Serg F Greaves VC

Sergeant Fred Greaves VC

9th Bn Sherwood Foresters ( Notts & Derbys) Regiment
 

Born 16 May 1890 Killamarsh, Derbyshire
Died 11 June 1973 Brimington, Derbyshire

 

 

 

Won the Victoria Cross on 4th October 1917 at Poelcapelle,
 Ypres, Belgium

Growing up in Brimington, we were always aware that we had a Victoria Cross winner living in the village.    Then a few years ago Fred Greaves name came to the fore again in our local press, after someone suggested naming a new road after him. 

As we were already heavily involved in our research of the Great war, we'd  read about Fred a Corporal then- and of the Belgium village - Poelkappelle - where he'd won his prestigious award, and we'd visited the cemetery there where many of his comrades had died in the battle - so we decided to learn more.

On a hot July day, armed with a photo of Fred taken from the Derbyshire Times, and a stack of information about the battle for the village, we headed for Poelkappelle to try and pinpoint the place where he'd won his VC.  

By chance we called at a small cafe  'Cafe de Zwann' in the village with the intention of having a drink and getting our bearings, when the young  cafe owner, spotting the photo in my hand called out  ' Fred Greaves!'    

We were astounded, and he pointed to a plaque on the cafe wall  which was a kind of shrine to Fred.  He explained that the village of Poelkappelle still hold Fred Greaves in the highest regard.

It seemed an incredible co-incidence for us to choose that particular cafe, amongst a number of others open there that day.  We took photos of the cafe owner and his wife, holding the ' Fred Greaves' plaque  and sent a letter to the 'Derbyshire Times' .  

Cafe Owners in Poelkappelle

We've been back to Poelkappelle a number of times,  and had a particularly memorable few days there, staying  in a charming little b &b called T Oud Gemeentehuis.  Unfortunately by then the Cafe De Zwann had changed hands and we were told the Fred Greaves shrine had moved with the owners.

 

 

Poelkappelle British Cemetery

April 2018

During our latest visit to Belgium we called at Poelcapelle again and were saddened to see that the 'Cafe De Zwann' has now been demolished

June 2019
 

We dropped into Poelcapelle again to see what was happening to the old ‘Café De Zwann’ site.
 

The new building was well on the way to being completed. And is destined to be commercial offices,

and stylish apartments. 
 

Sadly there is nothing left to remind others of  Sergeant Fred Greaves VC  heroic deeds on behalf of the village

 

 

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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