LA BRIQUE MILITARY CEMETERY No.2
Ieper
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GENERAL DIRECTIONS: Turn left at Ieper station and drive along M. Fochlaan to the roundabout, turn right and continue to the next roundabout. Turn left into M. Haiglaan and drive to the next roundabout. Turn right into Oude Veurnestraat, this changes into Diksmuidseweg and then Brugseweg, continue to the traffic lights and turn left into Industrielaan, then go first right into Pilkemseweg and the cemetery is approx 400 metres on the left. Access and parking is easy.
La Brique is a small hamlet that was named after an old brick works that stood nearby before the war. This cemetery, which stands across the road from La Brique Military Cemetery No.1, was started in February 1915 and used through until March 1918. It originally consisted of 383 burials in 25 irregular rows in Plot 1, but after the armistice graves were concentrated here to create Plot 2 and extend the original plot.
Victoria Cross:
Buried in this cemetery is Corporal Alfred George Drake VC, 8th Bn, Service No S/107, Aged 22, Rifle Brigade. He was killed in action on 23rd November 1915 and is buried in Plot 1 Row C 2., Son of Robert and Mary Ann Drake, of 62, Copley St., Stepney, London.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 29447, dated 21st Jan., 1916, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 23rd Nov., 1915, near La Brique, France. He was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitring towards the German lines. The patrol was discovered when close to the enemy who opened heavy fire with rifles and a machine gun, wounding the Officer and one man. The latter was carried back by the last remaining man. Corporal Drake remained with his Officer and was last seen kneeling beside him and bandaging his wounds regardless of the enemy's fire. Later a rescue party crawling near the German lines found the Officer and Corporal, the former unconcious but alive and bandaged, Corporal Drake beside him dead and riddled with bullets. He had given his own life and saved his Officer."
CASUALTY DETAILS:UK 782; Canada 23; Australia 18; New Zealand 9; South Africa 7; India 1; Total Burials: 840
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