Hello Chaps, Would you know what street is nearest the massacre site, I'm trying to put it into the sat nav however it is demanding a particular street. Also when I was last there I was shown a burial ground which contained I thought some of the ww2 victims, I do not remember seeing civilian graves as described below, is there another one that I'm thinking of? Many thanks in advance Soren Cemetery Details Cemetery:WORMHOUDT COMMUNAL CEMETERYCountry:FranceLocality:NordVisiting Information:Wheelchair access is possible via the main entrance. For further information regarding wheelchair access, please contact our Enquiries Section on 01628 507200.Location Information:Wormhoudt is a large village 20 kilometres south of Dunkirk on the main Dunkirk-Amiens road. The cemetery is about 800 metres north of the Church and some 50 metres east of the main road. The turning for the cemetery is narrow and not easily seen. It can be found opposite the Gendarmerie. The Commonwealth burials can be found on the left hand side and at the far end of the Communal Cemetery.Historical Information:There are now a small number of 1914-18 and over 100, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over 30 from the 1939-45 war are unidentified.No. of Identified Casualties:115
I guess I'm thinking of the one below, I suppose they could be buried in either? Cemetery Details Cemetery:ESQUELBECQ MILITARY CEMETERYCountry:FranceLocality:NordLocation Information:Esquelbecq is a village near the Belgian frontier, 24 kilometres north of Hazebrouck and the same distance south of Dunkirk. The Military Cemetery is about one kilometre west of the village, 200 metres south of the road to Zeggers-Cappel.Historical Information:The cemetery was opened in April 1918 during the early stages of the German offensive in Flanders, when the 2nd Canadian and 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Stations came to Esquelbecq. It was closed in September 1918. The cemetery was used again during the Second World War, mainly for the burial of those killed during the German advance of May 1940 and the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force to Dunkirk. Esquelbecq Military Cemetery contains 578 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 47 from the Second World War. There are also 11 French and German burials. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.No. of Identified Casualties:628
Also what are the bare facts of the incident, my mate is coming over with his 80 year old father and I do not wish to ruining their visiting by talking too long, as I'm no tour guide! Also sometimes I think these places speak for themselves, my brief understanding is: 1) Previously unstoppable SS unit starts taking stiff resistance/casualties from Royal Warwickshire Regiment ~ this puts their jaw out and they take on the prisoners by conducting this war crime? Sorry for the spartan posts, I'm a little short of time!
One last request, any idea why this chap is here? I presume it was the general advance to the rhine is that correct? or is the date important Casualty Details Name:BROOKS, GWILYNInitials:GNationality:United KingdomRank:CorporalRegiment/Service:The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)Unit Text:1/7th Bn.Age:38Date of Death:10/09/1944Service No:3953856Awards:M MAdditional information:Son of William Edward and Olivia Brooks; husband of Annie May Brooks, of Miskin, Glamorgan.Casualty Type:Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference:Grave 377.Cemetery:KALLO COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Soren Check in with Drew5233 (Andy) as we are coming over in the next couple of weeks to visit Wormhoudt. He'll give you all the info on what and where to see etc. Cheers - Robert
Hi Soren, As a rough guide those that were killed in Wormhout during the fighting were buried in Wormhout cemetery. As for the massacre they were marched into the next parish in Esquelbecq hence why they are buried in the Esquelbecq cemetery. Esquelbecq is on the Rue du Souvenir. Wormhout is along a lane off the Route de Bergues on the right as you head north away from Wormhout. The memorial area/barn to the massacre is just off the Rue Des Dunkirk Veterans. If you travel to it from Wormhout along the D17 keep an eye out on the left as there is another memorial with a Union Flag flying just before you reach the Dunkirk Veterans lane. Apparently there is another memorial that I've never found on Rue Des Dunkirk Veterans in the way of a stone tablet before you reach the barn. I plan to look for it on the next trip. As for what happened in brief terms you pretty much have it Soren. There are numbered markers on the ground at the sight in English giving you an idea of what happened and when and on the top of the mount there is a compass type table pointing to key locations from the fighting in the area. Hope that helps. Andy
So Wormhoudt massacre site is more or less in Esquelbecq for sat nav purposes, oh and thank you for the great information, hope to see you over here, give me a shout just before you come
It's between the two villages but just outside/east of Esquelbecq. Look on Google Maps via the Rue de Dunkirk Veterans road/lane. It's quite easy to see, there is a big cross laid out on the field which are paths. A
Soren have you been ? I was there Saturday with Rob and I'm sad to say that it appears as thought the barn has been the victim of what looks like a vandal as all the picture frames containing pictures of Burt Evans and Robert Vanpee and the like have had the glass smashed and some of the wreaths have been broken and left all over the floor. I guess this could a case of some severe wind so who knows. It looks like all the Oak trees that were planted (One for each man believed to be murdered) have died and a few have been dug up. The site also appears to be having some renovation work undertaken at the moment as a new fence has been put up along the side of the ground facing Fort Rose Farm and the Belvedere has had one side of the plants removed, I suspect in time for the 70th Anniversary taking place in a few months. I must say though that this was the first time in four or five visits I've been in the winter and it does not compare to a visit in the summer.
I thought we were very lucky with the weather. Bracing!!! The vandalism was shameful and being remote, it leaves it open to abuse to the brainless minority.
