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Remembered Today:

Ypres-Messines area


Neil Mackenzie

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Later this month myself and a former school mate are spending 8 days in the Ypres area visiting the 170 or so cemeteries and memorials with named burials/commemorations. This is roughly covering the whole area Poperinghe-Poelcapelle-Beselare-LeBizet.

We have managed to do a small amount of research on at least one man in each cemetery so we can visit their grave specifically and will be visiting the graves of about 300 men (and 1 woman) in all. The forum has been a tremendous resource in helping to gather information in a number of cases – thank you to everyone who has contributed.

If anyone would like a photograph of a grave in the area please post the details to this thread and we will do our best.

Neil

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Hi thanks for the offer if you go there I would be most grateful for a photo of the following graves

WRIGHT, EDGAR WILLIAM

Rank: Gunner

Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery

Unit Text: " B" Bty. 291st Bde.

Age: 19

Date of Death: 26/09/1917

Service No: 931413

Grave/Memorial Reference: V. E. 12.

Cemetery: DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY

thanks gareth

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Neil,

Have an excellent trip, sounds great

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Neil

Sounds like a very busy trip, but if you have time and either of these are on your itinary a pic would be great.

Name: LUCKEY, ARTHUR

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Bedfordshire Regiment

Unit Text: "A" Coy. 8th Bn.

Date of Death: 13/02/1916

Service No: 16061

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. S. 24.

Cemetery: LA BRIQUE MILITARY CEMETERY No.2

Name: LEVEY

Initials: N

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

Unit Text: 16th Labour Coy.

Secondary Regiment: Labour Corps

Secondary Unit Text: transf. to (73843) 124th Coy.

Date of Death: 14/07/1917

Service No: 47347

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 14.

Cemetery: DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY

Have an enjoyable trip

Thanks

Glyn

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Hi Neil

If you have time would you be able to take the following photo at Poelcapelle British Cemetery?

Sapper Robert Alan Wray - Plot LII.C.5

4th Field Company Engineers AIF

KIA 26/09/1917

Cheers

Andrew

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Neil

The Crusaders had nothing on you two.

Would there be any chance that you could post a list of the 301 names. There is a chance that some of them may be known to pals, and not Known only to God.

Thanks

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No problem with the photos - assuming I remember to take the details with me of course!

I am sure I could have added the list in a more user friendly way but the graves we are visiting is below. Some memebers will certainly recognise some of the names as we have taken a fair bit of info from the Forum as well as looking at service records and war diaries.

Neil

Acock Edward George Serjeant La Clytte Military Cem

Adams Victor Harold Private Motor Car Corner Cem

Aked John Thomas Private Colne Valley Cem

Akred Herbert Private Belgian Battery Corner Cem

Aldred Arthur Private Wytschaete Military Cem

Altham Fred Private Hooge Crater Cem

Annis Peter Serjeant Berks Military Extension

Archer Thomas Sapper Larch Wood (Railway Cutting) Cem

Aslin George Private Potijze Chateau Lawn Cem

Averill Thomas Hanson 2/Lt Dranoutre Military Cem

Babington Ralph Vivian 2nd Lt Ruisseau Farm Cem

Bailey Aaron Private Voormezeele Enclosures No 1 and 2

Baird William Rifleman Dranoutre Military Cem

Bardsley Joseph Private Birr Cross Roads

Barlow Edmund Private Bedford House Cem

Barrett Herbert Corporal Poperinge Communal Cem

Barrow George Private Mendinghem Military Cem

Beachcroft Cyril Shakespear Lt Poelcapelle British Cem

Beadman Cecil Thomas Private Lindenhoek Chalet Military Cem

Becker Jonathan Otto Gustavus Lt Messines Ridge British

Bergin The Rev. M Chaplain 3rd Class Reninghelst Churchyard Extension

Bibby John Pengelley Lt Artillery Wood Cem

Blythe Colin (Charlie) Sgt Oxford Road Cem

Boggs Herman Beaumont Lt Ploegsteert Churchyard

Boothby Charles Geoffrey 2nd Lt RE Grave, Railway Wood

Bouskill Edward Lt Buttes New British Cem, Polygon Wood

Boyes Arthur Private Bethleem Farm West Cem

Bradshaw Henry Herbert 2/Lt Brandhoek Military Cem

Breen Peter Private Railway Chateau Cem

Brennand Thomas Private Bard Cottage Cem

Brodie Ewen James Captain Ypres (Menin Gate)

Bucknell Arthur Sidney Private Ploegsteert Memorial

Buckworth Herbert Thompson Rifleman Bedford House Cem

Bulcock Joseph Private Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cem

Bundle Harry Norman 2nd Lt Tyne Cot Cem

Burness Alfred Richard 2nd Lt Seaforth Cem, Cheddar Villa

Butcher Harold Thomas 2nd Lt Essex Farm Cem

Butcher Charles Geoffrey Lt Reningelst Churchyard

Butterworth Nicholas Private Talana Farm Cem

Caldwell Nelson Private Elzenwalle Brasserie Cem

Calvert Fred Rifleman Vlamertinghe Military Cem

Cameron Arthur Ian Douglas 2nd Lt Seaforth Cem, Cheddar Villa

Carlill Albert Private Langemark German Military Cem

Carver Herbert Rifleman Oak Dump Cem

Chapman Arthur Thomas Captain Oosttaverne Wood Cem

Chart Geoffrey Private Nine Elms British Cem

Churchill Arthur Norton Hickling Lt Maple Leaf Cem

Clack Leonard George Samuel Private Ploegsteert Memorial

Clark Tom Private Potijze Burial Ground

Clements Charles Christopher Rifleman Lijssenthoek Military Cem

Cliff Henry (Harry) James Corporal Underhill Farm Cem

Coles Norman Knight L/Corporal Buttes New British Cem, Polygon Wood

Collis Percy Harold 2nd Lt Gwalia Cem

Colpitts Thomas Private Potijze Burial Ground

Condry John D Corporal Dochy Farm New British Cem

Condry Thomas Private Nine Elms British Cem

Cordery Herbert Thomas Corporal Ypres Town Cem Extension

Cordner James Lt Minty Farm Cem

Crew Dennis Meirville Lt Divisional Collecting Post Cem & Extension

Cropper Ralph Private Bedford House Cem

Croston William Gunner Vlamertinghe New Military Cem

Dale Arthur Serjeant Prowse Point Military Cem

Dalziel Thomas Serjeant Tyne Cot Cem

Darvill Percy Private Berks Military Extension

De La Fontaine Henry Victor Mottet Lt Colonel Reninghelst New Military Cem

Dewhurst Henry Private Klien-Vierstraat British Cem

Dickenson Ernest Clark L/Corporal Dozinghem Military Cem

Dickinson Lewis George 2/Lt Spoilbank Cem

Dillon Maurice Cronly Private Westoutre British Cem

Dingle Alfred Cecil Corporal Ypres (Menin Gate)

Ditmas Thomas Owen Bulteel Lieutenant Wulvergem Churchyard

Dobie William Findley R Lieutenant Irish House Cem

Dougherty Philip Private Watou Churchyard

Downey Sydney James Livingston 2/Lt Spanbroekmolen British Cem

Drake Alfred George Corporal La Brique Military Cem No. 2

Duckett James L/Cpl Ypres Reservoir Cem

Duckworth Frederick Gunner The Huts Cem

Dugdale Robert William L/Cpl Kemmel Chateau Military Cem

Dugmore T J Private La Plus Douve Farm Cem

Duke Frank Stanley L/Cpl Woods Cem

Dunn Frank Mewburn 2/Lt Cabin Hill Cem

Dyke Walter Ball Captain Westhof Farm Cem

Eames George Pioneer Solferino Farm Cem

Eatough Alan Gunner Artillery Wood Cem

Edwards Charles Rifleman Reningelst Churchyard

Elcombe David Arthur Reginald Private Abeele Aerodrome Military Cem

Elton Gordon Daubeney Gresley Captain Duhallow A.D.S. Cem

Emmett P Private Prowse Point Military Cem

Enderbury Frederick Albert 2nd Lt Gunners Farm Military Cem

Evans Thomas Private La Clytte Military Cem

Evans Samuel Private Ypres (Menin Gate)

Everitt R E 2nd Lt Ferme-Olivier Cem

Ewen Arthur Private No Man's Cot Cem

Ferris William Small 2/Lt Lone Tree Cem

Finnis John Belsey Gunner Hospital Farm Cem

Firth Fred Private Bridge House Cem

Fletcher Victor William Private Buttes New British Cem, Polygon Wood

Flint Robert Bradford Lieutenant Dranouter Churchyard

Foster Sidney Gordon Private Artillery Wood Cem

Foster John Cecil Captain Vlamertinghe New Military Cem

Francis William James Corporal Oak Dump Cem

Freeman John William Lt Klien-Vierstraat British Cem

Galloway Anyon Private Perth Cem (China Wall)

Galloway Alfred James Able Seaman Poelcapelle British Cem

Garman Harold James Rifleman Kemmel No.1 French Cem

Gibby P Corporal Westoutre British Cem

Glass James Fraser 2/Lt Poperinghe Old Military Cem

Gliddon Maurice 2/Lt Brandhoek New Military Cem No 3

Godson Frank Corporal Sanctuary Wood Cem

Goodacre Charles Henry Private Somer Farm Cem

Gordon John Frederick Strathearn Captain Poperinge Communal Cem

Graham Cyril Lieutenant Potijze Chateau Grounds

Graham William George Captain St Quentin Cabaret Military Cem

Gray Arthur John Captain Buffs Road Cemetery

Grime Ernest Signaller La Laiterie Military Cem

Gurnell Robert Matthew 2/Lt Pond Farm Cem

Hargreaves Stafford Private Canada Farm Cem

Hargreaves Arthur Private New Irish Farm Cem

Hart John Private Chester Farm Cem

Hasler Julian Brigadier General White House Cem

Hawkins Albert Edward Private Dozinghem Military Cem

Hawkins John Stephen 2/Lt Hedge Row Trench Cem

Hayes Arthur Francis Private Blauwepoort Farm Cem

Hearne John Private Poperinghe Old Military Cem

Hedley William Alexander Cosgrave Captain Abeele Aerodrome Military Cem

Henderson Thomas Kinloch Corporal Godezonne Farm Cemetery

Hill Reginald Gordon Lt Canada Farm Cem

Hillier Fredrick Private Bard Cottage Cem

Hillier Albert Private La Clytte Military Cem

Hoar Richard Frank Private Track "X" Cem

Hoare Percival Hugh Trench Lt Lancashire Cottage Cem

Hodgson Christopher Michael 2nd Lt Vlamertinghe New Military Cem

Hogan John Gunner Ferme-Olivier Cem

Holden Charles Private Voormezeele Enclosure No 3

Hollingshead Alfred Private Chester Farm Cem

Hone Gilbert Bentoit Lt Bard Cottage Cem

Hooper Arthur Private Lijssenthoek Military Cem

Jackson Henry Private Bridge House Cem

Jelfs Charles Edward Private Artillery Wood Cem

Johns Jack Private Locre No 10 Cem

Johnson Charles Eric L/Corporal Poelcapelle British Cem

Jones Reginald Rees 2/Lt Mendinghem Military Cem

Joynson Harry Lindsay Rifleman Ramparts Cem Lille Gate

Juckes George Francis 2nd Lt Talana Farm Cem

Juniper Albert George Private Mendinghem Military Cem

Kaa Pekama Captain Kandahar Farm Cem

Kavanagh Thomas Osborne Joseph Lieutenant Bertenacre Military Cem

Kay Edgar Private Bleuet Farm Cem

Kemp Elise Margaret Sister Godewaersvelde British Cem

Kennedy Lewis Gunner Westvleteren Belgian Military Cem

Kenny Francis Joseph Leo 2nd Lt Potijze Chateau Wood

Kerruish George Private Ration Farm (La Plus Douve)

Key George WIlliam Bombadier Menin Road South Cem

Khan Muhammed Jemadar Bedford House Cem

Kiely Robert Edward Private St. Julien Dressing Station Cem

Kimpton Norman Herbert 2nd Lt Canada Farm Cem

Kinsey Ralph Private Ypres Town Cem

Labdon Percy Miller 2/Lt Bridge House CEm

Langford George Private Tyne Cot Memorial

Lavender Joseph Private La Laiterie Military Cem

Leaf Robert William Private Messines Ridge (NZ) Memorial

Lees Frederick Charles Gunner Gwalia Cem

Libby Harry G Rifleman Potijze Burial Ground

Linge Leon Elliot Private Dickebusch New Military Cem Ext

Lively George Albert Private White House Cem

Lockley Leonard Harry Private Langemark German Military Cem

Lovell Edward Caton 2nd Lt Dochy Farm New British Cem

Lowden Charley Gunner Somer Farm Cem

Loxton Charles Edward Holden 2nd Lt Nieuwkirke Churchyard

Lycett Frederick James Private Underhill Farm Cem

Mackenzie Maurice Lieutenant Le Bizet Cem

MacKenzie John Cameron Sapper Le Bizet Cem, Armentieres

Maclachlan Ronald Campbell Brigadier General Locre Hospice Cem

Maltby Henry William Private La Brique Military Cem No. 1

Mann George Cyril Stanley L/Corporal Tyne Cot Cem

Marquis Mathew William Private Poperinghe Old Military Cem

Marshall Thomas Driver Ypres Town Cem Extension

Marvin Henry Leslie 2/Lt Zantvoorde British Cem

Maudsley William Leonard Private Dickebusch New Military Cem Ext

Mayes Frederick Richard Driver Hagle Dump Cem

McCann B J 2nd Lt La Plus Douve Farm Cem

McGuffie Louis Sgt Zantvoorde British Cem

Meath James Private Ridge Wood Military Cem

Meredith William John Lieutenant Loker Churchyard

Merrett Arthur Edwin 2nd Lt Dickebusch New Military Cem

Middleton Leonard William 2/Lt Voormezeele Enclosure No 3

Mitchell Fred L/Corporal Divisional Cem

Moore John Private Aeroplane Cem

Morris Herbert Private Poperinghe New Military Cem

Moulton Arthur Bertram Sgt Ypres Reservoir Cem

Nicholls-Jones Thomas Cyril Lt Dragoon Camp Cem

Noble Arthur Private Menin Road South Cem

Nolan Patrick Private La Brique Military Cem No. 1

Norman Beresford Grey Serjeant Toronto Avenue Cem

Norris William Frank CSM Dickebusch Old Military Cem

Norton Thomas Joseph Private Westouter Churchyard & Extension

Nuttall John William Private Essex Farm Cem

Officer Unknown Tyne Cot Cem

Ogilvy The Hon. Patrick Julian Harry Stanley Capt. Cement House Cem

O'Keefe Michael Private First DCLI Cem, The Bluff

O'Neill Douglas Quirk 2nd Lt Grootebeek British Cem

Orr Robert Clifford Captain Ploegsteert Wood Military Cem

Palliser William Private Cement House Cem

Palmer Percy Eric 2/Lt La Belle Alliance Cem

Perry Stephen Private Tancrez Farm Cem

Philby Denis Duncan Lt New Irish Farm Cem

Pickles Albert A/Bombardier Solferino Farm Cem

Pickworth Arthur William 2/Lt Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cem

Pillman Robert Laurence Captain Calvaire (Essex) Military Cem

Plant A Private St Quentin Cabaret Military Cem

Poulton-Palmer Ronald William Lt Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks)

Priest Robert Edgar Paul 2/Lt Watou Churchyard

Proctor James Emerson Private Packhorse Farm Shrine Cem

Proctor Ernest Arthur Private Packhorse Farm Shrine Cem

Purves Thomas Warren Lieutenant Voormezeele Enclosure No 3

Qua Arthur Harper Corporal Railway Dugouts Burial Ground

Ransdale Alfred Charles 2nd Lt Hagle Dump Cem

Reeder Charles E Corporal Railway Dugouts Burial Ground

Ricketts Thomas Private Bleuet Farm Cem

Roberson Frank Hubert Langhorne 2/Lt Brandhoek New Military Cem

Robinson Edwin Winwood Lieutenant Voormezele Churchyard

Rodocanachi Paul John 2/Lt Torreken Farm Cem No 1

Rose Frank Stanley Day (Sir) Captain Zandvoorde Churchyard

Rossi James Private Mud Corner Cem

Roughsedge William Lieutenant Wieltje Farm Cem

Rowlinson Horace Private Tyne Cot Memorial

Saich Joseph Benjamin Corporal Divisional Collecting Post Cem & Extension

Schroder Francis Thomas 2nd Lt Suffolk Cem, Vierstraat

Schwarer John William CSM Lijssenthoek Military Cem

Scott Arthur de Courcy Lt-Col Zillebeke Churchyard

Seward Ralph Serjeant Rifle House Cem

Sharman T Private Rifle House Cem

Sheldrick Frederick Joseph L/Corporal Welsh Cem (Caesar's Nose)

Simmons William Private Spoilbank Cem

Skinner George Laurence Rifleman Buttes New British (NZ Memorial)

Smith Ernest Private Dozinghem Military Cem

Smith Alfred Private St. Jan-Ter-Biezen Communal Cem

Sorette Henry Private RE Farm Cem

Souls Alfred Private Strand Military Cem

Stacker Walter Charles CSM Bethleem Farm West Cem

Stacpoole George Eric Guy Lieutenant Dickebusch Old Military Cem

Stansfeld-Smith Lyulph 2nd Lt Divisional Cem

Stares Robert Percy Major Perth Cem (China Wall)

Stewart Stanley Private Kemmel Chateau Military Cem

Stokoe Henry Bertram Captain Elzenwalle Brasserie Cem

Sutton Thomas Private Ploegsteert Churchyard

Telfer George Turnbull Private Hop Store Cem

Thoel Charles Edward Victor Battery Sgt Major Croonaert Chapel Cem

Thomas C E Gardener Le Bizet Cem, Armentieres

Thomson John Private La Belle Alliance Cem

Thomson John Robertson Private Polygon Wood Cemetery

Thurtle Thomas L/Cpl Bus House Cem

Tigg Thomas Henry Private Aeroplane Cem

Till William L/Corporal Reningelst Churchyard

Timon Fred Company QMS Perth Cem (China Wall)

Todd Alexander Findlater Captain Poperinghe Old Military Cem

Toft Harry R Private Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks)

Tomlinson William L/Corporal Passchendaele New British Cem

Toms Sidney Ray Gunner Red Farm Military Cem

Torrome Ralph Laurence Private Poelcapelle British Cem

Tubb Frederick Harold Major Lijssenthoek Military Cem

Tucker Reginald Rifleman Ploegsteert Memorial

Turner Frederick Harding 2/Lt Kemmel Churchyard

Turvey William Corporal Derry House Cem No 2

Twite Sydney Private Suffolk Cem, Vierstraat

Tyreman Fred Private Maple Copse Cem

Tyreman William Private Maple Copse Cem

Urquhart Edward Frederick Maltby Captain Boezinge Churchyard

Veysey Stanley 2nd Lt Dozinghem Military Cem

Vincent Ronald Harry Sgt Tuileries British Cem

Walsh Richard Edward Lieutenant Bethleem Farm East Cem

Walsh John Gunner Brandhoek New Military Cem No 3

Wang Chin Chih Labourer Poperinghe Old Military Cem

Wardleworth Vincent Edward Private Croonaert Chapel Cem

Warner Evan Serjeant Lancashire Cottage Cem

Warren Richard Dunn Major Menin Road South Cem

Westbrook John Mervyn Rifleman St Quentin Cabaret Military Cem

Williams Herbert Albert Private Gunners Farm Military Cem

Williams J H Private Tancrez Farm Cem

Williams Stanley John Private Tyne Cot Memorial

Williamson Joe Private Torreken Farm Cem No 1

Wilson William Private Godewaersvelde British Cem

Winch Francis James Serjeant London Rifle Brigade Cem

Winterbottom Charles Percy Captain Hooge Crater Cem

Wise Colin Walter 2nd Lt Canada Farm Cem

Woods E Chief Officer Larch Wood (Railway Cutting) Cem

Wren Frederick Walter Rifleman Le Touquet Railway Crossing Cem

Young Cuthbert Fredrick Rifleman London Rifle Brigade Cem

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Later this month myself and a former school mate are spending 8 days in the Ypres area visiting the 170 or so cemeteries and memorials with named burials/commemorations. This is roughly covering the whole area Poperinghe-Poelcapelle-Beselare-LeBizet.

We have managed to do a small amount of research on at least one man in each cemetery so we can visit their grave specifically and will be visiting the graves of about 300 men (and 1 woman) in all. The forum has been a tremendous resource in helping to gather information in a number of cases – thank you to everyone who has contributed.

If anyone would like a photograph of a grave in the area please post the details to this thread and we will do our best.

Neil

I think you have bitten off more than you will be able to chew, especially offering to take photos for others as well - Good Luck, but don't be disappointed - just plan for another 10 trips.....we are lucky if we manage 5 Cemeteries per day as we continually get sidetracked by "odd" graves, (look for the humour of the Burial Parties - e.g. in Essex Farm there is a Herring buried next to a Rowe - a Brotherhood next to a Mason, in Vermelles a Parsley next to a Garlick as well as many other linked names - Green Brown White etc). Jacksmum.

Later this month myself and a former school mate are spending 8 days in the Ypres area visiting the 170 or so cemeteries and memorials with named burials/commemorations. This is roughly covering the whole area Poperinghe-Poelcapelle-Beselare-LeBizet.

We have managed to do a small amount of research on at least one man in each cemetery so we can visit their grave specifically and will be visiting the graves of about 300 men (and 1 woman) in all. The forum has been a tremendous resource in helping to gather information in a number of cases – thank you to everyone who has contributed.

If anyone would like a photograph of a grave in the area please post the details to this thread and we will do our best.

Neil

I think you have bitten off more than you will be able to chew, especially offering to take photos for others as well - Good Luck, but don't be disappointed - just plan for another 10 trips.....we are lucky if we manage 5 Cemeteries per day as we continually get sidetracked by "odd" graves, (look for the humour of the Burial Parties - e.g. in Essex Farm there is a Herring buried next to a Rowe - a Brotherhood next to a Mason, in Vermelles a Parsley next to a Garlick as well as many other linked names - Green Brown White etc). Jacksmum.

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It works out at about 12 cemeteries on the way out and back and 22-25 a day for the other days. However we have our route well planned each day, have deliberately chosen this time of year for the long(ish) evenings and have a spare day as well. So long as we do NOT get distracted we should be OK. Of course a lot of things could go wrong (e.g. car breaking down) but we will not worry about things like that until they happen.

Neil

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Neil,

Many thanks for the offer, and if I'm not too late putting in a request, if you would be able to take both or either of these two lads on my signature for me I would greatly appreciate it (but if not, not to worry!):

Lance Corporal 235118 Edward Dines, Seaforth Highlanders. Killed in action 10th July 1917, buried in Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Plot LIX.E.10

Private 45052 Launcelot Charles Victor Andrews, Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds 17th October 1917, buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Plot X.G.11

Hope you have a great trip! :)

Best regards

Steve

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It works out at about 12 cemeteries on the way out and back and 22-25 a day for the other days. However we have our route well planned each day, have deliberately chosen this time of year for the long(ish) evenings and have a spare day as well. So long as we do NOT get distracted we should be OK. Of course a lot of things could go wrong (e.g. car breaking down) but we will not worry about things like that until they happen.

Neil

If the shepherd is near Hedge Row trench cemetery - you will probably spend 30 minutes chatting and then help him get the sheep back to their pen. Also a lovely place for a picnic. As you go around cemeteries you will see lots of Notts & Derby men and stop. At Dickebusch New you will see a grave with father and son mentioned. Also two brothers next to each other. At every cemetery something will catch your eye.

At Essex farm you will see a number of Notts & Derby men with one 'unknown N&D man' between them - He is actually Private Ernest Cox. La Belle Alliance has mostly 33rd Brigade of which many of 9th Bn men.

Despite all this - have a great time and the best of luck. nearly forgot - make time for the tractors on the small roads. ;) Stop at the Deli opposite the Zonnebeke Museum - get an excellent selection for a picnic lunch.

Lastly - you had better type out some sticky labels to insert in visitor books - save 5 mins each time :rolleyes:

Enjoy

Stevem

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Neil, this might sound like a silly question. Why? What is your motivation for "doing" all the Ypres cemeteries?

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Neil, this might sound like a silly question. Why? What is your motivation for "doing" all the Ypres cemeteries?

Not a stupid question at all - in fact I have been wondering the same thing myself for the last few weeks!!

From memory it started over over a few beers (naturally!) when we were talking about how many cemeteries were in the Salient and wondering whether many people had been to them all and how long it would take to visit them all. Things have gone on from there. We didn't see the point in just going to the cemetery so we then decided to try and find out something about at least one man in each to make it more meaningful. We now have a bit of info (over and above what is on CWGC) on about 230 men and will be visiting the graves of about 300 in all.

I was thinking of creating a web site when we get back covering our trip but Tom Morgan has kindly offered us some space for an article on his great site. We are also using the trip as the starting point for a Roll of Honour for our old school which currently does not have one. This will be quite interesting as it includes a Royal Engineer VC and 3 brothers killed in a Zepplin raid on Croydon.

SteveF - I will add your request to the list.

SteveM - many thanks for the advice, I know the Deli you refer to and, as you rightly say, it is excellent. I am sure we will be distracted on the way but we have 9-10 hours a day to do this so hoping for the best.

Neil

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Ian

I think its great what you are trying to do, but really this is a very big area and I hope you do not expect to do other things other than take photos.

Anyone wanting photos, they have actually already been taken by people from the British War Graves Project on-line. They have had volunteers taking pictures for a couple of years and most of the cemeteries have been done if you go onto http://www.britishwargraves.org.uk You can request a photo.

or if you are wanting Canadian graves - its the Maple Leaf Project run by Steve Douglas.

Enjoy your trip

Liz

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Best of luck. I decided to do the same thing a few years ago and put them on the website and then the 9th took over. I have visited quite a few and it is always a good excuse to visit the Salient.

Might be there myself at the end of the month - taking the nephew of a 9th Bn man killed on 23 July 1917 and buried at La Belle Alliance. Still trying to organise an exact date with him.

Got to take cos' he is having a copy of the 9th Bn history :rolleyes: (I would take him anyway - honest)

Nearly forgot - Watch out for the dog and bulls at Torreken Farm Cem. I think he feeds the dog on raw meat(researchers). Luckily when the bulls are in the field there is an electric fence at ankle height! and a sign in english.

stevem

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SteveF - I will add your request to the list.

SteveM - many thanks for the advice, I know the Deli you refer to and, as you rightly say, it is excellent. I am sure we will be distracted on the way but we have 9-10 hours a day to do this so hoping for the best.

Neil

Very much appreciated Neil. I hope you have a great trip - just wish I was going myself!

cheers

Steve

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Nearly forgot - Watch out for the dog and bulls at Torreken Farm Cem. I think he feeds the dog on raw meat(researchers). Luckily when the bulls are in the field there is an electric fence at ankle height! and a sign in english.

stevem

Thanks for the warning Steve - I will let Mark lead the way at that one!!

Neil

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  • 2 weeks later...

Neil

A public thanks for some first class photos.

Appreciated.

Glyn

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Neil,

How was Torreken Farm? :huh:

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As a quick dose of cold water, can I tell you that the Ypres Salient has already been covered by the British War Memorial Project, taking some 120,000 pics this month, to add to all the rest that have been taken by the Project volunteers, some 1000 world wide.

I often wonder why we do all this especially reading some of the many postings recently re. both the Somme & Ypres. 2 weeks ago, I took some 8,000 pics Somme/Pas de Calais then joinng the Project in Ypres when I took some 1000 pics.

The Project has the aim of creating an online archive of ALL grave markers/ memorials 1914- date. Some far, I reckon that there are some 900,000, after Ypres, images available.

The Project is ongoing, and if anyone has any energy left, I suggest that they put this to good use for the generations to come.

Next year? More of the same I suppose plus Gallipoli and Holland.

Essentailly I, and I am sure that I speak for all my fellow, and female, volunteers of course, ask that we all support this Project. I know that many Pals on this Forum already do, but all your energies could be directed to a good cause- namely to create trhis online archive for future generations, not just for ourselves.

Best wishes

Martin

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Anthony - luckily the bull was absent at Torreken Farm and the dog is a big coward - it barks loudly when you get out of the car but hides in its kennel when you approach - so no problems there.

Martin - I don't think anyone would decry the massive amount of work done for the BWMP project but our trip to the cemeteries was not just about taking photos of graves. I was happy to take pictures for the few people who asked and was able to add a flag or cross in some cases. With a former school mate I am hoping to create a roll of honour for my old school and we will certainly be looking to use some of your photos (properly approved of course) as the burial sites cover a massive area.

Neil

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Yes Martin, but 3 points, firstly those doing the photos are doing what they want to do for their own reasons , secondly forum pals are offering a favour to those who cannot go the the battlefields and are thirdly they are not expected to send £5 per photo (I know its voluntary). Gareth

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Yes Martin, but 3 points, firstly those doing the photos are doing what they want to do for their own reasons , secondly forum pals are offering a favour to those who cannot go the the battlefields and are thirdly they are not expected to send £5 per photo (I know its voluntary). Gareth

Gareth

Please remember that the cost of the WHOLE project, including server time/cost, is voluntary.

If you ask for a PRINT of a pic, the cost of the print, plus postage and packing, must equal the voluntary price you mentioned.

Who is supposed to meet the cost?

At the end of the day, the Project will be the only place in the World with a complete photographic resource 1914- 28 May 2007 + of British burials/memorials!

Martin

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