BÉCOURT MILITARY CEMETERY
Bécordel-Bécourt
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.00409, Longitude: 2.68419
Location Information
Becourt is 2 kilometres on the east side of Albert. The Military Cemetery is on the south side of the road from Becourt to Albert.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to the cemetery is possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
The Military Cemetery was begun in August, 1915, by the 51st (Highland) Division, and carried on by the 18th and other Divisions in the line until the Battles of the Somme, 1916. It continued in use, chiefly by Field Ambulances, until April, 1917; and Plot II was made by the 18th Division at the end of August, 1918.
There are now 713 casualties of the 1914-1918 war commemorated in this site. Of these, 8 are unidentified and a special memorial is erected to a soldier from the United Kingdom buried among them. Three German graves have been removed.
Total Burials: 713.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 599, Australia 72, Canada 31, South Africa 3. Total 705.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 8.
The cemetery covers an area of 4,327 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall.
The cemetery was designed by Arthur James Scott Hutton
Dedications
Captain William Henry Tatnall, 24th Bn., Australian Infantry, 7th August 1916, aged 31. Son of William Champion Tatnall, of 12, Edgar Road, Clive Vale, Hastings, England, and the late Emily Jane Tatnall. Native of Finchley, London, England.
Born 12 February 1885 in Finchley, Mdx to William Champion Tatnall and Emily Jane Nobbs. He emigrated to Australia in 1911 and worked as a Bank Clerk at the Union Bank, Warrnambool, Victoria. He joined the Military in 1914 at Warrnambool and died on 7 August 1916 at Tara Hill, Posieres, France Regiment No. 521 24th Bn Australian Infantry A.I.F.
Remembered by his 2nd cousin twice removed Sandra Wilmot
Becourt is 2 kilometres on the east side of Albert. The Military Cemetery is on the south side of the road from Becourt to Albert.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to the cemetery is possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
The Military Cemetery was begun in August, 1915, by the 51st (Highland) Division, and carried on by the 18th and other Divisions in the line until the Battles of the Somme, 1916. It continued in use, chiefly by Field Ambulances, until April, 1917; and Plot II was made by the 18th Division at the end of August, 1918.
There are now 713 casualties of the 1914-1918 war commemorated in this site. Of these, 8 are unidentified and a special memorial is erected to a soldier from the United Kingdom buried among them. Three German graves have been removed.
Total Burials: 713.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 599, Australia 72, Canada 31, South Africa 3. Total 705.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 8.
The cemetery covers an area of 4,327 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall.
The cemetery was designed by Arthur James Scott Hutton
Dedications
Captain William Henry Tatnall, 24th Bn., Australian Infantry, 7th August 1916, aged 31. Son of William Champion Tatnall, of 12, Edgar Road, Clive Vale, Hastings, England, and the late Emily Jane Tatnall. Native of Finchley, London, England.
Born 12 February 1885 in Finchley, Mdx to William Champion Tatnall and Emily Jane Nobbs. He emigrated to Australia in 1911 and worked as a Bank Clerk at the Union Bank, Warrnambool, Victoria. He joined the Military in 1914 at Warrnambool and died on 7 August 1916 at Tara Hill, Posieres, France Regiment No. 521 24th Bn Australian Infantry A.I.F.
Remembered by his 2nd cousin twice removed Sandra Wilmot
Becourt Chateau in 1913 (left) and 1919 (right). The chateau was used as an advanced dressing station during the Battle of the Somme.
View of the battlefield at La Boisselle in September 1916 showing the Cross erected to several members of the 34th Division, who were killed in action on 1st July, 1916. This Cross was 20 yard to the left of the roadway on the hill crest overlooking the giant mine crater, Becourt Wood, Sausage Valley and on to Fricourt, Mametz and Carnoy; since replaced by a permanent monument. © IWM (Q 1055)
8754 Private
Walter Archer
70th Bn. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
2nd October 1916
Plot I. W. 31.
Walter Archer
70th Bn. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
2nd October 1916
Plot I. W. 31.
90258 Bombardier
Thomas Christopher Cairns
28th Bty. 6th Bde. Canadian Field Artillery
8th November 1916, aged 22.
Plot I. Y. 36
Son of The Rev. John A. Cairns and Alice Waters his wife, of Langbank, Saskatchewan.
Picture courtesy of great niece, Christina Evans
Thomas Christopher Cairns
28th Bty. 6th Bde. Canadian Field Artillery
8th November 1916, aged 22.
Plot I. Y. 36
Son of The Rev. John A. Cairns and Alice Waters his wife, of Langbank, Saskatchewan.
Picture courtesy of great niece, Christina Evans
2366 Lance Corporal
Benjamin Clark
2nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th July 1916.
Plot I. T. 18.
Son of Benjamin and Betsy Arm Clark; husband of May Wymark (formerly Clark), of "Willfred," 660, Old South Head Rd., Bondi, New South Wales. Native of Nottingham, England.
Studio portrait of 2366 Lance Corporal (LCpl) Benjamin Clark, 2nd Battalion, of Bondi, NSW. An ironmonger prior to his enlistment, LCpl Clark enlisted on 29 May 1915 and died of wounds at Pozieres, France on 20 July 1916.
Benjamin Clark
2nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th July 1916.
Plot I. T. 18.
Son of Benjamin and Betsy Arm Clark; husband of May Wymark (formerly Clark), of "Willfred," 660, Old South Head Rd., Bondi, New South Wales. Native of Nottingham, England.
Studio portrait of 2366 Lance Corporal (LCpl) Benjamin Clark, 2nd Battalion, of Bondi, NSW. An ironmonger prior to his enlistment, LCpl Clark enlisted on 29 May 1915 and died of wounds at Pozieres, France on 20 July 1916.
16 Driver
George Thomas Davis
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st August 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. U. 33.
Son of Harry and Ann Elizabeth Davis, of Balliang East, Victoria, Australia. Native of Werribee, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "Loved Son of H. And A. E. Davis Of Victoria
He was born 1st Oct 1890 at Werribee, Victoria, Australia the eldest son of Harry and Ann Davis (nee Hobbs)
He enlisted in the A. I. F. on 24th March 1915 at Werribee and embarked on H. M. A. T. A14 Euripides with the 24th Battalion, Machine Gun Section in May. After further training in Egypt he landed on Gallipoli on the 4th Sept serving at Lone Pine. At the end of Oct. he was admitted to hospital with enteric fever, transferred to Egypt then to England in December.After recovering he joined his unit in France at the end of July but died of wounds incurred in the Battle of Pozieres on the 1st August at the 5th Australian Field Ambulance, Becordel-Becourt, France.
Picture courtesy of David Eaton
George Thomas Davis
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st August 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. U. 33.
Son of Harry and Ann Elizabeth Davis, of Balliang East, Victoria, Australia. Native of Werribee, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "Loved Son of H. And A. E. Davis Of Victoria
He was born 1st Oct 1890 at Werribee, Victoria, Australia the eldest son of Harry and Ann Davis (nee Hobbs)
He enlisted in the A. I. F. on 24th March 1915 at Werribee and embarked on H. M. A. T. A14 Euripides with the 24th Battalion, Machine Gun Section in May. After further training in Egypt he landed on Gallipoli on the 4th Sept serving at Lone Pine. At the end of Oct. he was admitted to hospital with enteric fever, transferred to Egypt then to England in December.After recovering he joined his unit in France at the end of July but died of wounds incurred in the Battle of Pozieres on the 1st August at the 5th Australian Field Ambulance, Becordel-Becourt, France.
Picture courtesy of David Eaton
148 Private
Gilbert George Henry Evans
21st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
30th July 1916, aged 23.
Plot I. P. 16.
Inscription "Blessed Are The Pure In Heart For They Shall See God"
Son of Henry and Isabella Evans, of Moyrusk, Natte Yallock, Victoria, Australia. Born at Archdale.
A student from Natte Yallock, Vic prior to enlistment, Pte Evans embarked with A Company from Melbourne on HMAT Ulysses on 10 May 1915. On 30 July 1916 he died of wounds received in action at Pozieres.
38, Lance Corporal Williams later explained the circumstances of Gilbert Evans' death:
"At Pozieres he has a bomb in his pocket alongside of him, going up to the trenches a bit of shell hit the bomb and it exploded, it blew his side out and his feet. He was carried out but died before he got to Becourt Wood. He was buried in the cemetery near there. He was my mate."
Gilbert George Henry Evans
21st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
30th July 1916, aged 23.
Plot I. P. 16.
Inscription "Blessed Are The Pure In Heart For They Shall See God"
Son of Henry and Isabella Evans, of Moyrusk, Natte Yallock, Victoria, Australia. Born at Archdale.
A student from Natte Yallock, Vic prior to enlistment, Pte Evans embarked with A Company from Melbourne on HMAT Ulysses on 10 May 1915. On 30 July 1916 he died of wounds received in action at Pozieres.
38, Lance Corporal Williams later explained the circumstances of Gilbert Evans' death:
"At Pozieres he has a bomb in his pocket alongside of him, going up to the trenches a bit of shell hit the bomb and it exploded, it blew his side out and his feet. He was carried out but died before he got to Becourt Wood. He was buried in the cemetery near there. He was my mate."
Second Lieutenant
Hugh Reginald Freston
3rd Bn. attd. 6th Bn. Royal Berkshire regiment
24th January 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. E. 16.
Son of Reginald Henry Brettingham Freston and Elizabeth Mathilde Freston, of Worthen, Shrewsbury. Author of "The Quest of Truth," and other poems which is inscribed on his headstone
Hugh Reginald Freston
3rd Bn. attd. 6th Bn. Royal Berkshire regiment
24th January 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. E. 16.
Son of Reginald Henry Brettingham Freston and Elizabeth Mathilde Freston, of Worthen, Shrewsbury. Author of "The Quest of Truth," and other poems which is inscribed on his headstone
July 1916: Two soldiers contemplate some graves in the cemetery in Becourt Gully, southeast of Pozieres. On the far right several men with horses and wagons, probably artillery, are just visible.
101 Private
John Thomas Ernest Gentle
25th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th August 1916, aged 28.
Plot I. U. 18.
Inscription "God Is Love Good Bye Dear Until The Day Dawns And Shadows Fly Away"
Son of George and Jane Ann Gentle, of Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia.
John Gentle was a stretcher bearer, he and a number of other men were hit by shrapnel while on the way to the front line at Pozieres, the shrapnel severed his carotid artery. He was taken to the dressing station but died on the way.
John Thomas Ernest Gentle
25th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th August 1916, aged 28.
Plot I. U. 18.
Inscription "God Is Love Good Bye Dear Until The Day Dawns And Shadows Fly Away"
Son of George and Jane Ann Gentle, of Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia.
John Gentle was a stretcher bearer, he and a number of other men were hit by shrapnel while on the way to the front line at Pozieres, the shrapnel severed his carotid artery. He was taken to the dressing station but died on the way.
175 Sergeant
William Lionel Hine
21st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
24th August 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. N. 9.
Inscription "Father In Thy Gracious Keeping Leave We Now Our Loved One Sleeping"
Son of William and Annie Hine; husband of Myrtle Hine, of 10, Elm Grove, Windsor, Victoria, Australia. Native of Boort, Victoria.
Studio portrait of 175 Private (Pte) (later Sergeant) William Lionel (Leo) Hine, 21st Battalion, of Windsor, Vic. Pte Hine was an engineer and iron-turner prior to his enlistment on 31 January 1915. He embarked with A Company on 10 May 1915 from Melbourne on HMAT Ulysses. He died of wounds received at Becourt, France, on 24 August 1916.
William Lionel Hine
21st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
24th August 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. N. 9.
Inscription "Father In Thy Gracious Keeping Leave We Now Our Loved One Sleeping"
Son of William and Annie Hine; husband of Myrtle Hine, of 10, Elm Grove, Windsor, Victoria, Australia. Native of Boort, Victoria.
Studio portrait of 175 Private (Pte) (later Sergeant) William Lionel (Leo) Hine, 21st Battalion, of Windsor, Vic. Pte Hine was an engineer and iron-turner prior to his enlistment on 31 January 1915. He embarked with A Company on 10 May 1915 from Melbourne on HMAT Ulysses. He died of wounds received at Becourt, France, on 24 August 1916.
Captain
George Everett James
8th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
24th July 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. Q. 25.
Inscription "Beloved Son Of J. And E. James Of Ballarat "Non Omnis Moriar"
Son of John and Elizabeth James, of 11, Chisholm St., Ballarat East, Victoria, Australia.
A teacher prior to enlisting, he embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Clan McGillivray (A46) on 2 February 1915. On 24 July 1916, he was wounded in action at Pozieres by a gun shot wound to the stomach and died later that day at the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance Station, France, aged 25.
George Everett James
8th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
24th July 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. Q. 25.
Inscription "Beloved Son Of J. And E. James Of Ballarat "Non Omnis Moriar"
Son of John and Elizabeth James, of 11, Chisholm St., Ballarat East, Victoria, Australia.
A teacher prior to enlisting, he embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Clan McGillivray (A46) on 2 February 1915. On 24 July 1916, he was wounded in action at Pozieres by a gun shot wound to the stomach and died later that day at the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance Station, France, aged 25.
4250 Private
Stanley Hirst Little
46th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
Died of wounds on 14th August 1916, aged 23.
Plot I. V. 15.
Inscription "In Loving Memory Of Stanley, Mother And Ida, Hawthorn, Victoria"
Son of Charles Edward and Lucy Victoria Little, of 20, Morang Rd., Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia. Native of Sale, Gippsland, Victoria.
Stanley Hirst Little
46th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
Died of wounds on 14th August 1916, aged 23.
Plot I. V. 15.
Inscription "In Loving Memory Of Stanley, Mother And Ida, Hawthorn, Victoria"
Son of Charles Edward and Lucy Victoria Little, of 20, Morang Rd., Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia. Native of Sale, Gippsland, Victoria.
Outdoor group portrait of officers of the Rabaul Garrison of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force. All except two went on to serve overseas with the AIF.
Identified in the front row, last on the left in white overshoes and buried in this cemetery is Major Charles Eyde Manning (Mentioned in Despatches), 24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F., who was killed in action on 7th August 1916, aged 36. Plot I. V. 2. Son of Charles James and Emily Urania Manning. Native of Hunters Hill, New South Wales.
Identified in the front row, last on the left in white overshoes and buried in this cemetery is Major Charles Eyde Manning (Mentioned in Despatches), 24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F., who was killed in action on 7th August 1916, aged 36. Plot I. V. 2. Son of Charles James and Emily Urania Manning. Native of Hunters Hill, New South Wales.
3158 Private
William Edward Mazey
4th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
Died of wounds on 25th July 1917, aged 20.
Plot I. P. 6.
Inscription "Will" Dearly Loved"
Son of Margaret Catherine Mazey, of 28, Grafton St., Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales, and the late David Mazey.
William Edward Mazey
4th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
Died of wounds on 25th July 1917, aged 20.
Plot I. P. 6.
Inscription "Will" Dearly Loved"
Son of Margaret Catherine Mazey, of 28, Grafton St., Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales, and the late David Mazey.
2245 Private
George Albert Mundy
3rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
19th August 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. P. 3.
Inscription "God Be With Us Till We Meet Again"
Son of Amor Samuel and Ellen Florence Mundy, of "Bromsgrove," 27, Stanley, Leichhardt, New South Wales. Native of Sydney, New South Wales.
Studio portrait of 2245 Private George Albert Mundy, 3rd, (later 55th) Battalion of Sydney, New South Wales. Son of Amor Samuel and Ellen Florence Mundy, of Leichhardt, New South Wales. An ironworker prior to enlisting he embarked from Sydney with the 3rd Battalion aboard HMAT Karoola on 16 June 1915. He died of wounds in France on 19 August 1916, aged 21. He is buried in Becourt Military Cemetery, France. His brother 5156 Private Amor William Mundy was killed in action.
George Albert Mundy
3rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
19th August 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. P. 3.
Inscription "God Be With Us Till We Meet Again"
Son of Amor Samuel and Ellen Florence Mundy, of "Bromsgrove," 27, Stanley, Leichhardt, New South Wales. Native of Sydney, New South Wales.
Studio portrait of 2245 Private George Albert Mundy, 3rd, (later 55th) Battalion of Sydney, New South Wales. Son of Amor Samuel and Ellen Florence Mundy, of Leichhardt, New South Wales. An ironworker prior to enlisting he embarked from Sydney with the 3rd Battalion aboard HMAT Karoola on 16 June 1915. He died of wounds in France on 19 August 1916, aged 21. He is buried in Becourt Military Cemetery, France. His brother 5156 Private Amor William Mundy was killed in action.
Captain
John Cecil Rix
Royal Army Medical Corps attached 9th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment
6th July 1916.
Plot I. Q. 3.
Son of the late William H. and Rosalie J. Rix, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
John Cecil Rix
Royal Army Medical Corps attached 9th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment
6th July 1916.
Plot I. Q. 3.
Son of the late William H. and Rosalie J. Rix, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
2384 Private
Francis Charles Saxon
22nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th July 1916, aged 34.
Plot I. R. 20.
Click on image to enlarge
From Croxton, Vic. Pte Saxon enlisted on 12 July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Osterley on 29 September 1915. He died of wounds on 27 July 1916 in France.
Francis Charles Saxon
22nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th July 1916, aged 34.
Plot I. R. 20.
Click on image to enlarge
From Croxton, Vic. Pte Saxon enlisted on 12 July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Osterley on 29 September 1915. He died of wounds on 27 July 1916 in France.
3918 Private
Clifford Small
45th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th August 1916.
Plot I. P. 22.
Studio portrait of 3918 Private (Pte) Clifford Small, 45th Battalion, of Arncliffe, NSW. Pte Small was an engine-cleaner prior to enlisting on 15 August 1915. He embarked from Sydney on 20 December 1915 on HMAT Suevic, with the 12th Reinforcements of the 13th Battalion. He was taken on strength of the 45th Battalion on 6 March 1916. He was wounded on 6 August 1916, and died of his wounds at the 5th Field Ambulance, in France, on 10 August 1916.
Clifford Small
45th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th August 1916.
Plot I. P. 22.
Studio portrait of 3918 Private (Pte) Clifford Small, 45th Battalion, of Arncliffe, NSW. Pte Small was an engine-cleaner prior to enlisting on 15 August 1915. He embarked from Sydney on 20 December 1915 on HMAT Suevic, with the 12th Reinforcements of the 13th Battalion. He was taken on strength of the 45th Battalion on 6 March 1916. He was wounded on 6 August 1916, and died of his wounds at the 5th Field Ambulance, in France, on 10 August 1916.
5903 Driver
Thomas Vennell
3rd A. F. A. Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
21st August 1916.
Plot I. W. 3.
Studio portrait of 5903 Driver Thomas Vennell, 12th Reinforcements, 1st Field Artillery Brigade. A labourer of Newcastle, NSW prior to enlistment, he originally embarked from Sydney but after suffering rheumatic fever he was disembarked in Melbourne and sent to hospital. After recovering, he embarked again for overseas service and was assigned to the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade. He was killed in action on 25 August 1916, ten days after he arrived in France.
Thomas Vennell
3rd A. F. A. Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
21st August 1916.
Plot I. W. 3.
Studio portrait of 5903 Driver Thomas Vennell, 12th Reinforcements, 1st Field Artillery Brigade. A labourer of Newcastle, NSW prior to enlistment, he originally embarked from Sydney but after suffering rheumatic fever he was disembarked in Melbourne and sent to hospital. After recovering, he embarked again for overseas service and was assigned to the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade. He was killed in action on 25 August 1916, ten days after he arrived in France.
Wounded Australian soldier being carried into Becourt Chateau, August 1916 © IWM (Q 907)
Images in gallery below © Geerhard Joos
View of an advanced Royal Engineers depot. Huts with camouflaged roofs, built in old trenches at Becourt, October 1916. © IWM Q 5324
Air Photo. Becourt, Sheet 57d. W. 21. 10276. Becourt Wood - top right. © IWM Q 50596
Australian Army transport passing through Becourt Wood near Albert, August 1916. What is now Becourt Military Cemetery can be seen on the left of the picture. © IWM Q 898
1952. ©CWGC
1952. ©CWGC
