FLATIRON COPSE CEMETERY
Mametz
Somme
France
General Directions: Flatiron Copse Cemetery is on the right hand side of D929, Amiens-Albert-Bapaume, 10 kilometres east of Albert. From Albert take the right turn at Y junction (102nd Infantry Brigade Memorial) after the Routiers restaurant, on the D20. Follow on the D20 through Ovillers/La Boisselle and Bazentin, then after 2 kilometres the Cemetery is signposted onto a 750 metre mud track.
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 smaller cemeteries and from the neighbouring battlefields. Almost all the concentrated graves are those of men who died in the summer and autumn of 1916.
Further Information: Although the cemetery is accessible by car from the D20, it can be hazardous in poor and inclement weather. Furthermore, it is not accessible by vehicle from the Mametz memorial, nor should it be attempted to continue from the cemetery towards the memorial, the track runs out 20 yards short of the memorial area and there is the danger of becoming stuck in mud.
Victoria Cross: Corporal Edward Dwyer, VC. Of the 1st Bn, East Surrey Regiment, he was killed on 3/9/1916, he won his award at Hill 60 in 1915. Corporal Dwyer is buried in Plot III. J. 3.
Casualty Details: UK 1520, Australia 17, New Zealand 30, South Africa 1, Total Burials: 1568
Alternative view
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10523 Corporal Edward Dwyer VC. Cross of St. George (Russia) 1st Bn. East Surrey Regiment 03/09/1916, aged 20. Plot III. J. 3. 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.
5964 Private Alexander Russell 12th Bn. Highland Light Infantry 13/09/1916 Resided at Chapelhall, enlisted at Holytown, Lanarkshire. Plot IV. J. 3.
Picture courtesy of Joe O'Raw
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Number of Burials by Unit
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