The Western Front Today - Lonsdale Cemetery
Updated - Sunday, 8 September, 2002

Lonsdale cemetery was so-named after the Earl of Lonsdale.  The Earl was responsible for the recruitment of the 11th Pal's battalion, Border Regiment.

The Border Regiment attacked the formidable German Leipzig Redoubt (sited nearby) on the Somme on the opening day of the Somme Offensive, 1 July 1916.  Consequently many members of the regiment were killed in this area and are buried in Lonsdale cemetery.

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

"Suicide Ditch" was a term used by British soldiers to refer to the front-line trench.

Original Material © Michael Duffy 2000-07, SafeSurf Rated