BROWN'S COPSE CEMETERY
Roeux
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.30288, Longitude: 2.88379
Location Information
Roeux is a village about 8 kilometres east of Arras. Brown's Copse Cemetery is about one kilometre north-west of Roeux on the eastern outskirts of the neighbouring village of Fampoux. It is signposted from Fampoux village.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Roeux was built over a system of caves which helped to make its capture in 1917 exceptionally difficult. It was attacked by the 9th (Scottish) Division without success on 12 April. The chemical works close to the railway station were taken by the 51st (Highland) Division on 22 April and after incessant fighting, the village was cleared by the same Division on 14 May. The chemical works were lost again and retaken on 16 May. The Germans re-entered the village at the end of March 1918, and it was finally retaken by the 51st Division on the following 26 August.
The cemetery is named from a small copse (the Bois Rossignol) on the east side. Plots I to IV are composed almost entirely of graves cleared from the battlefield in the summer of 1917. Plots V to VIII were made after the Armistice when 850 graves were brought in from a wide area north and east of Arras.
The following were the only considerable burial grounds from which British graves were taken to Brown's Copse Cemetery:-
SEAFORTH CEMETERY, ROEUX, North-East side of the road from the village to the station, where 18 soldiers from the United Kingdom were buried in April, 1917, and 21 of the 6th Seaforths in August and September, 1918.
VITRY-EN-ARTOIS COMMUNAL CEMETERY and GERMAN EXTENSION, in which 17 soldiers from the United Kingdom (mainly officers of the Royal Flying Corps) were buried by the enemy.
The cemetery now contains 2,070 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 858 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to eight casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate two casualties buried in Vitry-en-Artois Communal Cemetery German Extension, whose graves could not be found.
Total Burials: 2,070.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,088, South Africa 22, Canada 2. Total 1,212.
Unidentified Casualties: 858.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and George Hartley Goldsmith
Roeux is a village about 8 kilometres east of Arras. Brown's Copse Cemetery is about one kilometre north-west of Roeux on the eastern outskirts of the neighbouring village of Fampoux. It is signposted from Fampoux village.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Roeux was built over a system of caves which helped to make its capture in 1917 exceptionally difficult. It was attacked by the 9th (Scottish) Division without success on 12 April. The chemical works close to the railway station were taken by the 51st (Highland) Division on 22 April and after incessant fighting, the village was cleared by the same Division on 14 May. The chemical works were lost again and retaken on 16 May. The Germans re-entered the village at the end of March 1918, and it was finally retaken by the 51st Division on the following 26 August.
The cemetery is named from a small copse (the Bois Rossignol) on the east side. Plots I to IV are composed almost entirely of graves cleared from the battlefield in the summer of 1917. Plots V to VIII were made after the Armistice when 850 graves were brought in from a wide area north and east of Arras.
The following were the only considerable burial grounds from which British graves were taken to Brown's Copse Cemetery:-
SEAFORTH CEMETERY, ROEUX, North-East side of the road from the village to the station, where 18 soldiers from the United Kingdom were buried in April, 1917, and 21 of the 6th Seaforths in August and September, 1918.
VITRY-EN-ARTOIS COMMUNAL CEMETERY and GERMAN EXTENSION, in which 17 soldiers from the United Kingdom (mainly officers of the Royal Flying Corps) were buried by the enemy.
The cemetery now contains 2,070 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 858 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to eight casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate two casualties buried in Vitry-en-Artois Communal Cemetery German Extension, whose graves could not be found.
Total Burials: 2,070.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,088, South Africa 22, Canada 2. Total 1,212.
Unidentified Casualties: 858.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and George Hartley Goldsmith
Lieutenant
Donald Mackintosh, V. C.
3rd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
killed in action 11th April 1917, aged 21.
Plot II. C. 49.
Son of Col. Donald J. Mackintosh, C.B., M.V.O., M.B., LL.D. and Margaret F. Mackintosh, of Western Infirmary House, Glasgow. Educated Fettes College. Joined Seaforth Highlanders in 1914.
Citation:
An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and resolution in the face of intense machine gun fire. During the initial advance he was shot through the right leg, but though crippled he continued to lead his men and captured the trench. In the captured trench Lt. Mackintosh collected men of another company who had lost their leader, and drove back a counter-attack. He was again wounded, and although unable to stand, he continued, nevertheless, to control the situation. With only fifteen men left, he ordered his party to be ready to advance to the final objective, and with great difficulty got out of the trench and encouraged his men to advance. He was again wounded and fell. The gallantry and devotion to duty of this officer were beyond all praise."
Donald Mackintosh, V. C.
3rd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
killed in action 11th April 1917, aged 21.
Plot II. C. 49.
Son of Col. Donald J. Mackintosh, C.B., M.V.O., M.B., LL.D. and Margaret F. Mackintosh, of Western Infirmary House, Glasgow. Educated Fettes College. Joined Seaforth Highlanders in 1914.
Citation:
An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and resolution in the face of intense machine gun fire. During the initial advance he was shot through the right leg, but though crippled he continued to lead his men and captured the trench. In the captured trench Lt. Mackintosh collected men of another company who had lost their leader, and drove back a counter-attack. He was again wounded, and although unable to stand, he continued, nevertheless, to control the situation. With only fifteen men left, he ordered his party to be ready to advance to the final objective, and with great difficulty got out of the trench and encouraged his men to advance. He was again wounded and fell. The gallantry and devotion to duty of this officer were beyond all praise."
Picture © Geerhard Joos
Note: the 'after' image is taken from a different angle. Air photos. No. 11007. Sheet 51 B I. 13 Roeux. © IWM Q 47846
40734 Private
Duncan Adam
12th Bn. Royal Scots
12th April 1917, aged 30.
Plot I. C. 6.
Son of Archibald and Jane Adam, of Peebles; husband of Jessie Jack Adam, of 47, March St., Peebles.
Duncan Adam
12th Bn. Royal Scots
12th April 1917, aged 30.
Plot I. C. 6.
Son of Archibald and Jane Adam, of Peebles; husband of Jessie Jack Adam, of 47, March St., Peebles.
303388 Private
Peter Allan
1st/8th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
16th May 1917, aged 21.
Plot III. D. 21.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Allan, of 68, Balmoral Avenue, Cathcart, Glasgow.
Peter Allan
1st/8th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
16th May 1917, aged 21.
Plot III. D. 21.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Allan, of 68, Balmoral Avenue, Cathcart, Glasgow.
39606 Lance Corporal
William Leslie Armstrong
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
28th March 1918, aged 19.
Plot VI. A. 5.
Son of William and Mary Madeline Armstrong, of 354, Dickenson Rd., Longsight, Manchester.
William Leslie Armstrong
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
28th March 1918, aged 19.
Plot VI. A. 5.
Son of William and Mary Madeline Armstrong, of 354, Dickenson Rd., Longsight, Manchester.
267207 Private
Alfred Borthwick
2nd/7th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
13th October 1917, aged 21.
Plot IV. B. 29.
Son of George Borthwick, of 25, Octavia St., Kirkcaldy, Fife.
Alfred Borthwick
2nd/7th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
13th October 1917, aged 21.
Plot IV. B. 29.
Son of George Borthwick, of 25, Octavia St., Kirkcaldy, Fife.
42237 Private
Robert Arthur Broadley
10th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
24th June 1917, aged 38.
Plot VII. D. 35.
Husband of F. Leigh (formerly Broadley), of 3, Cobden St., Padiham, Lancs.
Robert Arthur Broadley
10th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
24th June 1917, aged 38.
Plot VII. D. 35.
Husband of F. Leigh (formerly Broadley), of 3, Cobden St., Padiham, Lancs.
46573 Private
Albert Burroughs
1st/5th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
24th September 1918, aged 19.
Plot VII. G. 25.
Son of Mary Ellen Burroughs, of 35, Rockley Street, Walton, Liverpool, and the late William John Burroughs.
His elder brother William John Burroughs served with the Lancashire Hussars and survived the war. He married and had a son who he named Albert after him.
Picture courtesy of Keith Burroughs, great nephew of this soldier
Albert Burroughs
1st/5th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
24th September 1918, aged 19.
Plot VII. G. 25.
Son of Mary Ellen Burroughs, of 35, Rockley Street, Walton, Liverpool, and the late William John Burroughs.
His elder brother William John Burroughs served with the Lancashire Hussars and survived the war. He married and had a son who he named Albert after him.
Picture courtesy of Keith Burroughs, great nephew of this soldier
S/41860 Private
Louis Drummond Don
"A" Coy. 1st/6th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
27th August 1918, aged 19.
Plot VI. G. 7.
Son of The Rev. Matthew Don and Annie Sutherland Logan Don, of Achahoish, Ardrishaig, Argyllshire. Born at Crieff, Perthshire.
Louis Drummond Don
"A" Coy. 1st/6th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
27th August 1918, aged 19.
Plot VI. G. 7.
Son of The Rev. Matthew Don and Annie Sutherland Logan Don, of Achahoish, Ardrishaig, Argyllshire. Born at Crieff, Perthshire.
Second Lieutenant
Thomas Elworthy, M. I. D.
1st Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) Formerly Royal Engineers
3rd May 1917, aged 24.
Plot III. E. 30.
Son of Mary Elworthy, of 21, Ranulp Rd., Hampstead, London, and the late Robert Pearce Elworthy.
Thomas Elworthy, M. I. D.
1st Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) Formerly Royal Engineers
3rd May 1917, aged 24.
Plot III. E. 30.
Son of Mary Elworthy, of 21, Ranulp Rd., Hampstead, London, and the late Robert Pearce Elworthy.
13060 Private
Herbert J. V. Gould
6th Bn. Dorsetshire Regiment
14th May 1917.
III. C. 20
Herbert J. V. Gould
6th Bn. Dorsetshire Regiment
14th May 1917.
III. C. 20
292861 Company Serjeant Major
Charles W. Greig
1st/7th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
23rd April 1917.
Plot II. B. 14.
Charles W. Greig
1st/7th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
23rd April 1917.
Plot II. B. 14.
10818 Private
James Keogh
3rd Bn.Irish Guards
26th February 1918.
Plot IV. C. 42.
'It is men of his stamp and character that have made the British Army the envy of the world' (from a letter of condolence)
Father of Jim Keogh 1917 - 1991 who he never met
Picture courtesy of Simon Keogh (Grandson)
James Keogh
3rd Bn.Irish Guards
26th February 1918.
Plot IV. C. 42.
'It is men of his stamp and character that have made the British Army the envy of the world' (from a letter of condolence)
Father of Jim Keogh 1917 - 1991 who he never met
Picture courtesy of Simon Keogh (Grandson)
19988 Corporal
James Murphy
1st Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers
11th April 1917, aged 28.
Plot I. F. 3
Husband of B Murphy.
Honoured by his Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and great- great- great grandchildren. R. I. P.
Pictures courtesy of Kathleen Birney
James Murphy
1st Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers
11th April 1917, aged 28.
Plot I. F. 3
Husband of B Murphy.
Honoured by his Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and great- great- great grandchildren. R. I. P.
Pictures courtesy of Kathleen Birney
Second Lieutenant
Alfred Sydney Borlase Schiff
1st Bn. Rifle Brigade
9th April 1917, aged 19.
Plot I. F. 2.
Son of Mrs. E. Wilton Schiff, of 15, Sloane Court, Chelsea, London, and the late Ernest F. Wilton Schiff.
Alfred Sydney Borlase Schiff
1st Bn. Rifle Brigade
9th April 1917, aged 19.
Plot I. F. 2.
Son of Mrs. E. Wilton Schiff, of 15, Sloane Court, Chelsea, London, and the late Ernest F. Wilton Schiff.
23633 Private
Fletcher Spencer
2nd Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
3rd May 1917, aged 37.
Plot II. F. 11.
Son of George and Emma Spencer, of 114, Emily St., Keighley, Yorks.
Fletcher Spencer
2nd Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
3rd May 1917, aged 37.
Plot II. F. 11.
Son of George and Emma Spencer, of 114, Emily St., Keighley, Yorks.
Cemetery Pictures in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
Battle of the Scarpe. Capture of the Greenland Hill by the 51st Division. Daylight patrol of the 6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders working forward towards Hausa and Delbar Woods. North-east of Roeux, 29 August 1918. Troops approaching the German line. © IWM Q 7008
British Officers Grave near Rouex: The grave of a British Army officer stands in the foreground, the soil covered with small plants. The grave is marked with a wooden cross topped with a wooden triangle.
Geoffrey K. Rose (Artist) © IWM (Art.IWM ART 4911)
Battle of the Scarpe. Capture of the Greenland Hill by the 51st Division. Daylight patrol of the 6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders working forward towards Hausa and Delbar Woods. North-east of Roeux, 29th August 1918. Serving out bombs. © IWM Q 7006
19th July 1926; Layout plan, sections and elevations - Brown's Copse Cemetery, Roeux. ©CWGC
14th August 1926; General specification for entrance buildings including layout and elevation drawings. © CWGC
