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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 178, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site.

The Cemetery covers an area of 972 square metres.

Total Burials: 178.

Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 166, France 11. Total 177.
Picture
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."
Picture
Picture © Johan Pauwels
Picture
Picture © Johan Pauwels

Images in this gallery © Johan Pauwels

Picture
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.


Picture
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.


Picture
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

Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos

NEARBY CWGC CEMETERIES & MEMORIALS
​

berles-au-bois churchyard extension
bailleulmont communal cemetery
Berles Position Military Cemetery

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​ 2005-2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • "Silent Cities" Revisited
  • 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