Tyne Cot Memorial
Location
Tyne Cot Cemetery is located 9 kilometres north east of Ieper town centre, on the Tynecotstraat, a road leading from the Zonnebeekseweg (N332).
Parking is provided to the rear of the visitors centre. It should be noted that the road leading along the front of the cemetery is now one-way only: leading away from the cemetery.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 50.88752 | 3.00116 | Map |
Having passed through the Vistors’ Centre you walk down to the main entrance to the cemetery. The exit back into the car park is within the apse containing the New Zealand Memorial.
Visiting Information
There are two separate registers for this site – one for the cemetery and one for the memorial.
The Cemetery Register will be found in the entrance gate
The Memorial Register will be found in the left hand rotunda of the memorial as you face the memorial.
The Panel Numbers quoted at the end of each entry relate to the panels dedicated to the Regiment served with. In some instances where a casualty is recorded as attached to another Regiment, his name may alternatively appear within their Regimental Panels.
The names of those missing from United Kingdom units are inscribed on Panels arranged by Regiment (In order of precedence and not alphabetically) then their respective Ranks.
The names of those from New Zealand units are inscribed on panels within the New Zealand Memorial Apse located at the centre of the Memorial.
Historical Information
The Cemetery
The cemetery was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.
The original battlefield cemetery of 343 graves was greatly enlarged after the Armistice when remains were brought in from the battlefields of Passchendaele and Langemark, and from a few small burial grounds.
It is now the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world in terms of burials.
The Memorial to the Missing
The Tyne Cot Memorial is one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient.
The battles of the Ypres Salient claimed many lives on both sides and it quickly became clear that the commemoration of members of the Commonwealth forces with no known grave would have to be divided between several different sites.
The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. The Menin Gate commemorates those of all Commonwealth nations except New Zealand who died in the Salient before 16 August 1917.
Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial here at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. Other New Zealand casualties are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.
The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F V Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett in July 1927.
Amongst the thousands of names here are a few that catch the eye.
Victoria Cross holders
There are three recipients of the Victoria Cross commemorated.
Lieutenant Colonel Philip Bent VC DSO
9th Bn Leicestershire Regiment
Died on 1st October 1917 aged 26
Native of Halifax, Nova Scotia
Panel: 50
The London Gazette No. 30471
dated 11th January 1918
For most conspicuous bravery, when during a heavy hostile attack, the right of his own command and the battalion on his right were forced back. The situation was critical owing to the confusion caused by the attack and the intense artillery fire. Lt Colonel. Bent personally collected a platoon that was in reserve, and together with men from other companies and various regimental details, he organised and led them forward to the counter-attack, after issuing orders to other officers as to the further defence of the line.
The counter-attack was successful and the enemy were checked. The coolness and magnificent example shown to all ranks by Lt Colonel Bent resulted in the securing of a portion of the line which was of essential importance for subsequent operations. This very gallant officer was killed whilst leading a charge which he inspired with the call of: “Come on the Tigers.”
The nickname of the Leicestershire Regiment being: The Tigers.
42537 Corporal William Clamp VC
6th Bn Yorkshire Regiment
Died on 9th October 1917 aged 26
Son of Charles and Christina Clamp
of 13C, Reid Terrace, Flemington, Motherwell
Panel: 52
The London Gazette No. 30433
dated 18th December 1917
For most conspicuous bravery when an advance was being checked by intense machine-gun fire from concrete blockhouses and by snipers in ruined buildings. Corporal Clamp dashed forward with two men and attempted to rush the largest blockhouse. His first attempt failed owing to the two men with him being knocked out, but he at once collected some bombs, and calling upon two men to follow him, again dashed forward. He was first to reach the blockhouse and hurled in bombs, killing many of the occupants.
He then entered and brought out a machine-gun and about twenty prisoners, whom he brought back under heavy fire from neighbouring snipers. This non-commissioned officer then again went forward encouraging and cheering the men, and succeeded in rushing several snipers’ posts. He continued to display the greatest heroism until he was killed by a sniper. His magnificent courage and self-sacrifice was of the greatest value and relieved what was undoubtedly a very critical situation.
42364 Corporal Ernest Seaman VC
2nd Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Died on 29th September 1918 aged 25
Son of Sarah Seaman
Born at Norwich, Norfolk
Panel: 70
The London Gazette No.31012
dated 15th November 1918
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When the right flank of his company was held up by a nest of enemy machine guns, he, with great courage and initiative, rushed forward under heavy fire with his Lewis gun and engaged the position single-handed, capturing two machine guns and twelve prisoners and killing one officer and two men.
Later in the day he again rushed another enemy machine-gun position, capturing the gun under heavy fire. He was killed immediately after. His courage and dash were beyond all praise, and it was entirely due to the very gallant conduct of Lance Corporal Seaman that his company was enabled to push forward to its objective and capture many prisoners.
Family members
There are numerous entries of family members who died and were never identified. Amongst them:
Rifleman Walter Castro R/21620
9th Bn King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Died on 23rd August 1917 aged 35
Rifleman William Castro R/21621
9th Bn King’s Royal Rifle Corps
Died on 23rd August 1917 aged 35
Sons of Henry and Laura Sofie Castro
of Homerton, London
Panel: 115
Lt Colonel Harry Moorhouse DSO
4th Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Died on 9th October 1917
Legion of Honour
His son, Captain Ronald Moorhouse, MC, also serving with the 4th Bn KOYLI, died on the same day.
Captain Ronald Moorhouse MC
4th Bn King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Died on 9th October 1917
Panel: 108
Looking back towards Ieper whose Cloth Hall is easily seen from the ridge.