MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.89751 Longitude: 2.64207
© Geerhard Joos
Location Information
Mendinghem Military Cemetery is located 17 Kms north-west of Ieper town centre on the N308 connecting Ieper to Poperinge and on to Oost-Cappel.
From Ieper town centre the Poperingseweg (N308), is reached via Elverdingsestraat then directly over two small roundabouts in the J. Capronstraat. The Poperingseweg is a continuation of the J. Capronstraat and begins after a prominent railway level crossing.
On reaching the ring road of Poperinge R33 Europalaan, the left hand clockwise route circles the town of Poperinge and rejoins the N308 towards Oost-Cappel. 6.5 Kms after joining the N308 lies the village of Proven. The cemetery is located 500 metres beyond the village of Proven on the left hand side of the road (which at this point is called Roesbruggestraat).
Visiting Information
Visitors to this site should note a 200 metre gravelled access road to this site which is suitable for small vehicles.
Wheelchair access is possible via the main entrance.
Historical Information
Mendinghem, like Dozinghem and Bandaghem, were the popular names given by the troops to groups of casualty clearing stations posted to this area during the First World War. In July 1916, the 46th (1st/1st Wessex) Casualty Clearing Station was opened at Proven and this site was chosen for its cemetery.
The first burials took place in August 1916. In July 1917, four further clearing stations arrived at Proven in readiness for the forthcoming Allied offensive on this front and three of them, the 46th, 12th and 64th, stayed until 1918. From May to July 1918, while the German offensive was at its height, field ambulances were posted at Proven.
The cemetery was closed (except for one later burial) in September 1918. There are now 2,391 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in this cemetery and 52 German war graves.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and Captain Wilfred Clement Von Berg, M. C.
Total Burials: 2,443.
Commonwealth Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 2,292, South Africa 33, Canada 31, Australia 15, New Zealand 12. Total 2,383.
Commonwealth Unidentified Casualties: 8.
German Identified Casualties: 51.
German Unidentified Casualties: 1.
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Lieutenant Colonel Bertram Best-Dunkley, V. C.
Commanding 2nd/5th Lancashire Fusiliers
died of wounds 5th August 1917, aged 27.
Plot III. D. 1.
Native of York.
Citation
An extract from the London Gazette No. 30272, dated 4th Sept., 1917, records the following. "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion, the leading waves of which, during an attack, became disorganised by reason of rifle and machine gun fire at close range from positions which were believed to be in our hands. Lt. Col. Best-Dunkley dashed forward, rallied his leading waves, and personally led them to the assault of these positions, which, despite heavy losses, were carried. He continued to lead his battalion until all their objectives had been gained. Had it not been for this officer's gallant and determined action it is doubtful if the left of the brigade would have reached its objectives. Later in the day, when our position was threatened, he collected his battalion headquarters, led them to the attack, and beat off the advancing enemy.
Headstone and Original Grave Marker
Picture © Geerhard Joos
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Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
5207 Gunner
Harold William Boyd
2nd Bde. Australian Field Artillery
24th July 1917, aged 21.
Plot II. F. 32.
Son of Samuel and Florence Boyd, of 22, Harker St., Alphington, Victoria, Australia. Native of Victoria.
Harold William Boyd
2nd Bde. Australian Field Artillery
24th July 1917, aged 21.
Plot II. F. 32.
Son of Samuel and Florence Boyd, of 22, Harker St., Alphington, Victoria, Australia. Native of Victoria.
31517 Private
Leonard Fairhurst
90th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps
12th December 1917, aged 25.
Plot VI. BB. 3.
Husband of Sarah Fairhurst, of 10, Shuttleworth St., Padiham, Burnley.
Leonard Fairhurst
90th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps
12th December 1917, aged 25.
Plot VI. BB. 3.
Husband of Sarah Fairhurst, of 10, Shuttleworth St., Padiham, Burnley.
13052 Private
Edwin Galletly Haliburton
2nd Regt. South African Infantry
24th September 1917, aged 17.
Plot V. E. 34.
Son of William and Mary Haliburton, of "Galahill," 5c, Ritson Rd., Durban, South Africa. Native of Galashiels, Scotland.
Picture courtesy of Allan Berry, grand-nephew of the soldier.
Edwin Galletly Haliburton
2nd Regt. South African Infantry
24th September 1917, aged 17.
Plot V. E. 34.
Son of William and Mary Haliburton, of "Galahill," 5c, Ritson Rd., Durban, South Africa. Native of Galashiels, Scotland.
Picture courtesy of Allan Berry, grand-nephew of the soldier.
18802 Corporal
Eric Heap
1st Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
4th July 1917.
Plot II. E. 55.
Eric Heap
1st Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
4th July 1917.
Plot II. E. 55.
235225 Private
Charles G. Heaton
8th Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
19th April 1918, aged 22.
Plot X. B. 18.
Son of Charles and Margaret Heaton, of 6, Lane Ends, Nelson, Lancs.
Charles G. Heaton
8th Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
19th April 1918, aged 22.
Plot X. B. 18.
Son of Charles and Margaret Heaton, of 6, Lane Ends, Nelson, Lancs.
26027 Private
W. H. Marriott
4th Bn. Grenadier Guards
22nd July 1917.
Plot II. F. 31
W. H. Marriott
4th Bn. Grenadier Guards
22nd July 1917.
Plot II. F. 31
16083 Private
Arthur Price
13th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
13th October 1916.
Plot I. A. 4.
Son of Richard and Elizabeth Price, Belle View, Llan Ffestiniog, North Wales
He was fatally wounded on a trench raid on the 12th October (his 28th birthday) and died of wounds at the 46th Casualty Clearing Station the next day.
Pictures and information courtesy of Sue Salter (Great Niece)
Arthur Price
13th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
13th October 1916.
Plot I. A. 4.
Son of Richard and Elizabeth Price, Belle View, Llan Ffestiniog, North Wales
He was fatally wounded on a trench raid on the 12th October (his 28th birthday) and died of wounds at the 46th Casualty Clearing Station the next day.
Pictures and information courtesy of Sue Salter (Great Niece)
202126 Private
A. Solari
1st/4th Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
15th June 1917, aged 22.
Plot I. E. 34.
Son of the late Ellen Solari, of Nottingham.
A. Solari
1st/4th Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
15th June 1917, aged 22.
Plot I. E. 34.
Son of the late Ellen Solari, of Nottingham.
290655 Private
Walter Thom
1st/5th Bn. Gordon Highlanders
28th June 1917, aged 22.
Plot II. E. 25.
Elder son of Walter Thom and Barbara Thom (née Davidson, d. 1915).
Born Aberdeen, Scotland, 15 March 1895; died 28 June 1917, CCS 12, near Proven, Belgium.
In civilian life he was a labourer in a chemical works.
Image and additional text provided by Colin Wilson
Walter Thom
1st/5th Bn. Gordon Highlanders
28th June 1917, aged 22.
Plot II. E. 25.
Elder son of Walter Thom and Barbara Thom (née Davidson, d. 1915).
Born Aberdeen, Scotland, 15 March 1895; died 28 June 1917, CCS 12, near Proven, Belgium.
In civilian life he was a labourer in a chemical works.
Image and additional text provided by Colin Wilson
3460 Sapper
George Frederick Windsor
5th Div. Signal Coy. Australian Engineers
1st August 1917, aged 19.
Plot III. C. 11.
Son of Frederick A. and Phoebe E. Windsor, of Wallace St., Granville, New South Wales.
A labourer prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Euripides (A14) on 2 November 1915. He was wounded in action on 31 July 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres, Belgium. Spr Windsor died on 1 August 1918 at the 12th Casualty Clearing Station, Belgium, aged 19.
George Frederick Windsor
5th Div. Signal Coy. Australian Engineers
1st August 1917, aged 19.
Plot III. C. 11.
Son of Frederick A. and Phoebe E. Windsor, of Wallace St., Granville, New South Wales.
A labourer prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Euripides (A14) on 2 November 1915. He was wounded in action on 31 July 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres, Belgium. Spr Windsor died on 1 August 1918 at the 12th Casualty Clearing Station, Belgium, aged 19.
Shot at Dawn
200757 Private Charles Britton, 1st/5th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment executed for desertion, 12th September 1917. Plot VII. F. 36. Son of John and Ellen Britton, of 31, Allison Street, Birmingham.
At the beginning of the autumn offensive, he was absent from a company parade prior to moving up to the trenches. (Putkowski, pp 192-193)
38332 Private David Gibson, "C" Coy. 12th Bn. Royal Scots, executed for desertion, 24th September 1918, aged 25. Plot X. E. 19. Son of John and Jane Gibson, of Bridgeton, Glasgow; husband of Agnes Gibson, of 3381, Gallowgate, Glasgow.
He failed to return from leave, & was arrested by the police at his home in Glasgow; & sent back to his unit in France. With a battalion attack in prospect, it was suggested to him that creditable service might lead to a more favourable outcome at his forthcoming trial. But he absconded, remaining absent for 2 days. At trial, he explained that the cause of his distraction was his wife’s infidelity — to no avail. (Putkowski, p 259)
R/27615 Private John Joseph Hyde, 10th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed for desertion, 5th September 1917. Plot V. A. 29. Son of Mr. W. Hyde, of 35, Ridgdale St., Bow, London.
200757 Private Charles Britton, 1st/5th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment executed for desertion, 12th September 1917. Plot VII. F. 36. Son of John and Ellen Britton, of 31, Allison Street, Birmingham.
At the beginning of the autumn offensive, he was absent from a company parade prior to moving up to the trenches. (Putkowski, pp 192-193)
38332 Private David Gibson, "C" Coy. 12th Bn. Royal Scots, executed for desertion, 24th September 1918, aged 25. Plot X. E. 19. Son of John and Jane Gibson, of Bridgeton, Glasgow; husband of Agnes Gibson, of 3381, Gallowgate, Glasgow.
He failed to return from leave, & was arrested by the police at his home in Glasgow; & sent back to his unit in France. With a battalion attack in prospect, it was suggested to him that creditable service might lead to a more favourable outcome at his forthcoming trial. But he absconded, remaining absent for 2 days. At trial, he explained that the cause of his distraction was his wife’s infidelity — to no avail. (Putkowski, p 259)
R/27615 Private John Joseph Hyde, 10th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed for desertion, 5th September 1917. Plot V. A. 29. Son of Mr. W. Hyde, of 35, Ridgdale St., Bow, London.
Original grave at Mendinghem of Lieutenant A. J. D. Torry, M.C., 9th Sqdn Royal Flying Corps attd. 132nd Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery.
9th October 1917, aged 30. Son of the Rev. A. F. Torry (Rector of Marston Morteyne, Beds), and Leila Torry (nee Goldie). Born Marwood, Devon. Now buried in Plot VII. C. 7. His headstone bears the inscription; "Unto the resurrection of life." Image © Jeremy Gordon-Smith
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
Original grave marker of S/2115 Rifleman, Joseph Ward, 10th Bn. Rifle Brigade, Died of wounds, 24th August 1917, aged 31. He was the Son of J. and S. Ward, of Mount Pleasant, Warton, Atherstone. His grave, Plot V. B. 23., now carries the inscription; "We Remember."
Original grave of Major Miles Barne, DSO, 1st Suffolk Yeomanry, attd. 1st Bn. Scots Guards, died of wounds, 17th September 1917, aged 43. Son of Lt. Col. St. John Barne and Lady Constance Barne, of Sotterley Hall, Wangford; husband of Violet E. Barne, of Sotterley Hall, Wansford, Suffolk. His grave, now in Plot IV. D. 36., carries the inscription; "The Lord bless him and keep him and give him peace."
King George V receiving a Matron at a Casualty Clearing Station near Proven, during his visit to the Fifth Army, 6 July 1917. © IWM Q 5596
Men of the Chinese Labour Corps at Proven, 21st August 1917. © IWM Q 2762
6th August 1917; Columns of German prisoners of war, captured during the Battle of Langemarck, being marched into captivity. Photograph taken near Proven. © IWM Q 3941
A fleet of motor ambulances, part of the Calcutta war gift, outside the railway station at Proven, 30th July 1917. © IWM Q 2643
