Perth (China Wall) Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery Explained

Perth (China Wall)
Body:Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Use Dates:1914–1917
Established:November 1914
Designer:Sir Edwin Lutyens
Nearest Town:Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium
Total:2791
By Country:Allies of World War I
By War:World War I

2791

Source:WW1Cemeteries.com

Perth (China Wall) Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial ground for the dead of the First World War located near Ypres (Ieper) in Belgium on the Western Front.

The cemetery grounds were assigned to the United Kingdom in perpetuity by King Albert I of Belgium in recognition of the sacrifices made by the British Empire in the defence and liberation of Belgium during the war.[1]

Foundation

The cemetery was begun in 1914 by French troops and adopted by the 2nd Scottish Rifles in June 1917.[2] A front line cemetery, it was called Perth (as the predecessors of the 2nd Scottish Rifles were raised in Perth), China Wall (from the communication trench known as the Great Wall of China), or Halfway House Cemetery and was in use until October 1917.[3] At the time of the armistice, it was a small cemetery of some 130 graves. It was expanded dramatically by concentration of graves from smaller cemeteries. The French element was also expanded, although these 158 graves have since been removed entirely.[4]

The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Notable graves

Victoria Cross recipients

This cemetery contains the burial places of two Victoria Cross recipients:

Johnston was awarded the Victoria Cross for an act of bravery on 14 September 1914, at Missy, France during the "Race to the Sea" . His citation stated that, "under a heavy fire all day until 7 p.m.", Johnston operated two rafts, transporting wounded personnel toward the rear and ammunition to the front line.

Birks was awarded the Victoria Cross for an act of bravery at Ypres on 20 September 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele. His citation stated that he and a corporal had attacked a German strong point that was holding up an Australian advance. After the corporal was wounded, Birks completed the capture of the position, killing the remaining German soldiers there, and capturing a machine gun. "Shortly afterwards ... [leading] a small party ... [Birks] attacked another strong point", occupied by about 25 Germans, killing about 10 of them and capturing a German officer and 15 other ranks.

Executed soldiers

Perth Cemetery also contains the burial places of British soldiers executed following courts martial. On 7 November 2006, the UK government announced retrospective pardons for all British personnel executed during the Great War.[7] Seven soldiers buried at Perth Cemetery were executed, following a conviction for desertion:

Concentrated cemeteries

The following cemeteries were concentrated into Perth (China Wall):

Notes and References

  1. http://www.webmatters.net/belgium/ww1_friedhof_vladslo.htm First World War
  2. Web site: CWGC :: Cemetery Details. www.cwgc.org. 2008-05-04.
  3. Web site: Perth Cemetery (China Wall). ww1cemeteries.com. 2008-05-04.
  4. Web site: Wereldoorlog I in de Westhoek – Perth (China Wall). www.wo1.be. 2008-05-04.
  5. accessed 21 January 2010
  6. accessed 21 January 2010
  7. http://www.shotatdawn.org.uk/ Shot at Dawn Campaign website
  8. accessed 4 May 2008
  9. accessed 4 May 2008
  10. accessed 4 May 2008
  11. accessed 4 May 2008
  12. accessed 4 May 2008
  13. accessed 4 May 2008
  14. accessed 4 May 2008
  15. Web site: Private Fraser. www.janpieterchielens.be. 2008-05-04. Putkowski. Julian.

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