Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Aubigny, Somme, France

AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

Aubigny

Somme

France

General Directions: Aubigny-en-Artois is a village approximately 15 kilometres north-west of Arras on the road to St. Pol (N39). From the N39 turn onto the D75 towards the village of Aubigny-en-Artois. The Cemetery lies south on a road leading from the centre of the village, and the Extension is behind it.

Before March, 1916, Aubigny was in the area of the French Tenth Army, and 327 French soldiers were buried in the Extension to the West of what is now Plot IV. From March 1916 to the Armistice, Aubigny was held by Commonwealth troops and burials were made in the Extension until September 1918. The 42nd Casualty Clearing Station buried in it during the whole period, the 30th in 1916 and 1917, the 24th and 1st Canadian in 1917 (during the capture of Vimy Ridge by the Canadian Corps) and the 57th in 1918. The Extension now contains 2,771 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and seven from the Second World War. There are also 227 French burials made prior to March 1916, and 64 German war graves. The Extension was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield

Victoria Cross: Private, Claude Joseph Patrick Nunney, VC, DCM, MM, 38th Bn. Canadian Infantry ( Eastern Ontario Regiment). Died of wounds 18/09/1918 and buried in plot IV. B. 9.

Citation: An extract from the "London Gazette" Supplement (No. 31067, of 13th Dec., 1918) records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery during the operations against the Drocourt-Queant line on Sept. 1st and 2nd, 1918. On Sept. 1st, when his battalion was in the vicinity of Vis-en-Artois, preparatory to the advance, the enemy laid down a heavy barrage and counter-attacked. Pte. Nunney, who was at this time at company headquarters, immediately on his own initiative proceeded through the barrage to the company outpost lines, going from post to post and encouraging the men by his own fearless example. The enemy were repulsed and a critical situation was saved. During the attack on Sept. 2nd, his dash continually placed him in advance of his companions, and his fearless example undoubtedly helped greatly to carry the company forward to its objectives."

Casualty Details: UK 2050, Canada 665, Australia 4, New Zealand 2, South Africa 50, Germany 64, France 225, Total Burials: 3060

Second Lieutenant

Harry Edward Martin

60th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps

16/11/1916, aged 22

Plot V. A. 21

Son of Alfred Amos Martin and Elizabeth Ann Martin, of Avro Cottage, Marlborough, Wilts. Native of Croydon, Surrey.

S/12932 Private

Alexander Ewan

2nd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders

13/04/1917, aged 19.

Son of James and Marion Ewan, of "Craigrothie," Aberdour Rd., Burntisland, Fifeshire.

Plot II. C. 34.

Picture courtesy of nephew, Brian MCartney

9901 Private

Albert Reeves

1st Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment

13/07/1917

Husband of Harriet Reeves.

Plot III. E. 20.

Picture courtesy of Syd Yale, Albert was his wife's Great Uncle

Second Lieutenant

Rankin Martin, MM

176th Tunnelling Company,

Royal Engineers

12/07/1918, aged 31.

Commissioned from the ranks having previously served as a sergeant with the Royal Fusiliers. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Robert and Isabella Martin; husband of Mary Blakely, of 6 Radnor Street, Kelvingrove, Glasgow.

Plot V. B. 3.

Picture courtesy of Joe O'Raw

33174 Private

John Duncan Smith

5th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

04/06/1917, aged 26.

Son of John and Christina Smith, Lochore, Fife.

Plot III. G. 50

Picture courtesy of Robert Smith, nephew.

322914 Gunner

Cecil Haggart Shaver, MM

2nd Bde. Canadian Field Artillery

02/09/1918, aged 21.

Son of Mrs. Nancy ( Day) Shaver & Henry Shaver Cainsville, Ontario, Canada.

Plot IV. A. 4.

Picture courtesy of great niece, Nancy Johnson

17517 Private

Thomas Dawtry

10th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment

29/04/1917, aged 27.

Thomas died leaving a wife, Sarah Ann nee Bywater and 2 children, my father Thomas b. 1911 and a daughter Sarah Ann b. 1912, all living in Doncaster, Yorkshire.

The Additional information on the CWGC site is rather confusing and incorrect. Grandfather was actually born 19 Nov 1889 in Wigston, Leicestershire and his name registered as Edgar Dawtry HALL. He was the recognised but illegitimate son of Arthur DAWTRY and Elizabeth HALL. Sadly his mother died just days after his birth and he was given to his fathers sister Hannah to raise. Hannah was married to Thomas Bagshaw. Grandfather was known a Thomas Bagshaw until sometime shortly before his marriage when he reverted to his biological father's surname but kept his "new" forename. Hence the confusion over names which I'm sure originated with Sarah Ann not the CWGC.

Picture courtesy of grandson Roy Dawtry