BOUZINCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 50.02876 Longitude: 2.60812
Location Information
Bouzincourt is a village 3 kilometres north-west of Albert on the road to Doullens (D938). The Communal Cemetery is on the northern side of the village and is signposted on the main road (D938) through the village.
Historical Information
Bouzincourt was used as a field ambulance station from early in 1916 to February 1917, when the Allied line went forward from the Ancre. It was in German hands for a few days in the spring of 1918.
BOUZINCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY was used for burials from March to July 1916 and again from April to June 1918; it contains 33 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.
The adjoining CEMETERY EXTENSION was begun in May 1916 and used until February 1917. In the early part of July 1916, it was used not only for burials from the field ambulances but also for the interment of many soldiers killed in action and brought back from the line. The extension was reopened from the end of March 1918 until the following September and used largely by the 38th (Welsh) Division. In 1919, 20 graves were brought into Plot II, Row A from the immediate neighbourhood of Bouzincourt and 108 more were brought into Plots I, III and IV in 1924-25 from the various Somme battlefields and from the following Churchyard:-
FRAMERVILLE CHURCHYARD contained the graves of two Australian soldiers who fell in August, 1918. (The village was captured by the 2nd Australian Division on the 9th August.) They were at the South end of the Churchyard, which was later closed to burials and made into a public square.
The extension now contains 589 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 108 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to casualties known or believed to be buried among them.
Total Burials: 592
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 469, Canada 7, Australia 5, Germany 2. Total 483.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 94, Australia 3, South Africa 2, New Zealand 1, Unknown 8. Total 108.
The extension was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and John Reginald Truelove
Dedications
2624 Private David Meadowcraft Wallwork, 2nd Bn. Manchester Regiment, 10th July 1916, aged 36.
Remembered With Pride by his nephew Richard Wallwork & Family.
German prisoners, some of them wounded, and British infantrymen resting on the roadside in Bouzincourt, 26 March 1918. © IWM Q 8634
Lieutenant Colonel
Harold Ernest Brassey
Royal Horse Guards, attd. 8th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
15th July 1916.
Plot II. F. 1.
Harold Ernest Brassey
Royal Horse Guards, attd. 8th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
15th July 1916.
Plot II. F. 1.
Second Lieutenant
Edward Chandos Elliot Chambers
"A" Coy. 19th (Service) Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
1st July 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. A. 13.
Only son of Richard Edward Elliot Chambers and Edith Frances Chambers. Educated at Marlborough, Paris and Oxford, where he joined the Army through the O.T.C. 15th June, 1915.
His headstone bears the inscription "Only Son Of R. E. Elliot Chambers, Killed Near Authuille Wood Aged 20."
Edward Chandos Elliot Chambers
"A" Coy. 19th (Service) Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
1st July 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. A. 13.
Only son of Richard Edward Elliot Chambers and Edith Frances Chambers. Educated at Marlborough, Paris and Oxford, where he joined the Army through the O.T.C. 15th June, 1915.
His headstone bears the inscription "Only Son Of R. E. Elliot Chambers, Killed Near Authuille Wood Aged 20."
114 Private
Robert William Dodds
23rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th August 1916, aged 23.
Plot I. E. 10.
Son of Robert and Esther Dodds, of 87, Gladstone St., Melbourne, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dearly Loved And Sadly Missed"
A labourer prior to enlistment, Pte Dodds embarked with A Company from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides on 10th May 1915. On 5th August 1916 he died of wounds received in action and was buried in Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
On 9th August 1916 he was recommended for the Military Medal for 'good and gallant conduct in connection with the recent hard fighting at Pozieres', however this award was never confirmed. His brother 2344 Pte James Dodds, 7th Battalion, was killed in action on 18th August 1916.
Robert William Dodds
23rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th August 1916, aged 23.
Plot I. E. 10.
Son of Robert and Esther Dodds, of 87, Gladstone St., Melbourne, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dearly Loved And Sadly Missed"
A labourer prior to enlistment, Pte Dodds embarked with A Company from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides on 10th May 1915. On 5th August 1916 he died of wounds received in action and was buried in Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
On 9th August 1916 he was recommended for the Military Medal for 'good and gallant conduct in connection with the recent hard fighting at Pozieres', however this award was never confirmed. His brother 2344 Pte James Dodds, 7th Battalion, was killed in action on 18th August 1916.
L/10893 Lance Corporal
Harold Douglas Ford
6th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
6th April 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. J. 8.
Son of William and Katherine Ford, of 32, Endsleigh Rd., South Merstham, Surrey. Native of Redhill, Surrey.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Breaks"
South Merstham Lad killed
News has been received that another Salvation Army man has given his life in the great cause. Lance Corporal Harold Ford Queens R.W.S whose home is at South Merstham. L/C Ford was a great gardener at Mr Willmott's Nutfield Road Redhill and his employer fully appreaciated his true and consistent life. This was partly due to all good training for he was one of Frenches Road choir boys but also to his regligious principles. Although only 18 years old yet Harold met his duty and volunteered in February 1915 by joining the Queens.
Then in May 1915 he crossed to France where he has seen three years service. He won a good conduct stripe and was promoted to Lance Corporal in August 1917. Previous to war Harold Ford loved his work in connection with the Salvation Army and was never more pleased that with S.A. Life-saving Scouts of which he was a Patrol Leader. The War Office reports states he was killed in action on the 6th April 1918. Special reference was made by ensign Rawle on Sunday week to the life and death of Bro. Harold Ford, at the Salvation Army Citadel.
War Medals 13 Jul 1915 recieved British, Star, Victory Medals. Since he died in action his family received Pennies and papers.
Remembered by Stephen Morse (Great Nephew)
Picture and text courtesy of Stephen Morse (Great Nephew)
Harold Douglas Ford
6th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
6th April 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. J. 8.
Son of William and Katherine Ford, of 32, Endsleigh Rd., South Merstham, Surrey. Native of Redhill, Surrey.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Breaks"
South Merstham Lad killed
News has been received that another Salvation Army man has given his life in the great cause. Lance Corporal Harold Ford Queens R.W.S whose home is at South Merstham. L/C Ford was a great gardener at Mr Willmott's Nutfield Road Redhill and his employer fully appreaciated his true and consistent life. This was partly due to all good training for he was one of Frenches Road choir boys but also to his regligious principles. Although only 18 years old yet Harold met his duty and volunteered in February 1915 by joining the Queens.
Then in May 1915 he crossed to France where he has seen three years service. He won a good conduct stripe and was promoted to Lance Corporal in August 1917. Previous to war Harold Ford loved his work in connection with the Salvation Army and was never more pleased that with S.A. Life-saving Scouts of which he was a Patrol Leader. The War Office reports states he was killed in action on the 6th April 1918. Special reference was made by ensign Rawle on Sunday week to the life and death of Bro. Harold Ford, at the Salvation Army Citadel.
War Medals 13 Jul 1915 recieved British, Star, Victory Medals. Since he died in action his family received Pennies and papers.
Remembered by Stephen Morse (Great Nephew)
Picture and text courtesy of Stephen Morse (Great Nephew)
3829 Sergeant
Robert Stewart Fouracre
22nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
14th August 1918, aged 29.
Plot IV. A. 6.
Son of John and Jane Fouracre. Native of Morrison, Victoria, Australia.
A surveyor's assistant from Morrissons, Victoria, Pte Fouracre enlisted on 16 July 1915 and embarked on HMAT Warilda (A69), 9 February 1916. Pte Fouracre was promoted to Corporal on 24 May 1917, then to Sergeant on 13 May 1918. Sgt Fouracre was killed in action in France on 14 August 1918, age 29.
Robert Stewart Fouracre
22nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
14th August 1918, aged 29.
Plot IV. A. 6.
Son of John and Jane Fouracre. Native of Morrison, Victoria, Australia.
A surveyor's assistant from Morrissons, Victoria, Pte Fouracre enlisted on 16 July 1915 and embarked on HMAT Warilda (A69), 9 February 1916. Pte Fouracre was promoted to Corporal on 24 May 1917, then to Sergeant on 13 May 1918. Sgt Fouracre was killed in action in France on 14 August 1918, age 29.
Group portrait of officers of the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, after their return from fighting at Thiepval, photographed at Bouzincourt, September 1916.
© IWM (Q 1151)
13793 Private
T. Ibison
11th Bn. Border Regiment
10th July 1916, aged 18.
Plot I. B. 7.
Son of John and Annie Ibison, of Newland Trough, Ulverston, Lancs.
His headstone bears the inscription "Newland Through Ulverston, Lancs"
T. Ibison
11th Bn. Border Regiment
10th July 1916, aged 18.
Plot I. B. 7.
Son of John and Annie Ibison, of Newland Trough, Ulverston, Lancs.
His headstone bears the inscription "Newland Through Ulverston, Lancs"
Second Lieutenant
Owen Llewellyn Johns, M. C.
"Y" 133rd Trench Mortar Bty., Royal Field Artillery
28th June 1916, aged 24.
Plot II. A. 7.
Son of the Rev. Thomas and Mary Dorothy Johns, of Manor Owen, Pembrokeshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Mors Janua Vitae"
Owen Llewellyn Johns, M. C.
"Y" 133rd Trench Mortar Bty., Royal Field Artillery
28th June 1916, aged 24.
Plot II. A. 7.
Son of the Rev. Thomas and Mary Dorothy Johns, of Manor Owen, Pembrokeshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Mors Janua Vitae"
97820 Gunner
Horace George Parnell
5th Battery, 45th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
27th June 1916, aged 38.
Plot II. C. 12.
Son of William Henry and Isabel Parnell, of Denham, Suffolk; husband of Maria Parnell, of 101, Beaufoy Rd., Queen's Rd., Battersea, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "In The Midst Of Life We Are In Death"
Horace George Parnell
5th Battery, 45th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
27th June 1916, aged 38.
Plot II. C. 12.
Son of William Henry and Isabel Parnell, of Denham, Suffolk; husband of Maria Parnell, of 101, Beaufoy Rd., Queen's Rd., Battersea, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "In The Midst Of Life We Are In Death"
Captain
Alan Stevenson
13th Bn. attached 9th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
26th September 1916, aged 29.
Plot I. H. 16.
Son of the Rev. William and Annie J. Stevenson, of 66, Stamford Rd., Mossley, Manchester.
His headstone bears the inscription "To Live In Hearts That Love Is Not To Die"
Alan Stevenson
13th Bn. attached 9th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
26th September 1916, aged 29.
Plot I. H. 16.
Son of the Rev. William and Annie J. Stevenson, of 66, Stamford Rd., Mossley, Manchester.
His headstone bears the inscription "To Live In Hearts That Love Is Not To Die"
Captain
Oliver John Sykes
23rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
17th October 1916, aged 41.
Plot I. I. 17.
Son of Thomas Gaskell Sykes, B.A.; husband of Dulcie Olive Sykes.
Oliver John Sykes
23rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
17th October 1916, aged 41.
Plot I. I. 17.
Son of Thomas Gaskell Sykes, B.A.; husband of Dulcie Olive Sykes.
Captain
William Montgomery Williams, Mentioned in Despatches
No.1 Gun, Howitzer Bde. R.N. Div. Royal Marine Artillery
23rd August 1916, aged 31.
Plot I. F. 5.
Son of Major and Mrs. H. Plunkett Williams; husband of Nell Cope Williams, of Grey Court, Wimbledon, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Know That He Shall Rise Again. John 11.24"
William Montgomery Williams, Mentioned in Despatches
No.1 Gun, Howitzer Bde. R.N. Div. Royal Marine Artillery
23rd August 1916, aged 31.
Plot I. F. 5.
Son of Major and Mrs. H. Plunkett Williams; husband of Nell Cope Williams, of Grey Court, Wimbledon, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Know That He Shall Rise Again. John 11.24"
Shot at Dawn
2676 Private Arthur Grove Earp, 1st/5th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment, executed for quitting his post on 22nd July 1916. Plot I. C. 25. Brother of Mr. G. Earp, of Providence Terrace, Friston St., Ladywood, Birmingham.
He joined up as a Kitchener volunteer in Sept 1914. On 26 June 1916 (i.e. during the great bombardment prior to the opening of the Battle of the Somme), his platoon was holding the line near Hébuterne & the NCOs warned the men not to leave their post in the trenches until they were relieved. Earp was found to be absent at 1300, not being seen till 0230 the next day when he reported to one of his NCOs in a dugout behind the front line, stating that he could not stand the shelling.
At trial on 8 July, it was stated that ‘the accused had been in a highly nervous state when we went into the post’, the trenches being shelled heavily for about 2 hours during the night. Earp pleaded that he had been feeling giddy & did not know what he was doing. The platoon sergeant told the court that the platoon had been doing 24-hour periods of duty for 4 days, having a particularly trying time; &, further, that the accused was always nervous & had been sent down to the base for 3-4 months, & that on June 26, he had been back with the regiment for 3 or 4 months. No-one said, or was asked what Earp had been suffering from and even the accused said nothing on the point. His character was given as good, & mercy was recommended.
Thereafter the Brigade commander disagreed; the Divisional commander considered that an example was not necessary; the Corps commander was for leniency; & the Army commander feared that if the sentence of death were not carried out, ‘the state of courage of the British soldier is likely to be lowered’.
The C-in-C Haig confirmed the sentence, commenting: ‘How can we ever win the war if this plea is allowed ?’ (Putkowski, pp.93-4; Corns, pp.141-145)
2676 Private Arthur Grove Earp, 1st/5th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment, executed for quitting his post on 22nd July 1916. Plot I. C. 25. Brother of Mr. G. Earp, of Providence Terrace, Friston St., Ladywood, Birmingham.
He joined up as a Kitchener volunteer in Sept 1914. On 26 June 1916 (i.e. during the great bombardment prior to the opening of the Battle of the Somme), his platoon was holding the line near Hébuterne & the NCOs warned the men not to leave their post in the trenches until they were relieved. Earp was found to be absent at 1300, not being seen till 0230 the next day when he reported to one of his NCOs in a dugout behind the front line, stating that he could not stand the shelling.
At trial on 8 July, it was stated that ‘the accused had been in a highly nervous state when we went into the post’, the trenches being shelled heavily for about 2 hours during the night. Earp pleaded that he had been feeling giddy & did not know what he was doing. The platoon sergeant told the court that the platoon had been doing 24-hour periods of duty for 4 days, having a particularly trying time; &, further, that the accused was always nervous & had been sent down to the base for 3-4 months, & that on June 26, he had been back with the regiment for 3 or 4 months. No-one said, or was asked what Earp had been suffering from and even the accused said nothing on the point. His character was given as good, & mercy was recommended.
Thereafter the Brigade commander disagreed; the Divisional commander considered that an example was not necessary; the Corps commander was for leniency; & the Army commander feared that if the sentence of death were not carried out, ‘the state of courage of the British soldier is likely to be lowered’.
The C-in-C Haig confirmed the sentence, commenting: ‘How can we ever win the war if this plea is allowed ?’ (Putkowski, pp.93-4; Corns, pp.141-145)
Party of the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, wearing German helmets, after their return from the fighting at Thiepval. Bouzincourt, September 1916. © IWM (Q 1103)
The ruined gateway at the entrance of the churchyard in Bouzincourt, Somme, seen in October 1916. The British soldier carries a German rifle. © IWM (Q 1542)
Post war - © IWM Q 100810
Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, c.1920. © Jeremy Gordon-Smith
1960 - ©CWGC
1978 - ©CWGC
