WW1 Cemeteries.com - A photographic guide to over 4000 military cemeteries and memorials
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BEEHIVE CEMETERY

​Willerval  
​​​
Pas De Calais

​France


Picture
© Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information

Willerval is a village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, 10 kilometres north-east of Arras. Beehive Cemetery is 1 kilometre north of the village and 600 metres by the footpath from the west side of the D50E road to Mericourt in a place called Lorgette.


Historical Information

The cemetery owes its name to a German machine gun emplacement known to the British troops as "The Beehive". It was made by fighting units after the occupation of Willerval in the Battles of Arras, 1917, and it was used as an advance cemetery until the following September; one grave was added in March, 1918.

There are now nearly 50, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified and one, which cannot now be found, is represented by a special memorial.

The cemetery covers an area of 360 square metres and is enclosed by a concrete curb.

Casualty Details: UK 7, Canada 42, Total Burials: 49
Picture
228347 Private
David Clements Bates
58th Bn. Canadian Infantry
14th September 1917, aged 28.
Row B. 22.

Son of Ann Jane Bates (nee Clements), of 212, Logan St., St. Lambert, Montreal, Canada, and the late William Bates. Native of Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, Ireland.


Picture
216375 Private
Joseph Bunyan
43rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
28th March 1918
Row C. 11.


Picture
25780 Private
William Ashworth Kay
14th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
7th August 1917, aged 20.
Row A. 12.

Son of Mr. W. G. and Mrs. A. E. Kay, of 68, Carsick Hill Rd., Sandygate, Sheffield.


Picture
202021 Private
Percival Nixon
20th Bn. Canadian Infantry
31st May 1917
Row B. 4.


​Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem

Picture
Aerial photograph of Thelus, near Arras, looking towards north east, showing the Lille Road. Sheet 51b, A16. date 30 September 1916. © IWM (Q58376)
Picture
Canadian troops tend the graves of their comrades fallen at Vimy, June, 1917. (Library and Archives Canada)

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​© COPYRIGHT TERENCE HEARD AND BRENT WHITTAM
​ 2005-2021 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
.​
Disclaimer 

The casualty numbers for each cemetery are taken from the C. W. G. C. site. We are aware that there can be discrepancies in the numbers quoted.
(The G. P. S. Coordinates are also taken from the C. W. G. C. site)
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Belgium
    • HAINAUT
    • WEST-VLAANDEREN
    • OTHER BELGIAN DEPARTMENTS
    • BELGIAN NON COMMONWEATH CEMETERIES
    • BELGIAN MEMORIALS
  • France
    • AISNE
    • MARNE
    • NORD
    • OISE
    • PAS DE CALAIS
    • SEINE-ET-MARNE
    • SEINE-MARITIME
    • SOMME
    • OTHER FRENCH DEPARTMENTS
    • FRENCH NON COMMONWEALTH CEMETERIES
    • French Memorials
  • Gallipoli
  • Other Countries
  • Architects
  • Shot at Dawn
  • Victoria Cross
  • Miscellaneous
  • Regimental Badges
  • "Silent Cities" Revisited