BERLES NEW MILITARY CEMETERY
Pas De Calais
France
Location Information
Berles-au-Bois is about 15 kilometres south-west of Arras and 3 kilometres south of the main road from Arras to Doullens (N25). The Cemetery lies at the north-west end of the village on the road leading to Bailleulmont.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to site possible - maybe by alternative entrance.
The register is available in the Mairie on Monday from 17.30 to 19.30 Thursday from 16.30 to 17.30 Friday from 17.30 to 19.00
Historical Information
The village of Berles-au-Bois remained in British hands from the summer of 1915, when it was taken over from French troops, until the end of the War; but it suffered at times from severe shelling.
The village was later "adopted" by the County Borough of Wolverhampton.
Berles New Military Cemetery was begun by fighting units in January 1917, when the Churchyard Extension was closed; it was used until April 1918.
There are now over 150, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.
The Cemetery covers an area of 972 square metres.
Casualty Details: UK 167, France 11, Total Burials: 178
Berles-au-Bois is about 15 kilometres south-west of Arras and 3 kilometres south of the main road from Arras to Doullens (N25). The Cemetery lies at the north-west end of the village on the road leading to Bailleulmont.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to site possible - maybe by alternative entrance.
The register is available in the Mairie on Monday from 17.30 to 19.30 Thursday from 16.30 to 17.30 Friday from 17.30 to 19.00
Historical Information
The village of Berles-au-Bois remained in British hands from the summer of 1915, when it was taken over from French troops, until the end of the War; but it suffered at times from severe shelling.
The village was later "adopted" by the County Borough of Wolverhampton.
Berles New Military Cemetery was begun by fighting units in January 1917, when the Churchyard Extension was closed; it was used until April 1918.
There are now over 150, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.
The Cemetery covers an area of 972 square metres.
Casualty Details: UK 167, France 11, Total Burials: 178
Brigadier General Frederick William Lumsden, V. C., C. B., D. S. O. and 3 Bars, Croix de Guerre (France). 4 x Mentioned in Despatches
Commanding 14th Brigade, Royal Marine Artillery, killed in action 4th June 1918, aged 45. Plot III. D. 1.
Son of the late James Foot Lumsden (Indian Civil Service); husband of M. E. A. Lumsden, of Hampton Court Palace, Middlesex.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30122, dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery, determination and devotion to duty. Six enemy field guns having been captured, it was necessary to leave them in dug-in positions, 300 yards in advance of the position held by our troops. The enemy kept the captured guns under heavy fire. Maj. Lumsden undertook the duty of bringing the guns into our lines. In order to effect this, he personally led four artillery teams and a party of infantry through the hostile barrage. As one of these teams sustained casualties, he left the remaining teams in a covered position, and, through very heavy rifle, machine gun and shrapnel fire, led the infantry to the guns. By force of example and inspiring energy he succeeded in sending back two teams with guns, going through the barrage with the teams of the third gun. He then returned to the guns to await further teams, and these he succeeded in attaching to two of the three remaining guns, despite rifle fire, which had become intense at short range, and removed the guns to safety. By this time the enemy, in considerable strength, had driven through the infantry covering points, and blown up the breach of the remaining gun. Maj. Lumsden then returned, drove off the enemy, attached the gun to a team and got it away."
Commanding 14th Brigade, Royal Marine Artillery, killed in action 4th June 1918, aged 45. Plot III. D. 1.
Son of the late James Foot Lumsden (Indian Civil Service); husband of M. E. A. Lumsden, of Hampton Court Palace, Middlesex.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30122, dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery, determination and devotion to duty. Six enemy field guns having been captured, it was necessary to leave them in dug-in positions, 300 yards in advance of the position held by our troops. The enemy kept the captured guns under heavy fire. Maj. Lumsden undertook the duty of bringing the guns into our lines. In order to effect this, he personally led four artillery teams and a party of infantry through the hostile barrage. As one of these teams sustained casualties, he left the remaining teams in a covered position, and, through very heavy rifle, machine gun and shrapnel fire, led the infantry to the guns. By force of example and inspiring energy he succeeded in sending back two teams with guns, going through the barrage with the teams of the third gun. He then returned to the guns to await further teams, and these he succeeded in attaching to two of the three remaining guns, despite rifle fire, which had become intense at short range, and removed the guns to safety. By this time the enemy, in considerable strength, had driven through the infantry covering points, and blown up the breach of the remaining gun. Maj. Lumsden then returned, drove off the enemy, attached the gun to a team and got it away."
Picture © Johan Pauwels
Second Lieutenant
Evan Murray MacGregor Balfour, M. C.
2nd Bn. Scots Guards
24th August 1918, aged 32.
Plot IV. A. 10.
Son of George Dalziel Balfour and Jessie Milne Balfour, of 18, East Preston St., Edinburgh. Also served in German South West and British East African Campaigns.
Evan Murray MacGregor Balfour, M. C.
2nd Bn. Scots Guards
24th August 1918, aged 32.
Plot IV. A. 10.
Son of George Dalziel Balfour and Jessie Milne Balfour, of 18, East Preston St., Edinburgh. Also served in German South West and British East African Campaigns.
16947 Private
Norman Alexander Gibb
2nd Bn. Scots Guards
12th July 1918, aged 23.
Plot III. C. 4.
Son of John Grant Gibb and Ann Gibb, of Station House, Inverkeilor, Montrose.
Norman Alexander Gibb
2nd Bn. Scots Guards
12th July 1918, aged 23.
Plot III. C. 4.
Son of John Grant Gibb and Ann Gibb, of Station House, Inverkeilor, Montrose.
16411 Corporal
Leonard May
2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards
28th July 1918, aged 23.
Plot III. D. 4.
Son of George and Ellen Lucy May, of Boorley Green, Botley, Hants.
Picture courtesy of great, great niece, Shirley Retallick
Leonard May
2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards
28th July 1918, aged 23.
Plot III. D. 4.
Son of George and Ellen Lucy May, of Boorley Green, Botley, Hants.
Picture courtesy of great, great niece, Shirley Retallick
