Yorkshire Regiment War Graves, - Loker Churchyard, Belgium

Loker Churchyard
Photo : Chris Weekes (<weebex12@hotmail.com>)

Loker (formerly Locre) Churchyard is located 11.5 Kms south-west of Ieper town centre on the Dikkebusseweg (N375).

Locre (now Loker) was in Allied hands during the greater part of the war, and field ambulances were stationed in the Convent of St. Antoine. The village changed hands several times between 25 and 30 April 1918, when it was recaptured by the French. The hospice, or convent, was the scene of severe fighting on 20 May, but was not retaken until first week in July.

Loker Churchyard was used by field ambulances and fighting units from December 1914 to June 1917, and it contains two Commonwealth plots. One grave was brought in after the Armistice from LOCRE FRENCH CEMETERY No.4.

The churchyard contains 215 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, and includes 4 soldiers of the Yorkshire Regiment. All four soldiers died on the same day, and the four headstones are beside each other. The official history of the Green Howards in the First World War mentions that the Officer (Lieutenant Hawdon) was killed in a raid on enemy lines. It is assumed that the other three men would also have been on this same raid.

We are extremely grateful to Chris Weekes (<weebex12@hotmail.com>) who has generously provided the photographs on this page.

Click on the thumbnail image of a headstone for a larger version of the photo which opens in a new window.

	Private Robert Bellwood, 4058. 4th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 27 June 1916. Enlisted Northallerton, Resided Thirsk.

2nd Lieutenant Cecil Hawdon. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mr and Mrs. W. Hawdon, of Upsall Grange, Nunthorpe, Yorks. Killed 27 June 1916. Cecil Hawdon's two brothers also fell in the First World War. All three brothers are commemorated in St. Cuthbert's Church, Ormesby. "HIS TWO OTHER BROTHERS ALSO FELL IN DEATH THEY ARE NOT DIVIDED" Robert Coulson in his "Biographies of Yorkshire Regiment Officers Killed in the First World War" writes;- "Cecil Hawdon was a Middlesbrough man from the Ormesby area south of the town. He joined the 4th Battalion on May 26th 1916 at Locre and the following month was in the front line close to Kemmel Shelters. On June 27th a patrol went out and found the enemy wire uncut by the artillery. They commenced cutting a passage through the wire and just before 1-30pm 2nd Lt Hawdon and his men moved into position for a trench raid. At this point the British artillery opened up a bombardment on the enemy lines causing casualties to the raiding party and forcing it to be withdrawn. 2nd Lt Cecil Hawdon was killed in this action on June 27th 1916 aged just 20. Three of his men were killed with him and all four are buried side by side in Locre Churchyard situated in the centre of the village to the south of Ypres. Cecil Hawdon was the son of Mr and Mrs Hawdon of Upsall Grange, Nunthorpe near Middlesbrough. Mr and Mrs Hawdon lost two other sons in the Great War, - one served as an army chaplain and a memorial plaque to the brothers can be found in St Cuthberts Church at Ormesby close to the family home. All three brothers are also remembered on Middlesbrough War Memorial.

	Private Frederick James Smith, 3303. 4th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of John and Elizabeth Ann Smith, of 25, Ried Terrace, Sunnyfield, Gisborough, Yorks. Native of New Marske, Yorks. Killed 27 June 1916. Enlisted Redcar, Resided New Marske.

	Lance Serjeant Robert Trafford, 1683. 4th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of William and M. J. Trafford, of 7, William St., South Eston, Yorks. Killed 27 June 1916. Aged 33. Born Eston (Yorks), Enlisted Normanby, Resided Eston. "ALWAYS REMEMBERED BY ALL"

The Headstones of the Four Yorkshire Regiment Soldiers in Loker Churchyard
Photo : Chris Weekes (<weebex12@hotmail.com>)

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