SMG65 Posted 19 July , 2009 Share Posted 19 July , 2009 I have the grave reference of a relative who was buried near Poperinghe in 1916, however his body was never found. Can anybody pinpoint the location of the grave by a modern day map as I would like to pay a visit to the site. Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnr.ktrha Posted 19 July , 2009 Share Posted 19 July , 2009 The grave reference will probably relate to the Military Issue maps from the period. Therefore it should be possible to locate it on a Period map and then transfer it to a modern map. There is a system map system which does this, which used WW1 maps and modern maps with GPS. I am sure some Forum members have access to this program, called Linesman and would be willing to help. {I am sure one of the makers of the program is a forum member} If you post details of the information you have, post it here and see what happens. Regards, Stewart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 20 July , 2009 Share Posted 20 July , 2009 Post the map reference here, SMG, and I am sure we can show you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMG65 Posted 20 July , 2009 Author Share Posted 20 July , 2009 Hi Chris SMG is me, Sean, Chairman of Cleveland WFA (my branch want you back for a talk). My relative was buried at Bosseboom, Map ref Sheet 28 G22.b.8.8 Don't forget if you need anything looking up in the North East/Yorkshire (free of charge) give me a call. Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 20 July , 2009 Share Posted 20 July , 2009 Hi Sean, I owe you this one...and a few more cheers, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithmaps Posted 22 July , 2009 Share Posted 22 July , 2009 Hi Chris SMG is me, Sean, Chairman of Cleveland WFA (my branch want you back for a talk). My relative was buried at Bosseboom, Map ref Sheet 28 G22.b.8.8 Don't forget if you need anything looking up in the North East/Yorkshire (free of charge) give me a call. Sean Sean Here is a section of trench map, posted from the LinesMan system. I have labelled it with the Lat Long GPS co ordinates. Hopefully that will get you there. 50°50'12.5"N, 2°45'59.3"E Kind regards Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithmaps Posted 22 July , 2009 Share Posted 22 July , 2009 This location again from LinesMan, shows the same spot displayed over a modern aerial photo. I thoght it might interest you to know how close it is to a current set of farm buildings. Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMG65 Posted 23 July , 2009 Author Share Posted 23 July , 2009 Thank you all for your help. Guy Is the map a map from the Great War or a modern day map? If it is Great War I would assume the buildings would have been used by units stationed there. The photo is a great help as the map would have me looking further away from the buildings when the photo shows the reference to be a few yards from the buildings. Would a trench map show the army camps in the area? To put some 'meat on the bones' of this post my relative is Driver Thomas Moore, executed for murder on 26/02/16. Jon knows the story but basically Driver Moore shot his Sergeant (Sgt Pick), although he was intending to kill his Sgt Major he accidentially killed Sgt Pick, who was actually his friend. Threatening then to shoot his Captain didn't help matters. The court martial papers are thorough and his defence of insanity was pretty weak, although it would likely today have got him manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibilty. Family resrearch shows he had a tough childhood, with his father a rogue to say the least and his mother in an asylum he was put in a 'cottage home' (posh name for workhouse) before he was 10. I have his service records, court martial papers and census records etc, so one day I will write an article, sadly no photo. His grave could not be found after the war but I think they didn't look for it, after all he was a murderer. Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Woodger Posted 23 July , 2009 Share Posted 23 July , 2009 Sean Do remember that the trench map reference is to a 50 yard by 50 yard square. I am not sure if 8.8 is the centre of this square or the bottom left corner. In approximate terms the square is the size of half a football pitch. If the burial was not marked or the marker lost it would have been difficult to find the grave. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithmaps Posted 23 July , 2009 Share Posted 23 July , 2009 Sean The trench map is 1916 The aerial photo is modern day. An interesting story, likely hood would be that he was shot actually in the farm. Probably even the court marshall took place there too. Yes the 8,8 is the bottom left corner, but it would have been placed by eye originally on a map to create the reference. These references are generally as dilligent as the original officer who recorded them. But you never know, when you get there, something may bcome obvious to you. British trench maps did not show army camps, in case they fell into enemy hands. Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnreed Posted 23 July , 2009 Share Posted 23 July , 2009 Sean I think you will find it is Devonshire Camp. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMG65 Posted 24 July , 2009 Author Share Posted 24 July , 2009 Thanks again for the extra information. I'm going for 7 days walking in October and I'll be visiting the site. My Flemish/Dutch isn't bad so hopefully the farmer will let me on his land to lay a wreath. I don't intend taking a spade or hiring a JCB, I'll let my relative rest in peace, he had little in life. Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tommyweldon Posted 24 July , 2009 Share Posted 24 July , 2009 I have the grave reference of a relative who was buried near Poperinghe in 1916, however his body was never found. Can anybody pinpoint the location of the grave by a modern day map as I would like to pay a visit to the site. Sean I have the same problem, with an relation who was killed 18th September 1917. He was with the Australian army. His record states that he was buried with an remark of B784. His name is on the menin Gate memorial. I have been over to Ieper but would love to know in what area he may lie. Tommy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now