Lancashire Cottage Cemetery
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Lancashire Cottage Cemetery, CWGC, Ploegsteert, Ypres, was begun by the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, who have eighty-four graves here, and the 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment, who have fifty-six men buried here, in November 1914. It was used as a front line cemetery until March 1916 and occasionally later. The cemetery was in German hands from 10 April to 29 September 1918 and they made a few burials in it during that spring and summer. Lawrence Farm once stood in the fields to the south of
the cemetery and was painted by Winston Churchill. This was the Battalion HQ of the 6th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers commanded by Winston Churchill from 5 January to 16 May 1916. He resigned from the Cabinet following his Gallipoli farce, and he was given the rank of Major, temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, and command of the Battalion. The front line was at Le Gheer less approximately one mile to the east of the cemetery. The 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division, held the line here in November 1914. On the 3 November Drummer Spencer Bent won his Victoria Cross near the convent in Le Gheer when he brought in several wounded men, and one man in particular Private McNulty. McNulty had been shot in both legs and lay some 30m from the German lines near the walls of the ruined convent. Bent went out and was pulling the wounded man onto his back when he lost his footing and fell over. As long as he lay flat on his back the Germans could not see Bent and by hooking his feet under the wounded mans arm pits he dragged him to safety. Opposite the cemetery is Ploegsteert Wood Learn more here
6th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, 27th Infantry Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division
There are twelve men from the 6th Battalion buried here. I have selected three men killed in action on the 26 and 27 February 1916.
On the 26 February the Battalion were in the line at Le Gheer sector in trenches T103 to 112 when at 11.30pm the British artillery shelled the German lines opposite and at the same time the German line was also bombarded with trench mortars and rifle grenades. This bombardment went on ten minutes when a ceasefire weas called at 11.40pm. the Germans replied by shelling the British lines which did not damage. During the British bombardment some the shells fell short on trench T110 killing two men and wounding one officer and four other ranks. 14824 Private John Borland, Killed in action 26 February 1916. Grave II.D.13. Son of Mrs. Janet Borland, 460 South Wellington Street, Glasgow. 19114 Private David Cuthbert, Killed in action 26 February 1916, age 26. Grave II.D.11. Husband of Sarah Hall, they married on 31 December 1914, (formerly Cuthbert), 59 Mill Street, Ayr. They had two children, David and Annie. Sarah remarried. David was employed as a Labourer when he enlisted in May 1915. On the 27 February the Battalion HQ at Lawrence Farm was shelled at noon with twenty to thirty shells and three signallers working outside were severally wounded – all three died of their wounds. 11242 Private William Johnston, Killed in action 27 February 1916, age Grave II.D.12. Son of Charles and Jane Johnston, 67 McLellan Drive, Kilmarnock. William went to France on 11 May 1915.
1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division
There are fifty-six men from the Regiment buried here. I have selected three men from the thirteen men killed in action on 19 December 1914.
On the 19 December 1914 the 1st Battalion were ordered to attack the German ‘bight in the line’ at the eastern edge of Ploegsteert Wood and were supported by the Divisional and Heavy Artillery. The attack was to be led by The Rifle Brigade and the Somerset Light Infantry and supported by the Hampshires. At 9am the artillery opened fire however, by noon they were falling short and landing in the British trenches. At 2.30pm The Rifle Brigade went forward but were held up by machine gun fire and one platoon from ‘D’ Company of the Hampshires reinforced them but they could not make any further progress. The War Diary of the Hampshires records: ‘We succeeded in gaining some ground, but owing to the state of the weather, this was found to be untenable. We captured some defended houses and succeeded in making good the EASTERN edge of PLOEGSTEERT WOOD. Major Parker was killed in the main trench whilst directing Machine gun fire.’ The Battalion casualties were recorded as ‘Killed Major Parker – 15 Other Ranks. Wounded Lieut AJCV Prendergast – 25 Other Ranks.’ Major George Hastings Parker Mentioned in Despatches, age 44, is buried in Ploegsteert Churchyard, Grave A.6. Son of Capt. G. F. Hastings Parker, R.N., and Susan M. Parker. As Acting Lieut.-Col. commanded the Battalion Sept.-December 1914.9185 Corporal Percy Tost-De-Vine Adams, age 25. Grave I.D.14. Son of Alfred and Catherine Adams, of Bute Villa, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Hants. 5816 Private Edwin Pike, ‘D’ Company, age 33. Grave II.C.3. Son of Albert and Ann Pike, of St. Marybourne, Andover, Hants. 7683 Sergeant George Frank Robert Oliver Bulstrode, ‘C’ Company, age 28. Grave II.B.1. Eldest of two sons and three daughters of Annie Emily Jane Bulstrode, and the late Alfred George Bulstrode, 98 Howard's Grove, Shirley, Southampton. George was serving in the Regiment when war was declared.
East Lancashire Regiment
There are eighty-four men from the Regiment buried here. I have selected six men from the 1st Battalion who were killed in action on 1 and 2 November 1914, and one man who was killed in action on 8 November 1914.
On the 1 November the Battalion trenches at Le Gheer were heavily shelled and the War Diary records ‘Capt E.E. Coventry killed’ and mentions no other casualties.
Captain Edgar Ernest Coventry, 1st Battalion,11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division. Killed in action 1 November 1914, age 38. Grave I.B.3. He was one of five sons and two daughters of the late Edward Coventry, and Frances Alicia Coventry, of Bolingbroke Grove, Wandsworth Common. He was gazetted to the East Lancashire Regiment in 1897 and became a Lieutenant in 1899. Served in the South African War from November 1900 to May 1902. He was promoted to Captain in July 1906. Also killed were two other ranks, 10868 Private James Battle, 1st Battalion, Killed in action 1 November 1914, age 24. Grave I.B.5. Son of John and Mary Battle, 9 Charles Row, Burnley. James was unmarried and was serving with the Battalion when they went to France on 22 August 1914. His parents were awarded a pension of 15 shillings per week (75p) under Article 21, this dealt specifically with pensions for dependent parents of deceased soldiers. The higher rate was awarded when a parent was partially or wholly dependent on their son before enlistment, often at a minimum rate of 3s. 6d. a week in 1918, or based on the amount of pre-war dependence, up to a certain maximum often 15s. a week. 7699 Private Alexander Lowe, 1st Battalion, Killed in action 1 November 1914, age 35. Grave I.B.5. He was married to Esther Emily and they lived at 70 West Street, Padiham, Lancashire with their daughter Elizabeth born in 1900. He was serving with the Battalion and went to France on 22 August 1914.
On the 2 November the Battalion was still occupying the trenches at Le Gheer and the War Diary recorded: ‘1st Bomb (MINENWERFER) fired at trenches shelling had been heavy since 2AM and continued all day. Infantry attacked on the left and were repulsed remainder of the day quiet. Capt G Clayhills DSO & 2nd Lieut T H Mathews killed.’ Lieutenant Thomas Hugh Mathews, ‘C’ Company 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division. Killed in action 2 November 1914, age 19. Grave I.B.9. Son of Mr. J. H. and Mrs. L. E. Mathews, 14 Park Crescent,
Worthing. Captain George Clayhills DSO, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division. Killed in action 2 November 1914, age 36. Grave I.B.7. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Clayhills, of Invergowrie. He was educated at Cheltenham and Trinity College, Cambridge and was commissioned in January 1899. He saw service in the South African War with the 8th Mounted Infantry and was twice Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). He was Adjutant of the Battalion from April 1906 to April 1909 and during this time was promoted to Captain.
On the 8 November the Battalion, ‘B’ and ‘C’ Companies, supported by the Battalion Machine Guns, attacked a ‘kink in the wood under Capt Goldie.’ This was in the line at Le Pelerin just north of Le Gheer crossroads, later named the ‘Birdcage’ the Battalion attack was repulsed with heavy losses and they dug in on the left edge of Ploegsteert Wood. The Battalion casualties were ‘16 killed and 31 wounded. 2nd Lieut L D
WAUD killed.’ Lieutenant Lionel Douglas Waud Mentioned in Despatches, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division. Killed in action 8 November 1914, age 19. Grave I.B.6. Son of Major W.H. and Denise C. Waud. He was the nephew of the Baron et Baronet de la Borie de la Batut, and great nephew of the late count and Countess Marie. He was educated at Holyport School and then joined the Royal Military College at Sandhurst in May 1913. He was gazetted Second Lieutenant on 8 August 1914 and joined the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. He was Mentioned in Despatches in January 1915 in connection with the action at Le Gheer. His Company commander wrote to his parents that: ‘His only fault was he would take risks. He was too tall for the trenches, and wouldn’t trouble to stoop. He was very brave, and his action – which I remember well – of running along, knocking down the rifles of his men to make them fire low, was one of the finest things I have seen out here.’ On 21 December 1915 the War Diary records ‘Lieut Hoare joined the Battalion on 21st.’ On the 25 December the War Diary recorded; ‘Christmas Day. All quiet no shots being fired at all: an informal truce being held.’ On the 2 January 1916, the Battalion was in the line at Le Gheer and the War Diary records that: ‘Sniping was heavy. Communication trenches badly flooded. 2 Lt Hoare died of wounds.’ Lieutenant P H T Hoare, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division. Killed in action 2 January 1915, age 26. Grave I.D.1. Son of Mr. H. E. Hoare, of Henley-on-Thames, He was married to Mrs. W. A. M. Cox (formerly Hoare), of Home House, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
Boy Soldiers
In the Ypres Salient, we are drawn to the graves of 6322 Private John Condon, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, killed in action in May 1915, age 14 and the youngest known battle casualty of the war, although this is now questioned, and the grave of 5750 Valentine Strudwick, 8th Rifle Brigade, killed in action in January 1916, age 15. Strudwicks grave attracts a great deal of attention because of its location at Essex Farm and that locations association with Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae and the poem ‘In Flanders Fields.’ There are many more ‘Boy Soldiers’ buried across the Salient and who are not remembered in the same way and these include three from Falkirk District Private William Jamieson, age 17, Private James Duchart, age 16, and Private Herbert Richmond, age 17, There were many reasons why under age boys enlisted in 1914 and 1915 boredom with their jobs, looking for adventure, and escaping family pressures. The checks on age and qualification to enlist were more relaxed than later in the war. The army preferred younger recruits, there was a history of boy soldiers in the army going back over one hundred years. At Waterloo the army had a number of boy soldiers in their ranks. The army preferred younger recruits as they would follow orders and accept discipline more readily than older men. The boys had a belief in their own indestructibility and were prepared to take more risks. We tend to also forget the number of boys who served in the Royal Navy and we do not seem to have the same passionate response to their service as we do those who fought on the Western Front. With regards to the army, the difference was the sheer number who served on the Western Front and there were more boy soldiers in 1915 than served in Wellington’s army at Waterloo. For further reading on this subject see Richard Van Emden’s excellent book Boy Soldiers of the Great War. There are four Boy Soldiers buried in Lancashire Cottage Cemetery. 2753 Private Wilfred Hubert Dix. 1st/4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, 145th Infantry Brigade, 48th Division. Killed in action 16 April 1915, age 17. Grave I.F.13. Son of Harry and Mary Ann Dix, 35 Armour Road, Tilehurst, Reading. The Battalion took over the trenches at Le Gheer on 15 April reliving the 1st Battalion Hampshires. On the 16 April the War Diary records: ‘Held the same section. (Casualties 1 killed 12 wounded).’
1859 Private Oliver Henry Badman. 1st/4th (City of Bristol) Battalion Gloucester Regiment, 144th Infantry Brigade, 48th Division. Killed in action 27 April 1915, age 17. Grave I.F.9. Son of Mrs. G. O. Badman, 3 Alma Street, Stapleton Road, Bristol. The Battalion was in the line on 16 April and at 5.30pm the Germans fired two rifle grenades into ‘A’ Company trenches and one grenade into ‘B’ Company trench. Six men of ‘A’ Company were wounded, two seriously. The War Diary recording: ‘No.1859 Pte O.H. Badman died during the night.’ 2920 Private Harold Ewart Stenner. ‘D’ Company1st/4th (City of Bristol) Battalion Gloucester Regiment, 144th Infantry Brigade, 48th Division. Killed in action 1 May 1915, age 16. Grave I.F.8. Son of Edward and M. Elizabeth Stenner, 70 Avonleigh Road, The Chessels, Bedminster, Bristol. On the 30 April the Battalion was in the line at the convent trenches the War Diary recording at 7.30am: ‘No 2920 Pte H E Stenner wounded seriously head – also No.25 Sergt W T Bradley – ‘C’ Coy Seriously wounded at 7.30am. Both rifle fire.’ On the 1 May the Battalion was in billets at Nieppe and the War Diary records that: ‘No.2920 Pte H. E. Stenner of ‘D’ Company died of wounds received 30.4.15.’ 28111 Bugler Morgan Dudley. ‘D’ Company 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada), 3rd Canadian Brigade, 1st Canadian Division. Killed in action 29 September 1915, age 17. Grave II.D.7. Son of Henry Charles Dudley, 707 Pape Avenue, Toronto. He enlisted on 22 September 1914 and stated his age as ‘July 8’ and claimed that he had served for 3 years in 48 Highlanders. His medical form records his age as ‘16’ and he was taken on the strength of the 15th Battalion as a Bugler. On the 29 September 1915, the Battalion was in the line at the Convent trenches with the War Diary recording at 9am: ‘Enemy artillery active shelling Convent and reserve trenches, small damage, killing one and wounding another.’ Morgan was killed in a communication trench by a shrapnel shell with his records recording that: ‘Buried in Cemetery South Side of road leading east ½ mile from Plugstreet.’
Location
Lancashire Cottage Cemetery is located 13.5 Kms south of Ieper town centre on a road leading from the N365 connecting Ieper to Wijtschate, Mesen, Ploegsteert and on to Armentieres. From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg. On reaching the village of Ploegsteert the first left hand turning leads onto the rue de Ploegsteert. The cemetery lies 1 Km along the rue de Ploegsteert on the right hand side of the road.
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.
Burials
The cemetery contains 256 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.
UK – 229 (includes 3 unnamed and two Special Memorials)
Australian 23
Canadian – 2
German - 13
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