Minty Farm Cemetery
Minty Farm cemetery was begun in October 1917 and used until April 1918 by units fighting on that front. More than a third of the graves are of officers and men of the Royal Artillery. The farm, the name was probably adopted during its occupation by a Wiltshire unit, was at one time used as a German blockhouse until it was captured during the Third
Battle of Ypres on the 31 July 1917 by the 1/6th Battalion (Banff and Donside) Gordon Highlanders, 51st (Highland) Division and was used as a company headquarters. The Gordons carried on towards the Steenbeek and coming under fire from machine-guns on the other side of the stream dug in. It was here that 20 year old Private George Imlach Macintosh won his V.C. for clearing the machine-guns. The London Gazette citation reads: ‘On 31 July 1917 at Ypres, Belgium, during the consolidation of a position, the company came under machine-gun fire at close range and Private Mclntosh immediately rushed forward under heavy fire and reaching the emplacement, threw a Mills grenade into it, killing two of the enemy and wounding a third. Subsequently, entering the dug-out he found two light machine-guns which he carried back with him. His quick grasp of the situation and the rapidity with which he acted undoubtedly saved many of his comrades and enabled the consolidation to proceed unhindered by machine-gun fire.’ His V.C. is on display at the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen. He went on to serve in WWII as a Flight-Sergeant and was a senior NCO with No.1 Squadron.
The 35th Field Ambulance, 11th Division, were located at Minty Farm. The farm was under constant fire as a forward Regimental Aid Post. On the 9th October they were dealing with wounded from the attack launched at 5.20am that day. The wounded, according to the War Diary, began arriving at Minty Farm from 8.30am. They were dealing with casualties wounded by machine gun and shell fire. The 35th Field Ambulance had casualties from the shell fire on the duck board walks, used in moving the wounded and supplies etc. As a stretcher bearer Andrew was caught in this shell fire and killed. His grave was lost and he is listed on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Located nearby is the German blockhouse at Gournier Farm, today it is shrouded in undergrowth preventing a clear view of the plaque to the 38th (Welsh) Division. It is also on private land and you should seek permission to view the bunker.
Royal Engineers
On the 9 October 1917 the 179 Tunnelling Company began work building the English shelter dugouts for their own use. This work was carried out by ‘D’ section and they were located before the Steenbeek stream at Regina Cross. ‘C’ section were building a bridge over the Steenbeek slightly to the north of Regina Cross. On the 11 October ‘D’ section sent a subsection to work with ‘C’ section. Both Allison and Norris are recorded as killed in action in the War Diary.
13755 Sapper John Allison, 179th Tunnelling Company, Killed in action 11 October 1917, age 26. Grave I.E.23. Son of James and Euphemia Allison, 107 West High Street, Methil, Fife. He enlisted in the 1/7th Battalion Black Watch and transferred to the Royal Engineers. He was a miner before he enlisted. 132756 Sapper Robert Norris, 179th Tunnelling Company, Killed in action 11 October 1917, age Grave I.E.22. He was married to Elizabeth Swindall (formerly Norris), 2 Armholme Lane, Arksey, Doncaster. They had a son George who was age 14 when Robert was killed. 94282 Sapper Jacob Page D.C.M., 179th Tunnelling Company, Killed in action 17 October 1917, age 39. Grave I.E.21. He was married to Sarah and they lived with their four children at 127 Granville Road, Kilburn, London. He was employed as a General Labourer when he enlisted. He went to France on 27 April 1915. On the 17 October 1917 ‘A’ section and two subsections were working with ‘C’ section on the road to Poelcappelle when Jacob was killed. 147743 Sapper Thomas David Archibald, 179th Tunnelling Company, Killed in action 14 November 1917, age 25. Grave I.E.6. Son of Thomas and Sibella Archibald, 17 Rothesay Place, Musselburgh, Midlothian. He joined the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders when he enlisted and went to France on 3 October 1915 and he later transferred to the 179th Tunnelling Company. On the 14 November 1917 the Company were working near Poelcappelle and the War Diary records that Thomas had been killed and buried in the Military Cemetery at Minty Farm.
RAMC
There are nine men from the RAMA buried here. Five of the dead are from the 106th Field Ambulance, 35th Division. The Field Ambulance was working from an Advanced Dressing Station at St Julien and John was an NCO in command of stretcher bearers. On the 21 November 106th Field Ambulance had sent six NCOs and 68 bearers to assist the 105th Field Ambulance who were at the ADS at Minty Farm. On the 30 November and 1 December the 105th Field Ambulance were being assisted by the stretcher bearers from 106th and 107th Field Ambulances to evacuate the wounded and they moved up and down to the front line Regimental Aid Posts via the board walks and in the open and naturally this was dangerous work with casualties from shell fire. 63797 Sergeant John Gibbs, Killed in action 30 November 1917, age 31. Grave II.A.5. Son of Thomas and Maria Gibbs, of Burton-on-Trent. He was married to Madeline Elizabeth, 199 Uxbridge Street, Burton-on-Trent. 426073 Private Sydney Edward Amatt, Died of wounds, 1 December 1917, age 23. Grave II.A.18. One of two sons and a daughter of Arthur Edward Amatt, a widow, 145 Mere Road, Leicester. He was age 20 and working as a Shop Assistant when he enlisted on the 4 April 1915. 56628 Private Walter Frances Cobb, Died of wounds, 1 December 1917, age 27. Grave II.A.17. He was married to Emma, 27 Stanley Road, South Harrow, Middlesex. He went to France on 27 July 1915. 80826 Private George Colin Fuszard, Died of wounds, 1 December 1917, age 23. Grave II.A.16. Son of George T. and Jane C. Fuszard, 82 Fortuneswell, Portland, Dorset. He was working as a Temporary Postman and age 21 when he enlisted on 4 November 1915. 68082 Private Stanley Matthews, Died of wounds, 1 December 1917, age 24. Grave II.A.14. Brother of Mr. W. B. Matthews, 22 Ann Street, Kendal, Westmorland. He was employed as a Clerk when he enlisted on 30 August 1915 age 21. His parents had died and listed his older brother as next of kin. He also had two other brothers and four sisters. He went to France on 30 January 1916.
Royal Flying Corps
65042 Air Mechanic 1st Class William Malcolm Goldsmith, 10th Squadron attached 350th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in action 27 October 1917, age 18. Grave II.B.22. Son of Arthur and Jeane Goldsmith, 122 Lambton Road, West Wimbledon, London. The 350th Siege Battery were part of the 59th Heavy Artillery Group (HAG), Royal Garrison Artillery. The Siege Battery operated large calibre howitzers such as 6-inch or 8-inch or larger calibre guns to blast enemy strong points, block houses, and fortified defences. They operated in conjunction with the Royal Flying Corps who flew spotter and shot observation flights. The artillery had RFC personnel attached who communicated with the aircraft and relayed their messages to the artillery. The gun positions were subjected to enemy counter-battery fire or by attacks from enemy aircraft.
2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, 74th Infantry Brigade, 25th Division
Lieutenant James Cordner M.C. Killed in action 16 April 1918. Grave II.C.2. He was the son of James Cordner, Bannside, Portadown. His address was Drumbo Manse where his brother Joseph was the Presbyterian Minister. He also had another brother Cassels who was a temporary minister in 1916, and two sisters Elizabeth and Mary. He lived for a while in Canada before he returned to Ireland to complete his training for the ministry and was temporary minister from 1913 to 1914 at St Enoch’s Presbyterian Church, Clifton Street, Belfast and then was appointed as a minister in the United Free Church in Lisburn. He enlisted on 7 June 1915 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant attached to the 17th (Reserve) Battalion Royal Irish Rifles before being sent to France on 9 February 1916. He was wounded in May 1916 receiving a lucky escape in which his uniform was shredded but he was only bruised. He was to be wounded again at Messines in the summer of 1917 and was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 July 1917. He won his M.C., gazetted on 22 July 1918, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while in charge of a wiring party: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while in charge of a wiring party. He wired 500 yards of newly captured trenches in daylight in full view of the enemy and under heavy fire. His coolness and determination were an inspiration to his men.’ The Battalion were holding the Outpost Line West of the Steenbeek stream on from 16 to the night of 18 April with the War Diary recording: ‘Total casualties for above tour in trenches: Lt J Cordner M.C. Killed in action , 1 O.R. Accidentally killed, and 11 Other Ranks wounded in action.’
Captain Learo Aylmer Henry Hackett M.C. Killed in action 24 April 1918, age 34. Grave III.A.7. Son of Edward A. and Emilie Elliott Hackett, of Castletown, Ballycumber, King's Co. He was the sixth of seven children and the eldest son. His sister Venice, she was born in Scotland during the period her father was the Contractor’s Engineer at Glasgow Corporation Waterworks, was serving in the Voluntary Aid Detachment in 1916 and was posted to Boulogne. She became engaged to an officer during 1918 and fell ill with Spanish flu and was being transferred to London when she died of pneumonia on 13 October 1918 and is buried in Ballycumber Churchyard. Her father was travelling on the RMS Leinster on 10 October to see his daughter when it was torpedoed. He survived the sinking. The middle son Eric, serving with the 6th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, was killed on the Somme on 9 September 1916 and is listed on the Thiepval Monument. The youngest son Edward died at home in 1915 when the family lived in Clonmel he was aged 16. Learo was commissioned in the Royal Munster Fusiliers after leaving school however, he resigned his commission before the war to pursue a career in rubber planting in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and returned and rejoined the Royal Munster Fusiliers in January 1916 and later transferred to the 10th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. He fought at the Battle of Messines in June 1917 and was awarded the Military Cross for ‘Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in commanding his company during an attack. In conjunction with another company he knocked out an enemy strong point, capturing thirty officers and seventy of other ranks; also five machine-guns. Throughout the day he set a fine example of leadership.’ He was later promoted to Captain. The Battalion War Diary recording on 16 September 1917 ‘Military Cross awarded to Lieut L.A.H. Hackett….’ The 10th Battalion was disbanded in February 1918 and Learo joined the 2nd Battalion. The Battalion were holding the Outpost Line West of the Steenbeek stream from the 23 April to 27 April with their HQ in a Pill Box near Hill Top Farm. They strengthened their line and undertook patrol activity capturing one German officer and two Other Ranks on the 26 April. During this tour Henry was recorded in the War Diary as killed in action.
7th Battalion Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment, 55th Infantry Brigade, 18th Division
Captain Herbert Thomas Gregory. Died of Wounds 13 October 1917, age 22. Grave I.D.21. Son of Mrs. E. Marsh (formerly Gregory), 10 Hinckley Road, East Dulwich, London.
He went to France on 13 July 1915 and was serving as a Sergeant in the Dorset Regiment when he was gazetted as a Second Lieutenant on 19 July 1916 and posted to the 7th Battalion Queens Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment. On the 22 August 1917 he was promoted to acting Captain while commanding Companies. On the 11 October 1917 the Battalion held a line from Gloster Farm to Poelcappelle Church with the rear Battalion HQ in Snipe House and were preparing to go forward on 13 October. The supporting barrage opened at 5.25am and the Battalion ‘B’ on the right of the line and ‘A’ Company on the left went forward and some of the heavy shells were falling short and landed on ‘A’ Company causing casualties. Before the barrage moved forward the German counter barrage came down on the front line on which the leading Companies were formed up. The barrage was slight and caused few casualties however, the Battalion had many casualties from rifle and machine-gun fire. ‘B’ Company came under heavy fire from the Brewery on their right flank and all the officers were killed or wounded and Sergeant Tibbett assumed command but they could not get forward and ‘D’ Company coming up behind could not get forward due to intense fire and the remnants of both Companies dug in on a line approximately the same as the original front line. On the left ‘C’ Company went forward and the supporting barrage was erratic and thin and they were held up by enemy fire and unable to make progress and dug in with the all the officers now casualties. ‘A’ Company advancing on the left lost direction and merged with ‘C’ Company and owing to intense rifle and machine-gun fire from Pill Boxes at the Brewery were unable to advance and dug in on the same line as ‘C’ Company. The Battalion was relieved on the night of 13/14 October. Casualties were 16 Officers and 312 Other Ranks from a strength of 16 Officers and 605 Other Ranks. The War Diary records: ‘Lieut. H.T. Gregory. Died of Wounds. 12/10/17.’
13th (Kensington) Battalion attached 6th Battalion (City of London Rifles) London Regiment, 174th Infantry Brigade, 58th Division.
493415 Rifleman Paul Tannen. Killed in action 13 December 1917, age 29. Grave I.F.8.
He was the son of Morris and Gitel Tanenbaum. He was born in ‘Russia Poland,’ at this time Poland as a state did not exist, and the 1911 census his name is ‘Tanenbaum.’ He listed his trade as Embroidery for costumes. He was married to Millie and they had a son Arthur then six months old, and a servant aged 17. They were living at 26 Crohamhurst, St Helens Road, Southend On Sea. Paul’s parents were naturalised British citizens. The Battalion moved to Turco Huts from Dirty Bucket Camp on 11 December. They were providing working parties for the 183rd Tunnelling Company. On the 13 December the camp was shelled with casualties recorded of one officer wounded, one Other Rank killed, two Other Ranks wounded, one died of their wounds on 14 December.
The cemetery was designed by The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.
Location
Langemark is located north of the town of Ieper off the N313. From the Markt take the Korte Ieperstraat, at the crossroads turn right into Boezingestraat, after 500 metres take the first turning left into Ieperstraat. Follow this road to the T junction at the end, turn right into Briekstraat, 1st left still Briekstraat, take again the 1st turning left called Hemelrijkstraat. The cemetery is 200 metres along this road on the left hand side.
Burials
Minty Farm Cemetery contains 192 First World War burials.
UK – 188
German – 1
Unnamed - 4
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