LOKER CHURCHYARD
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.78224 Longitude: 2.77192
Location Information
Loker (formerly Locre) Churchyard is located 11.5 Kms south-west of Ieper town centre on the Dikkebusseweg (N375).
From Ieper town centre the Dikkebusseweg is reached via Elverdingsestraat, straight over a roundabout onto J.Capronstraat (for 30 metres), then left along M.Fochlaan. Immediately after the train station, the first right hand turning is the Dikkebusseweg.
On passing through the village of Dikkebus the road continues for 6 kilometres to the village of Loker. The church and churchyard are located at the side of the road in the village of Loker itself.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
Locre (now Loker) was in Allied hands during the greater part of the war, and field ambulances were stationed in the Convent of St. Antoine. The village changed hands several times between 25 and 30 April 1918, when it was recaptured by the French. The hospice, or convent, was the scene of severe fighting on 20 May, but was not retaken until first week in July.
Loker Churchyard was used by field ambulances and fighting units from December 1914 to June 1917, and it contains two Commonwealth plots. One grave was brought in after the Armistice from LOCRE FRENCH CEMETERY No.4.
The churchyard contains 215 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.
Total Burials: 215.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 182, Canada 31. Total 213.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 2.
Images in gallery below © Werner Van Caneghem
The Battle of Kemmel, April 1918. A German signal station on Mont de l'Hospice just outside Locre, one and a half miles west of Kemmel Hill. © IWM Q 55284
25930 Private
Mathew Joseph Callahan
4th Labour Bn. Canadian Labour Corps
14th May 1917, aged 33.
Plot I. C. 16.
Son of John and Mary Callahan. A member of the lodge of "Elks".
Mathew Joseph Callahan
4th Labour Bn. Canadian Labour Corps
14th May 1917, aged 33.
Plot I. C. 16.
Son of John and Mary Callahan. A member of the lodge of "Elks".
4139 Private
William Docherty
2nd Bn., Royal Scots
5th March 1915.
Plot II. C. 3.
William, born 6th August 1879 in Maryhill, Glasgow, was the second son of Mr. & Mrs. William Docherty, 22 Bartonhall Road, Waterloo. He married Margaret McAnulla on 3rd January 1911. They had a daughter, Margaret, born 14th April 1912 and a son William. He was a moulder to trade and for some time was employed in the Coltness Iron Works as an iron moulder. Prior to the outbreak of war he had moved with his wife and children to McDougall Street, Parkhead, Glasgow. He was very well known in this locality and many of the young men from St. Ignatius R.C. were indebted to him for instruction in physical drill.
Private Docherty went through the Boer War in the ranks of the Royal Scots without receiving a scratch and re-joined his old regiment on 12th September 1914. He went to France in December 1914 and was in the thick of the fighting from then. William was noted as being 5’ 6” tall, weighing 140lbs, 38” chest, blue eyes and brown hair. He was Roman Catholic by faith.
Early in the morning of the 5th March 1915 he was leaving the trenches to proceed to his billet for a well-earned rest when he was struck by a bursting shrapnel shell and never regained consciousness.
Private Docherty is buried in Loker Churchyard, Belgium, Grave II.C.3. and commemorated on Waterloo Memorial Hall and both Waterloo and Newmains War Memorials.
Image of headstone in gallery above
Picture and information courtesy of Alistair Allan of Wishaw in Scotland
William Docherty
2nd Bn., Royal Scots
5th March 1915.
Plot II. C. 3.
William, born 6th August 1879 in Maryhill, Glasgow, was the second son of Mr. & Mrs. William Docherty, 22 Bartonhall Road, Waterloo. He married Margaret McAnulla on 3rd January 1911. They had a daughter, Margaret, born 14th April 1912 and a son William. He was a moulder to trade and for some time was employed in the Coltness Iron Works as an iron moulder. Prior to the outbreak of war he had moved with his wife and children to McDougall Street, Parkhead, Glasgow. He was very well known in this locality and many of the young men from St. Ignatius R.C. were indebted to him for instruction in physical drill.
Private Docherty went through the Boer War in the ranks of the Royal Scots without receiving a scratch and re-joined his old regiment on 12th September 1914. He went to France in December 1914 and was in the thick of the fighting from then. William was noted as being 5’ 6” tall, weighing 140lbs, 38” chest, blue eyes and brown hair. He was Roman Catholic by faith.
Early in the morning of the 5th March 1915 he was leaving the trenches to proceed to his billet for a well-earned rest when he was struck by a bursting shrapnel shell and never regained consciousness.
Private Docherty is buried in Loker Churchyard, Belgium, Grave II.C.3. and commemorated on Waterloo Memorial Hall and both Waterloo and Newmains War Memorials.
Image of headstone in gallery above
Picture and information courtesy of Alistair Allan of Wishaw in Scotland
154505 Sapper
Ernest Libby
"O" Special Company, Royal Engineers
2nd June 1917, aged 33.
Plot I. C. 12.
Son of Mrs. M. A. Libby, of Fore St., Polruan, Fowey, Cornwall.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Loving Son, True And Kind Pure In Thought Upright In Mind, Mother"
Ernest Libby
"O" Special Company, Royal Engineers
2nd June 1917, aged 33.
Plot I. C. 12.
Son of Mrs. M. A. Libby, of Fore St., Polruan, Fowey, Cornwall.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Loving Son, True And Kind Pure In Thought Upright In Mind, Mother"
622 Sapper
James Leonard McQuay
6th Field Company, Canadian Engineers
26th February 1916, aged 24.
Plot I. F. 22.
Son of Mr. J. H. and Mrs. C. M. McQuay, of 1203, 11th Avenue South, Vancouver, British Columbia.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Is Not Here He is Risen"
He enlisted in Kingston, Ontario on Nov 27, 1914. Leonard was fatally wounded while laying barbed wire near St. Eloi (near Ypres) just before he was slated to leave the Front for Officer Training in England.
James Leonard McQuay
6th Field Company, Canadian Engineers
26th February 1916, aged 24.
Plot I. F. 22.
Son of Mr. J. H. and Mrs. C. M. McQuay, of 1203, 11th Avenue South, Vancouver, British Columbia.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Is Not Here He is Risen"
He enlisted in Kingston, Ontario on Nov 27, 1914. Leonard was fatally wounded while laying barbed wire near St. Eloi (near Ypres) just before he was slated to leave the Front for Officer Training in England.
14588 Lance Sergeant
Snowdon Foggan Orange
2nd Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
10th September 1915, aged 20.
Plot I. E. 4.
In the 1911 census 15-yearold Snowdon was a plumber, living at Meadowdale Farm, Bedlington, with his parents and two brothers and three sisters still at home.
After enlisting at Bedlington he went to France on 28th July 1915. Less than two months later he died of wounds and, being unmarried, his effects were given to his father.
Snowdon Foggan Orange
2nd Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
10th September 1915, aged 20.
Plot I. E. 4.
In the 1911 census 15-yearold Snowdon was a plumber, living at Meadowdale Farm, Bedlington, with his parents and two brothers and three sisters still at home.
After enlisting at Bedlington he went to France on 28th July 1915. Less than two months later he died of wounds and, being unmarried, his effects were given to his father.
5394 Private
Richard Rennicks
7th Bn. Leinster Regiment
8th March 1917, aged 22.
Plot I. C. 24.
Richard Rennicks
7th Bn. Leinster Regiment
8th March 1917, aged 22.
Plot I. C. 24.
Second Lieutenant
James Rhoderic Trethowan Roberts
2nd Bn. Suffolk Regiment
3rd March 1915, aged 19.
Plot 2. C. 21.
Son of William and Adelaide Nodder Roberts, of 18, King's Avenue, Clapham Park, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Breaks"
Killed close to his trench when shot by a sniper.
Pictures courtesy of Bill Norton
James Rhoderic Trethowan Roberts
2nd Bn. Suffolk Regiment
3rd March 1915, aged 19.
Plot 2. C. 21.
Son of William and Adelaide Nodder Roberts, of 18, King's Avenue, Clapham Park, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Breaks"
Killed close to his trench when shot by a sniper.
Pictures courtesy of Bill Norton
74122 Private
Frederick Robert Smith
"D" Coy. 28th Bn. Canadian Infantry
28th September 1915, aged 30.
Plot I. F. 1.
Son of Robert Smith, of Portrush, Co. Antrim, Ireland.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man"
Frederick Robert Smith
"D" Coy. 28th Bn. Canadian Infantry
28th September 1915, aged 30.
Plot I. F. 1.
Son of Robert Smith, of Portrush, Co. Antrim, Ireland.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man"
Lieutenant
Robert Harold Strong
2nd Bn. East Surrey Regiment
12th March 1915, aged 29.
Plot II. C. 20.
Son of Mrs. L. E. Turner, (formerly Strong), of Woodbine Cottage, Gig Lane, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, and the late Robert Bennett Strong. Acting bandmaster in India previous to war. Scholar of R.M.S.M., Twickenham. His brothers Benjamin Clarence Strong and Francis William Cooper Strong also fell. Benjamin died on 17th May 1918, aged 22 and is buried in Annois Communal Cemetery in France and Francis died on 19th July 1917 is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away, R. I. P."
Writing of his death his Captain said: "With regard to the death of your son, 2nd Lieutenant Strong, of the Battalion under my command, I have to inform you that he was doing duty with the 3rd Middlesex Regiment at the time he was killed. I understand that he was walking round the billets when the enemy started shelling. He was observing the results of the bursting shells when one pitched close to him and mortally wounded him. I do not think that he suffered much before he died. He is a great loss to the Battalion, and his death is mourned by many who have known him as a good sportsman and a fearless soldier. He died for his country; more than that a man cannot do. He was buried in Locre (Now Loker) churchyard in Belgium, and a cross marks his grave."
Robert Harold Strong
2nd Bn. East Surrey Regiment
12th March 1915, aged 29.
Plot II. C. 20.
Son of Mrs. L. E. Turner, (formerly Strong), of Woodbine Cottage, Gig Lane, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, and the late Robert Bennett Strong. Acting bandmaster in India previous to war. Scholar of R.M.S.M., Twickenham. His brothers Benjamin Clarence Strong and Francis William Cooper Strong also fell. Benjamin died on 17th May 1918, aged 22 and is buried in Annois Communal Cemetery in France and Francis died on 19th July 1917 is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away, R. I. P."
Writing of his death his Captain said: "With regard to the death of your son, 2nd Lieutenant Strong, of the Battalion under my command, I have to inform you that he was doing duty with the 3rd Middlesex Regiment at the time he was killed. I understand that he was walking round the billets when the enemy started shelling. He was observing the results of the bursting shells when one pitched close to him and mortally wounded him. I do not think that he suffered much before he died. He is a great loss to the Battalion, and his death is mourned by many who have known him as a good sportsman and a fearless soldier. He died for his country; more than that a man cannot do. He was buried in Locre (Now Loker) churchyard in Belgium, and a cross marks his grave."
Captain
Edwin Gerald Venning
"B" Coy. 1st Bn. Suffolk Regiment
6th August 1915, aged 32.
Plot II. B. 18.
An actor. Enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regt. 7th Sept., 1914. Gazetted 1st Lt. Dec., 1914. Son of the late Rev. Edwin J. Venning (British Chaplain of Cassel, Germany).
His headstone bears the inscription "Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms"
Edwin Gerald Venning
"B" Coy. 1st Bn. Suffolk Regiment
6th August 1915, aged 32.
Plot II. B. 18.
An actor. Enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regt. 7th Sept., 1914. Gazetted 1st Lt. Dec., 1914. Son of the late Rev. Edwin J. Venning (British Chaplain of Cassel, Germany).
His headstone bears the inscription "Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms"
Images in this gallery © Thierry Grier
Locre Church in 1915 - Note the wooden crosses. © IWM Q 49379
June 1919 - Fenced off remains of the church at Locre in Belgium.
Shot at Dawn
15576 Private Joseph Byers,1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers, executed for attempted desertion 6th February 1915, aged 19. Plot 1. A. 1.
He arrived in France on 3 Dec 1914. On 8 Jan 1915, when serving near Kemmel, he fell out from a working party in order to use the latrines, but did not return. Byers was next seen on 18 Jan between Ypres & Poperinghe & arrested.
At trial on 30 Jan, Byers — unrepresented — pleaded Guilty & made no plea in mitigation.
In only one other case was a man executed after a Guilty plea (Downey in Salonika in Dec 1915). (Corns, pp.293-294)
7177 Private Andrew Evans, 1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers, executed for attempted desertion, 6th February 1915. Plot 1. A. 2.
Probably a Reservist, he was absent from parade, prior to his battalion proceeding to the front. Evans was tried on the same day as Pte Byers (though separately), & buried alongside him. (Putkowski, p 31; Corns, p 294)
9618 Private George Ernest Collins, 1st Bn Lincolnshire Regiment, executed for desertion 15th February 1915, aged 20. Plot 1. B. 3. Son of James and Charlotte Collins, of 2, West Dock St., Hessle Rd., Hull. Aged 20, he was undefended at trial. (Putkowski, p 34)
15576 Private Joseph Byers,1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers, executed for attempted desertion 6th February 1915, aged 19. Plot 1. A. 1.
He arrived in France on 3 Dec 1914. On 8 Jan 1915, when serving near Kemmel, he fell out from a working party in order to use the latrines, but did not return. Byers was next seen on 18 Jan between Ypres & Poperinghe & arrested.
At trial on 30 Jan, Byers — unrepresented — pleaded Guilty & made no plea in mitigation.
In only one other case was a man executed after a Guilty plea (Downey in Salonika in Dec 1915). (Corns, pp.293-294)
7177 Private Andrew Evans, 1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers, executed for attempted desertion, 6th February 1915. Plot 1. A. 2.
Probably a Reservist, he was absent from parade, prior to his battalion proceeding to the front. Evans was tried on the same day as Pte Byers (though separately), & buried alongside him. (Putkowski, p 31; Corns, p 294)
9618 Private George Ernest Collins, 1st Bn Lincolnshire Regiment, executed for desertion 15th February 1915, aged 20. Plot 1. B. 3. Son of James and Charlotte Collins, of 2, West Dock St., Hessle Rd., Hull. Aged 20, he was undefended at trial. (Putkowski, p 34)
All Headstone images above © Geerhard Joos
Troops of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (36th Division) displaying their war trophies at Locre, after the capture of Wytschaete, 12 June 1917. © IWM Q 6384
The Locre-Bailleul Road, 6th November 1914. © IWM Q 57335
