AUCHONVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude 50.08059, Longitude 2.62674.
Location Information
Auchonvillers is approximately 20 Kms south of Arras.
Using the D919 from Arras to Amiens you will drive through the villages of Bucquoy, Puisieux then Serre-les-Puisieux. On leaving Serre-les-Puisieux, 3 Kms further along the D919, turn left following the signs for Auchonvillers. At the crossroads in the village centre follow the CWGC signs for Auchonvillers Military Cemetery which is on the outskirts of the village on the right hand side.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access with some difficulty.
Historical Information
From the outbreak of the war to the summer of 1915, this part of the front was held by French troops, who began the military cemetery in June 1915. It continued to be used by Commonwealth field ambulances and fighting units, but burials practically ceased with the German withdrawal in February 1917. After the Armistice, 15 of the graves (Plot II, Row M, Graves 4-18) were brought in from scattered positions east of the cemetery.
The cemetery now contains 528 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, the French graves having been removed to other burial grounds.
Total Burials: 528.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 456, New Zealand 22, Canada 8. Total 486.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and William Cowlishaw
Second Lieutenant
Charles Joseph Fox
2nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers
29th June 1916, aged 28.
Plot II. C. 4.
Son of Francis and Alice Gordon Fox, of "Ione," Naples Rd., Mentone, Victoria, Australia. His brother George Fox also fell.
Charles Joseph Fox
2nd Bn. Royal Fusiliers
29th June 1916, aged 28.
Plot II. C. 4.
Son of Francis and Alice Gordon Fox, of "Ione," Naples Rd., Mentone, Victoria, Australia. His brother George Fox also fell.
26927 Private
Albert Harrison
7th Bn. Border Regiment
8th June 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. L. 4.
Son of Aaron and Louisa Harrison, of Manchester.
Picture courtesy of Philippa Waterhouse, great niece of this soldier
Albert Harrison
7th Bn. Border Regiment
8th June 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. L. 4.
Son of Aaron and Louisa Harrison, of Manchester.
Picture courtesy of Philippa Waterhouse, great niece of this soldier
Second Lieutenant
Robert Donald Neil
1st/5th Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
26th October 1916, aged 22.
Plot II. F. 33.
Son of the Rev. James and Margaret Neil, of Liverpool.
Robert Donald Neil
1st/5th Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
26th October 1916, aged 22.
Plot II. F. 33.
Son of the Rev. James and Margaret Neil, of Liverpool.
35439 Serjeant
James Henry Roberts
11th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
08/03/1917, aged 39.
Plot II. K. 2.
Son of George Roberts, of 86, Bradley Hall Rd., Nelson; husband of Mary Jane Roberts, of 44, Waterloo Rd., Burnley Wood, Burnley.
James Henry Roberts
11th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
08/03/1917, aged 39.
Plot II. K. 2.
Son of George Roberts, of 86, Bradley Hall Rd., Nelson; husband of Mary Jane Roberts, of 44, Waterloo Rd., Burnley Wood, Burnley.
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
Battle of the Ancre. Counting the prisoners as they came in from Beaumont Hamel, captured by the 51st (Highland) Division. 13 November 1916. Geoffrey Malins can be seen at the far left of the frame. © IWM Q 4500
Albert Bapaume Area, France. c. 1916. British Army horse drawn transport moving along the Auchonvillers to Beaument - Hamel Road.
Transport and heavy artillery on the road from Auchonvillers to Beaumont Hamel, November 1916. The wooden crate on the waggon on the left reads 'Dominion Canneries Limited. Pure Food Products'. © IWM Q 1583
Battle of the Ancre. Troops outside a London coffee stall at Auchonvillers, a starting-point of the British attacks on Beaumont Hamel. November 1916. © IWM Q 4545
British troops asleep in a support trench during the preliminary bombardment, previous to the attack on Beaumont Hamel, 1st July 1916. Note scaling ladders (duckboards) across trench. © IWM (Q 62)
Two South African soldiers near Beaumont Hamel, December 1916. © IWM (Q 1713)
