NIEDERZWEHREN CEMETERY
Kassel
Hessen
Germany
Location Information
The city of Kassel lies in the centre of Germany approx 165kms south of Hannover.
From the A49 Kassel to Gudensberg motorway take exit 6 (Ausfahrt 6) KASSEL-NIEDERZWEHREN. This merges onto the FRANKFURTERSTRASSE.
Continue for approx 1km, then turn right (CWGC sign) onto the DITTERHAUSERSTRASSE.
Continue for approx 400m and turn right (CWGC sign). Continue for a further 800m (back under the motorway) and then turn left (CWGC sign) onto AM KEILSBERG.
Continue up the hill for approx 1km and the cemetery can be found on the right.
The cemetery address is:-
Am Keilsberg
34134 Kassel
Germany
GPS Location is:- N 51 15 49 E 09 27 56
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance. For further information regarding wheelchair access, please contact our Enquiries Section on telephone number 01628 507200.
Historical InformationThe cemetery was begun by the Germans in 1915 for the burial of prisoners of war who died at the local camp. During the war almost 3,000 Allied soldiers and civilians, including French, Russian and Commonwealth, were buried there
In 1922-23 it was decided that the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who had died all over Germany should be brought together into four permanent cemeteries. Niederzwehren was one of those chosen and in the following four years, more than 1,500 graves were brought into the cemetery from 190 burial grounds in Baden, Bavaria, Hanover, Hesse and Saxony.
There are now 1,796 First World War servicemen buried or commemorated in the Commonwealth plot at Niederzwehren. This total includes special memorials to 13 casualties buried in other cemeteries in Germany whose graves could not be found.
The following cemeteries are among those from which graves were brought to Niederzwehren:
BAYREUTH TOWN CEMETERY, Bavaria. 24 burials of 1918.
DARMSTADT FOREST CEMETERY, Hesse. In use from 1915. 102 burials.
DIETKIRCHEN PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Hesse-Nassau. 45 burials (28 of Irish regiments) of 1914-18.
FREIBURG IN BREISGAU MAIN CEMETERY, Baden, 43 burials of 1918.
GERMERSHEIM CEMETERY, Palatinate. 26 burials of 1915-1918.
GIESSEN MILITARY CEMETERY, Hesse. 99 burials of 1914-1919.
GOTTINGEN MILITARY CEMETERY, Hanover. 88 burials of 1914-1919.
HAMELN PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Hanover. 70 burials of 1915-1918.
INGOLSTADT CEMETERY, Bavaria. 23 burials of 1917-1918.
LANGENSALZA PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERIES No. 1 and No. 2, Prussian Saxony. 225 burials of 1915-1918.
MAINZ MILITARY CEMETERY, Rhein-Hessen. 23 burials of 1915-1919.
MANNHEIM MAIN CEMETERY, Baden. 21 burials of 1916-1918.
MESCHEDE PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Westphalia. 49 burials of 1917-1918.
OHRDRUF PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Thuringia. 107 burials of 1915-1918.
PADERBORN CEMETERY, Westphalia. 29 soldiers burials of 1914-18.
QUEDLINBURG CENTRAL CEMETERY, Prussian Saxony. 102 burials of 1914-1918.
SENNELAGER PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Westphalia. 32 burials of 1914-1918.
The city of Kassel lies in the centre of Germany approx 165kms south of Hannover.
From the A49 Kassel to Gudensberg motorway take exit 6 (Ausfahrt 6) KASSEL-NIEDERZWEHREN. This merges onto the FRANKFURTERSTRASSE.
Continue for approx 1km, then turn right (CWGC sign) onto the DITTERHAUSERSTRASSE.
Continue for approx 400m and turn right (CWGC sign). Continue for a further 800m (back under the motorway) and then turn left (CWGC sign) onto AM KEILSBERG.
Continue up the hill for approx 1km and the cemetery can be found on the right.
The cemetery address is:-
Am Keilsberg
34134 Kassel
Germany
GPS Location is:- N 51 15 49 E 09 27 56
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance. For further information regarding wheelchair access, please contact our Enquiries Section on telephone number 01628 507200.
Historical InformationThe cemetery was begun by the Germans in 1915 for the burial of prisoners of war who died at the local camp. During the war almost 3,000 Allied soldiers and civilians, including French, Russian and Commonwealth, were buried there
In 1922-23 it was decided that the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who had died all over Germany should be brought together into four permanent cemeteries. Niederzwehren was one of those chosen and in the following four years, more than 1,500 graves were brought into the cemetery from 190 burial grounds in Baden, Bavaria, Hanover, Hesse and Saxony.
There are now 1,796 First World War servicemen buried or commemorated in the Commonwealth plot at Niederzwehren. This total includes special memorials to 13 casualties buried in other cemeteries in Germany whose graves could not be found.
The following cemeteries are among those from which graves were brought to Niederzwehren:
BAYREUTH TOWN CEMETERY, Bavaria. 24 burials of 1918.
DARMSTADT FOREST CEMETERY, Hesse. In use from 1915. 102 burials.
DIETKIRCHEN PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Hesse-Nassau. 45 burials (28 of Irish regiments) of 1914-18.
FREIBURG IN BREISGAU MAIN CEMETERY, Baden, 43 burials of 1918.
GERMERSHEIM CEMETERY, Palatinate. 26 burials of 1915-1918.
GIESSEN MILITARY CEMETERY, Hesse. 99 burials of 1914-1919.
GOTTINGEN MILITARY CEMETERY, Hanover. 88 burials of 1914-1919.
HAMELN PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Hanover. 70 burials of 1915-1918.
INGOLSTADT CEMETERY, Bavaria. 23 burials of 1917-1918.
LANGENSALZA PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERIES No. 1 and No. 2, Prussian Saxony. 225 burials of 1915-1918.
MAINZ MILITARY CEMETERY, Rhein-Hessen. 23 burials of 1915-1919.
MANNHEIM MAIN CEMETERY, Baden. 21 burials of 1916-1918.
MESCHEDE PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Westphalia. 49 burials of 1917-1918.
OHRDRUF PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Thuringia. 107 burials of 1915-1918.
PADERBORN CEMETERY, Westphalia. 29 soldiers burials of 1914-18.
QUEDLINBURG CENTRAL CEMETERY, Prussian Saxony. 102 burials of 1914-1918.
SENNELAGER PRISONERS OF WAR CEMETERY, Westphalia. 32 burials of 1914-1918.
Picture used with the permission of the CWGC
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Picture © Sue Stead
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Captain Julian Royds Gribble, V. C.
1st Bn., attached to 10th Bn., Royal Warwickshire Regiment, died 25th November 1918, aged 21. Plot III. F. 4.
Son of George James Gribble and Norah Gribble (nee Royds), of Kingston Russell House, Dorset.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30770, dated 25th June, 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Capt. Gribble was in command of the right company of the battalion when the enemy attacked, and his orders were to ' hold on to the last.' His company was eventually entirely isolated, though he could easily have withdrawn them at one period when the rest of the battalion on his left were driven back to a secondary position. His right flank was ' in the air,' owing to the withdrawal of all troops of a neighbouring division. By means of a runner to the company on his left rear he intimated his determination to hold on until other orders were received from battalion headquarters - and this he inspired his command to accomplish. His company was eventually surrounded by the enemy at close range, and he was seen fighting to the last. His subsequent fate is unknown. By his splendid example of grit, Capt. Gribble was materially instrumental in preventing for some hours the enemy obtaining a complete mastery of the crest of ridge, and by his magnificent self-sacrifice he enabled the remainder of his own brigade to be withdrawn, as well as another garrison and three batteries of field artillery."
1st Bn., attached to 10th Bn., Royal Warwickshire Regiment, died 25th November 1918, aged 21. Plot III. F. 4.
Son of George James Gribble and Norah Gribble (nee Royds), of Kingston Russell House, Dorset.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30770, dated 25th June, 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. Capt. Gribble was in command of the right company of the battalion when the enemy attacked, and his orders were to ' hold on to the last.' His company was eventually entirely isolated, though he could easily have withdrawn them at one period when the rest of the battalion on his left were driven back to a secondary position. His right flank was ' in the air,' owing to the withdrawal of all troops of a neighbouring division. By means of a runner to the company on his left rear he intimated his determination to hold on until other orders were received from battalion headquarters - and this he inspired his command to accomplish. His company was eventually surrounded by the enemy at close range, and he was seen fighting to the last. His subsequent fate is unknown. By his splendid example of grit, Capt. Gribble was materially instrumental in preventing for some hours the enemy obtaining a complete mastery of the crest of ridge, and by his magnificent self-sacrifice he enabled the remainder of his own brigade to be withdrawn, as well as another garrison and three batteries of field artillery."
32628 Private
John Clowrey
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
23rd April 1918, aged 25.
Plot V. F. 5.
Son of Jack and Julia Clowrey, of Burnley; husband of Louie Pickard (formerly Clowrey), of 39, High St., Whittlefield, Burnley.
John Clowrey
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
23rd April 1918, aged 25.
Plot V. F. 5.
Son of Jack and Julia Clowrey, of Burnley; husband of Louie Pickard (formerly Clowrey), of 39, High St., Whittlefield, Burnley.
61510 Private
Victor Alfred Deeks
22nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers
8th November 1918, aged 21.
Plot X. A. 1.
Son of Alfred J. and E. Maud Deeks, of 6, Brunswick Terrace, Cambridge.
Victor Alfred Deeks
22nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers
8th November 1918, aged 21.
Plot X. A. 1.
Son of Alfred J. and E. Maud Deeks, of 6, Brunswick Terrace, Cambridge.
302370 Private
Hartley Leaver
2/6th Bn. Manchester Regiment
Died as a Prisoner of War, 25th July 1918, aged 24.
Plot VIII. F. 4.
Lived at Robin Houses, Briercliffe.
Hartley Leaver
2/6th Bn. Manchester Regiment
Died as a Prisoner of War, 25th July 1918, aged 24.
Plot VIII. F. 4.
Lived at Robin Houses, Briercliffe.
20682 1825581 Corporal
Angus Mackay
1st/5th Battalion Queens Edinburgh Rifles then 88th Brigade Machine Gun Corp
5th May 1917, aged 21.
Plot 1. Row B, Grave 12.
Son of Alexander and Isabella Mackay, of Scullomie, Tongue, Lairg, Sutherland.
This soldier’s diary is published in the book "Somewhere in Blood Soaked France” Alasdair Sutherland
Six Mackay brothers fought in WW1. The family came from Scullomie, Scotland. My Grandfather George Mackay was awarded a DCM for valour. Sadly his brothers Angus (21 years), Donald (32 years) and Magnus Mackay (18 years) all died in WW1. Angus Mackay fought at Gallipoli, Ypres Salient and Le Somme. Out of the 5th Royal Scots Battalion of 800 fighting at Gallipoli, 100 survived. Angus was mortally wounded at Battle of Arras. Lest We Forget.
Picture courtesy of Linda Brown, great niece of this soldier.
Angus Mackay
1st/5th Battalion Queens Edinburgh Rifles then 88th Brigade Machine Gun Corp
5th May 1917, aged 21.
Plot 1. Row B, Grave 12.
Son of Alexander and Isabella Mackay, of Scullomie, Tongue, Lairg, Sutherland.
This soldier’s diary is published in the book "Somewhere in Blood Soaked France” Alasdair Sutherland
Six Mackay brothers fought in WW1. The family came from Scullomie, Scotland. My Grandfather George Mackay was awarded a DCM for valour. Sadly his brothers Angus (21 years), Donald (32 years) and Magnus Mackay (18 years) all died in WW1. Angus Mackay fought at Gallipoli, Ypres Salient and Le Somme. Out of the 5th Royal Scots Battalion of 800 fighting at Gallipoli, 100 survived. Angus was mortally wounded at Battle of Arras. Lest We Forget.
Picture courtesy of Linda Brown, great niece of this soldier.
9447 Private
Robert Millar
1st Bn. Cameron Highlanders
26th March 1915, aged 21.
Plot IV. A. 6.
Son of Robert and Mary Millar, of 12, Waterside, Peebles.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Scott Millar.
Robert Millar
1st Bn. Cameron Highlanders
26th March 1915, aged 21.
Plot IV. A. 6.
Son of Robert and Mary Millar, of 12, Waterside, Peebles.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Scott Millar.
91552 Private
Alfred Ratcliffe
1/5th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (151st T.M.B.)
Died as a Prisoner of War, 14th October 1918, aged 19.
Plot VI. E. 6.
Son of Mrs. M. Ratcliffe, of 22, Aqueduct St., Burnley, Lancashire.
Alfred Ratcliffe
1/5th Bn. Durham Light Infantry (151st T.M.B.)
Died as a Prisoner of War, 14th October 1918, aged 19.
Plot VI. E. 6.
Son of Mrs. M. Ratcliffe, of 22, Aqueduct St., Burnley, Lancashire.
10778 Private
Arthur Taylor
1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
11th March 1916.
Plot V. B. 3.
Arthur Taylor
1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
11th March 1916.
Plot V. B. 3.
G/74685 Private
Alfred Thoburn
7th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
24th July 1918.
Plot VIII. E. 2.
Alfred Thoburn
7th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
24th July 1918.
Plot VIII. E. 2.
57358 Private
Thomas Tingey
19th Bn. Manchester Regiment
17th October 1918.
Plot VII. D. 12.
Thomas Tingey
19th Bn. Manchester Regiment
17th October 1918.
Plot VII. D. 12.
