BELGIAN BATTERY CORNER CEMETERY
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 50.83928 Longitude: 2.86147
Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery is located 2 Km south west of Ieper town centre, on a road called Omloopstraat, a road leading from the Dikkebusseweg.
From Ieper town centre the Dikkebusseweg (N375), is reached via Elverdingestraat, straight over a roundabout onto Capronstraat (for 30 metres), then left along Fochlaan.
Immediately after the train station, the first right hand turning is the Dikkebusseweg. 1.5 Km along the Dikkebusseweg is the right hand turning onto the Frezenbergstraat. 200 metres further on the right hand side is Omloopstraat. The cemetery is located immediately on the right hand side of the Omloopstraat.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
This cemetery occupies a site at a road junction where three batteries of Belgian artillery were positioned in 1915. The cemetery was begun by the 8th Division in June 1917 after the Battle of Messines (although one grave in Plot III, Row A, predates this) and it was used until October 1918, largely for burials from a dressing station in a cottage near by. Almost half of the graves are of casualties who belonged, or were attached, to artillery units.
There are now 573 First World War casualties buried or commemorated in this cemetery. Five of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate three casualties known to have been buried in the cemetery, but whose graves could not be located.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and John Reginald Truelove
Total Burials: 573.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 428, Australia 123, New Zealand 8, Canada 7, India 2. Total 568.
Unidentified Casualties: 5. Total 5.
Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery is located 2 Km south west of Ieper town centre, on a road called Omloopstraat, a road leading from the Dikkebusseweg.
From Ieper town centre the Dikkebusseweg (N375), is reached via Elverdingestraat, straight over a roundabout onto Capronstraat (for 30 metres), then left along Fochlaan.
Immediately after the train station, the first right hand turning is the Dikkebusseweg. 1.5 Km along the Dikkebusseweg is the right hand turning onto the Frezenbergstraat. 200 metres further on the right hand side is Omloopstraat. The cemetery is located immediately on the right hand side of the Omloopstraat.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
This cemetery occupies a site at a road junction where three batteries of Belgian artillery were positioned in 1915. The cemetery was begun by the 8th Division in June 1917 after the Battle of Messines (although one grave in Plot III, Row A, predates this) and it was used until October 1918, largely for burials from a dressing station in a cottage near by. Almost half of the graves are of casualties who belonged, or were attached, to artillery units.
There are now 573 First World War casualties buried or commemorated in this cemetery. Five of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate three casualties known to have been buried in the cemetery, but whose graves could not be located.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and John Reginald Truelove
Total Burials: 573.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 428, Australia 123, New Zealand 8, Canada 7, India 2. Total 568.
Unidentified Casualties: 5. Total 5.
Pictures in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
Dickebusch, 1915. © IWM (Q 53135)
6141 Private
Bertie Duckering
3rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th October 1917, aged 40.
Plot II. E. 7.
Son of James Frederick Duckering and Mary Elizabeth Duckering, of Benda St., Belmore, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of Eston, Yorks. England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Gave His Life For His Country And His Home."
Pte Duckering had served for fifteen months in South Africa in the Boer War, and had been wounded there. A mining labourer on enlistment on 26 February 1916, he embarked from Sydney on 22 August 1916 on HMAT Wiltshire (A18) with the 19th Reinforcements. He was killed in action in Belgium on 25 October 1917 at the age of 40
Bertie Duckering
3rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th October 1917, aged 40.
Plot II. E. 7.
Son of James Frederick Duckering and Mary Elizabeth Duckering, of Benda St., Belmore, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of Eston, Yorks. England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Gave His Life For His Country And His Home."
Pte Duckering had served for fifteen months in South Africa in the Boer War, and had been wounded there. A mining labourer on enlistment on 26 February 1916, he embarked from Sydney on 22 August 1916 on HMAT Wiltshire (A18) with the 19th Reinforcements. He was killed in action in Belgium on 25 October 1917 at the age of 40
511 Corporal
Frederick Furnell
1st Australian Light Railway Operating Company
19th September 1917 aged 30.
Plot II. A. 7.
Son of Frederick Cudmore Furnell and Bridget Furnell; husband of E. H. Furnell, of 23, Epsom Rd., Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia.
A fireman prior to his enlistment he embarked on board HMAT Ballarat (A70) on 19 February 1917. He proceeded to France and was attached to the 15th Light Railway operating Company; he was killed in action on the 19 September 1917, aged 30.
Frederick Furnell
1st Australian Light Railway Operating Company
19th September 1917 aged 30.
Plot II. A. 7.
Son of Frederick Cudmore Furnell and Bridget Furnell; husband of E. H. Furnell, of 23, Epsom Rd., Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia.
A fireman prior to his enlistment he embarked on board HMAT Ballarat (A70) on 19 February 1917. He proceeded to France and was attached to the 15th Light Railway operating Company; he was killed in action on the 19 September 1917, aged 30.
3456A Private
Charles Gapes
1st Australian Pioneers
20th September 1917, aged 20.
Plot II. C. 5.
Son of John and Frances Gapes, of 23, Nobbs St., Granville, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Sleep On Dear One And Take Thy Rest We Miss You Most Who Loved You Best."
A carter prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Beltana (A72) on 25 November 1916. He was killed in action on 20 September 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres, Belgium, aged 20.
Charles Gapes
1st Australian Pioneers
20th September 1917, aged 20.
Plot II. C. 5.
Son of John and Frances Gapes, of 23, Nobbs St., Granville, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Sleep On Dear One And Take Thy Rest We Miss You Most Who Loved You Best."
A carter prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Beltana (A72) on 25 November 1916. He was killed in action on 20 September 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres, Belgium, aged 20.
2212 Private
Harold Milton Maisey
14th Coy. Australian Machine Gun Corps.
27th September 1917, aged 23.
Plot II. I. 10.
Son of George Benjamin and Mary Ann Maisey, of Mona Vale, New South Wales. Native of Windsor, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "If I Could Have Clasped His Dying Hand And Heard His Last Farewell."
56th Battalion (later 14th Company Australian Machine Gun Corps) of Parramatta, NSW. A locomotive cleaner prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard the HMAT Port Sydney (A15) on 4 September 1916. He was killed in action on 27 September 1917 near Ypres, Belgium, aged 23.
Harold Milton Maisey
14th Coy. Australian Machine Gun Corps.
27th September 1917, aged 23.
Plot II. I. 10.
Son of George Benjamin and Mary Ann Maisey, of Mona Vale, New South Wales. Native of Windsor, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "If I Could Have Clasped His Dying Hand And Heard His Last Farewell."
56th Battalion (later 14th Company Australian Machine Gun Corps) of Parramatta, NSW. A locomotive cleaner prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard the HMAT Port Sydney (A15) on 4 September 1916. He was killed in action on 27 September 1917 near Ypres, Belgium, aged 23.
Second Lieutenant
David Landale Maughan
14th Coy. Australian Machine Gun Corps.
26th September 1917, aged 34.
Plot II. I. 12.
Son of David and Magdalena Knox Maughan, of Moree, New South Wales. Native of Malmsbury, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Christ Hath Brought Life & Immortality To Light."
5th Machine Gun Battalion (previously 2nd and 54th Battalions), of Moree, NSW. A bank clerk prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Warilda (A69) on 8 October 1915, as 3104 Private Maughan. On 26 September 1916, he was killed in action at Polygon Wood, Belgium, aged 34.
David Landale Maughan
14th Coy. Australian Machine Gun Corps.
26th September 1917, aged 34.
Plot II. I. 12.
Son of David and Magdalena Knox Maughan, of Moree, New South Wales. Native of Malmsbury, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Christ Hath Brought Life & Immortality To Light."
5th Machine Gun Battalion (previously 2nd and 54th Battalions), of Moree, NSW. A bank clerk prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Warilda (A69) on 8 October 1915, as 3104 Private Maughan. On 26 September 1916, he was killed in action at Polygon Wood, Belgium, aged 34.
c.1918; Original grave of 184 Lance Corporal Donald Clark, 1st Field Coy. Australian Engineers, he was originally buried at Belgian Battery Corner but he was not identified after the war and is now commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.
260119 Private
Harold Ogden
8th Bn. Border Regiment
13th July 1917, aged 19.
Plot I. E. 20.
Son of Bethel and Annie Ogden, of 42, Cardinal St, Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Rest In Peace."
Harold enlisted on 2nd June 1916 and went overseas on 10th June 1917, he was previously a weaver at Alderman Emmott's Stanley mill. His uncle, Lewis Ogden was reported missing in April 1916 and is now commemorated on the Basra Memorial.
His parents received a letter dated July 15th which read;
"It is with very great sorrow that I have to communicate to you the death of your son. We were making our way to the line when heavy enemy shelling was opened, and, amongst others, your son was killed. He had been in my platoon only a very short time. He had proved himself a good soldier and was keen to do all he could, so I put him on a responsible job, that of a Lewis gunner. I am sure it will relieve your sorrow slightly to know that death was instantaneous, and that our own chaplain buried him. Please accept the heartfelt sympathy of the men, N. C. O.'s and myself. Yours in deepest sympathy, M. P. J. Lait. Sec-Lieut."
Harold Ogden
8th Bn. Border Regiment
13th July 1917, aged 19.
Plot I. E. 20.
Son of Bethel and Annie Ogden, of 42, Cardinal St, Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Rest In Peace."
Harold enlisted on 2nd June 1916 and went overseas on 10th June 1917, he was previously a weaver at Alderman Emmott's Stanley mill. His uncle, Lewis Ogden was reported missing in April 1916 and is now commemorated on the Basra Memorial.
His parents received a letter dated July 15th which read;
"It is with very great sorrow that I have to communicate to you the death of your son. We were making our way to the line when heavy enemy shelling was opened, and, amongst others, your son was killed. He had been in my platoon only a very short time. He had proved himself a good soldier and was keen to do all he could, so I put him on a responsible job, that of a Lewis gunner. I am sure it will relieve your sorrow slightly to know that death was instantaneous, and that our own chaplain buried him. Please accept the heartfelt sympathy of the men, N. C. O.'s and myself. Yours in deepest sympathy, M. P. J. Lait. Sec-Lieut."
2463 Private
Reginald John Sanders
1st Australian Pioneers
9th September 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. L. 11.
Son of Annie Jane and the late Ernest Albert Sanders, of Eungai Creek, Macleay River, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Trial Was Hard The Shock Severe To Part With One We Loved So Dear."
A labourer before enlisting in March 1916, Pte Sanders left Australia for England with the 4th Reinforcements in August 1916 and arrived in France for service on ther Western Front in March 1917. He was killed during a German artillery barrage which followed a gas attack whilst the 1st Pioneer Battalion was building a corduroy road between Chateau Wood and Hooge Dump along the Menin Road near Ypres, Belgium, on 9 September 1917, aged 24.
The second picture shows Reginald (seated, left), and 2464 Pte Leonard Gordon Emerton, 1st Pioneer Battalion, of Cundletown, NSW. A labourer prior to enlistment, Pte Emerton returned to Australia on 10 April 1919.
Reginald John Sanders
1st Australian Pioneers
9th September 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. L. 11.
Son of Annie Jane and the late Ernest Albert Sanders, of Eungai Creek, Macleay River, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Trial Was Hard The Shock Severe To Part With One We Loved So Dear."
A labourer before enlisting in March 1916, Pte Sanders left Australia for England with the 4th Reinforcements in August 1916 and arrived in France for service on ther Western Front in March 1917. He was killed during a German artillery barrage which followed a gas attack whilst the 1st Pioneer Battalion was building a corduroy road between Chateau Wood and Hooge Dump along the Menin Road near Ypres, Belgium, on 9 September 1917, aged 24.
The second picture shows Reginald (seated, left), and 2464 Pte Leonard Gordon Emerton, 1st Pioneer Battalion, of Cundletown, NSW. A labourer prior to enlistment, Pte Emerton returned to Australia on 10 April 1919.
31419 Private
Frank Shawcross
"D" Coy. 8th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
16th July 1917, aged 27.
Plot I. E. 1.
Husband of Ada Davenport (formerly Shawcross), of 16, Top Row, Godley, Hyde, Cheshire.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Gone But Not Forgotten."
Picture courtesy of Peter Simpson, grandson of Frank's widow Ada, who re-married after his death
Frank Shawcross
"D" Coy. 8th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
16th July 1917, aged 27.
Plot I. E. 1.
Husband of Ada Davenport (formerly Shawcross), of 16, Top Row, Godley, Hyde, Cheshire.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Gone But Not Forgotten."
Picture courtesy of Peter Simpson, grandson of Frank's widow Ada, who re-married after his death
5452 Private
James Wright
28th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
7th October 1917, aged 40.
Plot II. D. 13.
From Lion Mill, (now Mount Helena) WA, with his family before embarking for service overseas during the First World War. Pictured are Pte Wright with his wife Emily Maud and baby daughter Evelyn Maud, daughter Adelaide Evelyn, son Walter James (seated) and son Norman Ernest, standing in front of his father. Pte Wright enlisted on 20 March 1916 and embarked with 14th Reinforcements, 28th Battalion, from Fremantle aboard HMAT Militiades on 7 August 1916. He was killed in action in Belgium on 7 October 1917 aged 40 years.
James Wright
28th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
7th October 1917, aged 40.
Plot II. D. 13.
From Lion Mill, (now Mount Helena) WA, with his family before embarking for service overseas during the First World War. Pictured are Pte Wright with his wife Emily Maud and baby daughter Evelyn Maud, daughter Adelaide Evelyn, son Walter James (seated) and son Norman Ernest, standing in front of his father. Pte Wright enlisted on 20 March 1916 and embarked with 14th Reinforcements, 28th Battalion, from Fremantle aboard HMAT Militiades on 7 August 1916. He was killed in action in Belgium on 7 October 1917 aged 40 years.
12 inch howitzer (Mark I) on railway mounting of the 89th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery in action; near Dickebusch, 14th June 1916. © IWM (Q 714)
Gunner of the 89th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery writing his wishes to the enemy on a 12 inch howitzer shell; near Dickebusch, 14th June 1916. He has written "With Best Wishes" on one of the shells. All shells are transit-plugged. © IWM (Q 707)
12 inch howitzer on railway mounting of the 89th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery being prepared for action; near Dickebusch, 14th June 1916. © IWM (Q 713)
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
Carrier pigeon named "Dreadnought" used for carrying messages. Dickebusch, 27 December 1917. © IWM (Q 11954)
A composite fatigue party loading stones for road repairs into lorries from a heap beside the railway line. Dickebusch, 9 August 1917. © IWM (Q 5851)
