The Western Front Today - Gloucestershire Memorial, Clapham Junction
Updated - Sunday, 25 August, 2002

Not one but two memorials are located at what was referred to as Clapham Junction in the Ypres Salient, where numerous roads met, hence the naming after the famous British railway station.

One memorial is to the 18th (Eastern) Division, one of three erected in their honour after the war.  Click here to view this memorial.  The second memorial, sited across the road, is to the Gloucestershire Regiment.  The woods of the infamous Stirling Castle are to the right of both memorials.

The memorial is for both 1st and 2nd Battalions of the regiment which saw heavy service during the First and Second Battles of Ypres in 1914 and 1915 respectively.

References:
Before Endeavours Fade, Rose E.B. Coombs, After the Battle 1994
Major & Mrs Holt's Battlefield Guide - Ypres Salient, Leo Cooper 2000

"Coffin Nails" was a term used by British soldiers to describe cigarettes.

Original Material © Michael Duffy 2000-09, SafeSurf Rated