BROWN'S ROAD MILITARY CEMETERY
Festubert
Pas De Calais
France
Location Information
Festubert is a village 8 kilometres east-north-east of Bethune.
From the church in Festubert, take the D166 signposted Cuinchy. After 300 metres turn right. Brown's Road Military Cemetery will be found a further 300 metres along this road on the right hand side.
Historical Information
Festubert was occupied by Commonwealth forces in October 1914 and on 23-24 November, the Indian Corps repulsed a German attack. The Battle of Festubert (15-25 May 1915) resulted in a short advance which left the village somewhat less exposed than it had been. Except for an advance which was attempted just to the south of Festubert (the Second Action of Givenchy, 15-16 June 1915), this sector remained quiet until 9 April 1918 and the beginning of the Battle of the Lys. Festubert was held by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division against the German assault, and successive attacks lasting through the month were repelled by the 1st and other Divisions. It remained an outpost for Commonwealth forces until the final advance began in September 1918.
The cemetery was begun in October 1914, and carried on by fighting units and field ambulances until November 1917, when it contained 299 graves. It was greatly enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from small cemeteries and isolated sites on the surrounding battlefields.
The more sizeable of the graveyards concentrated here were:-
CHEYNE WALK CEMETERY, GIVENCHY, on the road from Givenchy to Cuinchy, named from a trench. It was part of a cafe and garden, and it contained the graves of 13 soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in October and December, 1914.
LE PLANTIN SOUTH CEMETERY, GIVENCHY, on the road leading South from the hamlet of Le Plantin to Windy Corner. It contained the graves of 33 soldiers from the United Kingdom, and it was used from October, 1914 to December, 1916.
LE PLANTIN CEMETERY (WELSH CHAPEL), FESTUBERT, on the South-West side of the road at Le Plantin North. It contained the graves of 43 soldiers from the United Kingdom (largely O.B.L.I. and 2nd Black Watch) and four from Canada, and it was used from December, 1914 to December, 1915.
Brown's Road Cemetery now contains 1,071 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 407 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate three casualties believed to be buried among them.
Casualty Details: UK 1044, Canada 21, South Africa 6, Total Burials: 1071
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden and W. C. Von Berg
Festubert is a village 8 kilometres east-north-east of Bethune.
From the church in Festubert, take the D166 signposted Cuinchy. After 300 metres turn right. Brown's Road Military Cemetery will be found a further 300 metres along this road on the right hand side.
Historical Information
Festubert was occupied by Commonwealth forces in October 1914 and on 23-24 November, the Indian Corps repulsed a German attack. The Battle of Festubert (15-25 May 1915) resulted in a short advance which left the village somewhat less exposed than it had been. Except for an advance which was attempted just to the south of Festubert (the Second Action of Givenchy, 15-16 June 1915), this sector remained quiet until 9 April 1918 and the beginning of the Battle of the Lys. Festubert was held by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division against the German assault, and successive attacks lasting through the month were repelled by the 1st and other Divisions. It remained an outpost for Commonwealth forces until the final advance began in September 1918.
The cemetery was begun in October 1914, and carried on by fighting units and field ambulances until November 1917, when it contained 299 graves. It was greatly enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from small cemeteries and isolated sites on the surrounding battlefields.
The more sizeable of the graveyards concentrated here were:-
CHEYNE WALK CEMETERY, GIVENCHY, on the road from Givenchy to Cuinchy, named from a trench. It was part of a cafe and garden, and it contained the graves of 13 soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in October and December, 1914.
LE PLANTIN SOUTH CEMETERY, GIVENCHY, on the road leading South from the hamlet of Le Plantin to Windy Corner. It contained the graves of 33 soldiers from the United Kingdom, and it was used from October, 1914 to December, 1916.
LE PLANTIN CEMETERY (WELSH CHAPEL), FESTUBERT, on the South-West side of the road at Le Plantin North. It contained the graves of 43 soldiers from the United Kingdom (largely O.B.L.I. and 2nd Black Watch) and four from Canada, and it was used from December, 1914 to December, 1915.
Brown's Road Cemetery now contains 1,071 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 407 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate three casualties believed to be buried among them.
Casualty Details: UK 1044, Canada 21, South Africa 6, Total Burials: 1071
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden and W. C. Von Berg
Major
William Lewis Campbell Allan
2nd Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers
14th October 1914, aged 43.
Plot V. E. 1.
Son of Maj. Gen. William Allan and the late Mrs. Allan (nee Kinloch).
William Lewis Campbell Allan
2nd Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers
14th October 1914, aged 43.
Plot V. E. 1.
Son of Maj. Gen. William Allan and the late Mrs. Allan (nee Kinloch).
Lieutenant
John Douglas Alston
3rd Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
10th March 1915, aged 24.
Plot VIII. J. 1.
Son of Andrew T. and Georgina Cowie Alston, of Thornhill, Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
John Douglas Alston
3rd Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
10th March 1915, aged 24.
Plot VIII. J. 1.
Son of Andrew T. and Georgina Cowie Alston, of Thornhill, Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
Captain
David McLaren Bain
3rd Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders
3rd June 1915, aged 24.
Plot VIII. F. 14.
Son of William and Edith Bain, of 42, Moray Place, Edinburgh. Scottish Rugby International.
David McLaren Bain
3rd Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Gordon Highlanders
3rd June 1915, aged 24.
Plot VIII. F. 14.
Son of William and Edith Bain, of 42, Moray Place, Edinburgh. Scottish Rugby International.
Lieutenant Colonel
Wilfrid Marryat Bliss
Commanding 2nd Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
10th March 1915, aged 49.
Plot VIII. J. 10.
Brother of Miss Muriel E. Bliss, of 81, Philbeach Gardens, Earl's Court, London.
Wilfrid Marryat Bliss
Commanding 2nd Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
10th March 1915, aged 49.
Plot VIII. J. 10.
Brother of Miss Muriel E. Bliss, of 81, Philbeach Gardens, Earl's Court, London.
2749 Private
Geoffrey Horsman Coles
24th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
27th January 1916, aged 44.
Plot I. G. 17.
Son of Timothy Horsman Coles and Amelia Coles, of St. Helen's, Hastings, Sussex.
Geoffrey Horsman Coles
24th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
27th January 1916, aged 44.
Plot I. G. 17.
Son of Timothy Horsman Coles and Amelia Coles, of St. Helen's, Hastings, Sussex.
Lieutenant
Richard William Danckwerts
1st Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
22nd December 1914, aged 21.
Plot VII. D. 9.
Son of the late W.O. Danckwerts, K.C. and Mrs. Danckwerts, of Orsett Terrace, Hyde Park, London.His brother Victor Hilary Dankwerts C M G fell in the 1939 – 1945 War.
Richard William Danckwerts
1st Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
22nd December 1914, aged 21.
Plot VII. D. 9.
Son of the late W.O. Danckwerts, K.C. and Mrs. Danckwerts, of Orsett Terrace, Hyde Park, London.His brother Victor Hilary Dankwerts C M G fell in the 1939 – 1945 War.
Lieutenant, The Honourable
John De Blaquiere
2nd Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
10th March 1915, aged 25.
Plot VIII. J. 5.
Son of William, 6th Baron de Blaquiere, and Lucienne Baroness de Blaquiere, O.B.E., of 3, The Circus, Bath.
John De Blaquiere
2nd Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
10th March 1915, aged 25.
Plot VIII. J. 5.
Son of William, 6th Baron de Blaquiere, and Lucienne Baroness de Blaquiere, O.B.E., of 3, The Circus, Bath.
3119 Private
Thomas Edward Flook
"D" Coy. London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles)
24th May 1915, aged 21.
Plot I. A. 19.
Son of Joseph Thomas and Elizabeth Flook.
Thomas Edward Flook
"D" Coy. London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles)
24th May 1915, aged 21.
Plot I. A. 19.
Son of Joseph Thomas and Elizabeth Flook.
Lieutenant
Frederick Douglas Leach Green
6th Bty. 2nd Bde. Canadian Field Artillery
2nd June 1915, aged 25.
Plot IV. A. 7.
Son of F. W. and Annie L. Green, of Calle Napolet 63, Mexico City, Mexico. Born at Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Frederick Douglas Leach Green
6th Bty. 2nd Bde. Canadian Field Artillery
2nd June 1915, aged 25.
Plot IV. A. 7.
Son of F. W. and Annie L. Green, of Calle Napolet 63, Mexico City, Mexico. Born at Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Major
Ernest De Lannoy Hayes
2nd Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
10th March 1915, aged 45.
Plot VIII. J. 9.
Son of Julia McCoy (formerly Hayes) and the late Admiral Montagu Hayes; husband of Constance Frances Hayes, of 6, Wilbraham Mansions, Wilbraham Place, London S.W.
Ernest De Lannoy Hayes
2nd Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
10th March 1915, aged 45.
Plot VIII. J. 9.
Son of Julia McCoy (formerly Hayes) and the late Admiral Montagu Hayes; husband of Constance Frances Hayes, of 6, Wilbraham Mansions, Wilbraham Place, London S.W.
Captain
Horace Falkland Herd
3rd Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Welsh Regiment
27th December 1914, aged 31.
Plot I. C. 1.
Son of Major W.G.R. Herd. served in the South African War.
Horace Falkland Herd
3rd Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Welsh Regiment
27th December 1914, aged 31.
Plot I. C. 1.
Son of Major W.G.R. Herd. served in the South African War.
2860 Private
Siegfried Wedgwood Herford
24th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
28th January 1916, aged 24.
Plot I. G. 20.
Son of Charles and Marie Herford, of 5, Parkfield Rd., Didsbury, Manchester.
Siegfried Wedgwood Herford
24th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
28th January 1916, aged 24.
Plot I. G. 20.
Son of Charles and Marie Herford, of 5, Parkfield Rd., Didsbury, Manchester.
Shot at Dawn
5/3119 Rifleman W. Bellamy, 1st Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed for cowardice 16th July 1915, aged 34. Plot 4. D. 19. A Reservist, of several years’ service, he was serving in the trenches in June 1915 when the enemy blew a mine. Bellamy repeatedly refused to leave his dugout to join in the urgent reinforcement of the damaged defences. At trial, he said that the explosion of the mine had made him unaware of his actions, & that on 2 occasions in the past, he had suffered from nervous exhaustion. After sentence, & while awaiting confirmation, he went before a medical board, but no abnormality was found. (Putkowski, p. 47)
15251 Private George Henry Lawton, 17th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), executed for cowardice 30th July 1916, aged 36. Plot 5. G. 13. Son of William and Margaret Lawton, of Nottingham. The battalion had already been in the line continuously for 25 days, & had suffered heavy casualties in an attack the previous night, when Lawton refused to join a party detailed to recover 3 portable bridges from no-man’s-land. He said that it would be certain death. At trial, he said that earlier in the war, he had been buried for 4 hours after a shell had caused his dugout to collapse — which brought him a recommendation to mercy & — later — medical examination, neither of which availed him in the end. He was executed & buried along with McCubbin: see below. (Putkowski, pp. 95-97)
N. B. The CWGC have the above listed as Lowton, including his headstone.
31821 Private Bertie McCubbin, 17th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) executed for cowardice 30th July 1916. Plot 5. B. 16. 3 days after Lawton’s offence (see above), he refused to enter no-man’s-land to occupy a listening-post some 40 yards in front of the British parapet. At trial, McCubbin said that if he had gone out, his nervous state would have jeopardised the lives of his comrades; & further explained that his father had been killed earlier in the war, leaving his mother to fend for 6 young children. Mercy was recommended, which was endorsed at review, but the Army Commander & the Commander-in-Chief decided otherwise. He was executed & buried along with Lawton. (Putkowski, pp.96-97)
5/3119 Rifleman W. Bellamy, 1st Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps, executed for cowardice 16th July 1915, aged 34. Plot 4. D. 19. A Reservist, of several years’ service, he was serving in the trenches in June 1915 when the enemy blew a mine. Bellamy repeatedly refused to leave his dugout to join in the urgent reinforcement of the damaged defences. At trial, he said that the explosion of the mine had made him unaware of his actions, & that on 2 occasions in the past, he had suffered from nervous exhaustion. After sentence, & while awaiting confirmation, he went before a medical board, but no abnormality was found. (Putkowski, p. 47)
15251 Private George Henry Lawton, 17th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment), executed for cowardice 30th July 1916, aged 36. Plot 5. G. 13. Son of William and Margaret Lawton, of Nottingham. The battalion had already been in the line continuously for 25 days, & had suffered heavy casualties in an attack the previous night, when Lawton refused to join a party detailed to recover 3 portable bridges from no-man’s-land. He said that it would be certain death. At trial, he said that earlier in the war, he had been buried for 4 hours after a shell had caused his dugout to collapse — which brought him a recommendation to mercy & — later — medical examination, neither of which availed him in the end. He was executed & buried along with McCubbin: see below. (Putkowski, pp. 95-97)
N. B. The CWGC have the above listed as Lowton, including his headstone.
31821 Private Bertie McCubbin, 17th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) executed for cowardice 30th July 1916. Plot 5. B. 16. 3 days after Lawton’s offence (see above), he refused to enter no-man’s-land to occupy a listening-post some 40 yards in front of the British parapet. At trial, McCubbin said that if he had gone out, his nervous state would have jeopardised the lives of his comrades; & further explained that his father had been killed earlier in the war, leaving his mother to fend for 6 young children. Mercy was recommended, which was endorsed at review, but the Army Commander & the Commander-in-Chief decided otherwise. He was executed & buried along with Lawton. (Putkowski, pp.96-97)
The Battle of Festubert. Troops of the 1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) - bomb throwers of 'B' Company, Bois-Grenier, 20th May 1915. © IWM (Q 51639)
Plotting reference: 36S 20. Key feature: Festubert. © IWM (BOX 310-344-18JD-36S-1918)
