Menin Road South Military Cemetery
Updated: Oct 19
Menin Road South Military Cemetery. The Menin Road ran east and a little south from Ypres (now Ieper) to a front line which varied only a few kilometres during the greater part of the war. The position of this cemetery was always within the Allied lines. It was first used in January 1916 by the 8th South Staffordshires, 51st Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division and the 9th East Surreys, 72nd Brigade, 24th Division, and it continued to be used by units and Field Ambulances until the summer of 1918. The cemetery was increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from isolated positions on the battlefields to the east. The Royal Canadian Regiment and the Royal Highlanders of Canada set up wooden memorials in this cemetery to their dead in the Battle of Mount Sorrel, June 1916 (these were removed when the cemetery was constructed).
Cemeteries concentrated here
MENIN ROAD NORTH MILITARY CEMETERY was on the North side of the road at almost the same point. It was used by the units and Field Ambulances of another Corps from May 1915 to August 1916, and again to a small extent in 1917 and 1918. It contained the graves of 130 soldiers from the United Kingdom, three from Canada, and three from Newfoundland. The grave of one of the British dead 13460 Private Frederick William Dicken, 8th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, 51st Infantry Brigade, 17th Division. Killed in action 30 November 1915, age 26. Grave III.E.18. Son of Adrian and Alice Dicken, 5 Hall Street, West Bromwich. He was employed as a Labourer at the Daimler Motor Company factory in West Bromwich when he enlisted on the outbreak of the war. On the 30 November 1915 the Battalion was in the line at Railway Wood on Bellewaarde Ridge and they were heavily shelled throughout the day with casualties recorded of ‘5 killed, 4 wounded.’ His original grave was captured in an image of the cemetery taken in August 1919.
Victoria Cross holder buried here
2nd Lieutenant (acting Captain) Thomas Riversdale Colyer-Fergusson, 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, 24th Brigade, 8th Division. Age 21. Died 31 July 1917. Grave II.E.1. The son of Thomas Colyer Fergusson and the late Beatrice Stanley Colyer Fergusson, of Iightham Mote, Sevenoaks, Kent. Born in London. His brother Max Christian Hamilton Colyer-Fergusson fell in the 1939-1945 War. An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30272, dated 4th Sept. 1917; records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and determination in attack. The tactical situation having developed contrary to expectation, it was not possible for his company to adhere to the original plan of deployments and owing to the difficulties of the ground and to enemy wire, Captain Colyer Fergusson found himself with a Serjeant and five men only. He carried out the attack nevertheless and succeeded in capturing the enemy trench and disposing of the garrison. His party was then threatened by a heavy counter-attack from the left front, but this attack he successfully resisted. During this operation, assisted by his Orderly only, he attacked and captured an enemy machine gun and turned it on the assailants, many of whom were killed and a large number driven into the hands of an adjoining British unit. Later, assisted only by his Serjeant, he again attacked and captured a second enemy machine gun, by which time he had been joined by other portions of his company, and was enabled to consolidate his position. The conduct of this officer throughout forms an amazing record of dash, gallantry and skill, for which no reward can be too great, having regard to the importance of the position won. This gallant officer was shortly afterwards killed by a sniper."
Talbot House Connection – There are four men buried here who visited Toc-H
Two of the four are from the same Regiment.
Second Lieutenant Charles Henry Tisdall, Mentioned in Despatches, ‘A’ Company, 9th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, 73rd Infantry Brigade, 24th Division. Killed in action 13 February 1916, age 18. Grave I.G.3. Youngest son of Archibald Walter and Elizabeth Amy Tisdall, 26 Baskerville Road, Wandsworth Common, London. He was educated at Tonbridge School and was member of the school Officer Training Corps and left school at the age of 17 in the summer of 1914. On the outbreak of war he tried to join the army but was too young and had to wait until he was 18. On 1 April 1915, now 18, he was gazetted as a Second Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment and was then attached to the 9th Reserve Battalion and went to France on 7 October 1915 and he was transferred to the 9th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. On the 13 February the Battalion was in the line at Bellewaarde Ridge and their trenches were being subjected to heavy enemy artillery fire which blew in part of the trench that Tisdall’s platoon was occupying burying one of the men alive. Tisdall succeeded in digging the man out but was shot by a sniper. He was recommended for a V.C. but was Mentioned in Despatches on 30 April 1916. Second Lieutenant George Le Blanc De Wolf, 3rd Battalion attached 9th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, 73rd Infantry Brigade, 24th Division. Killed in action 14 February 1916, age 36. Grave I.G.3. Son of William Henry and Constance De Wolf, of Oxton, Cheshire. His mother died shortly after his birth. Both his father and grandfather were prominent merchants and shipowners. He studied assaying at the London Metallurgical Works in Chelsea. In 1898, he moved to Australia, spending eight years working as a metallurgist and assayer. His work primarily involved cyanide processing operations across several notable gold facilities, including the Great Boulder Perseverance Gold Mine and the South Kalgurli Gold Mines in Western Australia. On the outbreak of war he returned to England and was gazetted as Second Lieutenant and joined the 9th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. On the 14 February the Battalion was in the line at Bellewaarde Ridge when the Germans blew two mines on their front line trench. The craters were immediately seized by ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies and a German attack was repulsed with the War Diary recording that the ‘C.O. showed remarkable gallantry and coolness and gave 3 cheers for the Germans when they attacked.’ ‘A’ platoon of ‘D’ Company was completely buried alive with ‘B’ Company also suffering heavily. The night was spent consolidating the craters. The War Diary records that ‘2nd Lt De Wolf was killed..’
Lieutenant Daniel Dickenson Hudson-Kinahan, 2nd Battalion Irish
Guards, 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. Killed in action 9 April 1916, age 38. Grave I.H.24. Son of Sir Edward Hudson Hudson-Kinahan, Bart. and Lady Emily Isabella Hudson-Kinahan. He was educated at Cheam and Eton. During the South African War he served in the Irish Yeomanry, and at the outbreak of WW1 he was gazetted on 28 August 1914 as a Second Lieutenant and joined the Scottish Horse, and was with them until he transferred to the Irish Guards, in August 1915. On the 9 April the Battalion was in the line at Bellewaarde Ridge and reported that the day was quiet but with a little shelling of front communication trenches at night and the enemy machine-guns and snipers were unusually active. The War Diary records: ‘We had a most unfortunate loss in the death of Lieut. Hudson-Kinahan, who was shot through the head by a sniper early this morning. A hard working officer, he was popular with all ranks and could be ill-spared.’ There was also one Other Rank killed and one wounded. Second Lieutenant Lewis James Stribling, 329th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery attached
to the 10th Heavy Artillery Group. Killed in action 13 November 1917, age 26. Grave III.M.17. Son of Mrs. A. M. Stribling, 53 Headland Park, Plymouth, and the late Mr. L. T. Stribling. They also had a daughter. He attended Borough Road College, Southwark, training to be a teacher graduating with an Intermediate Sciences qualification. He was employed as a maths teacher at Clifton Road School, Birmingham after leaving the college. Stribling enlisted in September 1914 into the Royal Engineers and rose to the rank of Corporal before being gazetted as a Second Lieutenant on 3 August 1917 and joining the 329th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. The Battery was in the Elverdinghe area and was equipped with 6-inch Howitzers which were used for destroying enemy blockhouses and bunkers as well as counter-battery fire. The guns were the target of enemy fire as well as enemy aircraft attacks.
7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, 51st Infantry Brigade, 17th Division
There are thirty eight men from the Lincolnshire Regiments Battalions, in particular the 7th Battalion, buried here killed in action between July and December 1915. They were originally buried in the Menin Road North Cemetery and their bodies exhumed and reburied here. On the 19 December the Battalion was in the line at Bellewaarde Ridge and they were being subjected to heavy artillery barrages that were described as ‘…intensive, impossible to hear conversations. There was no gas.’ One officer and two Other Ranks were reported killed, one of the Other Ranks was 17 years old See Boy
soldiers below. Second Lieutenant Frank Leslie Nightingale, Killed in action 19 December, age 34. Grave III.E.3. Eldest of three sons of Leonard and Agnes Nightingale, 14 Rodenhurst Road, Clapham Park, London. He was educated at Richmond House School, Dulwich College, and London University. He returned to Dulwich College in 1906 to take up the post of Assistant Master and also served as Principal Master for drawing as well as organising and coaching the College cricket team. He enlisted in September 1914 in the Rifle Brigade and was promoted to Lance Corporal in January 1915 and went to France. He was commissioned and gazetted as a Second Lieutenant tin November 1915 and joined the 7th Battalion. 14850 Corporal Frederick Chapman Todd, age 22, Grave Menin Road North Memorial 30. Son of Thomas and Mary Ann Todd, Tongue End, Spalding, Lincolnshire. He was employed as a farm labourer when he enlisted on the outbreak of war. On the 20 December the Germans continued to bombard the Battalion positions with a large number of gas shells being used, particularly the support lines, with eight Other Ranks recorded as killed. Two brothers who both enlisted on 5 September 1914. 13774 Private Leslie Stuart Barrington, age 19. Grave Menin Road North Memorial 27. His parents were deceased and at the time of the 1911 census he was living with his four older brothers and a three sisters at 8 Vincent Road, Chingford, Walthamstow. His older sister Rosa was his next of kin and she was living at Prospect Hill, Walthamstow in 1916. 11230 Private Roland Ethelred Barrington, age 21. Grave Menin road North Memorial 26. Brother of Leslie. He listed his employment in the 1911 census as ‘Junior Clerk in Corset Manufacturers Office.’ He also gave his sister Rosa as his next of kin.
14520 Private Richard Belcher, age 20. Grave III.C.10. Youngest of two sons and a daughter of Richard and Mary Jane Belcher, Hobhole Bank, Old Leake, Boston. He is listed in the 1911 census as employed as a Farm Labourer. 12369 L/Cpl James Downey. He arrived in France on 14 July 1915. Grave Menin Road North Memorial 29. 12673 Private Edward Yorke Locke, ‘C’ Company, age 21. Grave III.C.9. Eldest son of Edwin William and Martha Letitia Locke, 24 London Street, Worthing, Sussex. The 911 census lists his employment as ‘Apprentice in linen drapes manufacture.’ 12963 Private John Henry North, age 24. Grave Menin Road North Memorial 19. The only son of Eardley North, widower, Cowslip Cottage, Anderby, Alford, Lincolnshire. The 1911 census lists John’s employment as ‘Farm Laboure.’ and that he was single. John had a son, George, born in January 1912. The pension record lists the child as ‘motherless’ and being cared for by a guardian. 12208 L/Cpl George Herbert Robinson, age 21. Grave Menin Road North Memorial 28. One of five sons and a daughter of Harry and Elizabeth Robinson, 110 Hilda Road, Canning Town, London. The 1911 census lists his employment as ‘Laboratory Assistant at the University of London.’
This masonry-clad concrete bunker is located outside the Menin Road South Military Cemetery perimeter wall and in the grounds of a private house.
There are two British airmen buried in this cemetery
FALKIRK AND DISTRICT MEN BURIED HERE
Falkirk
1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment
Age 26
30.10.17
III.H.17
Husband of Caroline Breingan of 16A Grahams Road
Denny & Dunipace
158915 Gunner John Ritchie
204th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
Age 26
19.10.17
III.L.18
Son of John & Mary Ritchie, Haircraigs Cottage,
Polmont
81st Battery, 5th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
20.3.16
I.G.28
Links to the area
3rd Field Ambulance, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, A.I.F.
Age 27
18.9.17
I.U.23
Husband of Elizabeth Markie Stevens McGowan, they had a son & lived at Dovercourt Street, Toowong, Queensland. Son of Robert & Ann McGowan of Bo'ness
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 six Boy Soldiers buried here. One age 15 and five age 17. 22346 Rifleman Anthony O’Neill, (Served as John Thomas O'NEILL). 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, 107th Infantry Brigade, 36th Division. Killed in action 1 October 1918, age 15. Grave II.O.8. Son of Hugh and Jane O'Neill, 3 King's Court, Lancaster Street, Belfast. His brother John also fell. His body was exhumed from Menin Road North Cemetery and reburied here. On the 1 October the Battalion moved up from support and took over the line south of Dadizeele from the 2nd Battalion with the Battalion HQ in a Pill Box at Cavander House. Casualties reported were ‘5 other ranks killed, 37 other ranks wounded.’ 14828 Private Victor Barratt, 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, 51st Infantry Brigade, 17th Division. Killed in action 20 December 1915, age 17. Grave III.C.1. Son of Samuel and Roseanna Barratt, 14 Barnack Terrace, Stamford, Northants. See action of the Battalion on 20 December above. 10365 Private Patrick James Curran, 4th (Queen’s Own) Hussars, 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division. Killed in action 6 May 1915, age 17. Grave II.A.4. Son of Stephen and Sarah Curran, 162 Capel Street, Dublin. On the 2 May 1915 the Regiment were in support in dugouts near Wieltje when they stood to at 5.30pm owing to heavy shelling and the approach of a ‘greenish yellow cloud, 20’ by 1/2 mile wide, sweeping down from the NE with a favouring barrage from St Julien.’ Some men from the Lancashire Fusiliers were falling back from the effects of the gas and the Regiment went forward under extremely heavy fire from light howitzers and took the place of the Lancashire Fusiliers on the left of the line and remained in the line until 1am on 3 May when they were relived. James Curran is listed as wounded in this action and later died of his wounds. 457560 Private Richard Edward Foster, ‘D’ Company, 60th Battalion (Victoria Rifles of Canada), 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. Killed in action 22 April 1916, age 17. Grave I.M.31. Son of Alice Edwards (formerly Foster), 267, 1st Avenue, Verdun, Montreal, and the late Richard Foster. Born at Harrogate, England. Richard was employed as an apprentice in workshops in Montreal when he enlisted on 21 June 1915 and the Battalion embarked for England in November 1915 and arrived in France on 21 February 1916. On the 20 April 1916 the Battalion relived the PPCLI in the line at Sanctuary Wood. The trenches were described as in very bad condition knee deep in slimy mud and water. There was no continuous trench on the left of the line only eight isolated posts held by seven men in each with additional men at night. They were unsanitary and had a terrific smell. Enemy sniping was active and on 22 April Richard was killed by a sniper when in the right of the line. 10290 Private Frederick Matthews, 1st
Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 16th Infantry Brigade, 6th Division. Killed in action 10 November 1915, age 17. Grave III.E.28. Son of Arsenath Reynolds, 45 Station Road, Wem, Salop. His body was exhumed from Menin Road North Cemetery. On the 10 November the Battalion was in the line at Bellewaarde Ridge when at 4pm ‘A’ Company were shelled and trench mortared with three men killed and two wounded. 11245 Private George Proudfoot, 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, Killed in action 19 December 1915, age 17. Grave Menin Road North Memorial 18. Son of George Arthur Proudfoot, 53 Roberts Road, Chapel End, Walthamstow, London. His was one of the erected crosses found in Menin Road North Cemetery with no remains and removed to here. He was killed by shell fire on 19 December. See above.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
Cemetery Location
Menin Road South Military Cemetery is located 2 Kms east of Ieper town centre, on the Meenseweg (N8), connecting Ieper to Menen. From Ieper town centre the Meenseweg is located via Torhoutstraat and right onto Basculestraat. Basculestraat ends at a main crossroads, directly over which begins the Meenseweg. The Cemetery is located 800 metres along the Meenseweg on the right hand side of the road.
Burials
There are now 1,657 servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 118 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials are erected to 24 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. In addition, there are special memorials to 54 casualties who were buried in Menin Road North Military Cemetery, whose graves were probably destroyed by shell fire and could not be found. These are numbered between 1 and 57.
UK – 1051
Australian – 263
New Zealand – 52
Canadian – 145
British West Indies – 3
German – 1
Know unto God – 65
Unnamed 121
There are Special Memorial to twenty British men and four Australians known/believed to be buried among the unnamed. There are Special Memorials to fifty-two British and three New Foundland men buried in the Menin Road North Cemetery whose graves were destroyed by shell fire.
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