, was only allowed to do it in his turn. He was the finest practical gunner of his rank that I have ever seen in France. The men all loved him and would do anything for him. In the mess he amused us greatly with his socialistic views and his defence of conscientious objectors. He was a good rider and a thorough sportsman.'

This testimony is confirmed by others ; there is no doubt that young Allenby's personality made a deep impression on all who knew him. Of all that generation of youth from whom the Great War took so terrible a toll in death or disillusion, to Britain's grievous loss, there were few of more promise than Michael Allenby.

Allenby took the shock with his unquenchable courage. He went on with his work and asked no sympathy. Only those who stood close to him knew how heavy the blow had been, how nearly it had broken him, and what courage it had taken to withstand it.

After his son's death Allenby obtained, with some difficulty, permission for Lady Allenby to go to Egypt. She arrived in October, and went to the Villa Heller, at Gezira. Her influence in the English community in Egypt was in its way as great as Allenby's at the front. She took a part in the direction of Red Cross work, in finding occupations and interests for convalescents and for officers and men on leave, and similar activities. Her imperturbable serenity was as effective in inspiring courage as was her husband's dynamic energy. She had in her gentle way as much strength of will and purpose as he had."

[Dragon]

I have just noticed this thread: I was 'away from' the forum when your first posts were made. I'm fairly familiar with Haifa, barbecues on Mount Carmel and walking around the areas of the Druze villages Daliyat el- Karmel and Isfiya, but at that time, I wasn't particularly engaged with the Great War. The Arab-Israeli wars of the 60s were nearer the front of my mind, having taken a couple of courses on them (I don't remember them).

I have my dad's photos which include Haifa from the Second World War and this has prompted me to revisit them and my own photos, too

Thanks for reviving memories. I'd like to share the aerial view with my friends who lived in Haifa, if I may.

Gwyn

[michaeldr]

Gwyn,

Many thanks for your comments; I am glad to have jogged some happy old memories

The Kaiser's memorial, the Turkish cannon, the memorial to Lt. Michael Allenby MC and Monty's house [even though he was only there for a matter of months this latter is apparently still referred to by locals as 'Monty's Castle']

Be that as it may; all these places are on one well known street on Mt Carmel and a half an hour walk should cover them all

As you will see from the credits posted above, the aerial photograph comes from Benjamin Z. Kedar's book 'The Changing Land Between the Jordan and the Sea' published in 1999; ISBN 965-05-0975-05

I am a great fan of this volume and as well as my own copy I have given it away as a present 3 or 4 times; it is always well received. There is a review of it on The Long, Long Trail. It is of value not only for the collection of aerial shots but also for many of the period terrestrial ones. I get my copies from the Stiematsky [? my spelling of this name] chain which your friends will know well

best regards

Michael

[michaeldr]

further to post #14 above

from 'Allenby in Palestine - The middle east correspondence of Field Marshal Viscount Allenby'

selected and edited by Matthew Hughes, Army Records Society, 2004 [iSBN 0-7509-3841-2]

from the Introduction

page 3,

quote: "In 1898, Adelaide Mabel gave birth to a son (Horace) Michael, the Allenbys' only child. His death as a subaltern on the Western front in July 1917 shattered the typical marmoreal Allenby who broke down and inconsolable, wept in front of Sir John Shea, one of his divisional commanders in Palestine."

page 44

Allenby to Lady Allenby

"Egyptian State Railways

28th July 1917

I am on the Palestine front in my special train. The pens in this train will only blot the papers - or else make no mark at all - !.................

29th - I have been riding and motoring round again today looking at my preparations. Strong wind hot and dust, till about 8 pm., when it drops.......................................................................

31st July - Reached the canal early this morning. I crossed over, and got into another train for home............................................................................

.....................................................................

Later - This evening, I have just got your wire, through the Eastern Telegraph Company. My darling sweetheart, I wish I could be with you; but I know how brave you are; and you will be strong, to bear this awful blow. You and Michael fill my thoughts, and I feel very near to you both. Every remembrance of him is a joy. From his birth to his death there is not a day that you or I would have wished changed or to have been lived otherwise than he lived it. I am glad that you had him with you so short a time ago; and I too have had much happiness in seeing him often during the war. He was always the same; keen in his work, thoughtful beyond his years, but cheerful and brave. I have never seen a boy of his age who had so mastered self. His self control was complete; and though his quick perception was always awake to the dangers which he faced daily, his well-balanced mind never dwelt on them. This and his real interest in his work, made his life a happy one, even in the days of terrible stress which he has had to face for so many months.

Whenever he came to stay with me, he was always the same; a friend on equal terms; and yet, unaffected, he always kissed me when we met and parted - as he did when a child. He had come safely through so many dangers that I had begun to hope, more confidently. that he would....................."

The end of this letter is missing from the archives,

(perhaps at the insistence of the family?)

page 55

Allenby to Lady Allenby

"26th August 1917

I don't think that Michael could have been more happily placed, than in 'T' Battery; and I like your idea of applying his money for the Battery's benefit. You and I will always feel a connection with it. What a wonderful and beautiful thought your is; that Father Knapp is with our boy, and helping him to enter bravely on his new life.

Oh, my brave Darling, you are the mother of a hero. Your son could have been no other. The letter he wrote to you, on the 28th of July, is a mirror in which his whole character is shown.

Devotion to his work. Humour, dry but never cynical. Joy in all aspects of life. Wide interest in literature, sport, politics. All unaffected and honest. And, through all, beams his love for you. So, too, my own, your wide sympathy and thought for others cheers us all. God bless you my Mabel."

Wavell - "After his son's death Allenby obtained, with some difficulty, permission for Lady Allenby to go to Egypt. She arrived in October, and went to the Villa Heller, at Gezira. Her influence in the English community in Egypt was in its way as great as Allenby's at the front. She took a part in the direction of Red Cross work, in finding occupations and interests for convalescents and for officers and men on leave, and similar activities. Her imperturbable serenity was as effective in inspiring courage as was her husband's dynamic energy. She had in her gentle way as much strength of will and purpose as he had."

The photograph below is from a collection at the Library of Congress (USA)

[michaeldr]

Having lost my original research when I changed machines, I am afraid that I have let this topic slip. Today however, I would like to begin afresh, and I will from time to time add to this thread, items relating to Haifa War Cemetery. If you have any specific requests relating to this cemetery, then please let me know by PM, and I will try my best to include your subject.

Let me begin with a couple of Canadians. They were perhaps the last contingent to join the EEF, and the least known of the forces making up Allenby's all-conquering-army of 1918.

[michaeldr]

"In all, the campaign had cost seven Canadian lives, four ... from malaria and pneumonia. In addition to these, one man died from dysentery, another was killed by a locomotive and the last man was drowned while fishing in a tributary of the Yarmuk River."

[Caveat – "This is a preliminary narative and should not be regarded ar authoritative. It has not been checked for accuracy in all respects, and its interpretations are not necessarily those of the Historical Section as a whole." Compiled by Capt. J. A. Swettenham R.C.E.]

Capt. Swettenham's report is on the web: my apologies for not being technically able to provide more than the above quote at this time. Also please note that I have no way of knowing which of the above mentioned fates befell the two Canadians who lie in Haifa War Cemetery.

HADFIELD

Initials: J

Nationality: Canadian

Rank: Sapper

Regiment/Service: Canadian Railway Troops

Unit Text: 1st Bridging Coy.

Date of Death: 25/10/1918

Service No: 490648

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

VIDITO

Initials: A

Nationality: Canadian

Rank: Sapper

Regiment/Service: Canadian Railway Troops

Unit Text: 1st Bridging Coy.

Date of Death: 23/11/1918

Service No: 470256

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

[michaeldr]

These photographs represent some of the work of the Canadians

http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/H02594C

http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/H02594B

http://cas.awm.gov.au/photograph/H02594A

edit: a further photograph link has been added; see post # 65

[michaeldr]

Quote from the Canadian OH (to which Capt Swettenham contributed)

"Personnel for the 1st Bridging Company (256 all ranks) were drawn mainly from Canadian railway battalions in France. Under the command of Major A. P. Linton, the company sailed from Marseilles on 20 September 1918…

… 1st Bridging Company, arriving in Palestine on 2 October, was promptly ordered to the Yarmuk valley. The second and third bridges above the junction with the Jordan were found to have been partly destroyed by the retreating Turks. Work on both spans began on the 7th. Operating conditions could scarcely have been more unpleasant. The valleys of the Jordan and the Yarmuk were among the most unhealthy places in Palestine. Temperatures of 100° in the shade continued week after week, rising at times to over 120°. Because of the great depth of these valleys and the enormous amount of evaporation from the Dead Sea, the air was heavy with moisture. Screened from any breeze by the high valley walls, the atmosphere was hot and stagnant, producing in the troops who worked there an extraordinary lassitude and sense of helplessness. The movement of transport stirred up dust from the powdered soil, and dun-coloured clouds would hang for long periods in the overcharged air. Hostile insects added to the pestiferous nature of the surroundings. In the dry parts were scorpions, six-inch centipedes and stinging spiders, and where the ground was swampy - mosquitoes. The Canadian bridging company was soon crippled by malaria and other environmental ailments. Some men were hit by the influenza epidemic which was sweeping every theatre of operations. In many cases this was followed by pneumonia. For one week in October not more than six men were able to work at any one time. Nevertheless, with the aid of 560 men of the Egyptian Labour Corps, the unit pushed its task to completion; by 26 October supplies could be sent all the way to Damascus by rail.

On that date British forces entered Aleppo and advanced eight miles beyond towards Alexandretta. The campaign was all but over; four days later Turkey signed an armistice. Now, with the problems of moving refugees and liberated prisoners of War, and supplying foodstuffs to whole populations on the verge of starvation, there was much work to be done on bridging and restoring and improving the railways. The 1st Bridging Company was transferred to Hama, south of Aleppo, where it carried on its work from the beginning of November 1918 to February 1919. In March the unit sailed for England, to join the C.R.T.Depot. Although the 1st Bridging Company had not come under fire during its tour of duty in the Middle East, it had suffered seven fatal casualties - five by disease, two accidental."

[Broznitsky]

Thank you Michael!

[michaeldr]

Another soldier from the western hemisphere

SQUIRES

Initials: A

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: British West Indies Regiment

Unit Text: 1st Bn

Date of Death: 07/02/1919

Service No: 6746

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: A. 46

Additional information from http://caribbeanrollofhonour-ww1-ww2.yolasite.com/bwir-s.php

SQUIRES, ALFRED - Listed in Franklins as wounded in Egypt 1918, 3rd Public Contingent, sailed from Trinidad on 28/03/1917 ex H.M.T. "Magdalena". Commemorated on Port of Spain Cenotaph

[michaeldr]

LAWLER, GUY FEINAIGLE

Initials: G F

Nationality: Indian

Rank: Lieutenant

Regiment/Service: 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse)

Unit Text: "C" Sqdn

Age: 22

Date of Death: 22/04/1920

Additional information: Son of Joseph Edward and Lucy Catherine Lawler. Educated at Elleray Park, Wallasey, Drogheda Grammar School, and Newton College. Born at Kilcormack, Co. Wexford

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: B. 9

Guy Lawler was promoted to Lieutenant on 30th January 1918

and then we have this further entry in the London Gazette

TUESDAY; 24 AUGUST, 1920.

War Office,

24th August, 1920.

REGULAR FORCES.

COMMANDS AND STAFF.

The undermentioned relinquish their appts.:

PERSONAL STAFF.

A.D.C.Lt. G. F. Lawler, 2nd Lrs., Ind.

Army (since killed in action). 7th Feb. 1920.

It is not clear to what the LG is referring when it says 'Killed in Action' however, there was some Palestinian rioting at about this time and that may be connected. If anyone has any firm details on this, then please add them to this thread

I don't know how I missed this in October 2011, but the following was posted by Jill here http://1914-1918.inv...howtopic=170053

I have infront of me a copy of 3 and a quarter pages [longer than A4] of an official report headed a 'Summary of Events at Beisan. - 22nd. April and night 22/23 April. 1920.' which gives times of the unfolding of the events throughout the dates of the 22nd and the 23rd given by Captain D.P. Whitworth Commanding 2nd. Lancers. Plus the translation of a letter from Amir Bashir to the D.M.G. Beisan and the reply to Amir Bashir's letter from F.W. Thorneycroft. Lieut. A/Deputy Military Governor. Beisan. There is also attached a traced map of a rough sketch at 1" = 1 mile of country round Beisan and a rough sketch of Beisan village scale about 2" to 100x

A copy of a letter attached to the summary of events dated 2nd May 1920 from Captain Dysart Whitworth conveys the deepest sympathies of all the 2nd Lancers to one the sisters of Gt-uncle Guy. In his letter Capt. Whitworth explains and I quote -

'We had been hurriedly sent down fron Jenin to Beisan to punish the Ghazzewiyeh tribe, not knowing that they had collected all the neighbouring tribes on that day with the idea of seizing Beisan. The next day, instead of meeting a comparatively small body of Arabs, we ran into this concentrated force and, as you will read, only saved Beisan after a very hard fight.'

Capt. Whitworth goes on to write to my gt-aunt that he was with gt-uncle Guy when two men firing a Hotchkiss gun were hit. He left and went away to rally the other end of the line which was also being hard pressed. He later heard from Dafadar Buland Singh that gt-uncle Guy went to the assistance of one of the wounded and he himself was hit in the thigh. Buland Singh went and dragged him back but he was hit again in the neck and died instantly.

Belated, but nevertheless very sincere thanks to Jill

Edited 23 January , 2013 by michaeldr

[Sandie Hayes]

Would you be interested in letting the War Graves Photographic Project have copies of the photographs and details?

The project struggles for volunteers to take photographs outside of France & Belguim, I'm sure yours would be most welcome.

Steve Rogers, Project Co-ordinator, can be contacted at steve@twgpp.org