Ypres and Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium (General)

by admin , Forest of Dean, Monday, October 04, 2010, 08:46 (5169 days ago)

My husband and I have just visited Ypres and Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium. It was included in a trip we did to Bruges and we wanted to go there as I wanted to get photos of the Menin Gate and memorial to a distant relation of my husband, Samuel Vaughan Selby.

Samuel was the grandson of Meshach Selby from Hewelsfield and Martha James, from Bream who emigrated to Australia on the Startled Fawn in 1855 with their two children, Paul and Mercy Mary, both born in Bream. After their arrival they had three more children, John, Samuel and Beatrice. Samuel Vaughan was the son of John and his wife, Elizabeth Vaughan. He was killed at Passchdendaele on 12 October 1917 and his body was never found, hence his name being on the Menin Gate.

It was very moving to visit Tyne Cot Cemetery on Passchendaele Ridge and to look out over the fields where Samuel was probably killed. There are still German gun emplacements in the cemetery.

Sheila Selby

Arthur Roland Selby, Samuel Vaughan Selby and Edith Louise Selby, grandchildren of Meshach Selby from Hewelsfield and Martha James from Bream.  Taken in Australia.  Not sure of the date but must be prior to 1914.