Cemeteries

"In Perpetuity"

During our many years  researching  Brimington’s  soldiers  we have been privileged to visit literally hundreds of Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries.  And we have never failed to be deeply moved and highly impressed by the dedication still shown to the British and Commonwealth soldiers by the Commission.  

Individual graves are marked by uniform headstones, different only in their inscriptions: the national emblem or regimental badge, rank, name, unit, date of death and age of each casualty is inscribed above an appropriate religious symbol and a more personal dedication chosen by relatives.

More than half of Brimington's Great War soldiers have graves.  Many  of their headstones were weather worn and barely readable, but in the years we have been visiting the western front some have been replaced  whilst other are still waiting.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission  Cemeteries -     Facts & Figures

Cross of Sacrifice  

In any cemetery with over 40 graves, you can find the Cross of Sacrifice, designed by the architect Sir Reginald Blomfield to represent the faith of the majority.   All follow the same original design  - a simple cross embedded with a bronze sword and mounted on an octagonal base

The Stone of Remembrance 
The words carved on every Stone of Remembrance, “Their Name Liveth For Evermore”, were suggested by Rudyard Kipling. The phrase is taken from Ecclesiasticus, Chapter 44, verse 14: “Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore"

Cemetery Register

At each cemetery you will find a printed register showing the service details and, in some cases, family details, of the men and women buried. There will also be a grave plot reference and a layout plan of the cemetery to help find the grave. And a visitors book which you are invited to sign, and leave your thoughts. 

New headstones

Renewal and Replace

It is a constant battle against time and weather to maintain the headstones.  Damage & erosion is routinely inspected, and maintenance is an on going task. A damaged or eroded headstone - a name that cannot be read - is unacceptable, there is a constant 'work in progress' of inspections of headstones & memorials. Eroded headstones are re-engraved, but where the damage is beyond repair headstones are replaced.

Engraved and waiting placement at Tyne Cot

'A Soldier of the Great War"

Over 700,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers are buried  but not identified by name or have no known grave but are remembered on a memorial.

So of course it is possible that many of Brimingtons soldiers classified as  'no known grave'  are buried somewhere.

In some cases soldiers were buried in collective graves, as distinguishing one body from another was not possible and so one headstone covers more than one grave.

If a soldiers country, rank, and/or regiment could be accurately confirmed then the headstone would reflect the details.

You see so many different headstone inscriptions as you walk along the rows and rows of graves in CWGC cemeteries - here are just a few:

 

THEY MAY NOT BE KNOWN... BUT... THEY WOULD BE MOURNED

BURIED 'SOMEWHERE

There are a great  number of soldiers who are known to be buried in a particular place but the exact burial plot was not recorded or was lost.
One of our Brimington men - L/Corp Edward Newbery is buried somewhere in Wancourt British Cemetery in France, along side over 1900 comrades.

His headstone is located at the periphery of the cemetery and bears the inscription

'Known to be buried somewhere in this cemetery'

Unfortunately the headstone is weather-worn and the lettering very faint

LOST & LOST AGAIN.....


 During the four years of fighting and with battle lines ever changing, many graves and burial grounds were completely destroyed by artillery - some more than once.

Eventually comrades would erect memorials to the men who were lost and lost again.

 

 

TO THE MEMORY OF THESE 35 SOLDIERS OF

THE BRITISH EMPIRE KILLED IN ACTION IN 1916

AND BURIED AT THE  TIME IN MASH VALLEY
CEMETERY  OVILLERS  LA BOISELLE

WHOSE  GRAVES WE DESTROYED

IN LATER BATTLES

 

THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT

 

          

 The Beginning and the End

St Symphorien Cemetery, Mons

St. Symphorien cemetery was established by the German Army in August 1914 as the final resting place for British and German soldiers who were killed at the Battle of Mons. Brimington soldier George Insley is buried there and despite its significance we found the cemetery quite lovely, serene and unique in its layout.

Among those also buried there is Private John Parr of the Middlesex Regiment who became the first British soldier to be killed in action on the western front. And ironically the last British soldier to be killed Private George Ellison of the Royal Irish Lancers is also buried in St Symphorien- and they are buried only a few feet apart.

Not Forgotten Brimington    Not Forgotten Brimington   

If you have any further information about Brimington’s soldiers or need help from us or would like to leave feedback please see contact us page for details

THIS MONTH
WE ARE REMEMBERING

 

 Our Brimington Wreath
laid at the Memorial Gates on Remembrance Sunday
 14th Nov 2021

   Remembrance Sunday 2021

THE SOMME - 1916

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