Yorkshire Regiment War Graves, - Colchester Cemetery

Colchester Cemetery was opened in 1856 and now belongs to the Corporation. It originally covered about 30 acres, but was enlarged in 1940 to 67 acres. The newer part is on the western side of the original burial ground, and behind it is the site of a Roman Way.

There are 267 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918 war, 1 being unidentified, of which 50 are in the War Plot, while 11 Australian graves are together in a group nearby, the remainder being scattered. After the war a Cross of Sacrifice was erected on a site overlooking both the plot and the group of war graves, in honour of all the servicemen buried here.

There are also 114 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-1945 war here, 1 of which is unidentified.

Two soldiers who served with the Yorkshire Regiment are buried here.

We are extremely grateful to "oldpicruss" for providing their photos of the headstones.

Select the image above for a larger version which opens in a new window		Private Richard Robinson Fletcher, 5742. 9th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, formerly 26769 Yorkshire Regiment. Son of the late William and Fanny Fletcher, of Pickering, Yorkshire. Died at home 19 October 1916. Aged 36. Born Pickering (Yorks), Enlisted Pickering. "YOUNGEST SON OF THE LATE WILLIAM .... FLETCHER"

Select the image above for a larger version which opens in a new window		Lance Corporal Elijah Midgley, 265435. 18th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 1753 West Riding Regiment. Son of George and Elizabeth Midgley; husband of P. A. Midgley, of 6, Swallow St., Keighley, Yorks. Died at home 4 May 1917. Aged 45. Born Keighley (Yorks), Enlisted Keighley. "INTO THY HANDS O LORD"

The Cross of Sacrifice and the War Graves Plot in Colchester Cemetery
Photo © Copyright PAUL FARMER and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Scattered First World War Graves in Colchester Cemetery.
Photo : Commonwealth War Graves Commission

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