BROWN'S ROAD MILITARY CEMETERY
Festubert
Pas de Calais
France
General Directions: Festubert is a village 8 kilometres east-north-east of Bethune. From the church in Festubert, take the D166 signposted Cuinchy. After 300 metres turn right. Brown's Road Military Cemetery will be found a further 300 metres along this road on the right hand side.
Festubert was occupied by Commonwealth forces in October 1914 and on 23-24 November, the Indian Corps repulsed a German attack. The Battle of Festubert (15-25 May 1915) resulted in a short advance which left the village somewhat less exposed than it had been, and from then until 9 April 1918 and the beginning of the Battle of the Lys, this sector was quiet. Festubert was held by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division against the German assault, and successive attacks lasting through the month were repelled by the 1st and other Divisions. It remained an outpost for Commonwealth forces until the final advance began in September 1918. The cemetery was begun in October 1914, and carried on by fighting units and field ambulances until November 1917, when it contained 299 graves. It was greatly enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from small cemeteries and isolated sites on the surrounding battlefields.
Shot at Dawn: Rifleman W Bellamy, 1st Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed 16/07/1915 for cowardice, plot 4. D. 19. Private G H Lawton, 17th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), executed 30/07/1916 for cowardice, plot 5. G. 13. Private B McCubbin, 17th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) executed for cowardice 30/07/1916, plot 5. B. 16.
Casualty Details: UK 1044, Canada 21, South Africa 6, Total Burials: 1071
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