GODEWAERSVELDE BRITISH CEMETERY
Nord
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.79601, Longitude: 2.65207
Image © Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
Godewaersvelde is a village near the Belgian border, about 16 kilometres south-west of Ieper (in Belgium), and is half-way between Poperinge (in Belgium) and Hazebrouck (in France). The British Cemetery is a little east of the village.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemtery is possible with some difficulty.
Historical Information
The cemetery was begun in July 1917 when three casualty clearing stations were moved to Godewaersvelde. The 37th and the 41st buried in it until November 1917, the 11th until April 1918, and from April to August 1918, during the German offensive in Flanders, field ambulance and fighting units carried on the burials. After the Armistice, the graves of five soldiers of the 110th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery were brought in from a point nearer the Mont des Cats and in May 1953, four graves in Godewaersvelde Churchyard were moved into the cemetery. A considerable French plot was made on the terrace at the higher end of the cemetery in May and June 1918, but these graves were later removed.
Godewaersvelde British Cemetery now contains 972 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, and 19 German war graves.
Total Burials: 991.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 894, Australia 65, Germany 19, Canada 5, New Zealand 2, South Africa 2, India 1.
Total 988.
Unidentified Casualties: India 2, United Kingdom 1. Total 3.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and George Hartley Goldsmith
Dedications
L/14066 Driver John Henry Hewitt, 35th Div. Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery, 8th August 1918, aged 36.
A Grandfather and Great Grandfather, forever in our thoughts
Images in gallery below © Werner Van Caneghem
74282 Gunner
Bernard Dudley Bailey
23rd Heavy Battery. Royal Garrison Artillery
20th July 1917, aged 28.
Plot I. K. 1.
Son of William and Harriet Bailey, of 3, Wood Rd., Hythe, Kent.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Fought & Died That We Might Live."
Image courtesy of his great granddaughter, Chrissy Bailey
Bernard Dudley Bailey
23rd Heavy Battery. Royal Garrison Artillery
20th July 1917, aged 28.
Plot I. K. 1.
Son of William and Harriet Bailey, of 3, Wood Rd., Hythe, Kent.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Fought & Died That We Might Live."
Image courtesy of his great granddaughter, Chrissy Bailey
1235 Gunner
Lionel Robert Clarke
10th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
3rd August 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. C. 8.
Son of George Edward and May Clarke, of "Hollyridge," Elsham Rd., Auburn, New South Wales. Native of Merrylands, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Noble Son In Life Deeply Loved And Sadly Missed By His Mother."
1235 Private (later Gunner) Lionel Robert Clarke, 1st Light Horse Regiment (later 10th Brigade Australian Field Artillery) of Mascot, NSW. A carter prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Argyllshire (A8) on 30 September 1915. He was wounded in action on 3 August 1917 and died the same day at the 41st Casualty Clearing Station, France, aged 24.
Lionel Robert Clarke
10th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
3rd August 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. C. 8.
Son of George Edward and May Clarke, of "Hollyridge," Elsham Rd., Auburn, New South Wales. Native of Merrylands, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Noble Son In Life Deeply Loved And Sadly Missed By His Mother."
1235 Private (later Gunner) Lionel Robert Clarke, 1st Light Horse Regiment (later 10th Brigade Australian Field Artillery) of Mascot, NSW. A carter prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Argyllshire (A8) on 30 September 1915. He was wounded in action on 3 August 1917 and died the same day at the 41st Casualty Clearing Station, France, aged 24.
532336 Private
Frederick A. Frisk
2nd/15th Bn. London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles)
23rd August 1918, aged 34.
Plot II. C. 16.
Son of William Charles and Mary Ann Fisk, of 104, Hugh Gardens, Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Picture courtesy of David Wigg (Great Nephew)
Frederick A. Frisk
2nd/15th Bn. London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles)
23rd August 1918, aged 34.
Plot II. C. 16.
Son of William Charles and Mary Ann Fisk, of 104, Hugh Gardens, Benwell, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Picture courtesy of David Wigg (Great Nephew)
4202 Private
Robert McGregor "Roy" Gow
7th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
11th October 1917, aged 32.
Plot I. H. 48.
Son of Robert and Marie E. C. Gow, of 36, Dalgety St., St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia. Native of Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.
Originally from Wicklow, Ireland, Pte. Gow was a farm labourer from St Kilda, Victoria prior to enlistment and embarked with the 13th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Demosthenes on 19 December 1915. Whilst serving in Belgium he was wounded in action and on 11 October 1917, aged 32, he succumbed to his wounds.
Robert McGregor "Roy" Gow
7th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
11th October 1917, aged 32.
Plot I. H. 48.
Son of Robert and Marie E. C. Gow, of 36, Dalgety St., St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia. Native of Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.
Originally from Wicklow, Ireland, Pte. Gow was a farm labourer from St Kilda, Victoria prior to enlistment and embarked with the 13th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Demosthenes on 19 December 1915. Whilst serving in Belgium he was wounded in action and on 11 October 1917, aged 32, he succumbed to his wounds.
473052 Private
F. A. Leach
88th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps
18th April 1918, aged 22.
Plot I. Q. 31.
Son of John and Lucy Leach, of 116, Cavendish St., Ipswich.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Had A Kind Word For Each And Died Beloved By All."
Above right is his original grave at Godewaersvelde
Pictures courtesy of Kevin Leach, great, great nephew
F. A. Leach
88th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps
18th April 1918, aged 22.
Plot I. Q. 31.
Son of John and Lucy Leach, of 116, Cavendish St., Ipswich.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Had A Kind Word For Each And Died Beloved By All."
Above right is his original grave at Godewaersvelde
Pictures courtesy of Kevin Leach, great, great nephew
3207 Private
Arthur Foster Pittman
58th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
14th October 1917, aged 22.
Plot I. P. 42.
Son of Sydney Henry and Maria Ellen Pittman, of 24, Nicholson St., South Yarra, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of The Loved Son Of Mr. & Mrs. Pittman South Yarra, Victoria."
A clerk from South Yarra, Vic prior to enlistment, Pte Pittman embarked with the 8th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Medic on 16 December 1916. On 14 October 1917 he died of wounds received in action, aged 22.
Arthur Foster Pittman
58th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
14th October 1917, aged 22.
Plot I. P. 42.
Son of Sydney Henry and Maria Ellen Pittman, of 24, Nicholson St., South Yarra, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of The Loved Son Of Mr. & Mrs. Pittman South Yarra, Victoria."
A clerk from South Yarra, Vic prior to enlistment, Pte Pittman embarked with the 8th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Medic on 16 December 1916. On 14 October 1917 he died of wounds received in action, aged 22.
Battle of Hazebrouck. An artillery subaltern preparing motorcycle and side car in which he fixed a Lewis gun and covered the withdrawal of his artillery guns. Near Merris, 12 April 1918. IWM (Q 8691)
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
932 Private
Roy Plouright
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th October 1917, aged 21.
Plot I. L. 24.
Son of Charles Robert and Julia Plouright, of Emily St., Seymour, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dearly Loved Only Son Of C.R. & J. Plouright Brother Of Lily & Renie."
A motor mechanic from Warrnambool, Vic., prior to enlistment, Pte Plouright embarked with "D" Company from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides on 10 May 1915. On 4 October 1917, aged 21, he died of wounds received in action at Passchendaele.
Roy Plouright
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th October 1917, aged 21.
Plot I. L. 24.
Son of Charles Robert and Julia Plouright, of Emily St., Seymour, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dearly Loved Only Son Of C.R. & J. Plouright Brother Of Lily & Renie."
A motor mechanic from Warrnambool, Vic., prior to enlistment, Pte Plouright embarked with "D" Company from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides on 10 May 1915. On 4 October 1917, aged 21, he died of wounds received in action at Passchendaele.
206914 Private
Ernest Samuel Read
10th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
24th July 1917.
Plot I. A. 1.
Born Lowestoft. Husband of Mrs. M. Read, of Lower Harleston, Northampton and father of Cecil Earnest Read.
Picture courtesy of great grandson, Ryan Fisher
Ernest Samuel Read
10th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
24th July 1917.
Plot I. A. 1.
Born Lowestoft. Husband of Mrs. M. Read, of Lower Harleston, Northampton and father of Cecil Earnest Read.
Picture courtesy of great grandson, Ryan Fisher
2876 Corporal
Giulio Cyril Reynolds, M. M.
"C" Company, Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
9th October 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. H. 20.
Son of Harry and Mary Reynolds, of Hartford, Cheshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Thy Life Was Given For Me What Have I Given For Thee"
The information below supplied by 'The Ellesmerian Club', the alumni organisation for Ellesmere College where Giulio was a pupil.
Giulio Cyril Reynolds, M. M.
"C" Company, Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
9th October 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. H. 20.
Son of Harry and Mary Reynolds, of Hartford, Cheshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Thy Life Was Given For Me What Have I Given For Thee"
The information below supplied by 'The Ellesmerian Club', the alumni organisation for Ellesmere College where Giulio was a pupil.
Guilio Cyril Reynolds was one of ten new boys who were admitted to Ellesmere College in the summer of 1908. He was the only one allocated to the ‘Heywood’ dormitory which he went on to represent in hockey, cricket and football. His prowess in the latter was recognised as he was selected to represent the college as a member of the 2nd XI team for the 1908 season.
Guilio was the son of Harry, the proprietor of the Station Hotel at Hartford, Cheshire, and his wife, Mary. Sadly, only a few months after his birth on 15th July 1893, his mother died. His father later married Alice Firth in the summer of 1899.
After leaving Ellesmere in April 1910, Guilio emigrated to Australia – most likely on the ss Otranto that left England on 2nd January 1914. The sea voyage usually took two months and so it would have been early March when he arrived in the southern hemisphere. Exactly where he landed or how he supported himself when he arrived is not known but, by the time he enlisted on 9th June 1915 at Beaudesert, Queensland, he was a stockman for Frederick William Wetbraham of Undulla, Woodhill.
On signing his Attestation Papers he became Private Reynolds, Service No: 2876 in the 9th Battalion. He was a month short of his 22nd birthday, single, 5 feet 5 inches tall (1.62m), weighed 150 pounds (68 kg) and was of a ‘Fair’ complexion. Basis training would have kept him occupied until 1st September when he embarked HMAT Ayrshire – destination almost certainly Gallipoli.
After the debacle of Gallipoli, the allies withdrew and it was on 19th January 1916 that Guilio was taken on strength at Tel-el-Kebir some 75km south of Port Said where he would have joined other troops in guarding Allied interests especially the Suez Canal. He was appointed Lance Corporal in mid-February.
On 27th March, he embarked the Saxonia at Alexandria for the relatively short sea voyage to Marseilles, arriving on 3rd April. His unit would have entrained here for the journey to the Western Front. Exactly where or when Guilio saw action is not recorded but his service file shows that he received gunshot wounds to his left knee on 7th May 1917. He was admitted to the 5th Field Ambulance, ‘processed’ and moved to the 3rdCasualty Clearing Station and on to No. 3 General Hospital at Treport on the coast.
At the beginning of June he was transferred to a convalescent hospital for a week before returning to the Base Depot at Le Havre. He rejoined his unit, in the field, at the end of the month. Just ten days later he was in front of a Court Martial for “absenting himself without leave from 5 p.m, 13.6.17 till 7p.m.13.6.17 thereby missing a draft for which he had been duly warned”. The case being proved against him, he “forfeited all ordinary pay for a period of 14 days”.
Returning to his unit, now in Belgium, he was wounded for a second time whilst in action at Broomsimde Ridge during the battle of Poelcappelle. This time his wounds proved fatal and he died “of gunshot wounds to the legs and buttocks” at the 11th Casualty Clearing Station on 9th October 1917. He was buried at the Godewaersvelde British Cemetery with the Reverend B. Appleyard officiating at his burial. Research undertaken by the Australian Red Cross Society on Wounded and Missing Soldiers produced some witness statements from a fellow soldier and the sister in charge of the 11th CCS.
Private William Slater, 2893, stated “Reynolds was my chum and came from Australia with me. I know that he died of wounds and was buried at Godewaersvelde between Caestre and Steinvooide and that a cross was put up”. Sister Ferguson, sister in charge 11th CCS, wrote in a letter “He was admitted to 11th CCS on October 9th 1917 suffering from shrapnel wounds to both legs and head and a severe buttock wound. He did not rally after admission and died that same evening
For his bravery in the field he was awarded the Military Medal, which together with the 1914-1915 Star, the British War and Victory Medals, was sent to his sister, Janet. The citation for his Military Medal was published in the Commonwealth Gazette on 27th June 1918. It read: At Broodseinde Ridge east of Ypres on 4 / 10th October, 1917, Corporal Reynolds was in charge of ration parties making trips to the front line. On all occasions he displayed fine leadership and marked devotion to duty. Though numerous journeys were made through heavy enemy barrages and many of the parties wounded, Corporal Reynolds never once failed in his mission and rations were always safely delivered. Eventually he himself was wounded but carried on until the Company rations reached their destinations.
Guilio was the son of Harry, the proprietor of the Station Hotel at Hartford, Cheshire, and his wife, Mary. Sadly, only a few months after his birth on 15th July 1893, his mother died. His father later married Alice Firth in the summer of 1899.
After leaving Ellesmere in April 1910, Guilio emigrated to Australia – most likely on the ss Otranto that left England on 2nd January 1914. The sea voyage usually took two months and so it would have been early March when he arrived in the southern hemisphere. Exactly where he landed or how he supported himself when he arrived is not known but, by the time he enlisted on 9th June 1915 at Beaudesert, Queensland, he was a stockman for Frederick William Wetbraham of Undulla, Woodhill.
On signing his Attestation Papers he became Private Reynolds, Service No: 2876 in the 9th Battalion. He was a month short of his 22nd birthday, single, 5 feet 5 inches tall (1.62m), weighed 150 pounds (68 kg) and was of a ‘Fair’ complexion. Basis training would have kept him occupied until 1st September when he embarked HMAT Ayrshire – destination almost certainly Gallipoli.
After the debacle of Gallipoli, the allies withdrew and it was on 19th January 1916 that Guilio was taken on strength at Tel-el-Kebir some 75km south of Port Said where he would have joined other troops in guarding Allied interests especially the Suez Canal. He was appointed Lance Corporal in mid-February.
On 27th March, he embarked the Saxonia at Alexandria for the relatively short sea voyage to Marseilles, arriving on 3rd April. His unit would have entrained here for the journey to the Western Front. Exactly where or when Guilio saw action is not recorded but his service file shows that he received gunshot wounds to his left knee on 7th May 1917. He was admitted to the 5th Field Ambulance, ‘processed’ and moved to the 3rdCasualty Clearing Station and on to No. 3 General Hospital at Treport on the coast.
At the beginning of June he was transferred to a convalescent hospital for a week before returning to the Base Depot at Le Havre. He rejoined his unit, in the field, at the end of the month. Just ten days later he was in front of a Court Martial for “absenting himself without leave from 5 p.m, 13.6.17 till 7p.m.13.6.17 thereby missing a draft for which he had been duly warned”. The case being proved against him, he “forfeited all ordinary pay for a period of 14 days”.
Returning to his unit, now in Belgium, he was wounded for a second time whilst in action at Broomsimde Ridge during the battle of Poelcappelle. This time his wounds proved fatal and he died “of gunshot wounds to the legs and buttocks” at the 11th Casualty Clearing Station on 9th October 1917. He was buried at the Godewaersvelde British Cemetery with the Reverend B. Appleyard officiating at his burial. Research undertaken by the Australian Red Cross Society on Wounded and Missing Soldiers produced some witness statements from a fellow soldier and the sister in charge of the 11th CCS.
Private William Slater, 2893, stated “Reynolds was my chum and came from Australia with me. I know that he died of wounds and was buried at Godewaersvelde between Caestre and Steinvooide and that a cross was put up”. Sister Ferguson, sister in charge 11th CCS, wrote in a letter “He was admitted to 11th CCS on October 9th 1917 suffering from shrapnel wounds to both legs and head and a severe buttock wound. He did not rally after admission and died that same evening
For his bravery in the field he was awarded the Military Medal, which together with the 1914-1915 Star, the British War and Victory Medals, was sent to his sister, Janet. The citation for his Military Medal was published in the Commonwealth Gazette on 27th June 1918. It read: At Broodseinde Ridge east of Ypres on 4 / 10th October, 1917, Corporal Reynolds was in charge of ration parties making trips to the front line. On all occasions he displayed fine leadership and marked devotion to duty. Though numerous journeys were made through heavy enemy barrages and many of the parties wounded, Corporal Reynolds never once failed in his mission and rations were always safely delivered. Eventually he himself was wounded but carried on until the Company rations reached their destinations.
4296 Private
Leeman Snaith
7th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th October 1917, aged 27.
Plot I. J. 38.
Son of William Leeman Snaith and Mary Ellen Snaith, of 15, Coburg St., Coburg, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "One Of Australia's Best."
Pte Leeman Snaith, a carpenter of Coburg, Vic, enlisted on 16 July 1915 and sailed with the 13th Reinforcements aboard HMAT Demosthenes on 29 December 1915. He died of wounds, aged 27, on 4 October 1917.
Leeman Snaith
7th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th October 1917, aged 27.
Plot I. J. 38.
Son of William Leeman Snaith and Mary Ellen Snaith, of 15, Coburg St., Coburg, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "One Of Australia's Best."
Pte Leeman Snaith, a carpenter of Coburg, Vic, enlisted on 16 July 1915 and sailed with the 13th Reinforcements aboard HMAT Demosthenes on 29 December 1915. He died of wounds, aged 27, on 4 October 1917.
312951 Sapper
Frederick Thomas Wyrill
4th Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers, Formerly Border Regiment.
19th April 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. R. 2.
Son of John and May Gertrude Wyrill, of 40, Cedar St., Hightown, Manchester.
Picture courtesy of nephew, Tom Lyons
Frederick Thomas Wyrill
4th Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers, Formerly Border Regiment.
19th April 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. R. 2.
Son of John and May Gertrude Wyrill, of 40, Cedar St., Hightown, Manchester.
Picture courtesy of nephew, Tom Lyons
Motor buses carrying French troops near Hazebrouck, March 1915. © IWM (Q 61564)
