Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing
Encyclopedia
The Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing (also known as Hyde Park Corner and referred to colloquially as "Plug Street") is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission
(CWGC) memorial for the missing soldiers of World War I
who fought in the immediate area of the Ypres Salient
on the Western Front
.
The 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.
, which was founded by Commonwealth
troops in June 1916 as an extension to Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks) Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery
which lies across the road.
The memorial lists the 11,367 missing Commonwealth
soldiers from battles in the area:
The memorial was designed by H Chalton Bradshaw
, who also designed the Cambrai Memorial in France, apart from two large lions which were commissioned from the sculptor Gilbert Ledward
. It is 70 ft (21.3 m) in diameter and 38 in 6 in (11.73 m) tall and was unveiled on 7 June 1931 by the then-Duke of Brabant
, later King Leopold III of Belgium
.
, Sapper William Hackett
, Private James MacKenzie and Captain Thomas Tannatt Pryce
, who have no known grave.
to be played at the memorial on the first Friday of each month.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an intergovernmental organisation of six independent member states whose principal function is to mark, record and maintain the graves, and places of commemoration, of Commonwealth of Nations military service members who died in the two World Wars...
(CWGC) memorial for the missing soldiers of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
who fought in the immediate area of the Ypres Salient
Ypres Salient
The Ypres Salient is the area around Ypres in Belgium which was the scene of some of the biggest battles in World War I.In military terms, a salient is a battlefield feature that projects into enemy territory. Therefore, the salient is surrounded by the enemy on three sides, making the troops...
on the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
.
The grounds were assigned to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in perpetuity by King Albert I of Belgium
Albert I of Belgium
Albert I reigned as King of the Belgians from 1909 until 1934.-Early life:Born Albert Léopold Clément Marie Meinrad in Brussels, he was the fifth child and second son of Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders, and his wife, Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen...
in recognition of the sacrifices made by the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
in the defence and liberation of Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
during the war.
Foundation
The memorial stands in the middle of Berks Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery ExtensionBerks Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery Extension
Berks Cemetery Extension is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial ground for the dead of the First World War located in Ploegsteert in the Ypres Salient on the Western Front....
, which was founded by Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
troops in June 1916 as an extension to Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks) Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery
Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks) Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery
Hyde Park Corner Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial ground for the dead of the First World War located in the Ypres Salient on the Western Front....
which lies across the road.
The memorial lists the 11,367 missing Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
soldiers from battles in the area:
- ArmentieresBattle of ArmentièresThis battle was part of Race to Sea campaign. During this battle the British successfully held the line in their sector, against repeated German assaults.To the south it merged into the battle of La Bassée, to the north into the battle of Messines....
- Aubers RidgeBattle of Aubers RidgeThe Battle of Aubers Ridge was a British offensive mounted on the Western Front in 1915 during World War I.- Background :The battle was the initial British component of the combined Anglo-French offensive known as the Second Battle of Artois...
- LoosBattle of LoosThe Battle of Loos was one of the major British offensives mounted on the Western Front in 1915 during World War I. It marked the first time the British used poison gas during the war, and is also famous for the fact that it witnessed the first large-scale use of 'new' or Kitchener's Army...
- FromellesBattle of FromellesThe Battle of Fromelles, sometimes known as the Action at Fromelles or the Battle of Fleurbaix , occurred in France between 19 July and 20 July 1916, during World War I...
- Estaires
- Hazebrouck (part of the Battle of the Lys)
- Scherpenberg (part of the Battle of the Lys)
- Outtersteene Ridge (known as the 'Action of Outtersteene Ridge', 18 August 1918)
The memorial was designed by H Chalton Bradshaw
H Chalton Bradshaw
Harold Chalton Bradshaw was a Liverpool-born architect.His design work included the British School at Rome's Common Room and several Commonwealth War Graves Commission First World War cemeteries and memorials, including the Cambrai Memorial in France and the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing...
, who also designed the Cambrai Memorial in France, apart from two large lions which were commissioned from the sculptor Gilbert Ledward
Gilbert Ledward
Gilbert Ledward RA , was an English sculptor.He won the Prix de Rome for sculpture in 1913, and in World War I served in the Royal Garrison Artillery and later as a war artist. He was professor of sculpture at the Royal College of Art and in 1937 was elected a Royal Academician...
. It is 70 ft (21.3 m) in diameter and 38 in 6 in (11.73 m) tall and was unveiled on 7 June 1931 by the then-Duke of Brabant
Duke of Brabant
The Duchy of Brabant was formally erected in 1183/1184. The title "Duke of Brabant" was created by the German Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in favor of Henry I, son of Godfrey III of Leuven . The Duchy of Brabant was a feudal elevation of the since 1085/1086 existing title of Landgrave of Brabant...
, later King Leopold III of Belgium
Leopold III of Belgium
Leopold III reigned as King of the Belgians from 1934 until 1951, when he abdicated in favour of the Heir Apparent,...
.
Notable names
The memorial holds the names of three recipients of the Victoria CrossVictoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, Sapper William Hackett
William Hackett
William Hackett VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, Private James MacKenzie and Captain Thomas Tannatt Pryce
Thomas Tannatt Pryce
Thomas Tannatt Pryce VC MC & Bar was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, who have no known grave.
"The Last Post"
Since 7 June 1999, the Comité du Memorial de Ploegsteert has arranged for the Last PostLast Post
The "Last Post" can be either a B♭ bugle call within British Infantry regiments or an E♭ cavalry trumpet call in British Cavalry and Royal Regiment of Artillery used at Commonwealth military funerals and ceremonies commemorating those who have been killed in war.The two regimental traditions have...
to be played at the memorial on the first Friday of each month.