Hell Fire Corner

Hell Fire Corner: The name of a specially dangerous place on the Menin Road Near Ypres, constantly under shell fire. On a board, a yard long, was painted in white letters on black, "To Hell Fire Corner." It was fixed by Canadian troops at the Menin Gate of Ypres in October, 1914, and remained there until the end of the War.

The name became official and was marked on military maps. In the days of the old Ypres salient, until July, 1917, the board marked the limit for all transport at night, and was the centre of continuous shelling. Said the Town Major of Ypres: "I have repeatedly seen rations and stores drawn with safety two hundred yards away, while this corner itself was a veritable hell."

Salvation Corner was a name given to a place in the same neighbourhood, on reaching which troops and transport were comparatively "safe." There were other "Hell Corners" and "Hell Fire Corners" in various sectors on the Western Front.

References / notes

The above term is listed in our Compendium of the Great War on this day.

Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary with the war, which is reflected in the language used. Sources include: Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases, The War Book-of-Facts and Odhams' A.B.C. of the Great War. Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.

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