LONDON RIFLE BRIGADE CEMETERY
Hainaut
Belgium
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.72107 Longitude: 2.88245
Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
London Rifle Brigade Cemetery is located 15 Kms south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Rijselseweg, N365, which connects Ieper to Wijtschate, Mesen, Ploegsteert and on to Armentieres.
From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg.
The cemetery lies 800 metres beyond the village of Ploegsteert, on the right hand side of the N365.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemetery is possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
The commune of Ploegsteert remained under Allied occupation for much of the First World War, but was in German hands from 10 April to 29 September 1918.
London Rifle Brigade Cemetery was begun by units of the 4th Division in December 1914, and used by fighting units and field ambulances until March 1918; some German burials were made in April and May. The cemetery owes its name to the 22 burials of the London Rifle Brigade (which then belonged to the 4th Division) in Plot III, made in January, February and March 1915.
The cemetery now contains 335 Commonwealth and 18 German burials of the First World War.
In June 1927, Lieut.-General Sir H.F.M. Wilson, late G.O.C. 4th Division, unveiled a tablet set in the wall at the north corner of the cemetery, commemorating the dedication of the cemetery by the Bishop of London on Easter Day 1915, and the sacrifice of 91 officers and 1,831 other ranks of the regiment during the war.
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden and Captain Wilfred Clement Von Berg, M. C.
Total Burials: 353.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 262, Australia 38, New Zealand 34, Germany 9. Total 343.
Unidentified Casualties: Germany 9. Commonwealth 1. Total 10.
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
The London Rifle Brigade at Ploegsteert, 1914 (Click on individual image to enlarge)
Men of the London Rifle Brigade outside Red House, Ploegsteert, December 1914. © IWM (Q 11737)
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
9566 Serjeant
Joseph Michael Anglin
1st Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
4th March 1915.
Plot I. B. 1.
Joseph Michael Anglin
1st Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
4th March 1915.
Plot I. B. 1.
10073 Private
Henry Irwin Bailey
1st Bn. Auckland Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
28th February 1917, aged 23.
Plot II. E. 32.
Son of J. W. and M. J. Bailey, of "Twiston", Dominion Rd., Auckland, New Zealand.
Henry Irwin Bailey
1st Bn. Auckland Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
28th February 1917, aged 23.
Plot II. E. 32.
Son of J. W. and M. J. Bailey, of "Twiston", Dominion Rd., Auckland, New Zealand.
4/9499 Private
William Henry Bainbridge
2nd Bn. Durham Light Infantry
8th February 1916, aged 29.
Plot II. A. 9.
Son of Thomas and Emma Bainbridge, of 8, Tempest St., New Silksworth, Sunderland. Husband of Margaret Smith (formerly Bainbridge), of 4, Mather's Yard, Bird St., North Shields.
William and his brother Arthur were killed within a month of each other in 1916. Arthur is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. Their brother John was a prisoner of war and the family didn't know he had survived till a long time after he was captured.
Remembered by Craig and Emma Ingham (Picture used with the permission of Craig and his family)
William Henry Bainbridge
2nd Bn. Durham Light Infantry
8th February 1916, aged 29.
Plot II. A. 9.
Son of Thomas and Emma Bainbridge, of 8, Tempest St., New Silksworth, Sunderland. Husband of Margaret Smith (formerly Bainbridge), of 4, Mather's Yard, Bird St., North Shields.
William and his brother Arthur were killed within a month of each other in 1916. Arthur is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium. Their brother John was a prisoner of war and the family didn't know he had survived till a long time after he was captured.
Remembered by Craig and Emma Ingham (Picture used with the permission of Craig and his family)
1115 Rifleman
Frederick Benjamin Bennett
"C" Company 5th Bn. London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
12th March 1915, aged 18.
Plot III. B. 1.
Son of Benjamin and Alice Eliza Bennett, of 17, Airlie Gardens, Ilford, Essex.
Frederick Benjamin Bennett
"C" Company 5th Bn. London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
12th March 1915, aged 18.
Plot III. B. 1.
Son of Benjamin and Alice Eliza Bennett, of 17, Airlie Gardens, Ilford, Essex.
25178 Private
Johnson Bilton
1st Bn. Auckland Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
28th February 1917, aged 46.
Plot II. E. 27.
Son of Robert and Isabella Bilton. Born at Christchurch, New Zealand.
Johnson Bilton
1st Bn. Auckland Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
28th February 1917, aged 46.
Plot II. E. 27.
Son of Robert and Isabella Bilton. Born at Christchurch, New Zealand.
40503 Private
Herbert Henry Brookbanks
No. 15 North Auckland Coy. 3rd Bn. Auckland Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
17th August 1917, aged 26.
Plot IV. A. 2.
Son of Frank Warren Brookbanks, and Annie Brookbanks, of Mount Eden; husband of Ida Brookbanks, of 22, Chamberlain Avenue, Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand.
Herbert Henry Brookbanks
No. 15 North Auckland Coy. 3rd Bn. Auckland Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
17th August 1917, aged 26.
Plot IV. A. 2.
Son of Frank Warren Brookbanks, and Annie Brookbanks, of Mount Eden; husband of Ida Brookbanks, of 22, Chamberlain Avenue, Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand.
43951 Private
Alexander Campbell
3rd Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
16th August 1917, aged 21.
Plot IV. C. 9.
Son of A. and B. Campbell, of 481, Manchester St., St. Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Alexander Campbell
3rd Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
16th August 1917, aged 21.
Plot IV. C. 9.
Son of A. and B. Campbell, of 481, Manchester St., St. Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand.
1632 Corporal
Harry Chandler
28th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
12th March 1918, aged 30.
Plot IV. B. 1.
Son of James Thomas and Ellen Chandler, of 14, View St., Subiaco, Western Australia. Native of South Yarra, Victoria.
He enlisted on 1 March 1915 and embarked aboard HMAT Geelong in Fremantle on 5 June 1915. On 16 September 1917 he was promoted to corporal. He was wounded in action at Ploegsteert, Belgium on 12 March 1918 and died later that same day. Note he is holding two signal flags and he is wearing the badge which denotes that he is a qualified signaller.
6137 Signaller C. W. Price witnessed Harry Chandler's death:
"Harry Chandler of "D" Company was in charge of a signalling platoon behind Ploegsteert and Armentieres. Fritz had been shelling for some time and then stopped. So Harry went outside and he was immediately hit by a shell, his leg being blown off, he was conscious and taken to a Dressing Station about 100 yards to the left of Delenel Farm where he died."
Harry Chandler
28th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
12th March 1918, aged 30.
Plot IV. B. 1.
Son of James Thomas and Ellen Chandler, of 14, View St., Subiaco, Western Australia. Native of South Yarra, Victoria.
He enlisted on 1 March 1915 and embarked aboard HMAT Geelong in Fremantle on 5 June 1915. On 16 September 1917 he was promoted to corporal. He was wounded in action at Ploegsteert, Belgium on 12 March 1918 and died later that same day. Note he is holding two signal flags and he is wearing the badge which denotes that he is a qualified signaller.
6137 Signaller C. W. Price witnessed Harry Chandler's death:
"Harry Chandler of "D" Company was in charge of a signalling platoon behind Ploegsteert and Armentieres. Fritz had been shelling for some time and then stopped. So Harry went outside and he was immediately hit by a shell, his leg being blown off, he was conscious and taken to a Dressing Station about 100 yards to the left of Delenel Farm where he died."
Original grave at London Rifle Brigade Cemetery of 9538 Private Allan Herbert George No. 2 Coy. 5th Bn. London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) 27th January 1915, aged 19. Son of George Ernest and Alice Helena George, of 41, Lynton Avenue, West Ealing, London. Now buried in Plot III. A. 2. © IWM (Q 11740)
16534 Private
Walter Joseph Chuck
1st Bn. Auckland Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
28th February 1917, aged 25.
Plot II. E. 33.
Son of Walter Charles and Anne E. Chuck, of Bomford St., Blenheim, New Zealand.
Walter Joseph Chuck
1st Bn. Auckland Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
28th February 1917, aged 25.
Plot II. E. 33.
Son of Walter Charles and Anne E. Chuck, of Bomford St., Blenheim, New Zealand.
396 Lance Corporal
William Dugald Cummins
41st Bn. Australian Infantry, A .I. F.
1st June 1917, aged 22.
Plot IV. B. 12.
Son of Richard Walter and Mary Ellen Cummins, of Broadway St., Red Hill, Queensland.
On his headstone his parents wrote:
"His country called, he answered. Australians never shall be slaves."
William Dugald Cummins
41st Bn. Australian Infantry, A .I. F.
1st June 1917, aged 22.
Plot IV. B. 12.
Son of Richard Walter and Mary Ellen Cummins, of Broadway St., Red Hill, Queensland.
On his headstone his parents wrote:
"His country called, he answered. Australians never shall be slaves."
35 Rifleman
Alfred Austen Daniel
"H" Company, London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
25th January 1915, aged 20.
Plot III. A. 3.
Son of Herbert and Clara Matilda Daniel, of 21, Vanbrugh Hill, Blackheath, London. Native of Rotherhithe, London.
Alfred Austen Daniel
"H" Company, London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
25th January 1915, aged 20.
Plot III. A. 3.
Son of Herbert and Clara Matilda Daniel, of 21, Vanbrugh Hill, Blackheath, London. Native of Rotherhithe, London.
1820 Private
Alfred Frederick Daniel
41st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
23rd March 1917, aged 33.
Plot II. E. 26.
Son of Sarah and the late Alfred Daniel; husband of Sophia Daniel, of 13, Anderson St., Valley, Brisbane, Queensland. Native of Poplar, London, England.
Alfred Frederick Daniel
41st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
23rd March 1917, aged 33.
Plot II. E. 26.
Son of Sarah and the late Alfred Daniel; husband of Sophia Daniel, of 13, Anderson St., Valley, Brisbane, Queensland. Native of Poplar, London, England.
665 Private
John Thomas Patrick Draddy
41st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
21st February 1918, aged 21.
Plot IV. C. 4.
Son of Thomas and Ellen Draddy, of Ballycotton, Co. Cork, Ireland.
John Thomas Patrick Draddy
41st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
21st February 1918, aged 21.
Plot IV. C. 4.
Son of Thomas and Ellen Draddy, of Ballycotton, Co. Cork, Ireland.
London Rifle Brigade Cemetery, c.1919. © Jeremy Gordon-Smith
9312 Rifleman
J. P. Gardiner
5th Bn. London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
16th February 1915, aged 20.
Plot III. C. 6.
Son of Mrs. E. M. Gardiner, of 56, Burgoyne Rd., Haringey, London.
J. P. Gardiner
5th Bn. London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
16th February 1915, aged 20.
Plot III. C. 6.
Son of Mrs. E. M. Gardiner, of 56, Burgoyne Rd., Haringey, London.
22227 Bombardier
Maurice Holman
6th A. F. A. Bde. Australian Field Artillery
5th June 1917, aged 23.
Plot IV. A. 9.
Son of Edwin and Elizabeth Sarah Holman, of "Mallie Dale", Norseman Rd., Esperance, Western Australia. Native of Footscray, Victoria.
A farmer of Norseman, Western Australia, he enlisted on 9 November 1915 and sailed from Melbourne on 20 May 1916 aboard HMAT Medic. He was later attached to 6th Army Field Artillery (AFA) Brigade in Ploegsteert, Belgium, where he was killed in action on 5 June 1917 when he was hit in the head by a piece of shrapnel from a shell.
Maurice Holman
6th A. F. A. Bde. Australian Field Artillery
5th June 1917, aged 23.
Plot IV. A. 9.
Son of Edwin and Elizabeth Sarah Holman, of "Mallie Dale", Norseman Rd., Esperance, Western Australia. Native of Footscray, Victoria.
A farmer of Norseman, Western Australia, he enlisted on 9 November 1915 and sailed from Melbourne on 20 May 1916 aboard HMAT Medic. He was later attached to 6th Army Field Artillery (AFA) Brigade in Ploegsteert, Belgium, where he was killed in action on 5 June 1917 when he was hit in the head by a piece of shrapnel from a shell.
1889 Bombardier
Albert Frederick Osborne Hood
6th A. F. A. Bde. Australian Field Artillery
11th June 1917, aged 29.
Plot IV. B. 9.
Son of David and Isabel Hood. Native of Cowra, New South Wales.
A Labourer prior to enlistment he embarked with the 11th Reinforcements on HMAT Aeneas (A60) on 20 December 1915. He later transferred to the 6th Field Artillery Brigade and was promoted to a Bombardier (Bdr) and died of wounds on 11 June 1917, aged 29 years.
Albert Frederick Osborne Hood
6th A. F. A. Bde. Australian Field Artillery
11th June 1917, aged 29.
Plot IV. B. 9.
Son of David and Isabel Hood. Native of Cowra, New South Wales.
A Labourer prior to enlistment he embarked with the 11th Reinforcements on HMAT Aeneas (A60) on 20 December 1915. He later transferred to the 6th Field Artillery Brigade and was promoted to a Bombardier (Bdr) and died of wounds on 11 June 1917, aged 29 years.
4222 Gunner
Francis Robert Pearce
6th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
4th June 1917, aged 28.
Plot IV. A. 12.
Son of Alfred and Hannah Pearce, Thane's Creek, Queensland
Picture courtesy of great niece, Jan Munro
Francis Robert Pearce
6th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
4th June 1917, aged 28.
Plot IV. A. 12.
Son of Alfred and Hannah Pearce, Thane's Creek, Queensland
Picture courtesy of great niece, Jan Munro
9556 Rifleman
William Henry Peppiatt
5th Bn. London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
5th February 1915, aged 26.
Plot III. B. 4.
Son of Emily E. Peppiatt, of "Longdens", Beaconsfield, Bucks, and the late Mr. W. R. Peppiatt. Native of Woodford, Essex.
William Henry Peppiatt
5th Bn. London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
5th February 1915, aged 26.
Plot III. B. 4.
Son of Emily E. Peppiatt, of "Longdens", Beaconsfield, Bucks, and the late Mr. W. R. Peppiatt. Native of Woodford, Essex.
32242 Private
Leonard Henry Sowry
No.12 (Nelson) Coy. 3rd Bn. Canterbury Regiment. N. Z. E. F.
11th August 1917, aged 22.
Plot IV. B. 7.
Son of Herbert and Eliza Sowry, of Makomako, Pahiatua, Wellington, New Zealand.
Son of Eliza and Herbert SOWRY, of Makomako, New Zealand. Leonard was already serving with the 17th Ruahine Regiment when war was declared, he trained at Featherstone and Trentham military camps with the 19th Reinforcements. Leonard embarked for war 15th November 1916 on the troopship 68 Maunganui, and disembarked Devonport England 29th January 1917. Leonard trained further at Sling Camp and then Codford Camp, then later sailed for France on the 28th May 1917 where he was posted directly to the front line. He was killed while serving at the front on 11th August 1917.
Picture courtesy of great niece, Wendy McPherson
Leonard Henry Sowry
No.12 (Nelson) Coy. 3rd Bn. Canterbury Regiment. N. Z. E. F.
11th August 1917, aged 22.
Plot IV. B. 7.
Son of Herbert and Eliza Sowry, of Makomako, Pahiatua, Wellington, New Zealand.
Son of Eliza and Herbert SOWRY, of Makomako, New Zealand. Leonard was already serving with the 17th Ruahine Regiment when war was declared, he trained at Featherstone and Trentham military camps with the 19th Reinforcements. Leonard embarked for war 15th November 1916 on the troopship 68 Maunganui, and disembarked Devonport England 29th January 1917. Leonard trained further at Sling Camp and then Codford Camp, then later sailed for France on the 28th May 1917 where he was posted directly to the front line. He was killed while serving at the front on 11th August 1917.
Picture courtesy of great niece, Wendy McPherson
Second Lieutenant
Herbert Lloyd Tate
Royal Field Artillery
12th June 1916, aged 25.
Plot II. C. 32.
Son of Herbert W. and Annie Tate, of 3, Park Lane, Higher Broughton, Manchester.
Herbert Lloyd Tate
Royal Field Artillery
12th June 1916, aged 25.
Plot II. C. 32.
Son of Herbert W. and Annie Tate, of 3, Park Lane, Higher Broughton, Manchester.
3130 Private
John Robinson Turner
43rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
24th February 1918, aged 23.
Plot IV. C. 3.
Son of George Turner, of Marden Rd., Payneham, South Australia, and the late Elizabeth Turner.
A warehouse assistant prior to enlisting on 20 February 1917, Pte Turner embarked from Adelaide on 23 June 1917 aboard HMAT Borda. He was killed in action 24 February 1918.
John Robinson Turner
43rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
24th February 1918, aged 23.
Plot IV. C. 3.
Son of George Turner, of Marden Rd., Payneham, South Australia, and the late Elizabeth Turner.
A warehouse assistant prior to enlisting on 20 February 1917, Pte Turner embarked from Adelaide on 23 June 1917 aboard HMAT Borda. He was killed in action 24 February 1918.
London Rifle Brigade Cemetery. © IWM (Q 17866)
Original grave of 66394 Serjeant, Harry Richard Daniels, 130th Field Coy. Royal Engineers, 16th January 1916, aged 26.Son of Mr. and Mrs, R. Daniels, of Sutton; husband of Mrs. G. M. Daniels, of 4, Clifton Avenue, Belmont, Sutton. Surrey. Now buried in Plot II. A. 19. © Jeremy Gordon-Smith
Ploegsteert, Belgium. The cross in the Rifle Brigade Cemetery erected over the grave of Lieutenant Arthur Eldred Barlow of the 6th Field Artillery Brigade, AIF, who was killed in action on 28 May 1917. He is now buried in Plot IV. A. 17.
Original grave at London Rifle Brigade Cemetery of 9628 Private, Edgar Corble, 5th Bn.
London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) 5th January 1915, aged 22. Son of Maud Mary Corble, of "Heathside," 3, Harpenden Rd., St. Albans, Herts, and the late John Corble. Now buried in Plot III. A. 7. © IWM (Q 11741)
Ploegsteert, Belgium, 1917. A snow-covered street lined with ruined buildings badly damaged by enemy bombardment in the town south of Messines.
20th January 1918; A firing bay in a captured trench near Ploegsteert. Owing to the sodden nature of the country, all excavations had to be revetted to prevent them falling in. The photograph was taken on a quiet day in Una Trench, held by the enemy before the Battle of Messines. Identified are: Lieutenant H. Johnson, 18th Battalion (left), and 32091 Sergeant W. H. Joyce (right), Assistant Official Photographer, AWRS.
