Rifle House Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery

Infobox Military Cemetery
name= Rifle House, Ploegsteert
body= Commonwealth War Graves Commission


use_dates= 1914-1916
established= November 1914
designer= W H Cowlishaw
coordinates= coord|50|44|08.9|N|02|54|03.7|E|
nearest_town= Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium
total= 230
unknowns= 2
by_country=Allied Powers:
*United Kingdom: 229
*Canada: 1
by_war=
World War I: 230
source= [http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/ww1cemeteries/riflehousecemetery.htm WW1Cemeteries.com]

Rifle House Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial ground for the dead of World War I located near Ypres on the Western Front.

The cemetery grounds were assigned to the United Kingdom in perpetuity by King Albert I of Belgium in recognition of the sacrifices made by the British Empire in the defence and liberation of Belgium during the war. [ [http://www.webmatters.net/belgium/ww1_friedhof_vladslo.htm First World War] , accessed 19 August 2006]

Foundation

The cemetery takes its name from a strong point that stood in Ploegsteert Wood of which no trace now remains. [http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/ww1cemeteries/riflehousecemetery.htm WW1Cemeteries.com] , accessed 27 September 2007] Founded in November 1914, it was in use until June 1916. [http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=51603&mode=1 Commonwealth War Graves Commission] , accessed 27 September 2007]

The cemetery fell into German hands on 10 April 1918 during the Spring Offensive, but fell back to the Allies on 29 September 1918 as the Hundred Days Offensive swept north and east. [http://www.wo1.be/eng/database/dbDetail.asp?TypeID=6&SubTypeID=19&ItemID=5728 Wereldoorlog I in de Westhoek] , accessed 27 September 2007]

The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.

Notable graves

This cemetery contains the last resting place of Rifleman Robert Barnett of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, who died on 19 December 1914. He was 15 years old. [http://www.wo1.be/eng/database/personen/persDetail.asp?PersoonID=264 Wereldoorlog I in de Westhoek record for Robert Barnett] , accessed 27 September 2007]

References

External links

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