Rifle House Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery

Rifle House Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial ground for the dead of the First World War located near Ypres on the Western Front.

Rifle House, Ploegsteert
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Used for those deceased 1914-1916
EstablishedNovember 1914
Location50°44′09″N 02°54′04″E
near 
Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium
Designed byW H Cowlishaw
Total burials230
Unknowns
2
Burials by nation
Burials by war
Statistics source: WW1Cemeteries.com

The cemetery 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.[1]

Foundation

The cemetery takes its name from a strong point that stood in Ploegsteert Wood of which no trace now remains.[2] Founded in November 1914, it was in use until June 1916.[3]

The cemetery fell into German hands on 10 April 1918 during the Spring Offensive, but fell back to the Allies on 29 September 1918 as the Hundred Days Offensive swept north and east.[4]

The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.[3]

Notable graves

This cemetery contains the last resting place of Rifleman Robert Barnett of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, who died on 19 December 1914. He was 15 years old.[5]

References
  1. First World War, accessed 19 August 2006
  2. WW1Cemeteries.com, accessed 27 September 2007
  3. Commonwealth War Graves Commission, accessed 27 September 2007
  4. Wereldoorlog I in de Westhoek, accessed 27 September 2007
  5. Wereldoorlog I in de Westhoek record for Robert Barnett, accessed 27 September 2007
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