BERLES-AU-BOIS CHURCHYARD EXTENSION
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.20128, Longitude: 2.62589
Location Information
Berles-au-Bois is a village about 15 kilometres south-west of Arras and 3 kilometres south of the main road (N25) from Arras to Doullens.
The churchyard is situated between two farms. The extension stands in an old orchard at the back of the churchyard and access is through the main churchyard.
Visiting Information
The location or design of this site make wheelchair access impossible.
Historical Information
The village remained in British hands from the summer of 1915, when it was taken over from French troops, until the end of the War. It suffered at times from severe shelling, which caused the destruction of the original church. However, its replacement was erected 400 metres distant from the original site, leaving the churchyard seperated from the church. The village was 'adopted' after the war by the County of Wolverhampton.
Berles-au-Bois Churchyard Extension was begun by French troops, whose graves are in the South corner. It was continued by the 46th North Midland and other Divisions from September 1915, until January 1917, when it was closed.
There are now 144 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-18 war, 2 of which are unidentified in this site. Of these, one grave destroyed by shell fire, is represented by a special memorial. The British burials were in many instances made in groups by Brigades. There are also 44 French and 1 German burials of the 1914-1918 war and 8 German burials of the 1939-1945 war here.
The Extension covers an area of 1,066 square metres and is enclosed by brick walls.
The Extension was designed by William Harrison Cowlishaw
Total Burials: 197.
World War One Commonwealth Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 142.
World War One Commonwealth Unidentified Casualties: 2.
World War One Other Nationalities: France 44, Germany 1. Total 45.
World War Two Other Nationalities: Germany 8.
Churchyard images below © Johan Pauwels
10401 Private
John Ernest Barsby
6th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
10th September 1915, aged 20.
Row S. 15.
Son of Ellen Barsby, of 25, Howard St., Loughborough, and the late John Barsby.
John Ernest Barsby
6th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
10th September 1915, aged 20.
Row S. 15.
Son of Ellen Barsby, of 25, Howard St., Loughborough, and the late John Barsby.
Lieutenant
Harry Broderick Chinnery
13th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
28th May 1916.
Special Memorial.
His headstone bears the inscription "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out"
Harry Broderick Chinnery
13th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
28th May 1916.
Special Memorial.
His headstone bears the inscription "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out"
12078 Private
Frank Coulson
8th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
27th November 1915.
Row S. 9.
His headstone bears the inscription "Rest In Peace We Shall Meet Again"
Frank Coulson
8th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
27th November 1915.
Row S. 9.
His headstone bears the inscription "Rest In Peace We Shall Meet Again"
R/3575 Rifleman
Harold Duffin
13th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
29th June 1916.
Plot J. 3.
Harold Duffin
13th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
29th June 1916.
Plot J. 3.
48792 2nd Corporal
Edwin Howell
153rd Field Company, Royal Engineers
29th June 1916, aged 25.
Row Q. 2.
Husband of Emily Alice Howell, of 55, Maud Rd., Plaistow, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "My Beloved Husband Greater Love Hath No Man"
Edwin Howell
153rd Field Company, Royal Engineers
29th June 1916, aged 25.
Row Q. 2.
Husband of Emily Alice Howell, of 55, Maud Rd., Plaistow, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "My Beloved Husband Greater Love Hath No Man"
14062 Lance Corporal
Richard Albert Farmer Lane
8th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
3rd February 1916, aged 20.
Row B. 11.
Son of Richard Farmer Lane, of 12, Chapman St., Loughborough.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Have Fought The Good Fight"
Richard Albert Farmer Lane
8th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
3rd February 1916, aged 20.
Row B. 11.
Son of Richard Farmer Lane, of 12, Chapman St., Loughborough.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Have Fought The Good Fight"
R/3889 Corporal
Albert Victor Loyns
13th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
29th June 1916, aged 24.
Row H. 9.
Native of Bridgend, Glam.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Have Fought The Good Fight"
Albert Victor Loyns
13th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
29th June 1916, aged 24.
Row H. 9.
Native of Bridgend, Glam.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Have Fought The Good Fight"
466 Private
Alexis Ectos Maffuniades, D. C. M.
10th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
28th May 1916.
Row E. 3.
Alexis Ectos Maffuniades, D. C. M.
10th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
28th May 1916.
Row E. 3.
10183 Private
Thomas Marshall
6th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
8th October 1915, aged 20.
Row S. 11.
Son of Albert and Sarah Ann Marshall, of 4, Albert Place, Loughborough.
Thomas Marshall
6th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
8th October 1915, aged 20.
Row S. 11.
Son of Albert and Sarah Ann Marshall, of 4, Albert Place, Loughborough.
3/7192 Lance Corporal
Norman MacDonald
2nd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
21st April 1916, aged 20.
Row D. 1.
Son of William and Ann McLeod Macdonald, of 11, Sheshader Point, Stornoway.
His headstone bears the inscription "Blessed Are The Dead Which Die In The Lord" Rev. 14. Chap. 13 Verse
Norman MacDonald
2nd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
21st April 1916, aged 20.
Row D. 1.
Son of William and Ann McLeod Macdonald, of 11, Sheshader Point, Stornoway.
His headstone bears the inscription "Blessed Are The Dead Which Die In The Lord" Rev. 14. Chap. 13 Verse
781 Sergeant
Francis Raywood Osborne
10th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
4th May 1916, aged 26.
Row E. 6.
Son of Francis Bazley Osborne, and Mary A. Osborne, of Malvern House, Blockley, Worcs. Born at Chipping Campden, Glos.
Francis Raywood Osborne
10th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
4th May 1916, aged 26.
Row E. 6.
Son of Francis Bazley Osborne, and Mary A. Osborne, of Malvern House, Blockley, Worcs. Born at Chipping Campden, Glos.
Lieutenant
Norman Keith Paterson
"A" Bty. 124th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
29th June 1916
Row G. 4.
Norman Keith Paterson
"A" Bty. 124th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
29th June 1916
Row G. 4.
8708 Sergeant
W. J. Selby
1st/5th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
8th October 1916, aged 34.
Row K. 5.
Husband of F. M. Selby, of 1B, Countess St., Palfrey, Walsall.
His headstone bears the inscription "R. I. P."
W. J. Selby
1st/5th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
8th October 1916, aged 34.
Row K. 5.
Husband of F. M. Selby, of 1B, Countess St., Palfrey, Walsall.
His headstone bears the inscription "R. I. P."
Major
Charles Francis Simonds, Mentioned in Despatches
13th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
29th June 1916, aged 38.
Row G. 5.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Simonds, of Redlands, Reading; husband of Evelyn Fuller (formerly Simonds), of Strattonend, Cirencester, Glos. Served in the South African Campaign.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Played The Game As A Man Should Play, Gay, Fearless, Debonair"
Charles Francis Simonds, Mentioned in Despatches
13th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
29th June 1916, aged 38.
Row G. 5.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Simonds, of Redlands, Reading; husband of Evelyn Fuller (formerly Simonds), of Strattonend, Cirencester, Glos. Served in the South African Campaign.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Played The Game As A Man Should Play, Gay, Fearless, Debonair"
R/3828 Corporal
Thomas Sydney Sleath
13th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
28th May 1916, aged 22.
Row F. 8.
Son of William and Adelaide Sleath, of 20, Nottingham Rd., Eastwood, Notts.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died That We Might Live"
Thomas Sydney Sleath
13th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
28th May 1916, aged 22.
Row F. 8.
Son of William and Adelaide Sleath, of 20, Nottingham Rd., Eastwood, Notts.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died That We Might Live"
13198 Private
Joseph Henry Wood
8th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
3rd February 1916.
Row B. 6.
Joseph Henry Wood
8th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
3rd February 1916.
Row B. 6.
