MONS (BERGEN) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Hainaut
Belgium
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.45949 Longitude: 3.97476
© Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
Mons (Bergen) Communal Cemetery is located in the north-east of the town of Mons ("Bergen" in Flemish), on the chemin de la Procession a road leading from the N56 connecting Mons to Brussels. 600 metres after the N56 leaves the R50 ring road lies the chemin de la Procession. The cemetery is located 1 Km along the chemin de la Procession on the left hand side of the road.
Visiting Information
The opening hours of this site are as follows:
Up to 14 November:08.00 to 17.00
From 15 November: 09.00 to 16.00
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
Mons remained in German hands from the Battle of Mons (23 August 1914) until the arrival of the Canadian Corps on 11 November 1918.
The communal cemetery was extended by the Germans on its north side and in this extension, now part of the town cemetery, were buried Russian, French, Italian, Romanian and Belgian soldiers, as well as German and Commonwealth. The 4th Canadian and 1st Casualty Clearing Stations, besides field ambulances, were posted in the town after the Armistice. They opened a new cemetery (MONS BRITISH CEMETERY) across the road from the East gate of the communal cemetery, but the graves made there were later removed to the communal cemetery.
There are now 393 Commonwealth burials or commemorations of the First World War in the cemetery. 11 of the burials are unidentified, but special memorials commemorate three casualties known to be buried among them. There is also one Commonwealth burial of the Second World War, one non-war burial (a retired member of the Commission's staff) and 110 war graves of other nationalities.
Total Burials: 507.
World War One identified Burials: United Kingdom 319, Russia 72, Canada 57, Romania 8, Australia 4, New Zealand 2, Germany 1, South Africa 1. Total 464.
World War Two Identified Burial: United Kingdom 1.
The Commonwealth plots were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and William Harrison Cowlishaw
Mons (Bergen) Communal Cemetery is located in the north-east of the town of Mons ("Bergen" in Flemish), on the chemin de la Procession a road leading from the N56 connecting Mons to Brussels. 600 metres after the N56 leaves the R50 ring road lies the chemin de la Procession. The cemetery is located 1 Km along the chemin de la Procession on the left hand side of the road.
Visiting Information
The opening hours of this site are as follows:
Up to 14 November:08.00 to 17.00
From 15 November: 09.00 to 16.00
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
Mons remained in German hands from the Battle of Mons (23 August 1914) until the arrival of the Canadian Corps on 11 November 1918.
The communal cemetery was extended by the Germans on its north side and in this extension, now part of the town cemetery, were buried Russian, French, Italian, Romanian and Belgian soldiers, as well as German and Commonwealth. The 4th Canadian and 1st Casualty Clearing Stations, besides field ambulances, were posted in the town after the Armistice. They opened a new cemetery (MONS BRITISH CEMETERY) across the road from the East gate of the communal cemetery, but the graves made there were later removed to the communal cemetery.
There are now 393 Commonwealth burials or commemorations of the First World War in the cemetery. 11 of the burials are unidentified, but special memorials commemorate three casualties known to be buried among them. There is also one Commonwealth burial of the Second World War, one non-war burial (a retired member of the Commission's staff) and 110 war graves of other nationalities.
Total Burials: 507.
World War One identified Burials: United Kingdom 319, Russia 72, Canada 57, Romania 8, Australia 4, New Zealand 2, Germany 1, South Africa 1. Total 464.
World War Two Identified Burial: United Kingdom 1.
The Commonwealth plots were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and William Harrison Cowlishaw
Soldiers of the 4th Dragoon Guards take up defensive positions while waiting for the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.
Note the civilians (left). © IWM Q 83057
466663 Private
Benjamin Brigden
42nd Bn. Canadian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th November 1918.
Plot III. B. 5.
Benjamin Brigden
42nd Bn. Canadian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th November 1918.
Plot III. B. 5.
3231310 Private
James Clarence Buttimer 19th Bn. Canadian Infantry 10th November 1918, aged 25. Plot X. A. 35. His headstone bears the inscription; "Faithful Until Death" Born at Dunmanway, Co. Cork. Son of James and Clara Buttimer, of 14, Tritonville Rd., Sandymount, Dublin, Ireland. |
Click on image to enlarge
Private James Buttimer nearly survived the end of WW 1. Just a few hours more were needed. An act of humanity got him killed. Under cover of darkness, he attempted to bring in a casualty from "no man's land" near the Mons outskirts. Suddenly, a nervous German machine gun crew opening up on him. He was killed instantly.
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Lieutenant
John Ormonde Butler
3rd Squadron Royal Air Force and General List
11th April 1918, aged 19.
Plot VIII. D. 6.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Lord Is My Shepherd Therefore I Shall Not Want"
John Ormonde Butler
3rd Squadron Royal Air Force and General List
11th April 1918, aged 19.
Plot VIII. D. 6.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Lord Is My Shepherd Therefore I Shall Not Want"
Lieutenant
Basil William Cotterell
49th Squadron, Royal Air Force and Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
30th October 1918, aged 20.
Plot X. C. 2.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Blessed Are The Pure In Heart" "Semper Ad Coelestia""
Son of Oscar J. and Alice T. Cotterell, of 341, Barnsley Rd., Sheffield.
Basil William Cotterell
49th Squadron, Royal Air Force and Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
30th October 1918, aged 20.
Plot X. C. 2.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Blessed Are The Pure In Heart" "Semper Ad Coelestia""
Son of Oscar J. and Alice T. Cotterell, of 341, Barnsley Rd., Sheffield.
3180713 Private
G. Dillman
25th Bn. Canadian Infantry
23rd November 1918.
Plot III. C. 9.
G. Dillman
25th Bn. Canadian Infantry
23rd November 1918.
Plot III. C. 9.
6010 Private
Francis Granville Elford
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th April 1917.
Plot IV. C. 15.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Have Mercy Upon Him Lord And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him"
Son of Francis Elford, of Derby St., Newtown, Maryborough, Queensland, and the late Thomas Elford.
Francis Granville Elford
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th April 1917.
Plot IV. C. 15.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Have Mercy Upon Him Lord And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him"
Son of Francis Elford, of Derby St., Newtown, Maryborough, Queensland, and the late Thomas Elford.
58156 Corporal
James Fairweather Fairley
20th Bn. Canadian Infantry
10th November 1918.
Plot X. B. 22.
James Fairweather Fairley
20th Bn. Canadian Infantry
10th November 1918.
Plot X. B. 22.
Mons; A patrol of the 18th Hussars attempting to obtain information from the local population, 21st August 1914. © IWM Q 83053
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
203009 Private
James Geekie
1st/6th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
1st April 1918.
Plot VII. E. 2.
James Geekie
1st/6th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
1st April 1918.
Plot VII. E. 2.
Lieutenant
Russell Longworth Germain
20th Bn. Canadian Infantry
10th November 1918, aged 22.
Plot X. B. 23.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Peace Perfect Peace Sleep On Dear Son Thy Trials Are O'er"
Click on image to enlarge
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Germain, of 10, Alwington Avenue, Kingston, Ontario. Student of Queen's University, Kingston.
Russell Longworth Germain
20th Bn. Canadian Infantry
10th November 1918, aged 22.
Plot X. B. 23.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Peace Perfect Peace Sleep On Dear Son Thy Trials Are O'er"
Click on image to enlarge
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Germain, of 10, Alwington Avenue, Kingston, Ontario. Student of Queen's University, Kingston.
4853 Private
Sydney Archie Hern
2nd Div. Mechanical Transport, Canadian Army Service Corps
9th December 1918, aged 41.
Plot II. C. 4.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Rest In Peace"
Son of William and Rebecca Hern, of Hamiota, Manitoba. Native of Woodham, Ontario.
Sydney Archie Hern
2nd Div. Mechanical Transport, Canadian Army Service Corps
9th December 1918, aged 41.
Plot II. C. 4.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Rest In Peace"
Son of William and Rebecca Hern, of Hamiota, Manitoba. Native of Woodham, Ontario.
769361 Private
William James Jefferson
87th Bn. Canadian Infantry
24th September 1917, aged 25.
Plot IV. C. 3.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Lord To Thy Loving Arms Our Brother We Restore"
Son of James and Isabella Jefferson, of 1, Crossland St., Belfast.
William James Jefferson
87th Bn. Canadian Infantry
24th September 1917, aged 25.
Plot IV. C. 3.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Lord To Thy Loving Arms Our Brother We Restore"
Son of James and Isabella Jefferson, of 1, Crossland St., Belfast.
Images in this gallery © Johan Pauwels
303509 Gunner
Harry MacDonald
4th Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery
9th February 1919, aged 21.
Plot X. B. 36.
Son of Mrs. G. M. MacDonald, of 47, Rock St., Saint John, New Brunswick.
Picture courtesy of Deborah Carr, third cousin of this soldier
Harry MacDonald
4th Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery
9th February 1919, aged 21.
Plot X. B. 36.
Son of Mrs. G. M. MacDonald, of 47, Rock St., Saint John, New Brunswick.
Picture courtesy of Deborah Carr, third cousin of this soldier
Major
John Southern Maidlow
49th Battery, Royal Field Artillery
23rd August 1914, aged 39.
Plot VIII. A. 1A.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Truth And Honour Were Before Him Always"
Son of John Mott Maidlow; husband of Amy Maidlow, of the Corner Cottage, Eastcote, Pinner, Middlesex.
John Southern Maidlow
49th Battery, Royal Field Artillery
23rd August 1914, aged 39.
Plot VIII. A. 1A.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Truth And Honour Were Before Him Always"
Son of John Mott Maidlow; husband of Amy Maidlow, of the Corner Cottage, Eastcote, Pinner, Middlesex.
193126 Lance Corporal
Walter Alexander Mepham
42nd Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th December 1918, aged 27.
Plot II. C. 7.
Son of William and Annie Mepham; husband of Christina E. Mepham, of 224, Burlington St. East, Hamilton, Ontario.
Walter Alexander Mepham
42nd Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th December 1918, aged 27.
Plot II. C. 7.
Son of William and Annie Mepham; husband of Christina E. Mepham, of 224, Burlington St. East, Hamilton, Ontario.
126007 Gunner
Lewis Richards
275th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
11th December 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. B. 2.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Jesu Mercy"
Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Richards; husband of May Richards of, Epiphany Laundry Home, Truro, Cornwall.
Lewis Richards
275th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
11th December 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. B. 2.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Jesu Mercy"
Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Richards; husband of May Richards of, Epiphany Laundry Home, Truro, Cornwall.
Company Serjeant Major
Harry Rossington
1st Bn. Cheshire Regiment
11th October 1914.
Plot V. B. 21.
Harry Rossington
1st Bn. Cheshire Regiment
11th October 1914.
Plot V. B. 21.
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
Lieutenant
Donald De Vere Shields
Royal Canadian Regiment
10th November 1918.
Plot III. A. 2.
Son of Eunice G. Shields, of Brooklyn, Queen's Co., Nova Scotia, and the late W. F. Shields.
Donald De Vere Shields
Royal Canadian Regiment
10th November 1918.
Plot III. A. 2.
Son of Eunice G. Shields, of Brooklyn, Queen's Co., Nova Scotia, and the late W. F. Shields.
Second Lieutenant
John Denys Shine
1st Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Royal Irish Regiment
25th August 1914, aged 19.
His headstone bears the inscription; R. I. P.
Son of Col. J. M. F. Shine, C.B., and Kathleen (his wife), of Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. His brother, Second Lieut. H.P. Shine, also fell.
John Denys Shine
1st Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Royal Irish Regiment
25th August 1914, aged 19.
His headstone bears the inscription; R. I. P.
Son of Col. J. M. F. Shine, C.B., and Kathleen (his wife), of Abbeyside, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. His brother, Second Lieut. H.P. Shine, also fell.
3230347 Private
Percy Clarence Simmons 20th Bn. Canadian Infantry 10th November 1918, aged 26. Plot X. A. 45. His headstone bears the inscription; "Sweet Memories Not Lost But Gone Before" Youngest son of Joseph and Evangeline Ann Simmons, of 620, Jones Avenue, Toronto. |
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201341 Private
J. Spratt
1st/5th Highland Light Infantry
3rd September 1918, aged 27.
Plot VI. B. 4.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Gave His Life That Others Might Live"
Son of George and Margaret Spratt, of Chapple St., Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.
J. Spratt
1st/5th Highland Light Infantry
3rd September 1918, aged 27.
Plot VI. B. 4.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Gave His Life That Others Might Live"
Son of George and Margaret Spratt, of Chapple St., Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.
The 9th Lancers arriving at Mons, 21st August 1914. © IWM Q 83051
24th August 1914; German troops of the 18th Division, IXth Corps, in the Grand Place, Mons after the capture of the city. © IWM Q 70072
Other Nationalities
Pictures © Geerhard Joos
Private Arthur Frederick Carter of "D" Company, 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (8th Brigade, 3rd Division) on sentry duty at Mons. Photograph taken on Saturday 5 pm, 22 August 1914. The coffee house and six other buildings nearby were burned by German shells during the action of the following day. Towards the right is the Chaussee de Beaumont. Arthur, who was believed to be aged 20 when this image was taken, survived the war. © IWM Q 70070
22nd August 1914; Men of the 1st Gordon Highlanders and 2nd Royal Irish Regiment at Mons, 22 August 1914. © IWM Q 83058
"L" Battery, R.H.A. Retreat from Mons. This British Horse artillery unit made a heroic stand against advancing German troops during the retreat from Mons, Belgium on 1 September 1914. Mons stayed in German hands until liberated by Canadian troops on the last day of the war, 11 November 1918. © Canadian War Museum
Led by a Highland band, likely from the 42nd Battalion, Canadians march through the streets of Mons on 11 November 1918 having fought their way into the city. © Canadian War Museum
Grand Place, Mons - 22nd August, 1914
22nd August 1914; Troops of "A" Company, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (7th Brigade, 3rd Division) resting in the Grand Place, Mons. On the following day the Battalion won two Victoria Crosses (Lieutenant Maurice Dease and Private Sidney Godley) on the canal bridge at Nimy, two miles north of Mons. © IWM Q 70071
Grand Place, Mons - 11th November, 1918
Members of the 42nd Canadian Battalion rest in the Grand Place, Mons, on the morning of 11 November 1918. Belgian civilians welcomed the Canadians as liberators. The flags of the Allied nations are in the background, including those of Japan and the United States. © Canadian War Museum
Canadian Corps commander Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie and other Canadian officers taking the salute in the Grand Place, Mons, Belgium on 11 November 1918. © Canadian War Museum
