Welsh Cemetery (Caesars's Nose)
- Admin
- Dec 30, 2025
- 11 min read
For most of the First World War, the east side of the village of Boesinghe (now Boezinge) directly faced the German front line. Welsh Cemetery (Caesar’s Nose) is another little Cemetery that is located on what was the German front line. It was begun on 31 July 1917, at the spot known on British trench maps as Caesar's Nose, by the 38th (Welsh) Division, twenty three from that Division are buried here. It was used until November 1917. Caesar’s Nose was a German salient that jutted into No Man’s Land and the trenches here were only some 30 yards apart and snipers were a particular problem. The cemetery contains the graves of men killed before 31 July and after this area was taken on the opening day of the Third Battle of Ypres. It is safe to assume that those killed before 31 July were in battlefield graves or were in No Man’s Land and brought here and reburied.
First Use of Phosgene Gas Against British Troops
On the 19 December 1915 the Germans attacked the trenches E.27, 28, and 29 opposite Caesar’s Nose that were occupied by the 1/4th Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) with phosgene gas. This was the first use of this new type of poison gas against British troops. This gas prevents oxygen transfer in the blood stream which means the victim suffocates and it was harder to detect than chlorine as it was colourless and with an odour similar to that of musty hay. In response to the German gas attack in April and May 1915 the British had been experimenting with the Smoke Helmet and after various experiments it was discovered that sodium phenate offered the best protection and the new helmet was fitted with a rubber outlet valve that had previously been suggested for the Smoke Helmet. This valve tube had to be held in the mouth which allowed the wearer to breathe in through their nose and exhale the carbon monoxide out via the valve. The new helmets were dipped in a solution of sodium phenate, caustic soda, glycerine, industrial spirit and water. The cellulose viewing piece was replaced by two eye pieces with the eyepieces being made of coated glass which were held in place by screw bezels and a rubber gasket added between the glass and bezel to improve the seal. They became known as ‘P’ Helmets and around 9,000,000 were manufactured unfortunately, the ‘P’ Helmet proved to be unreliable against high concentrations of phosgene and as with the Smoke Helmet the wearer developed sores as a result of the chemicals seeping onto the face. Learn more about Gas and Chemical Warfare.
The German attack had been uncovered when a prisoner had given information about an impending gas attack in the Ypres Salient and on the scale of the attack earlier that year. In an attempt to disrupt the German attack the British artillery shelled the German trenches however, due to a shortage of shells the 49th (West Riding) Division artillery was unable to disrupt the attack in their area. At 5am on 19 December the sentries in the 1/4th Battalion trenches gave the alert when the Germans fired an unusual pattern of red rockets and a loud hissing noise was heard and a white vapour was seen rising in No Man’s Land, with the trenches only 30 yards apart in places. The gas formed a cloud some 50 feet in height and began to drift on the wind. The Battalion War Diary records: ‘4.50am: A hissing noise like a fast running motor car was heard in the German lines. Very shortly after the presence of cylinder gas, said to be Fossgene [Phosgene] was detected in the air. Warning was given [to put on anti-gas helmets] and rapid fire opened on the enemy’s parapet with rifles and machine guns. ‘S.O.S. Gas’ was sent to the artillery who immediately opened fire. No infantry attack was made [by the Germans] but later a German patrol numbering about ten was seen advancing towards our trenches. Rifle fire was opened on them and they dispersed, only one man being seen to regain the German trenches....’ At 5.45am the Germans began to shell the lines from Boesinghe to Wieltje with shell so of all calibres falling on the canal bank, communication trenches, and reserve trenches. Small parties of Germans came over from their trenches but they were stopped with rifle and artillery fire. The Battalion casualties were recorded as one officer and 23 other ranks died of gas poisoning, plus six other ranks killed in action. Fatalities recorded by the CWGC suggest that on 19 December the Battalion lost 18 men, whilst in the 1/4th Duke of Wellington's 25 men were killed. On the subsequent three days a further 14 men from the 1/4th K.O.Y.L.I. died of their wounds. Many of the dead were buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery
North Zwanhof Farm and Yorkshire Trench
Nearby is the repositioned North Zwanhof Farm now a free to enter exhibition and museum. It is also an excellent stop to take in the views of the old battlefield. Behind the farm house is the preserved Yorkshire Trench. It was uncovered by the ‘Diggers’ in 1997 they were a remarkable group of amateur Belgian archaeologists who excavated this area ahead the industrial developments in 1997. They featured in a 2002 BBC television documentary entitled ‘The Forgotten Battlefield’ and they uncovered an astonishing profusion of artifacts including ammunition, dozens of human remains, some identified as British and German, trench railway, tools, and equipment. Some of these you can see in the museum at North Zwanhof Farm. Yorkshire Trench was dug by the British in 1915 and today what we see is a concrete sandbag replica that follows the route of the trench and incorporates the now flooded dugout that featured in the BBC television documentary.
38th (Welsh) Division
This Division moved from the Somme, having taken Mametz Wood with heavy casualties and also some 400 German prisoners in two days of fighting, to the Ypres Salient in August 1916. After a period in reserve at Esquelbesques the Division took over the line opposite Pilckem Ridge and were here until June 1917. They returned on 19 July taking over from the 29th Division and prepared for the Third Battle of Ypres and the opening day attack on 31 July on Pilckem Ridge. From when the Division took over the line to the attack on 31 July they suffered a large number of casualties from German shell fire and gas shells.
Raid on the German Trenches 25 July 1917
On the 25 July the 15th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers mounted a raid on the German trenches with the War Diary recording: ‘At 9am the barrage opened for the raid; at 9.10am the raiders advanced towards the German trenches. Little opposition was encountered in the 1st line but the enemy were occupying the 2nd + the party returned leaving 2nd Lt Lloyd + 15 OR in the hands of the enemy.’ The War Diary mentions 2nd Lieutenant Lloyd as being left behind, his body was recovered, and there is one other casualty from the raid buried here. Second Lieutenant James Percival Lloyd, 1st/2nd Battalion attached 15th Battalion, age 25. Grave I.B.10. Son of James and Elizabeth Lloyd, 2 Belmont Terrace, Cwmbwrla, Swansea. James originally enlisted in September 1914 as a Private in the Battalion and was then promoted to Lance Corporal and then Sergeant before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. 61123 Private Owen Roberts, age 20. Grave I.A.3. Son of Hugh and Sarah Jane Roberts, of Maes-Y-Porth, Dwyran, Anglesey. His epitaph reads O FRYNIAU CAERSALEM CEIR GWELED HOLL DAITH YR ANIALWCH I GYD - FROM THE HILLS OF CAERSALEM THE ENTIRE JOURNEY OF THE DESERT CAN BE SEEN
Raid on German Trenches 27 July 1917
The 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment and the 15th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers provided two platoons for this raid. There are five of the casualties from the raid buried in this cemetery. Three from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and two from the Welsh Regiment.
The 15th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers War Diary records the events: ‘Reports having been received from the R.F.C. that the enemy had withdrawn from the front & second line of trenches, A Company was ordered to push forward and reconnoitre. Unfortunately the report proved false and the enemy was engaged in the second line, inflicting severe casualties on the company. O.C. A Company Major Evan Davies was wounded and taken prisoner as were a number of the N.C.Os and men. One platoon, D Company, in charge of an N.C.O. who went forward as support to A Company were badly cut up.’ Major Evan Davies is buried in Dragoon Camp Cemetery
202533 Private Charles Llewellyn Kyffin, 15th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, age 39. Grave I.B.12. Husband of Sarah Ellen Kyffin and they had a son Cyril. They lived at Dutton Locks, Acton Bridge, Northwich. He was employed as a Miner. He had enlisted on 29 August 1914 but was discharged under Paragraph 392 (iii) (c), as medically unfit for further military service, on 15 October 1914. This would have qualified him for the Silver War Badge. The main purpose of the badge was to prevent men not in uniform and without apparent disability being thought of as shirkers – it was evidence of having presented for military service, if not necessarily serving for long. Although there is no record of him receiving a badge. 27981 L/Cpl Frederick Sheldrick, 15th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, age 20. Grave I.B.8. Son of Frank and Alice J. Sheldrick, 21 Freeling Street, Caledonian Road, King's Cross, London. 53425 Private Frank Pinless, 15th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, age 28. Grave I.A.5. The oldest of two sons of David and Sarah Pinless, 28 Holmbrook Road, Preston. He was working as a Clerk in a Warehouse when he enlisted. He was initially with the Denbighshire Yeomanry number 1359 until this was disbanded in early 1917 and joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The War Diary of the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment recorded that: ‘A party of 1 officer and 10 OR patrolled our front line to left of Caesar’s Nose. Third line reported to be lightly held. A patrol of 1 officer and 12 OR left our lines at 1.15am and reached German Second Line bringing back a prisoner who had given himself up in our right Post. He had a large number of Very Lights on him.’ They then reported on a practice barrage on the German lines at 5.15am that brought retaliatory fire down on their lines. Casualties were reported for the 27 July as 3 Officers killed, 3 wounded, and Other Ranks 21 killed, 53 wounded. 8 wounded (at duty), 13 missing. 53954 Private A R Davies, 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, age Grave I.B.6. 59498 Private Edwin Griffiths, 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, age 38. Grave I.A.6. Husband of Barbara Elizabeth Griffiths, 48 Roebuck Lane, Sale, Cheshire.
Raid of 27 July 1917 - South Staffordshire Regiment
7856 Private Charles Green, 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade, 11th Division. Killed in action 27 July 1917, age 28. Grave I.B.9.
The Battalion was advised that the RFC had reported that the enemy had withdrawn from their trenches and the Battalion was to be on readiness to send out contact patrols to locate the Germans. At 4.30pm the confirmation was received to send out the patrols and they were to set off at 5pm. The Battalion sent out five patrols with number 5 patrol commanded by 2nd Lieutenant C W Montgomery to proceed via Krupp and Essen Farms to Chemin Estimanet and to get in touch with the Welsh Regiment at trench E.23. No.4 and 5 patrols went forward and came into contact with enemy snipers and as the orders were to locate the enemy positions without involving the patrol in action the officer pressed on. They soon came the German front line and came under fire and returned the fire with rifle and rifle grenades and they began to withdraw and returned to their trenches with heavy casualties one officer was wounded and missing with the stretcher bearers who went to get him in. Other Ranks, 8 killed, 6 wounded, and 7 missing.
Third Battle of Ypres
38th (Welsh) Division
There are eleven men buried here who were killed in action on the opening day of the Third Battle of Ypres on 31 July when the 38th (Welsh) Division went forward to take Pilckem Ridge. The Division had made good progress with the Black Line taken and the Division moved onto their next objective. The advance to the Green Line was carried out by half Battalions from the 15th and 14th Welsh Regiment on the right and the 15th Royal Welsh Fusiliers on the left. Considerable trouble was met from the direction of Rudolphe Farm and a platoon from the 15th Welsh Regiment was sent to attack the Farm and this was successfully accomplished with fifteen prisoners taken. The 15th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers went forward but on nearing Battery Copse they were met with heavy fire and in a short time only a few officers were left. The Commanding Officer Lt Col C.C. Norman was wounded and before he was evacuated he ordered that the Battalion consolidate on Iron Cross Ridge. With no officers now left to take command Regimental Sergeant Major Jones took command and organised the consolidation. 17610 Private Robert William Morris, 15th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, age 20. Grave I.A.4. Son of Thomas and Susannah Jane Morris, 56 Rhos Street, Ruthin. Also killed in action on 31 July 1917 was the Welsh poet Private Ellis Humphrey Evans serving with the 15th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He is better known by his bardic name ‘Hedd Wyn’. He was wounded in the chest by a piece of trench mortar shell and died at an aid post on Pilckem Ridge and is buried in Artillery Wood Cemetery.
Captain Percy Lloyd Humphreys, 15th Battalion Welsh Regiment, age 35. Grave I.A.1. Son of Cadwallader and Sarah Humphreys, of Tylissa, Llanfaircaereinion, Welshpool. He was unmarried and working as cashier at the City and Midland Bank in Llangollen when he left to take up the post of manager at the London City and Midland Bank at Llandeilo. He was one of the original officers of the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment which was raised by the Carmarthenshire County Committee. The Battalion went to France on 4 December 1914 and Percy was involved in action surviving the 38th (Welsh) Divisions taking Mametz Wood during the Battle of the Somme. His brother Hywel Llewelyn was gazetted as a Second Lieutenant on 27 July 1915.
Royal Artillery
There are eight men who were all Drivers with ‘D’ Battery, 92nd Brigade and were killed in action on 29 September 1917. The 92nd Brigade came under the command of the 20th Divisional Artillery with the wagon lines located at Welsh Farm Camp near Elverdinghe. The 92nd Brigade HQ was located at the Canal Bank at North Zwanhof Farm. The War Diary for the 20th Divisional Artillery reports that enemy aircraft were active and bold dropping bombs on the camps and wagon lines. It would seen that the eight men were killed in an enemy air raid on the wagon lines. They are buried in Plot II, graves A4 to A11.
20116 Shoeing Smith William Henry Taylor, ‘A’ Battery, 91st Brigade, 20th Divisional Troops. Killed in action 11 August 1917, age Grave I.A.14. Son of Annie Taylor and he had three brothers and three sisters. He was born in Sheffield and enlisted in the city and went to France on 2 July 1915. A Shoeing Smith or Farrier were needed to keep horses moving. The primary job of a farrier was hoof trimming and fitting shoes to Army horses. This combined traditional blacksmith’s skills with some veterinarian knowledge about the physiology and care of horses’ feet. Most farriers were non-commissioned officers; the majority served with artillery and cavalry regiments. One of their less welcome tasks was the humane despatch of wounded and sick horses.
Location
Boezinge (formerly Boesinghe) is located north of the town of Ieper on the N369 road direction Diksmuide. The Cemetery is located in Kleinepoezelstraat east of the village. From the N369 right into Brugstraat, over the bridge and bear right into Langemarkseweg to the crossroads. Turn right into Kleinepoezelstraat, follow this road to the crossroads and turn left into Moortelweg. The cemetery is approximately 100 metres along on the right hand side.
The cemetery was designed by A J S Hutton.
Burials
The cemetery contains 68 First World War burials.
UK – 68 includes 6 Unidentified
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