WESTHOF FARM CEMETERY
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.7373 Longitude: 2.80557
Location Information
Westhof Farm Cemetery is located 13.5 Kms south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Kemmelseweg N 331, which connects Ieper to Kemmel and on to Nieuwkerke.
From Ieper town centre the Kemmelseweg is reached via the Rijselsestraat, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and straight on towards Armentieres (N365). 900 metres after the crossroads is the right hand turning onto the Kemmelseweg (made prominent by a railway level crossing). After passing the village of Kemmel the N331 continues for 4 Kms towards Nieuwkerke. On reaching Nieuwkerke the N331 continues on as Seulestraat. 1.5 Kms along this road lies the right hand turning onto the Eikelstraat. The cemetery is located 1.4 Kms along the Eikelstraat on the left hand side of the road.
Historical Information
Westhof Farm was used by the New Zealand Division as headquarters in May and June 1917.
The cemetery was begun in May 1917 and used by fighting units and field ambulances until April 1918, when it passed into German hands for five months.
There are now 131 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery, including special memorials to six casualties whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. There are also five German war graves in the cemetery.
Total Burials: 136.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 73, Australia 43, New Zealand 14, Germany 5, Canada 1. Total 136.
The cemetery was designed by George Hartley Goldsmith.
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
Captain
Arthur Ronald Backus, M. C.
1st Bn. attd. 8th Bn. Rifle Brigade
23rd September 1917, aged 23.
Plot II. E. 7.
Son of the late Jacob Backus and of Carolina Backus, of "By-the-Way," Canford Cliffs, Bournemouth. Native of Lima, Peru, South America.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Remembrance Of Happiness Given. Mother, Sisters, Brothers."
Arthur Ronald Backus, M. C.
1st Bn. attd. 8th Bn. Rifle Brigade
23rd September 1917, aged 23.
Plot II. E. 7.
Son of the late Jacob Backus and of Carolina Backus, of "By-the-Way," Canford Cliffs, Bournemouth. Native of Lima, Peru, South America.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Remembrance Of Happiness Given. Mother, Sisters, Brothers."
10613 Gunner
William Leslie Clover (Served as King)
New Zealand Field Artillery
3rd June 1917, aged 20.
Plot II. A. 3.
Son of the Rev. J. and Mrs. S. Clover, of England.
William Leslie Clover (Served as King)
New Zealand Field Artillery
3rd June 1917, aged 20.
Plot II. A. 3.
Son of the Rev. J. and Mrs. S. Clover, of England.
241 Trooper
Harry Izod Coldicott
4th Australian Light Horse
7th June 1917.
Plot I. C. 11.
Harry Izod Coldicott
4th Australian Light Horse
7th June 1917.
Plot I. C. 11.
4097 Sergeant
Charles Entwistle Dean
28th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
12th December 1917, aged 24.
Plot II. D. 5.
Son of William Henry and Elizabeth Adelina Dean, of Charles St., Midland Junction, Western Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Blessed Are The Departed Who In The Lord Are Sleeping."
Of Midland Junction, WA. Born in Bolton, England, he worked as a clerk before enlisting on 10 January 1916. He embarked from Fremantle as a Private with the 10th Reinforcements on HMAT Ulysses on 1 April 1916. He was appointed Acting Corporal on 18 November 1916, and this rank was made permanent on 24 January 1917. On 4 June 1917 he was appointed Temporary Sergeant. On 12 December 1917 he was hit by shrapnel when German aircraft bombed Aldershot Camp, near Neuve Eglise. He died of his wounds on the same day. He was 24 years old. His brother, 925 Private (Pte) Jack Dean, 32nd Battalion, had been killed in action at Fleurbaix on 19 July 1916. He is commemorated at the V. C. Corner Australian Cemetery.
Charles Entwistle Dean
28th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
12th December 1917, aged 24.
Plot II. D. 5.
Son of William Henry and Elizabeth Adelina Dean, of Charles St., Midland Junction, Western Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Blessed Are The Departed Who In The Lord Are Sleeping."
Of Midland Junction, WA. Born in Bolton, England, he worked as a clerk before enlisting on 10 January 1916. He embarked from Fremantle as a Private with the 10th Reinforcements on HMAT Ulysses on 1 April 1916. He was appointed Acting Corporal on 18 November 1916, and this rank was made permanent on 24 January 1917. On 4 June 1917 he was appointed Temporary Sergeant. On 12 December 1917 he was hit by shrapnel when German aircraft bombed Aldershot Camp, near Neuve Eglise. He died of his wounds on the same day. He was 24 years old. His brother, 925 Private (Pte) Jack Dean, 32nd Battalion, had been killed in action at Fleurbaix on 19 July 1916. He is commemorated at the V. C. Corner Australian Cemetery.
8/998 Lance Corporal
John Patrick Egan, D. C. M.
1st Bn. Otago Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
7th June 1917.
Plot II. B. 9.
John Patrick Egan, D. C. M.
1st Bn. Otago Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
7th June 1917.
Plot II. B. 9.
21244 Private
Reuben Flaxman
2nd Bn. Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
6th June 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. B. 4.
Son of Joseph and Ann Flaxman, of Middlesex, England.
Reuben Flaxman
2nd Bn. Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
6th June 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. B. 4.
Son of Joseph and Ann Flaxman, of Middlesex, England.
4649 Private
John Robert Freer
52nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
9th June 1917, aged 20.
Plot II. B. 15.
Son of William Francis and Mary Freer, of Devonport, Tasmania. Native of Northdown.
A labourer from Sassafras, Tasmania prior to enlistment, Pte Freer embarked with the 14th Reinforcements from Melbourne aboard HMAT Warilda on 8 February 1916. On 9 June 1917, aged 20 and following his transfer to the 52nd Battalion, he died of wounds received in action.
John Robert Freer
52nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
9th June 1917, aged 20.
Plot II. B. 15.
Son of William Francis and Mary Freer, of Devonport, Tasmania. Native of Northdown.
A labourer from Sassafras, Tasmania prior to enlistment, Pte Freer embarked with the 14th Reinforcements from Melbourne aboard HMAT Warilda on 8 February 1916. On 9 June 1917, aged 20 and following his transfer to the 52nd Battalion, he died of wounds received in action.
24008 Private
Charles Noel Green
2nd Bn. Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
9th June 1917.
Plot II. B. 14.
Charles Noel Green
2nd Bn. Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
9th June 1917.
Plot II. B. 14.
13011 Rifleman
Frederick George Havill
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
7th June 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. B. 10.
Son of George Frederick and Miranda Havill, of Otahuha, Auckland, New Zealand.
Frederick George Havill
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
7th June 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. B. 10.
Son of George Frederick and Miranda Havill, of Otahuha, Auckland, New Zealand.
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129 Private
Harold Heath
48th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
3rd June 1917, aged 34.
Plot II. A. 5.
Son of Annie Heath, of Macclesfield, South Australia, and the late Edward Heath. Native of Mount Lofty.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Greater Love Hath No Man To Lay Down His Life For His Friends; Annie Heath."
Harold Heath
48th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
3rd June 1917, aged 34.
Plot II. A. 5.
Son of Annie Heath, of Macclesfield, South Australia, and the late Edward Heath. Native of Mount Lofty.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Greater Love Hath No Man To Lay Down His Life For His Friends; Annie Heath."
92777 Corporal
Percy John Keen
216th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers
4th June 1917, aged 41.
Plot II. A. 8.
Husband of Minnie Keen, of 10, Moorland View, Bois Moor Rd., Chesham, Bucks.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Soldier And A Man"
Click on image to enlarge
Percy was in a section of the company with a working party from the 4th New Zealand Infantry on a water supply line near Stinking Farm. They were on the front just below Messines village and came under machine gun and artillery fire, Percy was severely wounded by shrapnel but never regained consciousness. The party carried Percy's body when they took cover behind some farm buildings. On bringing his body back to camp on a stretcher he was sewn up in his blanket and buried here the following morning. His CO Captain Cook in a letter expressing sympathy of his fellow officers and men wrote: I had a great regard for Percy and looked upon him as one of my best men. His sense of devotion to duty was an example to us all and he was always willing and cheerful. He left a wife Minnie and five children Jack, Doris, Gwen, Mary and Geoff.
Image and additional text provided by Martin Keen (Grandson)
Percy John Keen
216th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers
4th June 1917, aged 41.
Plot II. A. 8.
Husband of Minnie Keen, of 10, Moorland View, Bois Moor Rd., Chesham, Bucks.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Soldier And A Man"
Click on image to enlarge
Percy was in a section of the company with a working party from the 4th New Zealand Infantry on a water supply line near Stinking Farm. They were on the front just below Messines village and came under machine gun and artillery fire, Percy was severely wounded by shrapnel but never regained consciousness. The party carried Percy's body when they took cover behind some farm buildings. On bringing his body back to camp on a stretcher he was sewn up in his blanket and buried here the following morning. His CO Captain Cook in a letter expressing sympathy of his fellow officers and men wrote: I had a great regard for Percy and looked upon him as one of my best men. His sense of devotion to duty was an example to us all and he was always willing and cheerful. He left a wife Minnie and five children Jack, Doris, Gwen, Mary and Geoff.
Image and additional text provided by Martin Keen (Grandson)
33001 Private
James Walter Lyons
2nd Bn. Otago Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
7th June 1917.
Plot II. B. 7.
James Walter Lyons
2nd Bn. Otago Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
7th June 1917.
Plot II. B. 7.
Images in gallery below © Geerhard Joos
British cavalry unit crossing a bridge over a communication trench up which some Australian signallers are going near Neuve Eglise, 7 May 1917. © IWM (Q 6183)
2355 Private
George Henry Mason
42nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st August 1917.
Plot I. D. 15.
Son of William George and Elizabeth Ann Mason. Native of Gayndah, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "No Word Of Comfort Could We Give To Him We Loved So Well."
George Henry Mason
42nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st August 1917.
Plot I. D. 15.
Son of William George and Elizabeth Ann Mason. Native of Gayndah, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "No Word Of Comfort Could We Give To Him We Loved So Well."
1903 Driver
Richard McGrath
13th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
12th December 1917, aged 33.
Plot II. D. 7.
Son of Patrick and Margaret McGrath, of Raff St., Toowoomba, Queensland. Native of Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Have Mercy Upon Him Lord And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him."
5425 Gunner, A. P. Munroe gave the following details;
"I saw him killed at Neuve-Eglise. He was out doing stable picquet, when he was caught by pieces of an aerial bomb, which hit him about the head. Death was instantaneous. I knew him well, he came from Queensland, he was buried in the cemetery at Westhof. I saw the grave, which was marked with a cross, bearing his number, name and unit."
Richard McGrath
13th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
12th December 1917, aged 33.
Plot II. D. 7.
Son of Patrick and Margaret McGrath, of Raff St., Toowoomba, Queensland. Native of Co. Kilkenny, Ireland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Have Mercy Upon Him Lord And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him."
5425 Gunner, A. P. Munroe gave the following details;
"I saw him killed at Neuve-Eglise. He was out doing stable picquet, when he was caught by pieces of an aerial bomb, which hit him about the head. Death was instantaneous. I knew him well, he came from Queensland, he was buried in the cemetery at Westhof. I saw the grave, which was marked with a cross, bearing his number, name and unit."
506 Private
Edward Stanley McMillan
35th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th July 1917, aged 23.
Plot I. D. 13.
Son of Duncan and Caroline McMillan, of Nowra Hill, Nowra, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Deeply Mourned By Parents Brothers & Sisters; For Ever With The Lord."
469 Corporal, D. Jones gave the following details;
"I saw him wounded at Messines, he was caught by a shell, fragments of which hit him about the head and body wounding him very badly. He was taken to the dressing station close by where he died soon after admission. He was conscious when taken away and seemed to be very cheerful. He shook hands with me and said goodbye. He did not seem to be suffering any great pain. I knew him very well, I wrote to his mother. I saw his grave behind Messines Ridge and it was marked with a cross, bearing his number, name and unit."
Edward Stanley McMillan
35th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th July 1917, aged 23.
Plot I. D. 13.
Son of Duncan and Caroline McMillan, of Nowra Hill, Nowra, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Deeply Mourned By Parents Brothers & Sisters; For Ever With The Lord."
469 Corporal, D. Jones gave the following details;
"I saw him wounded at Messines, he was caught by a shell, fragments of which hit him about the head and body wounding him very badly. He was taken to the dressing station close by where he died soon after admission. He was conscious when taken away and seemed to be very cheerful. He shook hands with me and said goodbye. He did not seem to be suffering any great pain. I knew him very well, I wrote to his mother. I saw his grave behind Messines Ridge and it was marked with a cross, bearing his number, name and unit."
21256 Driver
David McPherson
7th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
23rd July 1917, aged 27.
Plot I. D. 11.
Son of Russell and Annie McPherson, of "Springfield," Sandgate, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Lived And Died For Good."
David McPherson
7th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
23rd July 1917, aged 27.
Plot I. D. 11.
Son of Russell and Annie McPherson, of "Springfield," Sandgate, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Lived And Died For Good."
66804 Gunner
Ernest Dale Ogle
91st Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
5th June 1917, aged 23.
Plot II. A. 9.
Son of David and Sarah Ogle, of 10, Pike Hill, Brunshaw, Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Until The Day Breaks And The Shadows Flee Away."
Ernest Dale Ogle
91st Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
5th June 1917, aged 23.
Plot II. A. 9.
Son of David and Sarah Ogle, of 10, Pike Hill, Brunshaw, Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Until The Day Breaks And The Shadows Flee Away."
3898 Driver
Charles Christian Olsen
4th Div. Ammunition Col. Australian Field Artillery
12th June 1917.
Plot II. C. 10.
From Nar Nar Goon, Vic, who enlisted on 14 July 1915 and embarked aboard HMAT Warilda on 8 February 1916. On 12 June 1917 he was killed in action at Westhof Farm in the Ypres area of Belgium while serving with the 4th Divisional Ammunition Column, Australian Field Artillery.
Charles Christian Olsen
4th Div. Ammunition Col. Australian Field Artillery
12th June 1917.
Plot II. C. 10.
From Nar Nar Goon, Vic, who enlisted on 14 July 1915 and embarked aboard HMAT Warilda on 8 February 1916. On 12 June 1917 he was killed in action at Westhof Farm in the Ypres area of Belgium while serving with the 4th Divisional Ammunition Column, Australian Field Artillery.
Captain
James Peat
44th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th June 1917.
Plot I. D. 4.
James Peat
44th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th June 1917.
Plot I. D. 4.
3279 Driver
Alexander Thwaites
51st Bty. 13th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
12th December 1917, aged 27.
Plot II. D. 11.
Son of Thomas and Ruth Thwaites; husband of Martha Thwaites, of 140, Phillip St., Sydney, New South Wales. Native of Hind marsh, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Greater Love Hath No Man That He Lay Down His Life For His Friends."
Alexander Thwaites
51st Bty. 13th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
12th December 1917, aged 27.
Plot II. D. 11.
Son of Thomas and Ruth Thwaites; husband of Martha Thwaites, of 140, Phillip St., Sydney, New South Wales. Native of Hind marsh, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Greater Love Hath No Man That He Lay Down His Life For His Friends."
20616 Private
Manu Tuki
New Zealand Pioneer Battalion
7th June 1917, aged 22.
Plot II. B. 2.
Son of Tuki Haukore and his wife Merepaea Paratmeo.
Manu Tuki
New Zealand Pioneer Battalion
7th June 1917, aged 22.
Plot II. B. 2.
Son of Tuki Haukore and his wife Merepaea Paratmeo.
43846 Gunner
Alfred Whelan
5th Bty. New Zealand Field Artillery
10th April 1918, aged 21.
Sp. Mem. 4.
Son of Thomas and Helena Whelan, of 25, Springhill Rd., Mornington, Dunedin, New Zealand.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out."
Alfred Whelan
5th Bty. New Zealand Field Artillery
10th April 1918, aged 21.
Sp. Mem. 4.
Son of Thomas and Helena Whelan, of 25, Springhill Rd., Mornington, Dunedin, New Zealand.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out."
Shot at Dawn
A/201225 Rifleman Thomas Donovan, 16th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed for desertion 31st October 1917, aged 20. Plot II. D. 14. A conscript in the ‘Church Lads Brigade’, he was sentenced to 6 months’ detention for desertion after the end of the Battle of the Somme. 18 months later, Donovan absented himself again — only to be arrested soon afterwards in Amiens. 3 days after his conviction he escaped, & was arrested — again in Amiens — over a month later. On being returned to his battalion, he escaped once more, having attacked his guard whom he tied up & gagged. About a month later, he was arrested masquerading as a Belgian labourer. At his trial 6 weeks later (where he was unrepresented), he stated that his sister had begged him to come home after 2 of his brothers had been killed on the Somme. (Putkowski, pp. 212-213)
A/201225 Rifleman Thomas Donovan, 16th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed for desertion 31st October 1917, aged 20. Plot II. D. 14. A conscript in the ‘Church Lads Brigade’, he was sentenced to 6 months’ detention for desertion after the end of the Battle of the Somme. 18 months later, Donovan absented himself again — only to be arrested soon afterwards in Amiens. 3 days after his conviction he escaped, & was arrested — again in Amiens — over a month later. On being returned to his battalion, he escaped once more, having attacked his guard whom he tied up & gagged. About a month later, he was arrested masquerading as a Belgian labourer. At his trial 6 weeks later (where he was unrepresented), he stated that his sister had begged him to come home after 2 of his brothers had been killed on the Somme. (Putkowski, pp. 212-213)
Picture © Geerhard Joos
Ruined village of Dranoutre. © IWM (Q 388)
Typical French farm near Neuve Eglise, January 1915. © IWM (Q 53118)
