BEAUMONT-HAMEL BRITISH CEMETERY
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.08591, Longitude: 2.64981
Location Information
Beaumont-Hamel is a village 10 Kms north of Albert. Take the D919 road from Puisieux to Mally Maillet until you reach a crossroad signposted Auchonvillers on the left hand side. Follow this road (D174) until you see Beaumont signposted at a 'T' junction, turn left onto the D163 and Beaumont-Hamel British Cemetery is located on the left about 1 Km along this road.
Historical Information
Beaumont-Hamel was attacked and reached on 1 July 1916, but it could not be held. It was attacked again, and this time taken, on 13 November 1916 and the British cemetery (originally titled as 'V Corps Cemetery No.23') was made by units taking part in that and subsequent operations until February 1917. It was increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields.
The cemetery contains 179 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 82 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to two casualties known to be buried among them. There are also two unidentified German burials.
Total Burials: 181.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 95, Canada 2. Total 97.
World War One Unidentified Casualties: 84.
The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.
Beaumont-Hamel is a village 10 Kms north of Albert. Take the D919 road from Puisieux to Mally Maillet until you reach a crossroad signposted Auchonvillers on the left hand side. Follow this road (D174) until you see Beaumont signposted at a 'T' junction, turn left onto the D163 and Beaumont-Hamel British Cemetery is located on the left about 1 Km along this road.
Historical Information
Beaumont-Hamel was attacked and reached on 1 July 1916, but it could not be held. It was attacked again, and this time taken, on 13 November 1916 and the British cemetery (originally titled as 'V Corps Cemetery No.23') was made by units taking part in that and subsequent operations until February 1917. It was increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields.
The cemetery contains 179 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 82 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to two casualties known to be buried among them. There are also two unidentified German burials.
Total Burials: 181.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 95, Canada 2. Total 97.
World War One Unidentified Casualties: 84.
The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.
1419 Lance Corporal
Horatio Barbour
1st Bn. Newfoundland Regiment
1st July 1916, aged 26.
Row. A. 24.
Son of William and Amy H. Barbour, of Port Rexton, Newfoundland.
Click on image to enlarge
Horatio Barbour
1st Bn. Newfoundland Regiment
1st July 1916, aged 26.
Row. A. 24.
Son of William and Amy H. Barbour, of Port Rexton, Newfoundland.
Click on image to enlarge
Second Lieutenant
William Begg
5th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
13th November 1916, aged 27.
Row. B. 7.
Son of William and Helen Begg, of St. Agnes Cottage, Duke St., Brechin, Forfarshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori"
William Begg
5th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
13th November 1916, aged 27.
Row. B. 7.
Son of William and Helen Begg, of St. Agnes Cottage, Duke St., Brechin, Forfarshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori"
778 Private
George Edward Brant
2nd Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
16th January 1915.
Row. B. 23.
Son of Caroline Elisa (nee Pearce, 1846-1924) and John Brant (1836-1925) of Easthampstead, Berkshire, England.
Husband of Louisa Dorothea Gould of Easthampstead, Berkshire, England (1890–1912) and father of John Edward Brant (1911–1964) of Windsor, Berkshire, England.
George Edward Brant
2nd Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
16th January 1915.
Row. B. 23.
Son of Caroline Elisa (nee Pearce, 1846-1924) and John Brant (1836-1925) of Easthampstead, Berkshire, England.
Husband of Louisa Dorothea Gould of Easthampstead, Berkshire, England (1890–1912) and father of John Edward Brant (1911–1964) of Windsor, Berkshire, England.
Second Lieutenant
Clement John Byron
2nd Bn. Honourable Artillery Company
19th January 1917, aged 21.
Row. B. 34.
Son of John and Clara Byron, of "Wyefield," The Knoll, Beckenham, Kent. Native of Hackney, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death & I Will Give Thee A Crown Of Life"
Clement John Byron
2nd Bn. Honourable Artillery Company
19th January 1917, aged 21.
Row. B. 34.
Son of John and Clara Byron, of "Wyefield," The Knoll, Beckenham, Kent. Native of Hackney, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death & I Will Give Thee A Crown Of Life"
The Sunken Lane, located to the left of the cemetery.
Images in gallery below © Werner Van Caneghem
Second Lieutenant
Samuel MacDonnell Campbell
13th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers attached to 86th Trench Mortar Battery
1st July 1916.
Row. B 52.
Samuel MacDonnell Campbell
13th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers attached to 86th Trench Mortar Battery
1st July 1916.
Row. B 52.
Second Lieutenant
James Harold Elliott
2nd Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
29th November 1916, aged 18.
Row. B. 1.
Son of Henry and Annie Elliott, of 4, Pittville Lawn, Cheltenham.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Was Beloved"
James Harold Elliott
2nd Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
29th November 1916, aged 18.
Row. B. 1.
Son of Henry and Annie Elliott, of 4, Pittville Lawn, Cheltenham.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Was Beloved"
33374 Sergeant
Peter McCorkindale, D. C. M. & Mentioned in Despatches
"D" Battery, 58th Brigade, Field Artillery
2nd March 1917.
Row. B. 79.
Peter McCorkindale, D. C. M. & Mentioned in Despatches
"D" Battery, 58th Brigade, Field Artillery
2nd March 1917.
Row. B. 79.
18660 Sergeant
Harry Charles McGreaves
21st Bn. Manchester Regiment
11th January 1917, aged 21.
Row. B. 72.
Son of Charles and Mary Alice McGreaves, of 2, Cobden St., Ashton-under-Lyne.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dear In Our Hearts Is The Grave Where You Sleep"
Harry Charles McGreaves
21st Bn. Manchester Regiment
11th January 1917, aged 21.
Row. B. 72.
Son of Charles and Mary Alice McGreaves, of 2, Cobden St., Ashton-under-Lyne.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dear In Our Hearts Is The Grave Where You Sleep"
Aerial vertical view showing trench lines of Beaumont Hamel, 10 October 1916. British trenches are on the bottom left. © IWM (Q 61479)
22332 Private
John William (Jack) Ridings
1st Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
1st July 1916, aged 33.
Row. A 59.
John William (Jack) Ridings
1st Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
1st July 1916, aged 33.
Row. A 59.
Lieutenant
Donald Ross
"B" Company, 2nd Bn. Highland Light Infantry
Died between 13th November 1916 and 15th November 1916, aged 26.
Row. A. 2.
Son of Alexander and Mary Ross, of Glen Urquhart, Inverness-shire; husband of Sadie Ross, of 5, Whitehill Gardens, Dennistoun, Glasgow.
His headstone bears the inscription "O Bhais C'Ait Am Bheil Do Ghath"
Translation "O death where is thy sting?"
Donald Ross
"B" Company, 2nd Bn. Highland Light Infantry
Died between 13th November 1916 and 15th November 1916, aged 26.
Row. A. 2.
Son of Alexander and Mary Ross, of Glen Urquhart, Inverness-shire; husband of Sadie Ross, of 5, Whitehill Gardens, Dennistoun, Glasgow.
His headstone bears the inscription "O Bhais C'Ait Am Bheil Do Ghath"
Translation "O death where is thy sting?"
2687 Private
Frederick Alfred Tagg
16th Bn. Middlesex Regiment
1st July 1916, aged 19.
Row. A. 86.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Tagg, of 22, Lancaster Rd., Ealing, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Memory Is As Dear To-Day As In The Hour He Passed Away"
Frederick Alfred Tagg
16th Bn. Middlesex Regiment
1st July 1916, aged 19.
Row. A. 86.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Tagg, of 22, Lancaster Rd., Ealing, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Memory Is As Dear To-Day As In The Hour He Passed Away"
Captain
Percy Arthur Henry Thorniley, M. C.
21st Bn. Manchester Regiment
11th January 1917, aged 20.
Row. B. 75.
Son of Percy Wright Thorniley and Annie Rebecca, his wife, of Hole Head, Dawlish, Devon.
Percy Arthur Henry Thorniley, M. C.
21st Bn. Manchester Regiment
11th January 1917, aged 20.
Row. B. 75.
Son of Percy Wright Thorniley and Annie Rebecca, his wife, of Hole Head, Dawlish, Devon.
Lieutenant
Robert Edward Weir, Mentioned in Despatches
1st/8th Bn. Royal Scots
16th November 1916, aged 29.
Special Memorial 2
Son of William and Jane Weir of Roselea, Oxton, Berwickshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Abide With Me"
Robert Edward Weir was the Headmaster of Channelkirk School, and his parents previously lived in Heriot. He'd been an assistant teacher in Carmuirs School in Camelon, Falkirk. From thence he went to Dalkeith and then Channelkirk. Robert studied at George Watsons College Edinburgh. A son of Mr. W. Weir, was born in 1886, entered G.W.C. in 1901, and on leaving studied Arts at Edinburgh Univ. 1905-7. Mobilized in Aug. 1914 as a Colour Sgt. in the 8th Royal Scots. He won speedy promotion, holding the rank of Lieut. by Jan. 1915. He served in France and was mentioned in Despatches. On Nov. 16, 1916, he was killed in action.
Falkirk Herald Obituary of 25 Nov 1916.
Late LIEUT. ROBERT WEIR. Former Falkirk Teacher Killed in Action On Tuesday last the sad intelligence reached Falkirk that Lieutenant Robert Weir, Royal Scots, had fallen during an action in France on Thursday 16th inst Lieutenant Weir was well known in Falkirk, having been an assistant master in Carmuirs School from 1907 to 1910, leaving Falkirk he was for brief period assistant teacher in Dalkeith Higher Grade School, when he was appointed headmaster of Channelkirk Public School, Berwickshire.
On the outbreak of war joined the Royal Scots, and was drafted to France in October, 1914, taking part many important engagements, and in one which he was wounded. He was about 30 years age, and was the second son of Mr William Weir, formerly headmaster of Heriot Public School. A few months ago a younger brother of Lieutenant Weir was killed in action, and third brother is now at the front. During his, residence in our midst the gallant Lieutenant, who has just fallen in his country's cause, was much respected by a very wide circle. He acted as secretary of the Falkirk and District Elementary Schools Association, and interested himself warmly in the Camelon Gymnasium. Deep regret has been expressed in local scholastic circles' at the untimely death of Lieutenant Weir, who was a young man of sterling character, and was deservedly popular wherever went.
Robert Edward Weir, Mentioned in Despatches
1st/8th Bn. Royal Scots
16th November 1916, aged 29.
Special Memorial 2
Son of William and Jane Weir of Roselea, Oxton, Berwickshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Abide With Me"
Robert Edward Weir was the Headmaster of Channelkirk School, and his parents previously lived in Heriot. He'd been an assistant teacher in Carmuirs School in Camelon, Falkirk. From thence he went to Dalkeith and then Channelkirk. Robert studied at George Watsons College Edinburgh. A son of Mr. W. Weir, was born in 1886, entered G.W.C. in 1901, and on leaving studied Arts at Edinburgh Univ. 1905-7. Mobilized in Aug. 1914 as a Colour Sgt. in the 8th Royal Scots. He won speedy promotion, holding the rank of Lieut. by Jan. 1915. He served in France and was mentioned in Despatches. On Nov. 16, 1916, he was killed in action.
Falkirk Herald Obituary of 25 Nov 1916.
Late LIEUT. ROBERT WEIR. Former Falkirk Teacher Killed in Action On Tuesday last the sad intelligence reached Falkirk that Lieutenant Robert Weir, Royal Scots, had fallen during an action in France on Thursday 16th inst Lieutenant Weir was well known in Falkirk, having been an assistant master in Carmuirs School from 1907 to 1910, leaving Falkirk he was for brief period assistant teacher in Dalkeith Higher Grade School, when he was appointed headmaster of Channelkirk Public School, Berwickshire.
On the outbreak of war joined the Royal Scots, and was drafted to France in October, 1914, taking part many important engagements, and in one which he was wounded. He was about 30 years age, and was the second son of Mr William Weir, formerly headmaster of Heriot Public School. A few months ago a younger brother of Lieutenant Weir was killed in action, and third brother is now at the front. During his, residence in our midst the gallant Lieutenant, who has just fallen in his country's cause, was much respected by a very wide circle. He acted as secretary of the Falkirk and District Elementary Schools Association, and interested himself warmly in the Camelon Gymnasium. Deep regret has been expressed in local scholastic circles' at the untimely death of Lieutenant Weir, who was a young man of sterling character, and was deservedly popular wherever went.
The man on the left has been extricated from the mud into which he had sunk up to the arm pits. The soldier on the right is thought to be serving in the South Staffordshire Regiment, Beaumont Hamel, November 1916. © IWM (Q 1563)
British troops, two corporals, near Beaumont Hamel, November 1916. © IWM (Q 1562)
A shell bursting amongst the barbed wire entanglements on the battlefield at Beaumont Hamel, December 1916. © IWM (Q 1688)
The cemetery in 1963/4. ©CWGC
The cemetery in 1963/4. ©CWGC
