The Yorkshire Regiment War Gravesm

In October 1915, the 4,600 bed King's Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital opened in Blackpool and early in 1917, the town became a Royal Army Medical Corps training centre. During the Second World War, there were units of the Polish forces stationed at Blackpool and the Polish Air Force had its headquarters at Talbot Square.

Blackpool (Layton) Cemetery contains 139 scattered burials of the First World War and 39 from the Second World War. A Yugoslav airman is also buried in the cemetery and there are 26 Polish war graves together in a group. A Cross of Sacrifice stands on the main drive.

One burial is that of an Officer who served with the Yorkshire Regiment. His grave is in a very poor state of repair.

We are very grateful to Mike Berrell for the photographs of the grave and of the cemetery.

Lieutenant Macdonald's Grave in Blackpool (Layton) Cemetery (2nd Left, fireground)

Lieutenant Macdonald's Grave in Blackpool (Layton) Cemetery (2nd Left, foreground)
Photos : Mike Berrell

Lieutenant Ronald Macdonald, D C M. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mr. R. D. Macdonald, of Prospect House, Portinscale, Keswick, Cumberland. Died 29 February 1920. Aged 38.

(Biography in "Officers of the Green Howards 1688 - 1931". Promoted 2nd Lieut from Warrant Officer 3 January 1917. Died at Blackpool on his way to join the 2nd Battalion at Tipperary in Ireland).

Lieutenant Macdonald's Grave in Blackpool (Layton) Cemetery
Photo : Mike Berrell