War Grave Photo please

[Bill749]

I'm not holding out much hope for this one, but it is my father-in-law's uncle, for whom he was named (born on the same date as his uncle was killed, 3 years later).   

Could some kind (brave!) soul please get a photo of a grave for me?

The person concerned is 3071 Private George KNIGHT, 1st/4th Btn Hampshire Regt., died 19th December 1915.

Grave ref. O.18, Kut War Cemetery, Iraq!!   

Obviously I'm not expecting someone to be visiting this area if they are not with the armed forces stationed thereabouts, which is why I don't hold out much hope!

Kut War Cemetery is on the northern edge of the town, at the point where the Baghdad road enters it, 800 metres from the river.

Regards, Bill

[Kevwood]

Hi Bill,

may have more chance requesting here, the only seem to have someone in Basra at the minute.

http://www.britishwargraves.org.uk/default.asp

Kev.

[Bill749]

Thanks Kev

I have put a request on the site, but I won't hold my breath!

Regards, Bill

[liverpool annie]

Hi Bill !

A couple of years ago when a British regiment ( can't remember which one for sure ....  )
went to the graveyard at Kut .... they found it in disarray ..... but they cleaned it up and erected a new memorial .... thought you might find this interesting !!

http://static.flickr.com/25/57395423_abe5b9a62a_o.jpg

Annie 

[Bill749]

Thanks Annie

I did wonder if the cemetery had been damaged in the fighting - I guess I'm probably going to be out of luck. 

Regards, Bill

[liverpool annie]

Thanks Annie

I did wonder if the cemetery had been damaged in the fighting - I guess I'm probably going to be out of luck. 

Regards, Bill

I think so Bill !

The soldiers are taking their lives in their hands as it is - unfortunately Iraq has not been able to look after the cemetery because of hostilities there - Allied troops have been helping tidy graves and have replaced the memorial

WW1 quote by John Maxwell now clearly inscibed on the Al Kut memorial

"When you go home - tell them of us and say - for your tomorrow - we gave our today"

Annie 

[Bill749]

As I said, I didn't hold out much hope.  I'm surprised there is anything left to tidy up being so close to the war zone.

Maybe one day there will be peace in the region?

R.I.P. George!

Regards, Bill

[Bill749]

Found this on Roll of Honour site (http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Overseas/IraqWW1GravesRecovery.html):

"At Al Kut, US troops discovered a badly overgrown British war cemetery, the last resting place of several hundred British and Empire troops who fell during the Mesopotamian campaign in the First World War. Al Kut was the scene of much heavy fighting, including both a disastrous British defeat in 1916, and an important victory in February 1917. On 8 May 2003, British and US personnel joined in a service of reconsecration, led by the Church of England Bishop to the Forces, The Right Reverend David Conner, Dean of Windsor."

Regards, Bill

[Kevwood]

see it here.

http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/photo_gallery_cemetery.htm

Kev.