Perth (China Wall) Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery

Infobox Military Cemetery
name = Perth (China Wall)
body = Commonwealth War Graves Commission


use_dates = 1914-1917
established = November 1914
designer = Sir Edwin Lutyens
coordinates = coord|50|50|32|N|02|55|19|E|
nearest_town = Ieper, West Flanders, Belgium
total = 2791
by_country = Allies of World War I:
*United Kingdom: 2481
*Australia: 147
*Canada: 133
*New Zealand: 23
*South Africa: 7
by_war =
World War I: 2791
source = [http://ww1cemeteries.com/ww1cemeteries/perthcemeterychinawall.htm WW1Cemeteries.com]

Perth (China Wall) Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial ground for the dead of World War I located near Ypres (now "Ieper") in Belgium 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 was begun in 1914 by French troops.cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=10000&mode=1|title=CWGC :: Cemetery Details|publisher=www.cwgc.org|accessdate=2008-05-04] A front line cemetery, it was variously known as "China Wall" and "Halfway House" and was in use until October 1917.cite web|url=http://ww1cemeteries.com/ww1cemeteries/perthcemeterychinawall.htm
title=PERTH CEMETERY (China Wall)|publisher=ww1cemeteries.com|accessdate=2008-05-04] At the time of the armistice, it was a small cemetery of some 130 graves. It was expanded dramatically by concentration of graves from smaller cemeteries. The French element was also expanded, although these 158 graves have since been removed entirely. [cite web|url=http://www.wo1.be/eng/database/dbDetail.asp?TypeID=6&SubTypeID=19&ItemID=5685
title=Wereldoorlog I in de Westhoek - Perth (China Wall)|publisher=www.wo1.be|accessdate=2008-05-04]

The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Notable graves

The cemetery contains the burial places of seven soldiers executed by their own side for cowardice or desertion:

*Private George Ernest Roe, of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, from Sheffield. [cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=103986|title=3/1433 Roe G E|publisher=www.cwgc.org|accessdate=2008-05-04] He was executed for desertion in June 1915, aged 19.

*Private Thomas Harris, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). [cite web
url=http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=103481|title=L/10132 Harris T|publisher=www.cwgc.org|accessdate=2008-05-04] He was executed for desertion in June 1915, aged 21.

*Private Thomas Docherty, King's Own Scottish Borderers. [cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=103252|title=11559 Docherty T|publisher=www.cwgc.org|accessdate=2008-05-04] He was executed for desertion in July 1915.

*Corporal Frederick Ives, Worcestershire Regiment. [cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=103570|title=12295 Ives F|publisher=www.cwgc.org|accessdate=2008-05-04] He was executed for desertion in July 1915, aged 30.

*Private Ernest Fellows, Worcestershire Regiment, from Birmingham. [cite web
url=http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=103328|title=9722 Fellows E|publisher=www.cwgc.org|accessdate=2008-05-04] He was executed for desertion in July 1915, aged 29, leaving a wife, Annie, and his parents James and Emma.

*Private Louis Phillips, Somerset Light Infantry. [cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=103905|title=10315 Phillips L|publisher=www.cwgc.org|accessdate=2008-05-04] He was executed for desertion in August 1915, aged 23.

*Private Evan Fraser, Royal Scots. [cite web|url=http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=103364|title=11653 Fraser E|publisher=www.cwgc.org|accessdate=2008-05-04] He was executed for desertion in August 1915, aged 19. He is commemorated on a special memorial, his original grave having been lost. Fraser absconded from his regiment at 4pm on 24 May 1915. He was arrested the next day at a local railway station in possession of a forged pass and handed back to the British. Whilst in British custody he escaped, but again was caught after little more than 24 hours. Two weeks later, he escaped custody for a second time and again was arrested within a day. On 13 July he was charged with having deserted on three occasions and of conduct to the prejudice of good order (having a forged pass). He was undefended at his trial. He pleaded guilty to the forgery, but not guilty to the counts of desertion. His battalion adjutant gave evidence, saying that Fraser was "a continual source of annoyance", a shirker and a continual deserter. He was shot at 4am on 2 August 1915. [cite web|url=http://www.janpieterchielens.be/shotatdawn/page66.html|title=Private Fraser|publisher=www.janpieterchielens.be|accessdate=2008-05-04|last=Putkowski
first=Julian]

On 7 November 2006, the British government reversed its previous decision and announced a pardon for all soldiers executed in the Great War. [http://www.shotatdawn.org.uk/ Shot at Dawn Campaign website] , accessed 1 October 2007]

Concentrated cemeteries

The following cemeteries were concentrated into Perth (China Wall):

*Becelaere German No 1 (2 soldiers)
*Belgian Chateau, Vlamertinghe (12 UK, 11 Canadian)
*Broodseinde German, Zonnebeke (12)
*Durham, Zillebeke (52)
*Garter Point, Zonnebeke (19 Australian, 8 UK, 3 unknown)
*Gordon House No 2, Zillebeke (30)
*Hans Kirchner German, Poelcapelle (4)
*Houthulst German (1)
*Keerselaere West German, Langemark (29)
*Keerselaerhoek German, Passendale (12 UK, 2 Canadian)
*Langemarck German No 7 (Totenwaldchen), Langemark (4)
*Langemarch German No 8, Langemark (27)
*L'Ebbe Farm, Poperinge (21)
*Manneken Farm German No 3, Zarren (13)
*Nachtigall (also known as Rossignol or Vieux-Chien) German, Gheluvelt (69)
*Poelcapelle German No 2 (96)
*Poelcapelle German No 3 (23 UK, 19 Canadian)
*Ration Dump Burial Ground, Zillebeke (28 UK, 1 Canadian)
*Reutel German, Becelaere (125 UK, 2 Canadian, 1 New Zealand)
*St Joseph German, Hooglede (4)
*St Julien Communal, Langemark (6 Canadian)
*St Julien East German, (65 UK, 31 Canadian)
*Schreiboom German, Langemark (34)
*Transport Farm Annexe, Zillebeke (27)
*Trench Railway, Zillebeke (21)
*Treurniet German, Poelcapelle (1 Canadian)
*Wallemolen German, Passendale (20 UK, 15 Canadian)
*Weidendreft German, Langemark (98)
*Westroosebeke German No 2 (1)

References

External links

*