La Brique Military Cemetery No 2

History Information (Source: CWGC)

La Brique is a small hamlet named from an old brick works that used to stand nearby before to the First World War. LA BRIQUE CEMETERY No.2 was begun in February 1915 and used until March 1918. The original cemetery consisted of 383 burials laid out in 25 irregular rows in Plot I. After the Armistice, graves were brought in from the battlefields to create Plot II and extend the original plot.

 

There are now 840 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 400 of the burials are unidentified, but special memorials commemorate four casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Across the road is LA BRIQUE CEMETERY No.1, which was begun in May 1915 and used until the following December. It contains 91 First World War burials, four of them unidentified. Both cemeteries were designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

 

Served with

·         United Kingdom (434)

·         Canadian (8)

·         New Zealand (7)

·         Australian (4)

·         South African (2)

·         Indian (1)

Served in

·         Army (450)

·         Navy (6)

La Brique N°1 & N°2
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VICTORIA CROSS

Corporal Alfred George DRAKE - S/107 - 8th Bn. Rifle Brigade

Died 23 November 1915 Age 22

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Awards: Victoria Cross

Drake London Gazette
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Drake was born in December 1893 in Mile End, Stepney, London to Robert and Mary Ann Drake. He was 21 years old, and a corporal in the 8th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own), British Army during the First World War, and was awarded the VC for his actions on 23 November 1915, near La Brique, Belgium. He was killed in his VC action.

Citation

An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 29447, dated 21st Jan., 1916, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 23rd Nov., 1915, near La Brique, Belgium. He was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitring towards the German lines. The patrol was discovered when close to the enemy who opened heavy fire with rifles and a machine gun, wounding the Officer and one man. The latter was carried back by the last remaining man. Corporal Drake remained with his Officer and was last seen kneeling beside him and bandaging his wounds regardless of the enemy's fire. Later a rescue party crawling near the German lines found the Officer and Corporal, the former unconcious but alive and bandaged, Corporal Drake beside him dead and riddled with bullets. He had given his own life and saved his Officer."

Grave Reference: I. C. 2.

(Source: Wikipedia)