Although it is called Dury Mill British Cemetery, a number of Canadian military personnel are also burried there. My great great uncle, Alfred Ernest Howell, is buried in this cemetery. Although actually my great great uncle was in the Canadian army when he died, he was actually Welsh, and move to Canada with his wife, Harriet Howell. I am trying to find out why he moved to Canada. (I believe that he was also in the British army first, I am also trying to research this).
The cemetery is literally in the middle of nowhere, it can be access via dirt tracks. These are just about doable in a normal car.
Close up view, still from the dirt track.
Amazingly, there is a beautifully kept turf walkway leading to the cemetery. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have done an amazing job.
View from the opposite direction, looking into the cemetery.
The grave of my great great uncle, Alfred Ernest Howell of the 54th Batallion Candian Infantary. He died on 2nd September 1918, aged 38. He was a seargent, number 237386.
A view of the neighbouring graves.
Some more general views.
The memorial.
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The bench and stone dedication.
View of all of the stones.
Information about WW1.
There is a nice guest book giving details of visitors.
As you acknowledge, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission does an excellent job in many places round the world, although its existence and activities may not be known to many of those who owe their present way of life to the sacrifice of those commemorated by the CWCG. My only concern (as someone whose christian grandfather is commemorated by the CWCG) is that I find it difficult to reconcile the cross placed prominently on many – perhaps all – CWGC gravestones with the admirable principle stated on the CWCG website that ‘There should be no distinction made on account of military or civil rank, race or creed’. Whilst the American assumption that all those who are not jewish, etc are christian and should therefore be commemorated by an actual cross is perhaps even more unthinking, such emblems can offend surviving relatives. Interestingly but confusingly, I have encountered church graveyards in England which do not now allow headstones in the form of crosses.
Comment by John Clare — January 29, 2009 @ 1:21 pm