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ZEEBRUGGE CHURCHYARD AND ZEEBRUGGE MEMORIAL
​​​
West-Vlaanderen

​Belgium


GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 51.33217, Longitude: 3.20767

Location Information

Zeebrugge Churchyard is located in the Port town of Zeebrugge itself on the Sint Donaasstraat. The cemetery is approached via the N34 Kustlaan which passes through the town of Zeebrugge.

Having passed the ferry port terminal continue northwards along the N34 (following the route of the tramlines) for 1.5 km. Sint Donaas church is a large red brick building with a slate roof. Having seen the church on the right hand side, turn right of the N34 onto the Sint Donaas kerk straat. The Commission cemetery is at the far right side of the churchyard surrounded by a red brick wall.


Visiting Information

Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.


Historical Information

The port of Zeebrugge was used by the British Expeditionary Force in October 1914, and bombed by Commonwealth and French aeroplanes thereafter. On 23 April 1918, British sailors and marines, in a collection of monitors, destroyers, motorboats, launches, old cruisers, old submarines and Mersey ferry-boats attacked the mole at Zeebrugge and attempted to block the canal leading to Bruges and to the German submarine headquarters.

There are 30 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in ZEEBRUGGE CHURCHYARD. 17 of the burials are unidentified but a special memorial commemorated an officer of the Royal Naval Air Service officer known to be buried among them.

Total Burials: 205.

World War One Identified Casualties: Germany 172, United Kingdom 13. Total 185.

World War One Unidentified Casualties: 20.

Within the churchyard is the ZEEBRUGGE MEMORIAL which commemorates three officers and one mechanic of the Royal Navy who died on the mole at Zeebrugge and have no known grave.


Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos

Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard

Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem

Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
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Some of the Individual Graves

Pictures © Werner Van Caneghem

Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard
Zeebrugge Churchyard

Zeebrugge Memorial

Picture © Geerhard Joos
​
​

Zeebrugge Memorial
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Lieutenant Commander Arthur Leyland Harrison, V. C.
H. M. S. Lion (H. M. S. Vindictive, Zeebrugge Raid), Royal Navy
died 23rd April 1918, aged 32
.

Son of the late Lt. Col. A. J. Harrison (Royal Fusiliers) and the late Adelaide Ellen Harrison. Member of the England Rugby Football Team of 1914.

Citation: 

​
An extract from the "London Gazette," dated 14th March, 1919, records the following:-" For most conspicuous gallantry at Zeebrugge on the night of the 22nd-23rd April, 1918. This officer was in immediate command of the Naval Storming Parties embarked in 'Vindictive'. Immediately before coming alongside the Mole Lieut.-Commander Harrison was struck on the head by a fragment of a shell which broke his jaw and knocked him senseless. Recovering consciousness he proceeded on to the Mole and took over command of his party, who were attacking the seaward end of the Mole. The silencing of the guns on the Mole head was of the first importance, and though in a position fully exposed to the enemy's machine-gun fire Lieut.-Commander Harrison gathered his men together and led them to the attack. He was killed at the head of his men, all of whom were either killed or wounded. Lieut.-Commander Harrison, though already severely wounded and undoubtedly in great pain, displayed indomitable resolution and courage of the highest order in pressing his attack, knowing as he did that any delay in silencing the guns might jeopardise the main object of the expedition, i.e., the blocking of the Zeebrugge-Bruges Canal. "

Picture
Wing Commander
Frank Arthur Brock O. B. E. 
Royal Navy (Zeebrugge Raid) 
died 23rd April 1918.

​Son of Arthur Brock, of Haredon Sutton, Surrey; husband of Gladys Grosvenor Brock (two daughters, Anne and Francesca). Served on the Board of Inventions and Research. Founded, organised and commanded R.N. Experimental Station at Stratford. Invented The Brock anti-Zeppelin Bullet, Colour Filter, Dover Flare and Smoke Apparatus. devised, developed and superintended the use of the Smoke Screen employed in the attack on Zeebrugge, where he joined a storming party on the Mole and lost his life.

Other names on Memorial
​

Lieutenant Claude Ernest Vincent Hawkings, H.M.S. "Erin" (H.M.S. "Iris," Zeebrugge Raid)., died 23rd April 1918, aged 22. Son of Percy and Leonore Hawkings of 21, Adelaide Crescent Hove, Brighton. Served on H.M.S. "Orion" at Battle of Jutland.
​

F/50269(CH) Mechanic 2nd Class, John Rouse, Royal Navy, H.M.S. "Myncs" (Zeebrugge Raid)., died 23rd April 1918, aged 18. Son of William H. Rouse, of 7, Sheep St., Birmingham.

​

NEARBY CWGC CEMETERIES & MEMORIALS
​

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NIEUWMUNSTER CHURCHYARD

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​© COPYRIGHT TERENCE HEARD AND BRENT WHITTAM
​ 2005-2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
.​
Disclaimer 

The casualty numbers for each cemetery and G. P. S. Coordinates are taken from the C. W. G. C. site. We are aware that there can be discrepancies in the burial numbers quoted due to rededication burials.

  • Home
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  • Belgium
    • Commonwealth Cemeteries in Belgium in Alphabetical Order
    • Commonwealth Cemeteries in Belgium >
      • HAINAUT
      • WEST-VLAANDEREN
      • OTHER BELGIAN DEPARTMENTS
    • BELGIAN MILITARY CEMETERIES
    • MEMORIALS IN BELGIUM
  • France
    • Commonwealth Cemeteries in France in Alphabetical Order
    • Commonwealth Cemeteries in France >
      • AISNE
      • MARNE
      • NORD
      • OISE
      • PAS DE CALAIS
      • SEINE-ET-MARNE
      • SEINE-MARITIME
      • SOMME
      • OTHER FRENCH DEPARTMENTS
    • FRENCH CEMETERIES WORLDWIDE
    • Memorials in France
  • Gallipoli
  • Other CWGC Countries
  • GERMAN CEMETERIES
  • OTHER WAR AND MILITARY CEMETERIES
  • Architects
  • Shot at Dawn
  • Victoria Cross
  • Miscellaneous
  • Regimental Badges
  • "Silent Cities" Revisited