OXFORD ROAD CEMETERY
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.86928 Longitude: 2.91606
© Geerhard Joos
Location Information
Oxford Road cemetery is located to the North-East of the town of Ieper. From the station turn left and drive along M.Fochlaan to the roundabout, turn right and go to the next roundabout. Here turn left into M.Haiglaan and drive to the next roundabout. Here turn right into Oude Veurnestraat, this then changes into Diksmuidseweg and Brugseweg drive along this road to the traffic lights. Straight over the lights to the end of the road. At the T junction turn left (still Brugseweg) and continue along this road through the village of Sint Jan (N313). After the village you come to a fork in the road, take the right hand fork and the cemetery is 50 metres along on the right hand side.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
Oxford Road was the name given to a road running behind the support trenches, from a point west of the village of Wieltje south-eastwards to the Potijze-Zonnebeke road.
Plot I is the original Oxford Road Cemetery and was used by the units fighting on this front from August 1917 to April 1918. In October 1917, another cemetery, known as Oxford Road Cemetery No.2, was started close by and now forms Plot V of the cemetery as it appears today. After the Armistice, Plots II, III and IV were added when scattered graves from the battlefields east and south-east of Ypres (now Ieper) were brought into the cemetery.
There are now 851 Commonwealth casualties of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 297 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate three casualties known to have been buried in the cemetery, but whose graves could not be located.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and Noel Ackroyd Rew
Total Burials: 852.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 403, Canada 83, Australia 34, New Zealand 34, Germany 2. Total 555.
Unidentified Casualties: 297.
Oxford Road cemetery is located to the North-East of the town of Ieper. From the station turn left and drive along M.Fochlaan to the roundabout, turn right and go to the next roundabout. Here turn left into M.Haiglaan and drive to the next roundabout. Here turn right into Oude Veurnestraat, this then changes into Diksmuidseweg and Brugseweg drive along this road to the traffic lights. Straight over the lights to the end of the road. At the T junction turn left (still Brugseweg) and continue along this road through the village of Sint Jan (N313). After the village you come to a fork in the road, take the right hand fork and the cemetery is 50 metres along on the right hand side.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
Oxford Road was the name given to a road running behind the support trenches, from a point west of the village of Wieltje south-eastwards to the Potijze-Zonnebeke road.
Plot I is the original Oxford Road Cemetery and was used by the units fighting on this front from August 1917 to April 1918. In October 1917, another cemetery, known as Oxford Road Cemetery No.2, was started close by and now forms Plot V of the cemetery as it appears today. After the Armistice, Plots II, III and IV were added when scattered graves from the battlefields east and south-east of Ypres (now Ieper) were brought into the cemetery.
There are now 851 Commonwealth casualties of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 297 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate three casualties known to have been buried in the cemetery, but whose graves could not be located.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and Noel Ackroyd Rew
Total Burials: 852.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 403, Canada 83, Australia 34, New Zealand 34, Germany 2. Total 555.
Unidentified Casualties: 297.
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Captain Clement Robertson V. C.
3rd Bn. Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, attached "A" Bn. Tank Corps
killed in action 4th October1917, aged 28
He is believed to be buried in plot III. F. 7.
Son of Maj. John Albert Robertson (late R.A.), and Mrs. Frances Octavia Caroline Robertson (nee Wynne), of Struan Hill, Delgany, Co. Wicklow.
His headstone bears the inscription "Virtutis Gloria Merces"
Citation
An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30433, dated 14th Dec. 1917, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery in leading his Tanks in attack under heavy shell, machine-gun and rifle fire. Capt. Robertson, knowing the risk of the Tanks missing the way, continued to lead them on foot, guiding them carefully and patiently towards their objective although he must have known that his action would almost inevitably cost him his life. This gallant officer was killed after his objective had been reached, but his skilful leading had already ensured successful action. His utter disregard of danger and devotion to duty afford an example of outstanding valour."
Headstone
Picture © Geerhard Joos
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
Battle of Pilckem Ridge. Stretcher bearers struggle in mud up to their knees to carry a wounded man to safety near Boesinghe, 1 August 1917. Identified front, centre is Private Cecil Hawkins a stretcher bearer with 106 Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps © IWM (Q 5935)
Plotting reference: 28C 27 28 Key feature: Boundary Road, Saint Jean, Wieltje & Oxford Road © IWM BOX 118-370-21B-28C-1918. The approximate site of the present day cemetery is indicated with an arrow.
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
Troops carrying wire over ice and mud at Wieltje, near Ypres, 18 February 1918. © IWM (Q 8512)
5339 Private
Earnest Baulch
60th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
26th September 1917, aged 33.
Plot III. A. 1.
Son of James and Annie Baulch; husband of Florence Baulch, of Talbot Rd., Maryborough, Victoria, Australia. Native of Macarthur, Victoria, Australia.
This photograph was taken approximately one week before he was killed.
Earnest Baulch
60th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
26th September 1917, aged 33.
Plot III. A. 1.
Son of James and Annie Baulch; husband of Florence Baulch, of Talbot Rd., Maryborough, Victoria, Australia. Native of Macarthur, Victoria, Australia.
This photograph was taken approximately one week before he was killed.
Second Lieutenant
Thomas Brew, D. C. M.
2nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th October 1917, aged 21.
Plot IV. D. 3.
Son of Thomas and M. Brew, of 23, Harriet St., Croydon, South Australia. Native of Southport, England.
Thomas Brew, D. C. M.
2nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th October 1917, aged 21.
Plot IV. D. 3.
Son of Thomas and M. Brew, of 23, Harriet St., Croydon, South Australia. Native of Southport, England.
3298 Sergeant
Arthur William Currie
59th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
26th September 1917, aged 26.
Plot III. A. 8.
Son of Albert Alexander Currie and Elizabeth Currie; husband of Florence May Currie, of 43, Gooch St., Thornbury, Victoria, Australia. Native of Northcote, Victoria, Australia.
Brothers 4175 Private (Pte) Albert Alexander Currie, 7th Battalion (left); and 3298 Private (Pte) Arthur William Currie, 59th Battalion. Pte Albert Currie enlisted on 21 July 1915 and embarked for Egypt to join the 7th Battalion. In September 1916, he was transferred to the 59th Battalion in France. Pte Albert Currie was promoted to Corporal on 1 October 1916, but was killed in action on 12 December 1916. He was 23 years old and is buried at the London Cemetery and Extension. Pte Arthur Currie also enlisted on 21 July 1915, serving with the 59th Battalion. He was promoted to Sergeant on 6 August 1917, but was killed in action on 26 September 1917, in France. He was 26 years old.
Arthur William Currie
59th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
26th September 1917, aged 26.
Plot III. A. 8.
Son of Albert Alexander Currie and Elizabeth Currie; husband of Florence May Currie, of 43, Gooch St., Thornbury, Victoria, Australia. Native of Northcote, Victoria, Australia.
Brothers 4175 Private (Pte) Albert Alexander Currie, 7th Battalion (left); and 3298 Private (Pte) Arthur William Currie, 59th Battalion. Pte Albert Currie enlisted on 21 July 1915 and embarked for Egypt to join the 7th Battalion. In September 1916, he was transferred to the 59th Battalion in France. Pte Albert Currie was promoted to Corporal on 1 October 1916, but was killed in action on 12 December 1916. He was 23 years old and is buried at the London Cemetery and Extension. Pte Arthur Currie also enlisted on 21 July 1915, serving with the 59th Battalion. He was promoted to Sergeant on 6 August 1917, but was killed in action on 26 September 1917, in France. He was 26 years old.
1074 Private
Geoffrey Gladstones
30th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th September 1917, aged 24.
Plot II. C. 7.
Son of John Charles and Mary C. Gladstones, of 41, Cole St., Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. Native of Talbot, Victoria.
A 22 year old clerk prior to enlistment on 7 July 1915, he embarked for overseas with A Company from Sydney on 9 November 1915 aboard HMAT Beltana. He was killed in action at Polygon Wood.
Geoffrey Gladstones
30th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th September 1917, aged 24.
Plot II. C. 7.
Son of John Charles and Mary C. Gladstones, of 41, Cole St., Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. Native of Talbot, Victoria.
A 22 year old clerk prior to enlistment on 7 July 1915, he embarked for overseas with A Company from Sydney on 9 November 1915 aboard HMAT Beltana. He was killed in action at Polygon Wood.
6792 Private
James Edward Mallinson
7th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th October 1917, aged 25.
Plot III. H. 2.
From Granville, NSW. An engineer prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard SS Port Napier on 17 November 1916. He was killed in action at Westhoek Ridge, Belgium, on 4 October 1917, aged 25.
James Edward Mallinson
7th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th October 1917, aged 25.
Plot III. H. 2.
From Granville, NSW. An engineer prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard SS Port Napier on 17 November 1916. He was killed in action at Westhoek Ridge, Belgium, on 4 October 1917, aged 25.
34264 Corporal
William Marsh
"D" Battery, 17th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
21st January 1918, aged 31.
Plot V. K. 19.
Son of Richard Marsh and Diana Marsh, of "Denton," 81, Kynder St., Denton, Manchester; husband of Ida Marsh, of 1, Eleanor Terrace, High St., Lincoln and father to Ida Eugenia and Lilian.
Pictures courtesy of Jacqueline Davies (Great Niece)
William Marsh
"D" Battery, 17th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
21st January 1918, aged 31.
Plot V. K. 19.
Son of Richard Marsh and Diana Marsh, of "Denton," 81, Kynder St., Denton, Manchester; husband of Ida Marsh, of 1, Eleanor Terrace, High St., Lincoln and father to Ida Eugenia and Lilian.
Pictures courtesy of Jacqueline Davies (Great Niece)
Sergeant
William Henry Mills
1st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
Between 2nd October and 5th October 1917, aged 31.
Plot IV. H. 9.
Son of George Alexander and Mary Ann Mills. Native of Portsmouth, England.
From Auburn, NSW. A blacksmith prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Runic (A54) on 9 August 1915. He was killed by a shellburst on 2 October 1917 in the trenches near Polygon Wood.
William Henry Mills
1st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
Between 2nd October and 5th October 1917, aged 31.
Plot IV. H. 9.
Son of George Alexander and Mary Ann Mills. Native of Portsmouth, England.
From Auburn, NSW. A blacksmith prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Runic (A54) on 9 August 1915. He was killed by a shellburst on 2 October 1917 in the trenches near Polygon Wood.
1880A Private
Leslie Gordon Purser
59th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
26th September 1917.
Plot II. H. 8.
A labourer from Chiltern Valley, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte Purser was originally due to embark for overseas service with the 11th Reinforcements, 23rd Battalion. For reasons not stated, he actually embarked with the 2nd Reinforcements, 46th battalion from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides on 4 April 1916. Later transferring to the 59th Battalion.
Leslie Gordon Purser
59th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
26th September 1917.
Plot II. H. 8.
A labourer from Chiltern Valley, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte Purser was originally due to embark for overseas service with the 11th Reinforcements, 23rd Battalion. For reasons not stated, he actually embarked with the 2nd Reinforcements, 46th battalion from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides on 4 April 1916. Later transferring to the 59th Battalion.
A working party going up at night on a duck board track through the flooded shell-holes. Wieltje, 11 January 1918. © IWM (Q 8428)
Old German line near Wieltje. February 1918. © IWM (Q 10487)
St Jean, Belgium. c. 1918. A tin of bully beef being shared by some German Army prisoners of war during the Battle of Flanders.
Battle of Pilckem Ridge. Royal Engineers carrying wood for a bridge across the Yser Canal. Note the mud and the wearing of waterproof sheets. Near Boesinghe, August 1917. © IWM (Q 5936)
