Toronto Avenue Cemetery
- Admin
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
Toronto Avenue Cemetery, CWGC, Ploegsteert, Ypres, was named from a communication trench that ran north from Ploegsteert Wood to the British front line in the fields just beyond the edge of the wood. The cemetery contains the graves of officers and men of the 9th Brigade, 3rd Australian Division who died in the Battle of Messines between 7 and 10 June 1917, many from 33rd Battalion, Australian Infantry.
On the 7 June 1917 the British Second Army launched its attack along the Messines Ridge with the detonation of nineteen mines comprised of one million pounds of ammonal explosive beneath the German defenders. The Battle of Messines was the most effective integration of mines with an infantry attack that was supported by an artillery barrage which stupefied the German defenders. For the Australian and New Zealand Divisions (ANZAC), which comprised one third of Second Army, this was to be their finest hour, particularly for the Australians whose first two years of the war had been a catalogue of disasters. Messines was the first victory for the AIF and also the first test for its senior commander Major General John Monash who commanded the 3rd Division. For the 3rd Division the battle was a baptism of fire as they came into the line alongside the 4th Division which had suffered so severely at Bullecourt on the Somme.
The overall objectives of the British Second Army attack were to seize the villages of Wytschaete and Messines and to move beyond them to establish a line, the Black Line, just over the crest of the ridge. The first phase would see nine divisions move forward and had a series of subsidiary objectives to take supported by the fire of the artillery that lifted and moved forward at a precise time. On the night of the 6/7 June the leading Battalions of the 3rd Division moved up through Ploegsteert Wood and were subjected to a saturation German gas attack with men being hit by a gas shell or the nose cap and several were killed in this way. This gas attack was combined with High Explosive and incendiary shells. They eventually reached their jumping off positions on the forward slopes of Hill 63 and at Prowse Point but they had suffered many casualties with some 120 men of the 39th Battalion being in position at their start line at Anton’s Farm. This Battalion’s leading groups at Ploegsteert Corner had suffered from shell fire throughout its move forward and were also subjected to gas shelling which killed and wounded many. Many officers and NCOs had been killed or wounded or incapacitated by the gas with the track from Bunhill Row and Mud Lane being littered with dead and dying men overcome by gas. It does say a lot for the training that a of the men of the 3rd Division managed to get through this major ordeal and be prepared for their first ever assault at 3.10am on 7 June. Once the Black Line had been reached there was to be a pause to allow the artillery to reorganise and the reserve divisions to move up and through the Black Line to capture the next line the Green Line which to II ANZAC was the trench line known as the Oosttaverne Line. From the 8 to 10 June chaos and confusion was to rein in their attacks to secure the Green Line and the Australian Battalions were to suffer grievously. Ploegsteert Wood Learn more here
33rd Battalion, 9th Brigade, 3rd Australian Division
This Battalion was formed in 1916 as part of the expansion of the AIF after Gallipoli. The majority of those who volunteered came from the New England region of New South Wales, and along with the 34th, 35th, and 36th Battalions they formed the 9th Brigade, 3rd Australian Division. The Battalion was on the right of the attack at Ploegsteert Wood in the area of St Yves to Trench S.3, and after skirting the mine crater in their sector, this would have been the mine known as Ultimo, were to capture the enemy front line and support trenches and to consolidate their positions, including the Ultimo mine crater. The War Diary records that casualties were light and that they suffered relatively few casualties from enemy artillery fire with 70 Other Ranks killed mainly due to shell fire.
14 Private Walter James Bath, ‘A’ Company, Killed in action 7 June 1917, age 29. Grave A.9. Son of Henry Charles and Jane Bath, of Walcha Road, New South Wales. Native of Walcha, New South Wales. Epitaph: IN MEMORY OF THE DEARLY LOVED SON OF MR. & MRS. BATH. Walter was employed as a Labourer when he enlisted in Armidale, New South Wales, on 2 December 1915. His parents received his personal effects consisting of: 9ct gold ring, Disc, Tobacco Pouch, Tobacco box, 2 Safety razors in cases, Balaclava, Bag handle, 2 Note books, 2 Military books, Testament, Cigarette holder, 2 Pipes, 1 Pipe case, Letters. 2197 Private Joseph McDougall, ‘B’ Company. Killed in action 7 June 1917, age 30. Grave C.8. Son of William and Mary McDougall. He was married to Sarah Ann McDougall, of "Messines," Kiny Road, Adamstown. Sarah had a child from a previous relationship when she married and they had two other children after their marriage. Joseph was employed as a Miner when he enlisted on the 29 April 1916. His personal effects returned to Sarah included: Razor strop, 2 Religious books, oil stone, Wrist watch and strap, Tooth brush. Holdall, disc, one Franc note (damaged).
912 Lance Sergeant Robert Norman Young, ‘C’ Company. Killed in action 7 June 1917, age 21. Grave A.32. Son of James and Elizabeth Mary Young, of Forest Vale, New South Wales. Epitaph: IN THE LOVING MEMORY OF HIS DEAR PARENTS BROTHERS AND SISTER. Robert listed his trade as Farmer when he enlisted on 23 October 1915. His personal effects consisted of: Pair of straps, Pair of scissors. 2 Military Books, Disc, Belt, 1 Mark, Rosary (damaged). 2401 Private John Robert Worgan, Killed in action 7 June 1917, age 23. Grave A.31. Son of Mrs. Anna Julia Prince, of Long Plain, Inverell, New South Wales. She was a widow. Epitaph: IN MEMORY OF THE DEARLY LOVED SON OF MRS. A.J. PRINCE OF INVERELL. John gave his trade as Farmer when he enlisted on 10 January 1916 in Inverell. His personal effects were returned to his mother and consisted of a Purse, Metal ring, Metal badge. The chaplain wrote to his mother expressing his sympathy at her loss and how ell liked her son was in the Battalion. He also advised of his burial place ‘.. Your boys body is placed to rest in Toronto Communication Trench Cemetery, in Ploeg Steert Wood. He fell not far from here in the great battle of Messines Ridge on 7th June 1917.’
36th Battalion
This Battalion was formed in 1916 as part of the expansion of the AIF after Gallipoli. The majority of those who volunteered came from the New South Wales rifle clubs, and along with the 34th, 35th, and 36th Battalions they formed the 9th Brigade, 3rd Australian Division. On the night of the 6/7 June 1917 the Battalion was approaching its assembly areas with ‘A’ and ‘D’ Companies providing a fighting Brigade reserve and ‘C’ and ‘B’ Companies carrying for the other two Companies. On their approach to Ploegsteert Wood they were heavily shelled with gas shells with several casualties occurring as the men could not get their gas masks on quick enough. They managed to get into the assembly positions between Prowse Point and St Yves. The carrying parties also suffered casualties as they made their way through enemy shell fire to keep the Companies supplied.
2029 Private James Hartley Antcliff, ‘B’ Company, Killed in action 7 June 1917, age 24. Grave B.17. One of four sons and two daughters of Jeanie Antcliff, 15 Council Street, Cook's Hill, Newcastle, New South Wales, and the late James Antcliff. Epitaph: IN MEMORY OF THE DEARLY LOVED SON OF MRS.J.ANTCLIFF NEW S. WALES. James was living with his parents and employed as an Iron Moulder when he enlisted on 10 May 1916. On the evening of the 9/10 June the 36th Battalion relieved the 34th Battalion on the left sector with a frontage from Ash Avenue to the south to the Douve River. At 3am they captured two enemy posts at Ulster Avenue and Ulster Drive and consolidated these. The Germans continued to keep up a light barrage of their old front line and No Man’s Land. The Battalion then received orders to capture the trench lines a La Potterie. At 10.30pm the Germans opened a heavy barrage on the Battalion lines causing confusion in the assault party however, they were quickly reorganised and the attack went ahead with the enemy trenches being captured by 11.30pm. The Battalion losses over the period were four officers killed, five wounded, with Other Ranks killed sixty-six, wounded three hundred and eighteen, missing sixteen. Captain Francis John Piggott, ‘C’ Company, 36th Battalion, Killed in action 10 June 1917, age 34. Grave End of Row C. Son of John George and Mary Piggott, 59 Cremorne Road, Cremorne, New South Wales. His epitaph reads: A CAREER SO BRILLIANT LAID ASIDE FOR THE CALL TO ARMS LOVED BY ALL. Francis was unmarried and was employed as Chief Marine Clerk by Alliance Assurance Company Ltd when he enlisted on 17 February 1916. He was gazetted with the rank of Lieutenant, he had previous service as a Lieutenant with the 27th Battalion Senior Cadets and area officer of 25B Training area with the rank of Captain, and was promoted to Captain on 1 August 1916. His brother Val was a Corporal, service number 1419, serving with the Regimental Transport of 33rd Battalion.
Trench Mortar Battery
From mid to late 1917, each Brigade in the AIF had one Light Trench Mortar Battery. Each Battery was numbered in conformity with its parent Brigade, and consisted of eight x 3 inch Stokes mortars. Two Sections of four mortars. The Battery was providing fire support to the attack made by the infantry Battalions with the War Diary on 8 June for 9th Brigade recording that enemy shell fire was coming from the right flank and enfilading the line.
Lieutenant Charles Henry Alexander, 9th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery, 9th Brigade, 3rd Australian Division. Killed in action 8 June 1917, age 33. Grave A.15. Son of David McGowan Alexander and Emily Frances Alexander, 71 Frankfort Avenue, Dublin, Ireland. Henry was gave his address as C/O Theosophical Society, Hunter Street, Sydney and listed his father as next of kin. He was a qualified electrical engineer and was employed as a teacher when he enlisted on 28 July 1915. He listed his military qualifications as ‘6 years with Boys Brigade.’ He applied for a commission on 11 December 1915 and he was gazetted and joined ‘B’ Company, 35th Battalion as Second Lieutenant on 30 March 1916 and promoted to Lieutenant from 1 August 1916 and joined the 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery.
3rd Pioneer Battalion, 3rd Australian Division
The 3rd Pioneers were raised in Victoria, in March 1916, from volunteers drawn from Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia and was subsequently assigned to the 3rd Division. Trained as infantrymen, the pioneers were tasked with light combat engineer functions in the field, with a large number of personnel possessing trades from civilian life. The concept had existed within the British Indian Army before the war, but was adopted by the Australian Army in early 1916 to meet a need for troops with construction and engineering skills to assist with digging trenches, labouring, constructing strong points and undertaking battlefield clearance. As such, they were designated as pioneer units. At the same time, they could be pressed into the line to fight alongside regular infantry where required. On the 7 June 1917, the Battalion ‘A’
Company was attached to the 10th Infantry Brigade and was constructing communication trenches, and to bridge the River Douve with an artillery bridge. ‘B’ Company was attached to the 9th Infantry Brigade and was constructing trenches in the vicinity of Ulster Avenue, 1 Platoon, and constructing communication Trenches and opening up the Anton’s Farm Russian SAP, 3 Platoons working on this. The Road Platoons were patrolling the Divisional roads and clearing the Messines Road of timber and debris, filling in holes, and reconnoitring the road up to Bon Fernier Cabaret Corner. The Tramway Platoon was maintaining the tramway in Ploegsteert Wood. At 2.35pm ‘A’ Company requested relief as the men were exhausted and work was progressing slowly due to the enemy shelling. ‘B’ Company reported that it was impossible to work in the day light due to heavy enemy fire. Casualties reported were: Killed 4 Other Ranks, 4 Other Ranks died of wounds, 1 Officer and 101 Other Ranks wounded. 2420 Private Frank Owen Turner Wilson, Killed in action 7 June 1917, age 28. Grave A.4. Son of Frank and Helen Wilson, of Weerite, Camperdown, Victoria. Epitaph: OUR HERO SON EVER REMEMBERED NEARER MY GOD TO THEE. Frank was unmarried and working as a Labourer when he enlisted on 13 May 1916. 17294 Private James Joseph Brandt, Killed in action 7 June 1917, age 19. Grave A.24. Son of Thomas Edward and Mary Ann Brandt, of "Morpeth," Station Street, Arncliffe, New South Wales. Epitaph: FOR KING AND EMPIRE. James was a plumbers apprentice when he enlisted on 28 November 1915. He joined the 30th Battery, 8th Field Artillery and later transferred to the Pioneers on 6 May 1917.
Location
Toronto Avenue Cemetery is located south of Ieper off the N365 rue de Messines.
From Ieper town centre take the Rijselstraat and follow this road to the roundabout with the inner ring. At the roundabout go straight over and keep following the main road in the direction of Messines. Cross the railway and follow the road to the roundabout in Voormezele; at this roundabout take the second exit in the direction of Mesen/Messines. Follow the road through Wijtschate and through Messines towards Armentieres. Approximately 2 Kms after Messines there is a turning to the left called Section St. Yvon; at this turning there are several Commission direction signs. Turn left along Section St. Yvon and follow to the first cemetery on the right. Turn right past this cemetery and keep following the track to the entrance to the woods. Toronto Avenue Cemetery is located in the woods.
Please note, motor vehicles are not allowed in the woods. Follow the track into the woods and at the T junction turn left. The cemetery will be found at the end of this track.
The cemetery was designed by G H Goldsmith
Burials
The cemetery contains 78 First World War burials, two of them unidentified.
Australian - 78
Comments