Oxford Road Cemetery
Location
The cemetery is located to the north-east of the town of Ieper. From the station follow the ring road in an anti-clockwise direction (Passing the Lille Gate/Rijselpoort on your left).
At the large roundabout on the Menin Road (just after the sports centre) take the fourth exit onto the N345. The next village, Sint Jan is reached within a kilometre and you cross the next roundabout into Potijzestraat. You will pass Potijze Burial Grounds Cemetery on your left just after the roundabout.
Continue to the next junction and turn right into Brugseweg. Just before the autoroute take the side road on your right leading you down to the cemetery.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 50.869299 | 2.916033 | Map |
Historical Information
Oxford Road was the name given to a road running behind the support trenches, from a point west of the village of Wieltje south-eastwards to the Potijze-Zonnebeke road.
Plot I is the original Oxford Road Cemetery and was used by the units fighting on this front from August 1917 to April 1918. In October 1917, another cemetery, known as Oxford Road Cemetery No.2, was started close by and now forms Plot V of the cemetery as it appears today.
After the Armistice, Plots II, III and IV were added when scattered graves from the battlefields east and south-east of Ypres (now Ieper) were brought into the cemetery.
There are now 851 Commonwealth casualties of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 297 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate three casualties known to have been buried in the cemetery, but whose graves could not be located.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
The monument to the 50th (Northumberland) Division is next to the cemetery
Captain Clement Robertson VC
A Bn Tank Corps
Died on 4th October 1917 aged 28
Son of Major John and Frances Robertson
of Struan Hill, Delgany, Co. Wicklow
Grave: III F 7 (believed to be)
The London Gazette 30433
14th December 1917
For most conspicuous bravery in leading his Tanks in attack under heavy shell, machine-gun and rifle fire. Capt. Robertson, knowing the risk of the Tanks missing the way, continued to lead them on foot, guiding them carefully and patiently towards their objective although he must have known that his action would almost inevitably cost him his life.
This gallant officer was killed after his objective had been reached, but his skilful leading had already ensured successful action.
His utter disregard of danger and devotion to duty afford an example of outstanding valour.
Rifleman Humphrey Glover R/8804
7th Bn King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Died on 4th December 1917
Grave: V E 4
Private George Brabner 7442
11th Bn Australian Infantry
Died on 9th March 1918 aged 22
Son of James and Georgina Brabner
of Tennyson St, Berreview, Western Australia
Grave: II A 11
Private Ernest Tucker 38294
Royal Scots Fusiliers
20th Company Labour Corps
Died on 11th January 1918 aged 21
Son of the late John and Jane Tucker
Born at Edinburgh
Grave: V G 17