Flatiron Copse Cemetery

Historical Information (Source: CWGC)

Flatiron Copse was the name given by the army to a small plantation a little to the east of Mametz Wood. The ground was taken by the 3rd and 7th Divisions on 14 July 1916 and an advanced dressing station was established at the copse. The cemetery was begun later that month and it remained in use until April 1917. Two further burials were made in August 1918 and after the Armistice, more than 1,100 graves were brought in from the neighbouring battlefields and from smaller cemeteries.

 

There are now 1,572 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 420 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 36 casualties known or believed to be buried among them, and nine buried in Mametz Wood Cemetery whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

 

Served with

  • United Kingdom (1106)
  • New Zealand (28)
  • Australian (17)
  • South African (1)

Served in

  • Army (1152)
Flatiron Copse Cem Mametz
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VICTORIA CROSS

Corporal Edward DWYER – 10523 - 1st Bn. East Surrey Regiment

Died 03 September 1916

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Awards: Victoria Cross

Dwyer London Gazette
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Citation

An extract from the "London Gazette," dated 21st May, 1915, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at "Hill 60" on the 20th April, 1915. When his trench was heavily attacked by German grenade throwers he climbed on to the parapet, and, although subjected to a hail of bombs at close quarters, succeeded in dispersing the enemy by the effective use of his hand grenades. Private Dwyer displayed great gallantry earlier on this day in leaving his trench, under heavy shell fire, to bandage his wounded comrades.

Grave Reference: III. J. 3.

(Source: Wikipedia)