VLAMERTINGHE MILITARY CEMETERY
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.85564, Longitude: 2.81999
© Geerhard Joos
Location Information
Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery is located 5 Kms west of Ieper town centre, on the Hospitaalstraat, which is a road leading from the Poperingseweg (connecting Ieper to Poperinge).
From Ieper town centre the Poperingseweg (N308), is reached via Elverdingsestraat then straight over two small roundabouts in the J. Capronstraat. The Poperingseweg is a continuation of J. Capronstraat and begins after a prominent railway level crossing. On reaching the village of Vlamertinge ( Vlamertinge is the modern spelling of Vlamertinghe) the cemetery is located on the Hospitaalstraat, which is the second right turning after the village church. The cemetery lies 50 metres along the Hospitaalstraat on the right hand side of the road.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but may be by an alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery was started by French troops in 1914 and was taken over by Commonwealth forces in April 1915. It was used by fighting units and field ambulances until June 1917, when the land adjoining the cemetery was claimed for a military railway preventing further extension.
The cemetery is remarkable for the care with which men of the same unit were buried side by side if they died at about the same time. There is also a very high proportion of graves of Territorial units, in particular Lancashire Territorials, who have nearly 250 graves in plots IV, V and VI. During the early months of 1917, whenever it was possible, the 55th Division brought their dead from the front for burial here.
The cemetery now contains 1,175 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. The French graves were removed after the war, but three German war graves remain. There are also four Second World War burials dating from the Allied retreat to Dunkirk in May 1940.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and Arthur James Scott Hutton The wrought iron gates were presented by the family of the late Lord Redesdale, whose son, Major Mitford, is buried in the Cemetery.
Total Burials: 1,182.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,094, Canada 54, Australia 4, Germany 3, India 3, South Africa 2. Total 1,160.
World War One Unidentified Casualties: 18.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 4. Total 4.
Dedications
242895 Rifleman Joseph Greatorex, 1st/5th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment, 4th June 1917, aged 27. Son of Agnes Greatorex, of 44, Meadow Street, Moss Side, Manchester.
Remembered by Frederick Brian Greatorex, great nephew
S/2908 Private James Whittet Imrie, 9th Bn. Gordon Highlanders, killed in action on 9th July 1917. He was born in Denny, and enlisted in Bo'ness, Scotland.
Remembered by his Granddaugher Margaret Callaghan and her two sons
Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery is located 5 Kms west of Ieper town centre, on the Hospitaalstraat, which is a road leading from the Poperingseweg (connecting Ieper to Poperinge).
From Ieper town centre the Poperingseweg (N308), is reached via Elverdingsestraat then straight over two small roundabouts in the J. Capronstraat. The Poperingseweg is a continuation of J. Capronstraat and begins after a prominent railway level crossing. On reaching the village of Vlamertinge ( Vlamertinge is the modern spelling of Vlamertinghe) the cemetery is located on the Hospitaalstraat, which is the second right turning after the village church. The cemetery lies 50 metres along the Hospitaalstraat on the right hand side of the road.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but may be by an alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery was started by French troops in 1914 and was taken over by Commonwealth forces in April 1915. It was used by fighting units and field ambulances until June 1917, when the land adjoining the cemetery was claimed for a military railway preventing further extension.
The cemetery is remarkable for the care with which men of the same unit were buried side by side if they died at about the same time. There is also a very high proportion of graves of Territorial units, in particular Lancashire Territorials, who have nearly 250 graves in plots IV, V and VI. During the early months of 1917, whenever it was possible, the 55th Division brought their dead from the front for burial here.
The cemetery now contains 1,175 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. The French graves were removed after the war, but three German war graves remain. There are also four Second World War burials dating from the Allied retreat to Dunkirk in May 1940.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and Arthur James Scott Hutton The wrought iron gates were presented by the family of the late Lord Redesdale, whose son, Major Mitford, is buried in the Cemetery.
Total Burials: 1,182.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,094, Canada 54, Australia 4, Germany 3, India 3, South Africa 2. Total 1,160.
World War One Unidentified Casualties: 18.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 4. Total 4.
Dedications
242895 Rifleman Joseph Greatorex, 1st/5th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment, 4th June 1917, aged 27. Son of Agnes Greatorex, of 44, Meadow Street, Moss Side, Manchester.
Remembered by Frederick Brian Greatorex, great nephew
S/2908 Private James Whittet Imrie, 9th Bn. Gordon Highlanders, killed in action on 9th July 1917. He was born in Denny, and enlisted in Bo'ness, Scotland.
Remembered by his Granddaugher Margaret Callaghan and her two sons
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Captain Francis Octavius Grenfell, V. C.
9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers
died of wounds 24th May 1915, aged 35.
Plot II. B.14.
Son of Pascoe Du Pre Grenfell and Sophia, his wife. Educated at Eton, Francis became "Master of the Beagles" in 1898. On leaving Eton in 1899 he joined the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. He saw service in the South African War.
His headstone bears the inscription "Also to the memory of his twin brother Riversdale born 1880. Sons of Pascoe and Sofia Grenfell"
His twin brother died on 14th September 1914, aged 34. He is buried in Vendresse Churchyard in France
Citation:
An extract taken from the London Gazette dated 16th November, 1914 records the following:- "For gallantry in action against un-broken Infantry at Andregnies, Belgium, on 24th August, 1914, and for gallant conduct in assisting to save the guns of 119th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, near Doubon the same day."
Headstone
Picture © Geerhard Joos
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Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
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The original graves of Capt. Francis Octavius and his cousin Lieut. the Hon. Gerald William Grenfell, Vlamertinghe. 1915. Upon investigation by the Graves Registration Unit after the war, the cross marking Gerald William Grenfell was found to be a memorial cross only, there were no remains buried there. Gerald William Grenfell is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial. © IWM Q 51893.
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
Shot at Dawn
29219 Driver Alexander Lamb, 21st Battery, 2ndBrigade, Royal Field Artillery, executed for desertion on 2nd October 1915. Plot II. E. 12. He absented himself at Boulogne from the train bound for the front, but was arrested 8 months later in Calais where he had been living with a woman. Lamb was tried 3 months later, but executed within a fortnight thereafter. (Putkowski, p. 54)
12923 Private Albert Rickman, 1st Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, executed for desertion on 15th September 1916, aged 27. Plot IV. D. 7. Son of Charles and Anne Rickman, of 4, Carrington Terrace, Milford-on-Sea, Hants. After his battalion had taken huge casualties at Beaumont-Hamel, he deserted, being arrested some weeks later on the lines of communication. (Putkowski, p. 113)
29219 Driver Alexander Lamb, 21st Battery, 2ndBrigade, Royal Field Artillery, executed for desertion on 2nd October 1915. Plot II. E. 12. He absented himself at Boulogne from the train bound for the front, but was arrested 8 months later in Calais where he had been living with a woman. Lamb was tried 3 months later, but executed within a fortnight thereafter. (Putkowski, p. 54)
12923 Private Albert Rickman, 1st Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, executed for desertion on 15th September 1916, aged 27. Plot IV. D. 7. Son of Charles and Anne Rickman, of 4, Carrington Terrace, Milford-on-Sea, Hants. After his battalion had taken huge casualties at Beaumont-Hamel, he deserted, being arrested some weeks later on the lines of communication. (Putkowski, p. 113)
Picture © Geerjard Joos
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Picture © Geerhard Joos
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Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery probably early 1920's. The church is now under reconstruction but the graves are still marked by crosses. The grave to the bottom left of the image is that of 33189 Private, W. A. Torrance, 2nd Field Amb. Canadian Army Medical Corps. He was killed on 14th April 1916. His grave is now marked as Plot I. A. 34.
31st May 1918; Aerial image of Vlamertinghe, the church and position of the cemetery are marked with a circle and square respectively. Plotting reference: 28H 9a Key feature: Vlamertinghe: Railway. © IWM BOX 137-453-10B-28H-1918
Lieutenant
Frederick John Christison
10th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
4th December 1915, aged 20.
Plot I. D. 12.
Son of Surgeon-General Sir Alexander Christison, Bt., T.M.S., and Dame Florence Christison, of Edinburgh.
Frederick John Christison
10th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
4th December 1915, aged 20.
Plot I. D. 12.
Son of Surgeon-General Sir Alexander Christison, Bt., T.M.S., and Dame Florence Christison, of Edinburgh.
2660 Private
John William Dixon
5th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
29th December 1915, aged 19.
Plot I. C. 9.
Born 22nd. January 1896 at 31, Commercial Street, Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham. Son of Mary Jane Dixon, of Stockton-on-Tees.
Pictures courtesy of William Bennett
John William Dixon
5th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
29th December 1915, aged 19.
Plot I. C. 9.
Born 22nd. January 1896 at 31, Commercial Street, Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham. Son of Mary Jane Dixon, of Stockton-on-Tees.
Pictures courtesy of William Bennett
356676 Private
Adrian Kingsley Dorrity
1st/10th Bn. The King's, (Liverpool Regiment) - Liverpool Scottish
20th April 1917, aged 21.
Plot VI. G. 4.
Son of George Alexander Dorrity, a bookkeeper and his wife Margaret Ellen (nee Thomas). His mother wrote of his death in the family Bible, “My youngest and dearly loved boy.”
Picture courtesy of Jackie Wilson, his great niece.
Adrian Kingsley Dorrity
1st/10th Bn. The King's, (Liverpool Regiment) - Liverpool Scottish
20th April 1917, aged 21.
Plot VI. G. 4.
Son of George Alexander Dorrity, a bookkeeper and his wife Margaret Ellen (nee Thomas). His mother wrote of his death in the family Bible, “My youngest and dearly loved boy.”
Picture courtesy of Jackie Wilson, his great niece.
Lieutenant
Claude A. Felix-Brown
46th Sqdn. and General List, Royal Flying Corps
26th December 1916, aged 21.
Plot V. B. 10
Son of Ernest Henry and Ethel Mabel Felix-Brown, of 13, Leeside Crescent, Golders Green, London.
Claude A. Felix-Brown
46th Sqdn. and General List, Royal Flying Corps
26th December 1916, aged 21.
Plot V. B. 10
Son of Ernest Henry and Ethel Mabel Felix-Brown, of 13, Leeside Crescent, Golders Green, London.
Second Lieutenant
Darrell Norman O'Neale Humphrey-Davy
3rd Bn. attd. 14th Bn. Hampshire Regiment
1st February 1917.
Plot V. F. 14.
Son of Alfred and Evangeline Nelson Humphrey-Davy, of "The Red House," Bournemouth West, Hants.
Darrell Norman O'Neale Humphrey-Davy
3rd Bn. attd. 14th Bn. Hampshire Regiment
1st February 1917.
Plot V. F. 14.
Son of Alfred and Evangeline Nelson Humphrey-Davy, of "The Red House," Bournemouth West, Hants.
S/2324 Corporal
Arthur Ernest Jones
11th Bn. Rifle Brigade
16th June 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 12.
Son of David and Mary Jones; husband of Mabel Jones, of Gladstone Restaurant, Mumbles, Swansea, South Wales.
Arthur Ernest Jones
11th Bn. Rifle Brigade
16th June 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 12.
Son of David and Mary Jones; husband of Mabel Jones, of Gladstone Restaurant, Mumbles, Swansea, South Wales.
Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery
106389 Serjeant (Smith)
John Mutton
106th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
3rd June 1917
Plot VI. N. 8.
Remembered by great nephew, Terry Heard and the Heard family.
John Mutton
106th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
3rd June 1917
Plot VI. N. 8.
Remembered by great nephew, Terry Heard and the Heard family.
240045 Private
John Thomas Preston
1st/5th Bn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
16th March 1917, aged 37.
Plot VI. C. 5.
Husband of Annie Preston, of 17, Georgian Street, Farnworth, nr. Bolton, Lancs.
Click on image to enlarge
Picture courtesy of David Wright (His wife's Great Grandfather)
John Thomas Preston
1st/5th Bn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
16th March 1917, aged 37.
Plot VI. C. 5.
Husband of Annie Preston, of 17, Georgian Street, Farnworth, nr. Bolton, Lancs.
Click on image to enlarge
Picture courtesy of David Wright (His wife's Great Grandfather)
Lieutenant Colonel
Eustace Robert Ambrose Shearman
10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal (Hussars)
13th May 1915, aged 39.
Plot I. D. 7.
Husband of Sibyl Shearman, of Oakwood, Wylam, Northumberland.
Click on image to enlarge
10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars Lt Col Shearman was born in 1875 and received his commission in September 1895. He was promoted captain in 1901 and major in 1905. Lt Col Shearman saw active service during the Second Anglo-Boer War and accompanied his regiment to the Western Front on outbreak of war in 1914. Lt Col Shearman was killed, aged 39, on 13 May 1915 in the Ypres Salient.
Eustace Robert Ambrose Shearman
10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal (Hussars)
13th May 1915, aged 39.
Plot I. D. 7.
Husband of Sibyl Shearman, of Oakwood, Wylam, Northumberland.
Click on image to enlarge
10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars Lt Col Shearman was born in 1875 and received his commission in September 1895. He was promoted captain in 1901 and major in 1905. Lt Col Shearman saw active service during the Second Anglo-Boer War and accompanied his regiment to the Western Front on outbreak of war in 1914. Lt Col Shearman was killed, aged 39, on 13 May 1915 in the Ypres Salient.
Captain
Gerald Charles Stewart
10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars
13th May 1915, aged 28.
Plot I. D. 6.
Son of Sir Charles and Lady Mary Stewart, of 24, Eccleston Square, London, and Rockhill, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
Gerald Charles Stewart
10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars
13th May 1915, aged 28.
Plot I. D. 6.
Son of Sir Charles and Lady Mary Stewart, of 24, Eccleston Square, London, and Rockhill, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
1678 Serjeant
C. S. Tooms
41st Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
24th January 1917, aged 22.
Plot V. E. 15.
Son of Stephen and Ellen Tooms, of Northampton.
C. S. Tooms
41st Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
24th January 1917, aged 22.
Plot V. E. 15.
Son of Stephen and Ellen Tooms, of Northampton.
3330 Private
Herbert Francis Wallis
2nd Bn. East Surrey Regiment
27th April 1915, aged 18.
Plot II. B. 10.
Son of Mrs. M. A. Wallis, of 117, Turkey Street,
Waltham Cross, Herts.
Picture courtesy of Cousin, Nikki St-Claire
Herbert Francis Wallis
2nd Bn. East Surrey Regiment
27th April 1915, aged 18.
Plot II. B. 10.
Son of Mrs. M. A. Wallis, of 117, Turkey Street,
Waltham Cross, Herts.
Picture courtesy of Cousin, Nikki St-Claire
Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, c.1919. © Jeremy Gordon-Smith
Original grave at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery of Lieutenant, Andrew Stuart Holms, 177th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers, 1st July 1916, aged 38. Husband of Mrs. I. Holms, of 42, Eleanor Street, Troyeville, Johannesburg, South Africa. He is now buried in Plot II. D. 18. His headstone has the inscription; "Ever remembered by his loved ones in South Africa" © Jeremy Gordon-Smith
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
Damage to Vlamertinghe Church, June 1915. © IWM Q 50239
26th October 1917; Troops of the 2nd Australian Division conveyed in buses, passing through the village of Vlamertinghe, in the Ypres Reserve area in Belgium.
Damage to Vlamertinghe Church, June 1915. © IWM Q 50239
Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, 1920. © IWM Q 37271
The original grave marker of Lieutenant Frederick John Christison, 10th Bn.
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 4th December 1915, aged 20 at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, 1920. He was the son of Surgeon-General Sir Alexander Christison, Bt., T.M.S., and Dame Florence Christison, of Edinburgh. His grave is now Plot I. D. 12. The original grave marker appears to have been returned to Scotland and is now erected in New Calton Cemetery, Edinburgh on his parents grave. © IWM Q 37270
