The Western Front Today - Birr Cross Roads Cemetery
Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, which was used from August 1917, is sited some 3km east of Ypres. Sited on the Menin Road, the cemetery is located in Zillebeke, a village which remained in British hands for much of the war until it finally fell during the great German Spring push of April 1918 (and was retaken by the Allies in mid-September).
The cemetery's name was assigned by the British 1st Leinsters, whose regimental depot at home in Ireland was located at Birr Cross Roads. It was originally a dressing station cemetery but was enlarged with graves concentrated from the surrounding area following the war.
The cemetery contains 660 British, 143 Australian, 15 Canadian, 12 New Zealand, 1 Newfoundland, 1 South African, 1 British West Indian and 11 unidentified burials.
References:
Before Endeavours Fade, Rose E.B. Coombs, After the Battle 1994
Major & Mrs Holt's Battlefield Guide - Ypres Salient, Leo Cooper 2000
"Plugstreet" was British slang to describe the Belgian village of Ploegsteert.
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