Saturday, September 13, 2014

Sece, Latvia's World War I German cemetery--part two

Three years ago Mrs. Marathon Pundit took photographs of the German World War I cemetery in her hometown of Sece, Latvia in the Zemgale region of the Baltic nation.

This spring she visited the graveyard that was neglected for many years. And of course she snapped more pictures. I hope that you enjoy this post and that it aids genealogists who seek to learn the fates the men who fought in the Great War.

This year of course marks the centennial of the start of that long and deadly conflict.


The cemetery is adjacent to Sece Evangelic Lutheran Church, which dates back to the 18th century. During the Soviet occupation it was used as a warehouse. It is once again a house of worship. During World War I Latvia was part of the Russian Empire. One hundred Septembers ago the Russia and the German Empire were fighting in East Prussia in what became known as the First Battle of the Masurian Lakes. It's likely that some of the men buried here fought in that battle--which was a major victory for the Kaiser's army.


Of the readable markers, on the far left is the tombstone of Gefrieter Gustav Schächter, who died on October 9, 1915. On the right is the grave of Leutnant Emil Schuttpelz, who perished on June 19, 1916, at the center is the marker of Hussar Albert Puchkuller, who died on September 12, 1915. I can't read the rest of them.


Many more graves are here. On the front left is the final resting place of Dragoon Wilhelm Hoppman--he perished on September 24, 1915, on the right is the stone of Unteroffizier Otto Peglow (September 27, 1915) and Unteroffizier Otto Peglow (October 15, 1915).

Other readable markers here are Gefrieter Josef Walkowski (February 17, 1918), Oberjäger Georg Adam (January 22, 1918), Landsturm Adalbert Karasiwicz (May 19, 1917), Ulan Friedrich Hopst, (May 24, 1917), Landsturm Graminski--no first name listed--(January 5, 1918), Ulan R. Wiederholt (May 19, 1917), Hussar Georg Kreis (May 16, 1917), and Jager Franz Pipowski (October 21, 1917).


Alongside another photograph that includes Kreis' grave is the tombstone of Gefreiter Heinrich Schmau (October 11, 1917).


Jager Johann Bruttij died on January 12, 1916.


The readable makers in this photograph are Armee Soldat Karl Powlik (February 15, 1916) and Jager Otto Krawatzke (February 29, 1916).


Dr. Hans Hauffe the fancy stone. He died on New Year's Eve 1916.


Armee Soldat Paul Kraft passed away on October 16, 1918--three weeks before Armistice Day.


Gefreiter Karl Moser also died in 1918, on January 27.


Jager Karl von Hof's death occurred on March 29, 1916.


May the soldiers, sailors, and civilians who died as a result of the First World War--from both sides--rest in eternal peace.

Earlier post:

Sece, Latvia's World War I German cemetery

Related entries:

Volkstrauertag: Photos of German POW gravestones at Fort Sheridan

In Niles, Illinois: Gravestone of the last surviving veteran of the Indian Wars

1 comment:

Unknown said...

bedankt voor het delen van de foto's