Seeking Cemetery Photos - First World War RCR Graves - COMPLETED

[Michael OLeary]

I have added a map utility to my website information on the casualties of the First World War.  This interactive map will allow users to see where the cemeteries are located that include soldiers of the Regiment, and each cemetery marker links back to the information page I have compiled on it.

Great War Cemeteries of The RCR

If anyone is traveling to any of these cemeteries I would greatly appreciate photos of one or more of the gravestones.

[Mike Blais]

Good idea, Mike. It is to bad we did not have internet back in the eighties in Germany or I would have made it my mission to get you a photo of every site mentioned.

I guess we'll have to do it hard way.

You get the regiment to pay, I will go take the pictures and gather information! ;-)

[Michael OLeary]

You get the regiment to pay, I will go take the pictures and gather information! ;-)

Mike, your readiness to make such a sacrifice is noble and shall not be forgotten.  However, being members of a frugal Regiment, we shall have to look for other methods. 

Today I managed to add photos provided by a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Study Group who visited the Denain Communal Cemetery.

[Tim Robinson]

Two photos from La Chaudiere that I found on the web  at:

http://www.webmatters.net/france/ww1_introfrance.htm

[Michael OLeary]

Thanks Tim, I have added them.

[Michael OLeary]

I have been enjoying excellent response to a similar request in the United Kingdom on the Great War Forum, having received photos from 23 of 28 cemeteries in three weeks.

Similarly, I have had some responses in Canada from members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Study Group.  When one member of this group took a photo of an RCR gravestone in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, I identified it as being incorrectly engraved (wrong service number).  I contacted the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  This is their reply:

CEM 24699

Dear Mr O'Leary,

Thank you for informing the Commission regarding the service number of 715921 Private Percy LARTER.

We will make the necessary arrangements to replace the headstone this year.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you once again.

Dominique Boulais (Mr / Monsieur)
Acting Secretary-General / Secrétaire général intérimaire
Canadian Agency / Agence canadienne
Commonwealth War Graves Commission / Commission des sépultures de guerre du Commonwealth
66, rue Slater Street  Suite 1707
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0P4
CANADA
 
613-992-7391
613-995-0431 (fax)
dominique.boulais@vac-acc.gc.ca
 
www.cwgc-canadianagency.ca
www.cwgc.org

Very nice to see their quick response and plan of action.

[Michael OLeary]

The Canadian cemeteries I'm still looking for photos from are:

(Updated list in later post.)

[Mike Blais]

Mike, the Niagara Branch is participating with a parade at Victoria lawns on the 7th of June. I will  ensure our brother's sacrifice  is mentioned and a wreath placed in his honour. Will take pictures then.

[Mike Blais]

Mike. Stopped by Victoria Lawns today to get a picture of the Pte Brix's gravestone for you.  Unfortunately, they do not have a listing under that name or time frame. Suggestions?

[Michael OLeary]

Interesting.  It must be an error in the Commonwealth War Graves database.  It is possible that the name has moved between local cemeteries in the past 90 years, or even that records were lost at the cemetery.  I will have to see if I can find any further clues regarding Brix's final resting place.

[Mike Blais]

The lady was very helpful, even went and looked through the paperwork they had not computerized due to time past. Let me know how you make out, if he is down this way, i will get a picture for you.

[sgmiller]

Mike;

My son and I visited Ypres, Vimy and the Somme in March. As I am still a bit of a luddite I've sent to Regt Adjt some photos we took there. One in particular is the only RCR listed inthe Tyne Cott cemetry, an unknown. The other I'm not sure of for location but there is a name and date so a search of CWGC will should give you the location, also there is one picture with all the RCR names on the Menin Gate.

Over to you,

Greg

[Michael OLeary]

Greg, thank you.  I'll check with the Regt Adjt.  I'll be able to cross-reference any details on the photos.

Mike

[Michael OLeary]

Through the efforts of members of the Great War Forum and a few other online contacts, I can now report that I have received and posted photos of all RCR graves in the United Kingdom.  members of the same forum have also generously provided many photos of RCR graves in France and Belgium as well.

Cemetery List
Cemetery Map

I am still looking for photos in Canadian cemeteries listed above (see reply #6).

[Jerry Robertson]

Mike,
There is a Royal buried in the Queensville cemtary. I posted his name a couple of years back in here but i will go today and get his name and a pic for you. Queensville is in Ontario just north of Newmarket.
Jerry