21 April 2015
Maidenhead, United Kingdom
MEDIA RELEASE
ANZAC GRAVES RESTORED
The graves of more than 100 Australian servicemen, who died during the First World War, have been restored ahead of the Centenary of ANZAC Day by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).
The graves, at Harefield (St Mary) Churchyard, near London in the UK, have a unique “scroll-concept” design (right) – chosen by ANZAC patients brought to Harefield’s war hospital (Australian Auxiliary Hospital 1) for treatment of injuries and illness sustained during fighting in Europe and North Africa.
The headstones have been re-engraved by teams of skilled CWGC stone masons. Following the completion of structural work, a full horticultural renovation also took place.
The annual ANZAC Day service, which started in 1921, involves local children, who lay flowers on every grave.
A new Visitor Information Panel is to be unveiled following the service. The panel uses smartphone technology to reveal the personal stories of some of the men buried at the cemetery.
HISTORY
Three months after the outbreak of the First World War, Mr and Mrs Charles Billyard-Leake, a wealthy Australian couple living in Britain, offered the use of Harefield Park and its extensive grounds to the Minister of Defence in Melbourne. It was to be a convalescent home for wounded soldiers of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). The Commonwealth Defence Department accepted the offer and the house was converted into an establishment fit to accommodate 50 convalescing soldiers in the winter, and up to 150 in the spring and summer months.
Harefield was staffed by members of the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC), along with a strong contingent of volunteers from Mrs Billyard-Leake’s circle who organised the canteen, ran entertainment for recovering patients and offered the use of their cars for trips. It had two purposes: a rest home for officers and other ranks, and a depot for soldiers who were invalided and due to be sent back to Australia.
Over the following months, Harefield House developed into No. 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital. After opening in June 1915 and receiving patients from Gallipoli, it became clear that the accommodation at the hospital would have to be expanded to accommodate increasing numbers of sick and wounded Australian servicemen. By the end of the first month, there were 170 patients and extra huts had to be built. Two months later there were 362 patients, and by November 1916 the hospital was functioning as a general hospital with an operating theatre, an X-ray department and specialists in eye, ear, nose and throat conditions. By now there were 1,000 beds and the hospital occupied nearly 50 buildings around the estate, including ward huts, garages, recreation rooms and a mortuary.
Of some 50,000 patients treated at Harefield, 112 did not recover. These men, and one female nurse, were buried here in the parish churchyard. Francis Newdegate, a local MP whose family had long connections in the village and who was later knighted and appointed Governor of Tasmania, offered a plot of land next to the churchyard to extend the cemetery. He also covered the funeral expenses for all the burials. The village school lent its Union Flag for these occasions.
After the war the flag was presented to the last C.O. of the Australian Hospital and was laid up in Adelaide High School. The Australian Children’s Patriotic League presented in return a new Union Flag and an Australian Flag to Harefield school. The Australian flag hangs in the Breakspear Chapel, which was rededicated as the Australian Chapel in 1951.
In 1921 began the annual ceremony in which the children from the school put flowers on every grave in the cemetery.
The headstones, which are of a design unique amongst Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemeteries, were chosen by the staff and patients at the hospital. They were created before the end of the war, thus predating the standard CWGC design used from the 1920s to the present day.
The obelisk which stands amongst the headstones was donated by Sir Francis Newdegate and Mr Billyard-Leake in honour of those Australians who died at Harefield.
For more information, including details for attending the Harefield commemorations,contact: Barney Cullum on +44(0)1628 507172 or
Ends.
Notes for editors:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (
The CWGC maintains the graves of the 1.7 million Commonwealth servicemen and women who died during the two world wars. It also holds and updates an extensive and accessible records archive.The CWGC operates in over 23,000 locations in 154 countries across all continents except for Antarctica.
14-18: A series of high-profile worldwide events will take place to mark the centenary of the First World War, many of which will take place at Commission sites. The Commission will ensure that these sites are maintained to the highest standard and is installing information panels at over 500 sites to enhance the visitor experience. Smartphone users will also be able to access additional information, including the personal stories of some of those buried at the site.
- Harefield (St Mary) Churchyard
During the two world wars, the United Kingdom became an island fortress used for training troops and launching land, sea and air operations around the globe. There are more than 170,000 Commonwealth war graves in the United Kingdom, many being those of servicemen and women killed on active service, or who later succumbed to wounds. Others died in training accidents, or because of sickness or disease. The graves, many of them privately owned and marked by private memorials, will be found in more than 12,000 cemeteries and churchyards.
Harefield (St. Mary) Churchyard contains war graves from both world wars. There are 120 First World War graves, mostly those of Australians who died in No. 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield Park. Uniquely, their graves are marked by scroll shaped headstones, chosen by the staff and patients at the hospital. In the centre of the Australian plot stands a memorial obelisk which was erected by Sir Francis Newdegate, late Governor of Tasmania and of Western Australia, and Mr. C.A.M. Billyard-Leake, of Harefield Park.
The churchyard also contains six graves of the Second World War.