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List of Imperial War Graves staff burials

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of the known graves of the staff from the Imperial War Graves Commission & Commonwealth War Graves Commission who died in service or who were eligible for headstones, from 1917 to 2007.

Burials in France

[edit]

Somme

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Arthur J. Taylor 6 April 1925 Cimetière Communal Albert Died age 41. Previously served for 11 years with the Royal Army Medical Corps.[1]
Arthur's grave in Albert Communal Cemetery
Bernard Ernest Wellum 11 July 1921 Albert Communal Cemetery Extension Died age 25. During the Great War, he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps.[2] His grave is unusual in that it is a standard CWGC war dead headstone, as opposed to the flat-topped stone or post war/civilian type stone.[3]
Bernard's grave in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension
William Arthur Brown 1954 Cimetière Communal Auchonvillers Originally from Grimsby, William emigrated to Winnipeg in 1914. He began work as head of Beaumont-Hamel British Cemetery until WW2. He returned in 1945 as curator of the Newfoundland Memorial Park until his death in 1954.
William's grave in Auchonvillers
George O. Hill 22 July 1946 Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension Died age 47. Served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and South Wales Borderers during the Great War.[4]
George's grave in Corbie
Frank A. H. Hayward 20 December 1936 Cimetière Communal Courcelette Former gardener of the Courcelette area cemeteries, who served with the Royal Sussex Regiment in WW1. He joined the IWGC in 1919, first as a gardener in the Godewaersvelde area. In 1935 he moved to Courcelette as a Gardener Labourer until his death in 1936.[5]
Frank Hayward's Grave at Courcelette
James Henry Lester 23 September 1922 Cimetière Communal Étricourt-Manancourt 23 September 1922; Peronne office of the IWGC were informed that one of their employees had become unwell. Three others were sent off to collect the man to bring back to Peronne. James, the driver, on the return to Peronne became disorientated and plummeted into the Canal du Nord. However, all four men were killed instantly.

"The funeral took place in a local cemetery at Etricourt of the four members of the British War Graves Commission who lost their lives in the motoring accident on Sunday night. The Director of the War Graves Commission and the Commandant of the British camp at Romville were among the many mourners."[6]

William George Prior 23 September 1922 Cimetière Communal Étricourt-Manancourt 23 September 1922; Peronne office of the IWGC were informed that one of their employees had become unwell. Three others were sent off to collect the man to bring back to Peronne. The driver, on the return to Peronne became disorientated and plummeted into the Canal du Nord. However, all four men were killed instantly. It is possible it was William, a gardener-caretaker for the IWGC, was the one who fell ill and required assistance.[6]
Arthur Edward Scott 23 September 1922 Cimetière Communal Étricourt-Manancourt 23 September 1922; Peronne office of the IWGC were informed that one of their employees had become unwell. Three others were sent off to collect the man to bring back to Peronne. The driver, on the return to Peronne became disorientated and plummeted into the Canal du Nord. However, all four men were killed instantly. Arthur was a labourer for the IWGC at the time of his death.[6]
William Henry White 23 September 1922 Cimetière Communal Étricourt-Manancourt 23 September 1922; Peronne office of the IWGC were informed that one of their employees had become unwell. 3 others were sent off to collect the man to bring back to Peronne. The driver, on the return to Peronne became disorientated and plummeted into the Canal du Nord. All four men were killed instantly. It is believed William was the medic sent to assist the ill gardener.[6]
Thomas A. Beckwith 9 November 1945 Cimetière Communal Longueval Died age 49. Custodian of the South African Memorial Delville Wood. Previously served with the South African Infantry for four years.[7]
Thomas A. Beckwith's grave in Longueval
René Muchembled July 1944 Cimetière Communal Mailly-Maillet One of the IWGC's French workers, gardener in the Beaumont-Hamel area. During WW2 he helped fellow gardener Ben Leech to hide evading airmen. In July 1944 he was shot by the Germans in his own home after they discovered he had been hiding weapons. He does not have an IWGC headstone.[8]
René's grave in Mailly-Maillet
Davis Thomas Davies 15 March 1955 Cimetière Communal Miraumont Died age 67. His headstone is next to his wife, Marie Davies (née Féret) who died in 1964.
Graves of Davis & Marie Davies in Miraumont
Raymond M. Shreeve 25 February 1953 Cimetière Communal Salouël Joined the IWGC in 1948 as a pupil gardener. Promoted to Gardener's Labourer in 1949. Died age 25.[9]
Albert William Ward 4 June 1958 Cimetière Communal Vigancourt Joined the IWGC as a Gardener Labourer in 1920. Promoted to Gardener Caretaker in 1927. Died age 64.[10]
Edward Jones 17 March 1940 Cimetière Communal Warloy-Baillon Joined the IWGC as a Gardener's Labourer in March 1920. By 1934, Edward had been promoted to Head Gardener at Warloy-Baillon. Died age 40 due to a car accident. Had previously served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers & South Lancashire Regiment during World War One.[11]
Edward's grave in Warloy Baillon
Griffiths Jones 24 July 1947 Cimetière Communal Warloy-Baillon Died age 43.[11]
Griffiths' grave in Warloy Baillon

Pas-de-Calais

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Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
George Evans November 1937 Cimetière Communal Arras Died 1937, age 56. Husband of Zoe Caron Evans, a local Resistance operative deported to Germany in 1942.
Sidney Albert "Bert" Witton 18 August 1945 Cimetière Communal Arras From Canning Town, London; served with the RAF in the First World War; husband of decorated Comet Line guide Rosine Witton. Bert Witton was interned by the Germans at Ilag VIII Tost and Giromagny. He was repatriated to the UK in March 1945 and went directly into hospital, where he died in August 1945. His body was repatriated to Arras to be buried in his wife's family plot.[8]
dark stone family monument in Arras communal ceremony, reflective dark stone with a plaque naming Rosine Witton, Bert Witton, Auguste Therier, and Leontine Becourt
Thérier-Witton family grave
Percy Eely 22 March 1949 Cimetière Communal Bapaume Died age 55. Worked as a Gardener Labourer prior to WW1. Served in the Labour Corps for 3 years, joining the IWGC in 1921.[12]
Percy Eely's grave in Bapaume
William Bailey 5 November 1958 Cimetière Communal Bapaume Died age 58. Previously served in the Royal Field Artillery for four years. Promoted to Head Gardener for Bapaume area in 1952.[13]
William Bailey's grave in Bapaume
Sir Frank Higginson 20 November 1958 Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery Born 22 April 1890. Served as a Lieutenant in the 14th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment) during World War One. In November 1918 he was seconded to the IWGC as an architect in France and was formally demobilised as a Captain in July 1919.Later that year, he was taken on as Assistant Inspector of Works for France and then appointed Deputy Director of Works for France. By September 1926, he was appointed Assistant Deputy Inspector of Works before being appointed Deputy Director of Work in 1927. In 1928, he was made an Honorary Lt.-Colonel. Between 1928 and 1938, he served as the Chief Admin Officer for Central Europe for the IWGC.[14]
Memorial plaque to Higginson and his wife
Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Cornock-Taylor CBE 14 February 1919 Fillievres British Cemetery Died age 34. Deputy Director of Graves Registration and Enquiries and Secretary to the Imperial War Graves Commission from 13 December 1917 until his death in 1919.
Cornock-Taylor's grave in Fillievres
Walter Patchett 23 March 1933 Cimetière Communal Hébuterne Gardener's Labourer for the IWGC.
Walter's grave in Hébuterne
Reginald George Covey 9 June 1975 Cimetière Communal Hébuterne Joined the IWGC in 1921 as a Gardener's Labourer. Promoted to Gardener-Caretaker in 1937. Died age 75. Also buried with his wife, Marie Thomas, who died in 1991. Reginald had previously served with the Royal West Kent Regiment during World War One.[15]
Reginald's grave in the Communal Cemetery in Hebuterne
Joseph Goode 7 May 1920 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Joined the IWGC in January 1920 as a Painter/Carpenter. Died age 49 due to accidental drowning. Previously served with the Royal Engineers during World War One.[16]
John Edwin Reynolds 19 October 1920 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Gardener-caretaker. Died age 44. Previously served with the R.A.M.C. from 1914 to 1919.[17]
William Grahame Chambers 11 December 1920 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Died age 49. Assistant Transport Officer for the IWGC. Previously served as a Major in the Royal Air Force.[18]
Chambers' grave in St Omer
Harry Havelock Lawrence 9 February 1921 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Gardener-caretaker. Died age 37. Previously served in the Royal Fusiliers and the Northumberland Fusiliers.[19]
A. W. Hine 5 April 1921 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Employed as a Fitter & Turner from October 1920. Died age 44, from accidental injuries. Served during the First World War as a Sergeant in the Royal Army Service Corps.[20]
Hine's grave in St Omer
Alfred Symonds 11 June 1921 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Catering staff for the IWGC.
Symonds' grave in St Omer
Horace Bernard Adams 10 June 1923 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Died age 31. Joined the IWGC in September 1922 as Clerk of Works in France.[21]
Lionel Aubrey Tompkins 23 March 1924 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Died age 57. Joined the IWGC as a cook in September 1919. Transferred to Messenger in December 1920. Previously worked in a hospital during World War One.[22]
Lieutenant Léon Henri Paul Dematons 26 April 1924 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Born in Paris on 20 October 1877. Imperial War Graves Liaison Officer, 1919–1924. Served in the military for 22 years, including spending his war service in the Corps des Interprètes. Died age 43.[23]
Lieutenant Dematon's grave in St Omer
James Horan 6 September 1924 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Employed as a Gardener's Labourer in June 1920. Died age 25.[24]
John Slacke 11 December 1924 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Employed as Gardener's Labourer in September 1920 snd promoted to Gardener October 1921. Died age 47.[25]
Edward Charles Chester 31 January 1926 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Died age 37. First emplpyed by the IWGC as Pioneer Class I (Painer/Carpenter) and later worked as a vulcaniser for the Motor Transport section. War service spent in the Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport).[26]
Edward's grave in St Omer
William Clare 3 February 1926 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Began work as a Blacksmith for the IWGC in December 1920. Later promoted to General Duties in October 1920. Died age 56. Served during World War One as a private in the 677th Exhumation Company.[27]
Clare's grave in St Omer
Richard Dinsdale 3 February 1926 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Died age 42. Joined the IWGC in April 1920 as a General Labourer, later being promoted to Gardener by November 1922. Served as an Air Mechanic in the Royal Air Force during World War One.[28]
John Marshall Stevenson 19 April 1927 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Employed as a blacksmith. Died age 39.[29]
Stevenson's grave in St Omer
William George Mudge 17 November 1927 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Employed by the IWGC in July 1921 as a Gardener's Labourer. Died age 36. Previously served with the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).[30]
William's grave in St Omer
George Edward Wright 21 February 1928 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Employed as Travelling Craftsman & Letter Cutter by the IWGC in 1925. Previously served with the Royal Garrison Artillery.[31]
Wright's grave in St Omer
Gilbert Strange Elliott 15 June 1928 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Assistant Land & Legal Adviser. Died age 58.
Gilbert's grave in St Omer
Joseph J. Loosemore 28 February 1934 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Senior mechanic. Left the IWGC in 1921. Died age 50.[32]
Joseph's grave in St Omer
George Evans 25 November 1937 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Superintendent Clerk for the IWGC. Died age 56.
George's grave in St Omer
Edgar Frederick Harper 10 September 1938 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Joined the IWGC in May 1919 as Mechanic Workshop Foreman. Later promoted to Transport Superintendent in January 1938. Died age 42.[33]
Harper's grave in St Omer
John Christopher Fields 24 March 1939 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Appointed as Fitter's Mate in September 1924 working in Belgium & France. Died age 54. War service spent in the Royal Army Service Corps.[34]
Fields' grave in St Omer
George William Winter L.R.I.B.A. 6 August 1950 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Born 3 June 1888. Served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers during the First World War. Joined the IWGC as a Draughtsman in 1921; first working in Macedonia. He then transferred to France in 1924 as a Quantity Surveyor. Later promoted to Senior Superintendent of Works in 1947.[35]
Herbert S. Dickens 6 June 1953 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Appointed as a Carter in July 1919 in France. Later worked as General Labourer, Fitter's Mate & Blacksmith/Coppersmith before finally transferring to Gardener in 1952. Died age 55. Served in the Royal Army Service Corps during World War One.[36]
Thomas Daniel Luscombe 15 July 1956 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Appointed as Gardener-caretaker in April 1954. Later promoted to Head Gardener in November 1954. Died age 41.[37]
W. Clark 29 August 1961 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Died age 63.
Francis William Vass B.E.M. 25 March 1966 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery First employed by the IWGC in 1920 as Gardener's Labourer. Promoted to Gardener Caretaker in 1927 and later to Head Gardener in 1947. Retired from the CWGC in 1961. Died age 70.[38]
A. C. Nunn 20 September 1973 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Died age 53.
George A. D. Cargill 24 September 1974 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Died age 61.
E. A. Pinnock 2 June 1975 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Died age 89.
A. Brady 11 October 1982 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Died age 76.
A. J. Golder 14 October 1983 Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery Died age 57.
John William Preston 8 January 1969 Cimetière Communal Ste Catherine Appointed as Shorthand Typist in April 1921. Promoted to Storeman in June 1921 and then to Horticultural Clerk in 1928. Became Senior Clerk in April 1946. Retired in January 1956. Died age 78. Also buried with his wife, Laure.[39]
Sidney Thomas Groves 26 January 1920 Terlincthun British Cemetery Appointed as Gardener in May 1919. Served with the King's Royal Rifle Corps during World War One.[40]
Frederick Charles Leach 21 September 1961 Cimetière Communal Vimy First employed by the IWGC in July 1930 as Gardener's Labourer. Became Head Gardener in 1947 and retired in 1953. Died age 66.[41]
Samuel Pickard 2 November 1920 Cimetière Communal Wimereux Appointed Travelling Superintendent Gardener for the IWGC in April 1919. Previously retired from military service as a captain in the Manchester Regiment. Died age 59.[42]
Pickard's grave in Wimereux Cemetery

Nord

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
C. E. Thomas 15 July 1940 Le Bizet Cemetery, Armentieres Former IWGC staff.
Charles M. Baker 22 October 1941 Merville Communal Cemetery Extension Charles M. Baker was the head gardener of the Merville Group of IWGC Cemeteries. After being arrested in 1940, he died in the hospital at Stalag VIII C in Sagan-Silesia, on 22 October 1941.[43]
Baker in Merville Cemetery
Francis R. G. Grady 2 October 1949 Cimetière Communal Pont-de-Nieppe Appointed Pupil Gardener in December 1946. Killed in a road accident age 20.[44]
Robert Armstrong 18 December 1944 Valenciennes Communal Cemetery Extension (St. Roch), Valenciennes Robert Armstrong was the head gardener in Valenciennes. In May 1940, he requested permission to withdraw the two gardeners under his supervision from Valenciennes, but was sent back to work by the IWGC. An Irish citizen, Armstrong was not interned. He joined the Resistance and served in many different capacities. In November 1943, he was arrested by the Germans. After a sentence of death was commuted to eight years with hard labor, Armstrong was sent to various prisons in Germany. He died of exhaustion and beatings in December 1944. Armstrong's body was cremated with the bodies of other prisoners. The citizens of Valenciennes raised funds to place a memorial plaque in St. Roch, the cemetery he tended.[8]
Armstrong's plaque in Valenciennes

Aisne

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Leopold George Shreeve 19 May 1940 Cimetière Communal Vailly-sur-Aisne Born in London in 1886. George enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers, serving until October 1919. In May 1920 he joined the IWGC as a gardener labourer, becoming a gardener caretaker in 1928. The following was written using information from George's friend W.G. Price: "On May 19, 56-year-old gardener Leopold Shreeve of Vendresse-Beaulne was riding in a car driven by his friend, gardener W.G. Price, when they encountered a German roadblock near Corbeny. At the sight of German tanks, Price turned the car around, but five soldiers opened fire, striking Shreeve in the stomach. "I think I'm hit," Shreeve told Price. He bled to death on the way to a French military hospital."[8]
Leopold's grave in Vailly sur Aisne

Burials in Belgium

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Flanders

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Thomas McGrath 23 April 1920 Ljissenthoek Military Cemetery Appointed Gardener's Labourer for the IWGC in December 1919. Died age 31 from sickness. Formerly served with the 2nd Bn. East Lancashire Regiment & Chinese Labour Corps.
Major Arthur James Knowles 12 December 1921 Poperinge Communal Cemetery Died age 59. Previously served with the 16th Bn. London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles).
James Whateley Traill 15 September 1922 Poperinge Communal Cemetery Born approx. 1875. Appointed as Gardener's Labourer in August 1921. Died age 47.
William Thomas Roblou 10 December 1922 Poperinge Communal Cemetery Died age 41. Appointed as a Driver for the IWGC in Belgium on 7 May 1919. Served as a Sergeant in the Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport) during the First World War. His brother, Thomas Hugh Roblou, also worked for the IWGC.[45]
William Fruish 17 December 1925 Poperinge Communal Cemetery Died age 38. Joined the IWGC in July 1921.[46]
W. Aves 5 May 1928 Poperinge Communal Cemetery Died age 54. Joined the IWGC in 1922 as a Gardener Labourer. Previously served in the Labour Corps during the First World War.[47]
Harold Wardale 22 September 1938 Poperinge Communal Cemetery Began working for the IWGC sometime in the early/mid 1920s as a Gardener Caretaker. Died age 52.[48]
Harold Owen Frederick Wheaton 11 July 1951 Poperinge Communal Cemetery Died age 58. Joined the IWGC as a Motor Driver in 1922. Reappointed Gardener Labourer in 1936. Serviced in the Motor Transport of the Royal Army Service Corps during the First World War.[49]
Michael Stennett 13 September 2000 Voormezele Churchyard Died age 56. Michael's uncle, Charles Stennett, was killed during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. Michael moved to Belgium to work for the CWGC maintaining cemeteries around Ypres, including Tyne Cot.[50]
Sydney W. Cripps 29 December 1923 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Appointed Gardener in October 1921. Died age 28.[51]
C. F. Ford 11 February 1929 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Appointed Gardener Caretaker in July 1927. Died of pleurisy age 37.[52]
John A. Pegg 12 February 1930 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Appointed Gardener's Labourer in June 1920. Promoted to Gardener in June 1928. Served with the Middlesex Regiment during World War One. Died age 57.[53]
Thomas Alfred Sewell 16 April 1931 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Former head gardener of Poelcapelle British Cemetery. Died age 41[54]
William (Wiff) James 3 August 1947 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Appointed Gardener's Labourer in October 1920. Promoted to Gardener Caretaker in October 1927. Died age 51.[55]
Arthur Chesterman 15 August 1950 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Died age 56. Served in the South Lancashire Regiment during the First World War. Also buried with his wife, Marie Louise Chesterman.[56]
Thomas Brown 20 September 1951 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Appointed Gardener in October 1922. Promoted to Gardener Caretaker in April 1928. Died age 63. Served with the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War One.[57]
Harry Dunn 23 October 1956 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Former IWGC staff.
John Lobban 22 May 1957 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Joined the IWGC as a Gardener's Labourer in March 1922. Promoted to Gardener Caretaker in 1927. Died age 64.[58]
Harold Herbert Manklow 1 July 1957 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Joined the IWGC as a Gardener's Labourer in June 1920. Promoted to Gardener in 1927 then to Gardener Caretaker in 1929. Died age 61.[59]
Armand Georges Dupres 22 February 1961 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Joined the IWGC in 1921 as a Gardener Labourer. Became Head Gardener in 1952. Had previously served with the Devonshire Regiment.[60]
Frederick Ernest Rickett 13 December 1964 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Appointed Gardener's Labourer in November 1946. Later promoted to Gardener Caretaker in 1948. Left the CWGC in April 1964. Died age 57.[61]
William MacDonald 3 March 1967 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Appointed Gardener's Labourer in October 1920. By March 1947, had been promoted to Head Gardener. Retired from the CWGC in April 1964. Died age 67.[62]
Joseph Francis Cassin 2 February 1970 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Joined the IWGC as a Gardener's Labourer in March 1920. Promoted to Gardener Caretaker in October 1927. Retired from the CWGC in May 1960. Previously served in the Royal Field Artillery for five years. Was evacuated from Ypres in May 1940 and worked various labourer jobs until his return to Belgium in November 1945. Died age 74.[63]
Ernest Edward Bennett 19 May 1978 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Appointed as Gardener's Labourer in September 1923. Promoted to Gardener Caretaker in 1927, then to Head Gardener in 1947. Retired from the CWGC in March 1960. Previously served for four and a half years in the Royal Engineers during World War One. Died age 83.[64]
Ian Gilliland 31 May 1978 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Appointed Gardener's Labourer at an unknown date.[65]
George Robert Hoyles 5 January 1979 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Joined the IWGC in January 1924 as a Gardener's Labourer. Promoted to Gardener in 1927, then to Head Gardener in 1947. Retired from the CWGC in April 1960. Formerly served with the 6th Labour Company during World War One. Died age 83.[66]
Robert Henry Parker 21 October 1984 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Died age 69.[67]
Edward Albert Victor Moon 11 November 1984 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Joined the IWGC in November 1946 as a Gardener's Labourer. Retired in 1967 due to ill health. Edward died age 64. Son of IWGC gardener Edward (Ted) Moon, who with his wife Orinde, ran the cafe at Hill 60 between WW1 and WW2.[68]
Edward Moon's grave in Ypres
Richard Collick B.E.M. 21 March 1986 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Joined the IWGC in February 1920 as a Carpenter. Promoted to Foreman of Works in April 1921, then to later transferred to Germany from June 1925. Promoted to Superintendent of Works in 1955. Retired in September 1957. Died age 95. Previously served with the Royal Air Force as a Leading Aircraftman during World War One.[69]
William (Billy) Dunn 7 December 1987 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Died age 88. Served with the 1st Bn. Worcestershire Regiment from 1917 to 1920.
Sidney Arnold 6 February 1995 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Died age 79.
Harry Fisher 29 September 1999 Ypres Town Cemetery Extension Died age 74.
Edward (Ted) Moon 13 September 1950 Unknown Died age 55. Served with the Royal Army Service Corps for seven years. Joined the IWGC in 1920. Promoted to Gardener Caretaker in 1928. Also ran the cafe at Hill 60 with his wife Orinde.[70]

Brussels Capital Region

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Major Frederick Roberts Bader 6 May 1922 Brussels Town Cemetery Born 1 January 1867 in India. During the Great War Bader served with the Royal Engineers and was badly wounded in 1917. After the war, he took up a role as Contracts Officer in the IWGC. In 1922 he succumbed to his injuries in hospital in St. Omer. He is also the father of the famous WW2 pilot Sir Douglas Bader.[71]
Bader's grave in Brussels
George Edward Augustin (David) Greensill OBE 23 January 1949 Brussels Town Cemetery First employed by the IWGC in June 1923. Later transferred to Russia in May 1927 and returned to France in June 1927. Appointed Deputy Director or Works in 1937 and later promoted to Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Europe. During World War One he served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers and as a Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force in World War Two. Died age 53.[72]
David's grave in Brussels
Alfred James White 8 July 1950 Brussels Town Cemetery Former Officer Caretaker for the IWGC. Died age 58.
Alfred's grave in Brussels
John William Gamble 5 February 1984 Brussels Town Cemetery Joined the IWGC in September 1920 as a Gardener's Labourer. Promoted to Gardener Caretaker in 1927. Served in the Rifle Brigade during World War One. Retired from the IWGC in September 1958. Died age 90.[73]
John's grave in Brussels

Wallonia

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Peter Moir 24 (or 28) May 1940 Bas-Warneton (Neerwaasten) Communal Cemetery Joined the IWGC in 1936 as a pupil gardener. He lived and worked in Beaumont-Hamel on the Somme and in 1938 he married Suzanne Mahieu. In September 1939 he was recalled to the Gordon Highlands, sent back to Scotland to train and came back to France in late 1939. As part of the BEF, Peter was sent to Belgium to hold back the German forces from Dunkirk. According to the CWGC, he was killed in action on 24 May 1940, though it is more likely he was killed on 28 May.[8]
Peter Moir's grave
James Fitzgerald 3 April 1970 Mons Communal Cemetery Died age 71. Hired by the IWGC in 1919, he began working in the Mons area cemeteries. James was arrested in July 1940 and interned in Ilag VIII Tost. His son took over maintenance of the Mons cemeteries in his absence. Whilst imprisoned he studied under head gardener Albert Roberts and passed his Royal Horticultural Society exam in 1942. He was repatriated back to the UK in September 1944 and returned to Mons after the war ended.[74]

Luxembourg

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
James Short 13 November 1978 Hotton War Cemetery Born in 1906. Worked in the IWGC as a Maintenance Labourer. Left the IWGC in May 1957.[75]

Antwerpen

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Albert Willy Loe Speed 15 April 1968 Schoonselhof Cemetery Appointed as temporary Records Clerk Grade III in March 1946, working in the U.K. Speed then moved to Belgium in 1946, working as a driver between April 1947 and September 1951, after which he became a Gardener's Labourer. Promoted to Gardener Caretaker in September 1953.[76]

Burials in the Netherlands

[edit]

Gelderland

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Herbert Alaster Denham 31 August 1963 Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery Born 26 July 1914 in Durham. Joined the IWGC as a Travelling Head Gardener in December 1955. Promoted to Horticultural Superintendent in September 1957, later working primarily in Arras from January 1963. Died age 49.[77]
Percy Henry Dawson B.E.M. 24 May 1987 Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery Died age 71.
William Frazer Gregory 20 October 1988 Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery Died age 80.
Robert Malster 19 October 1983 Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery Died age 70.

Noord-Brabant

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Lewis L. Tombs B.E.M. 10 June 1982 Mierlo War Cemetery Joined the IWGC as a Gardener's Labourer in November 1948. Promoted to Gardener Caretaker and retired from the CWGC in June 1968. Died age 79.[78]

Burials in Poland

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Charles Henry Holton 24 April 1941 Rakowicki Cemetery, Kraków Died age 45. Joined the IWGC in January 1921 in General Duties. Later promoted to Gardener Caretaker in 1929. First IWGC gardener to die in an internment camp during WW2. Previously served in the Royal Engineers during World War One.[79]
Charles' grave in Krakow
Harold Stanley Coleman Hawkins 1 December 1941 Rakowicki Cemetery, Kraków Died age 52. Superintendent of Motor Transport, IWGC Arras, 1940.[80] According to an IWGC investigation, Hawkins's son, "did not think he would leave France on account of wife's family and dogs." Arrested and imprisoned by the Germans, Hawkins died in internment 1 December 1941.[81]
Stanley Hawkins' grave
William Robert Meller 13 June 1942 Rakowicki Cemetery, Kraków Joined the IWGC as a Gardener's Labourer in France in November 1921. Left the IWGC in March 1925, but rejoined in October 1937 and promoted to Junior Gardener Caretaker in April 1940. Arrested in June 1940 and died age 43 as a civilian POW in Poland. Also remembered on the civilian roll of honour in St George's Chapel, Westminster Abbey. Previously served in the Middlesex Regiment during World War One.[82]
Meller's grave in Krakow
James Edwards 5 July 1942 Rakowicki Cemetery, Kraków Died age 52. Worked for the IWGC from 1922 to 1938. Arrested and imprisoned by the Germans, he died in internment 5 July 1942. Formerly served with the Royal Engineers during the Great War. He was a Gardener-Caretaker in Audruicq.[83]
James Edwards' grave

Burials in Germany

[edit]

Nordrhein-Westfalen

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Walter J. Bussell 11 April 1924 Cologne Southern Cemetery Joined the IWGC as a Labourer in Germany in March 1923. Died age 34 due to an accident in service.[84]
William Andrew Wingens-O'Brien 16 May 1979 Cologne Southern Cemetery Former CWGC staff.
George Pearcy 25 December 1980 Cologne Southern Cemetery Joined the IWGC in May 1924 in Germany as a Casual Labourer. Promoted to Gardening Duties in 1926 and send to France in December 1939. Was later evacuated but returned to Germany in November 1945. Remained a Gardener Caretaker until his retirement from the IWGC in June 1956.[85]

Hamburg

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Henry Frederick Langley 10 May 1958 Hamburg Cemetery Appointed Probationary Gatdener in Germany in April 1937. Evacuated back to the UK in August 1939, but returned to Germany in November 1945. Promoted to Head Gardener in December 1949. Retired from the IWGC in October 1957. Died age 65.[86]

Niedersachsen

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Herbert John Kennet 3 August 2007 Hanover Military Cemetery Former CWGC staff.

Burials in Italy

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
William Herron 28 October 1919 Dueville Communal Cemetery Extension Died age 25 from sickness whilst working as a Driver the IWGC. Former had served with the Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport).[87]
Patrick Edgar Hennessy 7 November 1957 Rome War Cemetery Joined the IWGC as a Clerk Grade II in June 1947. Promoted to Senior Clerk October that same year. Later promoted to Executive Officer (Southern Region) in August 1957. Died age 35.[88]
Paul Francis Sutor 20 September 1965 Rome War Cemetery Former CWGC staff.
Seth Joshua Perry 29 September 1994 Rome War Cemetery Died age 79.

Burials in Greece

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
John Walter Javes 3 November 1920 Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria Died age 29 from diphtheria. Son of John & Rosetta Javes of Ashford, Middlesex. Formerly City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders). Appointed by the IWGC in March 1920 as a Draughtsman, primarily working in Macedonia.[89]

Burials in Cyprus

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Major Alexander Hunter 16 May 1955 Nicosia War Cemetery Appointed as a Finance & Accounts Officer in October 1945. Later posted to Cyprus in June 1954. Died age 59.[90]

Burials in the United Kingdom

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Lieutenant Colonel Werner William Thomas Massiah-Palmer OBE 17 February 1919 Edgeware (St. Margaret) Churchyard Serving as Deputy Assistant Director of Graves Registration and Enquiries; previously had served with the Northumberland Fusiliers.[91]
Major General Sir Fabian Arthur Goulstone Ware 28 April 1949 Holy Trinity Churchyard, Gloucestershire Founder of the Imperial War Graves Commission. In 1914 he obtained command of a mobile ambulance unit of the British Red Cross Society. By the end of the war, he had reached the rank of Major General. In 1917, he founded the Imperial War Graves Commission. During WWII he served as Director General of Graves Registration & Enquiries and retired in 1948.[92]
Fabian Ware's gravestone in Amberley
Edward Patrick Kerstin 16 November 1981 Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate Edward served in the Royal Artillery during WWII. Later he was assigned to a Graves Registration Unit and was responsible for inter the dead. At the end of WWII, he took on full time employment with the IWGC and stayed in France; part of his job was looking after cemeteries in the Somme & Vimy area. Paddy, as he was known, dedicated his life to looking after IWGC cemeteries. He was later posted to Tunisia on promotion and became a senior member of staff for the North Africa area. He was murdered at work by one of his locally employed personnel. After his death, the CWGC repatriated Edward home to Harrogate, where he is now interred.[93]
Maynard Pursglove 14 June 1940 Brenchley, Sussex Maynard Pursglove served as a signaler in the Royal Sussex Regiment during the First World War. In 1920, he began working as a gardener's laborer in France and was promoted to gardener in 1921. In 1940, he escaped the German invasion of France, but died of illness a few weeks after returning to England.[94]

Burials in Africa

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Lieutenant Colonel George Windham Wright Evans M.B.E. 10 September 1921 Nairobi South Cemetery, Kenya Appointed Deputy Director of the IWGC in East Africa in May 1920. Died of pneumonia age 46.[95]
Robert Kett 23 April 1929 Cairo New British Protestant Cemetery Joined the IWGC in France as a Foreman Gardener in September 1919. Transferred to Palestine as a Horticultural Officer in February 1922, but returned to France as Travelling Superintendent Gardener in May 1922. Spent the next few years travelling between France and Gallipoli. Appointed Area Superintendent for the Eastern District in January 1928. He was killed after being hit by a car in Cairo on 23 April 1929.[96]
Phillip E. Hughes 3 July 1933 Cairo New British Protestant Cemetery Former IWGC staff.
Christopher John Day 14 April 1958 Cairo New British Protestant Cemetery Appointed Caretaker by the IWGC in September 1929. Previously served in the Easy Surrey Regiment & Royal Welsh Fusiliers between 1903 and 1918, finishing his career in the Army as a Company Sergeant Major.[97]

Burials in Canada

[edit]
Name Date of death Burial location Additional information Grave photo
Colonel Herbert Tom (Bert) Goodland 13 August 1956 Saint Luke's Anglican Cemetery, Victoria, British Columbia Deputy Comptroller for the IWGC for France & Belgium from 1919 to 1923. Died age 81.

References

[edit]
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