malleymoo Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Sorry I know this is relating to nunhead but as its a local beauty spot I hope it will be ok to post a query about Nunhead Cemetery.I was walking there today and noticed the war graves of Australian, South African and New Zealand soldiers. I was left wondering how these young men came to be buried in Nunhead. Does anyone know how and why ? Im hoping that someone will have ebeen on the guided tour and know the answer Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Were there dates on the graves? Would be interesting to see if they are First or Second World War. My uncles fought in the South African infantry in the Second World War but they were mainly involved in North Africa and Italy. I think in the First War there were more commonwealth troops involved in France which may have meant that they were based in England and ended up being buried here. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180830 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassius Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I think in the First War there were more commonwealth troops involved in France which may have meant that they were based in England and ended up being buried here.Which would explain the heart-breaking cemetaries in Normandy. I always feel so sad about those young men buried half a world away from any relatives who would have wanted to visit their graves. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180840 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mockney piers Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 who'd a thought, here's a photo of just some of them canadian ones by a budding local photographer Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180890 Share on other sites More sharing options...
malleymoo Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 Yes those are some of them. they seem to be all first world war. One of the New Zealand ones was specifically from the "Maori division" and one of the Canadian ones was The Cycling Corps. I had wondered if they had been injured in action and brought here then died as they seemed to come from such different battalians etc it didnt seem to fit with them being based here in Nunhead. I agree Cassius very sad to see young men of 18 and 19 buried half a world away from their families. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180900 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mockney piers Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Yes, I do find it quite affecting, but it's lovely to see how well maintained they are.There's a big WW2 memorial over near the east gate too.I'm guessing you're right that most of them died of their wounds over here, especially as you see not a few from 1919 which would suggest that too. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180903 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonM Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I seem to recall Dulwich Hospital was a military hospital during the First World War, which might also go some way to explaining this? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180904 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mockney piers Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Excellent detective work. RIght, that one solved, move along, next please :) Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180907 Share on other sites More sharing options...
???? Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Also the Influenzia outbreak in 1919 took a lot of young lives especially those weakened by wounds......I spent the whole of my time at Karrabuchi Cemetry crying my eyes out at all these young men from various places in the UK buried in Thailand...the one that really sticks out was a 20 year old from somewhere up north with just...."he was a good son and a good lad just doing his duty" on it Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180927 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peckhamgatecrasher Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Brendan, here's a link for you that might be interestinghttp://www.southafricawargraves.org/lists/unitedkingdom.htmQ Why do some memorials have the dates 1914 ? 1919 or 1921 inscribed upon them?A On November 11th 1918 the Armistice was signed and for many this signalled the end of four long years of conflict. However, the armistice only marked a temporary cessation of hostilities and people in many communities feared that fighting might break out again. Their minds were finally set to rest with the signing of the Peace Treaty of Versailles on 28th June 1919. They could now consider the war officially over and it is for this reason that they placed the date 1919 on the memorials.The date 1921 appears less often but it marked the official end of the war for the United States. Consequently, some communities chose to use this date as the end date on their war memorial. [lost the source website, sorry] Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180933 Share on other sites More sharing options...
macroban Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 The official date for the end of World War I was 31 August 1921 when King George V declared it so by an Order In Council.In those days only the Monarch could declare and end wars. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180936 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 This is a very interesting thread. You can learn a lot from this forum.Thank you. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180941 Share on other sites More sharing options...
woofmarkthedog Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Ohh interesting reading Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180948 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandperson Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 That's weird. I was looking at the graves myself today, pushing my daughter in her pushchair. I always go and say hello to the boys when I'm in the cemetary (is that weird? I just think they are such a long way from home). The dates range from 14-18 I think. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180970 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickle Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Fascinating info, I'm from New Zealand so will be sure to go and visit the graves. Interesting thread, thanks all Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-180972 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddy1929 Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Sandperson Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> That's weird. I was looking at the graves myself> today, pushing my daughter in her pushchair. I> always go and say hello to the boys when I'm in> the cemetary (is that weird? I just think they are> such a long way from home). The dates range from> 14-18 I think.Not weird at all - a very nice thing to do, I'm sure their families would have appreciated that years later they have not been forgotten, I haven't been to Nunhead for years, but will go next week and say a hello myself..... Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-181094 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huggers Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 'Testament of Youth', Vera Brittain's account of being a wartime nurse during the Great War centres mainly on Kings College Hospital so Nunhead would be the nearest cemetery I think for those who didnt make it. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-181110 Share on other sites More sharing options...
daizie Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 sandperson, that is an extremely touching thing to do, what an interesting thread this is Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-181118 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peckhamgatecrasher Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 Also war graves at Camberwell Old Cemetery up Forest Hill Rd. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/5631-nunhead-cemetery/#findComment-181121 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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