CALVAIRE (ESSEX) MILITARY CEMETERY
Hainaut
Belgium
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 50.71878 Longitude: 2.89843
Location Information
Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery is located 16 km from Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the N365, connecting Ieper to Wijtschate, Ploegsteert and on to Armentieres.
From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg. 2 km after passing through the village of Ploegsteert lies the left hand turning onto Witteweg (Chemin de la Blanche). The cemetery lies 2 km along the Witteweg on the right hand side of the road.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemetery is possible via the main entrance.
Historical Information
This cemetery was established beside a building known as Essex House and is an example of a regimental cemetery, many of which were made in 1914 and 1915.
It was begun in November 1914 by the 2nd Essex and 2nd Monmouthshire Regiments (Rows A to M of Plot I), continued by the 9th Royal Fusiliers and the 11th Middlesex Regiment (Plot I, Row 0), the 7th Suffolk and 9th Essex Regiments (Plot II), the 6th Buffs (Plot III), and the 1/7th and 1/8th Worcestershire Regiment (Plot IV, Rows A to C). Apart from two later burials, the cemetery was completed by the 11th Queen's Royal West Surrey and 10th Royal West Kent Regiments in June and July 1916. It was in German hands from 10 April to 29 September 1918.
There are now 218 First World War burials in the cemetery.
The cemetery was designed by G H Goldsmith.
Casualty Details: United Kingdom 218; Total Burials: 218.
Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery is located 16 km from Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the N365, connecting Ieper to Wijtschate, Ploegsteert and on to Armentieres.
From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg. 2 km after passing through the village of Ploegsteert lies the left hand turning onto Witteweg (Chemin de la Blanche). The cemetery lies 2 km along the Witteweg on the right hand side of the road.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemetery is possible via the main entrance.
Historical Information
This cemetery was established beside a building known as Essex House and is an example of a regimental cemetery, many of which were made in 1914 and 1915.
It was begun in November 1914 by the 2nd Essex and 2nd Monmouthshire Regiments (Rows A to M of Plot I), continued by the 9th Royal Fusiliers and the 11th Middlesex Regiment (Plot I, Row 0), the 7th Suffolk and 9th Essex Regiments (Plot II), the 6th Buffs (Plot III), and the 1/7th and 1/8th Worcestershire Regiment (Plot IV, Rows A to C). Apart from two later burials, the cemetery was completed by the 11th Queen's Royal West Surrey and 10th Royal West Kent Regiments in June and July 1916. It was in German hands from 10 April to 29 September 1918.
There are now 218 First World War burials in the cemetery.
The cemetery was designed by G H Goldsmith.
Casualty Details: United Kingdom 218; Total Burials: 218.
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
Lieutenant
George Aked
5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
5th March 1915.
Plot I. H. 7.
Only son of George Aked, of Mapperley Park, Nottingham, by his wife, Sarah, daughter of Samuel Wilkins; b. 19 April, 1895; educated at Nottingham High School, where he served in the O.T.C. for two and a-half years, and was one of the High School Contingent reviewed by the King at Windsor in 1911.
He received an appointment in the Nottingham and Notts Bank at Shepshed, near Loughboro in 1911, and in 1912, when a company of the 5th Leicesters was formed at Shepshed, he was given a commission 26 Oct. 1912, and promoted Lieutenant 30 Aug. 1914. He was the only resident officer at Shepshed and had sole charge of the training of the company.
At the outbreak of war the battalion was in camp and after various duties in England, including night guard near Enfield, they went to France in Feb. 1915, and were immediately sent to the Front. He was killed in action at Le Bizet, 5 March, 1915; unmarried. Lieutenant-Col. Jones in command wrote as follows: "We have lost in him an officer of much promise. He had developed very rapidly since he joined us. He was extraordinarily conscientious in his work, and everything his duty called him to do he did faithfully, thoroughly and well."
George Aked
5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
5th March 1915.
Plot I. H. 7.
Only son of George Aked, of Mapperley Park, Nottingham, by his wife, Sarah, daughter of Samuel Wilkins; b. 19 April, 1895; educated at Nottingham High School, where he served in the O.T.C. for two and a-half years, and was one of the High School Contingent reviewed by the King at Windsor in 1911.
He received an appointment in the Nottingham and Notts Bank at Shepshed, near Loughboro in 1911, and in 1912, when a company of the 5th Leicesters was formed at Shepshed, he was given a commission 26 Oct. 1912, and promoted Lieutenant 30 Aug. 1914. He was the only resident officer at Shepshed and had sole charge of the training of the company.
At the outbreak of war the battalion was in camp and after various duties in England, including night guard near Enfield, they went to France in Feb. 1915, and were immediately sent to the Front. He was killed in action at Le Bizet, 5 March, 1915; unmarried. Lieutenant-Col. Jones in command wrote as follows: "We have lost in him an officer of much promise. He had developed very rapidly since he joined us. He was extraordinarily conscientious in his work, and everything his duty called him to do he did faithfully, thoroughly and well."
120 Company Quartermaster Serjeant
W. J. Allsopp
1st/2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
17th March 1915, aged 39.
Plot I. K. 2.
Husband of Mabel Ellen Allsopp, of Commercial St., Pontnewydd, Newport, Mon.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Giveth His Beloved Sleep"
W. J. Allsopp
1st/2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
17th March 1915, aged 39.
Plot I. K. 2.
Husband of Mabel Ellen Allsopp, of Commercial St., Pontnewydd, Newport, Mon.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Giveth His Beloved Sleep"
Second Lieutenant
Harold Picton Bamkin
7th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
19th July 1915, aged 20.
Plot II. B. 3.
Son of Ernest Picton Bamkin and Lilian Margaret Bamkin, of Thornton Hall, Milford Haven, South Wales. Dulwich College, 19071914. Entered at Jesus College. Oxford.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dulwich 1907-'14 Detur Gloria Soli Deo"
Harold Picton Bamkin
7th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
19th July 1915, aged 20.
Plot II. B. 3.
Son of Ernest Picton Bamkin and Lilian Margaret Bamkin, of Thornton Hall, Milford Haven, South Wales. Dulwich College, 19071914. Entered at Jesus College. Oxford.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dulwich 1907-'14 Detur Gloria Soli Deo"
G/3041 Corporal
Frederick Nevil Banwell
"B" Company, 6th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
14th September 1915, aged 23.
Plot III. D. 4.
Son of Samuel Frederick and Emily Florence Banwell, of 22, Willow Avenue, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Frederick Nevil Banwell
"B" Company, 6th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
14th September 1915, aged 23.
Plot III. D. 4.
Son of Samuel Frederick and Emily Florence Banwell, of 22, Willow Avenue, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Major
Gerald Charles Binsteed, M. C. & Twice Mentioned in Despatches
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
8th April 1915, aged 30.
Plot I. L. 1.
Only son of the late Major Charles Henry Frederick Binsteed, 52nd Oxfordshire L.I. and 1st Madras Lancers, by his wife, Consuelo (Hanover Court, Hanover Square, W.), daughter of Gerald de Wilton, Surgeon-Major, Indian Medical Service; b. Cairo, 7 Aug. 1885; educated Wellington College and Sandhurst; gazetted to the Essex Regiment, 20 May, 1905, promoted Lieutenant, 6 March, 1910, and Captain, 15 Nov. 1914; served with the Mounted Infantry at Longmoor and Malta, and was Scouting Intelligence Officer at the Curragh. In May, 1914, he was appointed for Special Employment at the War Office, but after the outbreak of war, went to the Front with his Regiment, was gazetted Major 18 March, and was killed in action at Le Gheer, 8 April, 1915; unmarried.
Captain Binsteed greatly distinguished himself by his gallantry in the field, and was twice mentioned in F.M. Sir John French's Despatches [London Gazette, 4 and 10 Dec. 1914], and was one of the first officers to receive the Military Cross [London Gazette, 1 Jan. 1915]. At Wellington he represented his school at Bisley and was winner of the mile race, and at Sandhurst took the Sword of Honour and passed out first. He also won the Subalterns' half mile at Malta and the Officers' mile race in the All Ireland Military Athletic Meeting at the Curragh. Captain Binsteed was an able linguist, and passed as an interpreter in French, Russian and Chinese, and was a member of the Geographical Society, China Society, and Asiatic Society, and a contributor to the China Year Book, "The Far Eastern Review," etc.
Gerald Charles Binsteed, M. C. & Twice Mentioned in Despatches
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
8th April 1915, aged 30.
Plot I. L. 1.
Only son of the late Major Charles Henry Frederick Binsteed, 52nd Oxfordshire L.I. and 1st Madras Lancers, by his wife, Consuelo (Hanover Court, Hanover Square, W.), daughter of Gerald de Wilton, Surgeon-Major, Indian Medical Service; b. Cairo, 7 Aug. 1885; educated Wellington College and Sandhurst; gazetted to the Essex Regiment, 20 May, 1905, promoted Lieutenant, 6 March, 1910, and Captain, 15 Nov. 1914; served with the Mounted Infantry at Longmoor and Malta, and was Scouting Intelligence Officer at the Curragh. In May, 1914, he was appointed for Special Employment at the War Office, but after the outbreak of war, went to the Front with his Regiment, was gazetted Major 18 March, and was killed in action at Le Gheer, 8 April, 1915; unmarried.
Captain Binsteed greatly distinguished himself by his gallantry in the field, and was twice mentioned in F.M. Sir John French's Despatches [London Gazette, 4 and 10 Dec. 1914], and was one of the first officers to receive the Military Cross [London Gazette, 1 Jan. 1915]. At Wellington he represented his school at Bisley and was winner of the mile race, and at Sandhurst took the Sword of Honour and passed out first. He also won the Subalterns' half mile at Malta and the Officers' mile race in the All Ireland Military Athletic Meeting at the Curragh. Captain Binsteed was an able linguist, and passed as an interpreter in French, Russian and Chinese, and was a member of the Geographical Society, China Society, and Asiatic Society, and a contributor to the China Year Book, "The Far Eastern Review," etc.
Image above © Thierry Grier
1358 Private
Frank Caines
1st/2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
10th March 1915, aged 18.
Plot I. J. 4.
Son of Mr George and Mrs Annie Caines, 20 Jubilee Terrace, Blaenavon.
Frank Caines
1st/2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
10th March 1915, aged 18.
Plot I. J. 4.
Son of Mr George and Mrs Annie Caines, 20 Jubilee Terrace, Blaenavon.
Lieutenant
Philip Archibald Christy
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
10th February 1915, aged 19.
Plot I. G. 7.
Son of Archibald E. Christy, of Wellmead, Ingatestone, Essex.
Philip Archibald Christy
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
10th February 1915, aged 19.
Plot I. G. 7.
Son of Archibald E. Christy, of Wellmead, Ingatestone, Essex.
G/7286 Private
Frederick William Clements
11th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
24th June 1916, aged 21.
Plot IV. D. 5.
Son of Edward Henry Clements, of 9, Halse St., North Rd., Holloway, London.
Frederick William Clements
11th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
24th June 1916, aged 21.
Plot IV. D. 5.
Son of Edward Henry Clements, of 9, Halse St., North Rd., Holloway, London.
2295 Private
Raymond Henry Cole
2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
23rd November 1914, aged 19.
Plot I. C. 4.
Son of Ebenezer and Mary Ann Cole, of 12, Woodland St., Cwmbran, Mon.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Than This Hath No Man"
Raymond Henry Cole
2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
23rd November 1914, aged 19.
Plot I. C. 4.
Son of Ebenezer and Mary Ann Cole, of 12, Woodland St., Cwmbran, Mon.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Than This Hath No Man"
2433 Private
George Henry William Dare
1st/2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
4th April 1915, aged 18.
Plot I. L. 4.
He was the son of George Henry and Elizabeth Dare of Union Street, Abersychan.
George Henry William Dare
1st/2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
4th April 1915, aged 18.
Plot I. L. 4.
He was the son of George Henry and Elizabeth Dare of Union Street, Abersychan.
Image above © Thierry Grier
8409 Private
Frederick Charles Eade
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
20th December 1914.
Plot I. C. 8.
Frederick Charles Eade
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
20th December 1914.
Plot I. C. 8.
1682 Private
Edward Evans
2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
30th December 1914, age 17.
Plot I. A. 11.
Elder son of the late Edward Evans, by his wife, Abigail (2, Gibson's Steps, High Street, Pontypool); b. Cardiff, 27 Oct. 1897; educated National School there; enlisted early in 1912, and was killed in action in France, 30 Dec. 1914.
Captain L. P. A. Rolls wrote:
"Your son had been my servant ever since the beginning of Oct., when we were in Northampton, and had been with me till he met his death. I cannot tell you what a good willing lad he was in all that he did for me. He was killed like so many other--nobly doing his duty in the trenches."
Edward Evans
2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
30th December 1914, age 17.
Plot I. A. 11.
Elder son of the late Edward Evans, by his wife, Abigail (2, Gibson's Steps, High Street, Pontypool); b. Cardiff, 27 Oct. 1897; educated National School there; enlisted early in 1912, and was killed in action in France, 30 Dec. 1914.
Captain L. P. A. Rolls wrote:
"Your son had been my servant ever since the beginning of Oct., when we were in Northampton, and had been with me till he met his death. I cannot tell you what a good willing lad he was in all that he did for me. He was killed like so many other--nobly doing his duty in the trenches."
Captain
George Burton Taddy Friend
6th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
26th July 1915, aged 35.
Plot III. B. 6.
Eldest son of James Taddy Friend, D.L., and Mary Stewart Friend, of Northdown, Isle of Thanet.
His headstone bears the inscription "Eldest Son Of James T. Friend D. L. Of Northdown,Thanet"
George was educated first at Wellington House, Westgate-on-Sea but in May 1892, was then sent to Lockers Park, Hemel Hempstead from where he passed the entry exam for Harrow School in 1893 entering Elmfield House. He remained at Harrow until July 1896.
Captain Friend first received a Commission in a Militia Battalion of the Rifle Brigade and was then gazetted to the Buffs in 1900. He served with his regiment in India from 1900-1903. He retired from the Army in 1906 and took up farming.
On the 2nd June 1906 in Dover he married Susie Frances. S. Copley of Thrapston, Northamptonshire. They had two sons, James dying early at the age of 4 and Geoffrey who eventually settled in Kenya. George was a shareholder in the Great Western Railway.
When the Great War broke out he re-joined his old regiment on the 1st October 1914. He went to the Front in June, 1915, and was killed on July 26th, 1915, in Flanders, whilst putting up barbed-wire entanglements in front of the trenches.
George Burton Taddy Friend
6th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
26th July 1915, aged 35.
Plot III. B. 6.
Eldest son of James Taddy Friend, D.L., and Mary Stewart Friend, of Northdown, Isle of Thanet.
His headstone bears the inscription "Eldest Son Of James T. Friend D. L. Of Northdown,Thanet"
George was educated first at Wellington House, Westgate-on-Sea but in May 1892, was then sent to Lockers Park, Hemel Hempstead from where he passed the entry exam for Harrow School in 1893 entering Elmfield House. He remained at Harrow until July 1896.
Captain Friend first received a Commission in a Militia Battalion of the Rifle Brigade and was then gazetted to the Buffs in 1900. He served with his regiment in India from 1900-1903. He retired from the Army in 1906 and took up farming.
On the 2nd June 1906 in Dover he married Susie Frances. S. Copley of Thrapston, Northamptonshire. They had two sons, James dying early at the age of 4 and Geoffrey who eventually settled in Kenya. George was a shareholder in the Great Western Railway.
When the Great War broke out he re-joined his old regiment on the 1st October 1914. He went to the Front in June, 1915, and was killed on July 26th, 1915, in Flanders, whilst putting up barbed-wire entanglements in front of the trenches.
G/4730 Lance Corporal
Henry Christopher Friend
6th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
19th August 1915, aged 24.
Plot III. B. 1.
Son of Christopher and Mary Friend, of "Oakr leigh," Kingsdown, Deal.
His headstone bears the inscription "Thy Will Be Done"
Henry Christopher Friend
6th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
19th August 1915, aged 24.
Plot III. B. 1.
Son of Christopher and Mary Friend, of "Oakr leigh," Kingsdown, Deal.
His headstone bears the inscription "Thy Will Be Done"
2311 Private
William Henry Hitchings
2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
30th December 1914.
Plot I. C. 12.
William Henry Hitchings
2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
30th December 1914.
Plot I. C. 12.
Red Cross motor ambulance and water cart outside dressing station at Le Bizet on the France/Belgium border. © Q 103674
Second Lieutenant
Robert Harold Jervis Johnson
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
13th March 1915, aged 21.
Plot I. J. 9.
Son of Robert Baines Johnson and Florence Johnson, of The Hope House, Little Burstead, Billericay, Essex.
His headstone bears the inscription "Non Sibi Solum"
Robert Harold Jervis Johnson
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
13th March 1915, aged 21.
Plot I. J. 9.
Son of Robert Baines Johnson and Florence Johnson, of The Hope House, Little Burstead, Billericay, Essex.
His headstone bears the inscription "Non Sibi Solum"
2072 Lance Corporal
John Reginald Jones
1st/7th Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
10th May 1915.
Plot IV. A. 7.
John Reginald Jones
1st/7th Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
10th May 1915.
Plot IV. A. 7.
Lieutenant
Arthur George Knight
9th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
29th June 1915, aged 25.
Plot I. O. 1.
Son of Edward Martin Knight and Emily B. Knight, of 70, The Lawn, Shepherds Bush Green, London. Native of San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Verrye Parfit Gentil Knyghte"
Arthur attended Dulwich College, between September 1904 and the summer of 1908. He went on to Magdalen College, Oxford. Despite having been on the Science side during his time at the College, he studied history at Magdalen, earning a 2nd Class B.A. in the subject in 1911. During his time in Oxford he had also become a distinguished runner, earning a half blue in the cross-country in 1909, and the mile race the following year. Having graduated, he spent time as a private tutor, before, in 1913, joining Rossall School in Lancashire as an Assistant Master.
The outbreak of war saw Arthur enlist in the military, at first as a member of the London Rifle Brigade. In October 1914, however, after just two months, he took up a commission in the Royal Fusiliers, and was promoted to Lieutenant the following March. That June he won the individual cross country event during the Army Sports meeting at Folkestone, mere days before he was transferred to the front for the first time. At the time of his death he had been working on a book entitled Comparative Thought in England during the French Revolution, which as a result was never published.
Killed by a sniper at Le Bizet. Age: 25.
Arthur George Knight
9th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
29th June 1915, aged 25.
Plot I. O. 1.
Son of Edward Martin Knight and Emily B. Knight, of 70, The Lawn, Shepherds Bush Green, London. Native of San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Verrye Parfit Gentil Knyghte"
Arthur attended Dulwich College, between September 1904 and the summer of 1908. He went on to Magdalen College, Oxford. Despite having been on the Science side during his time at the College, he studied history at Magdalen, earning a 2nd Class B.A. in the subject in 1911. During his time in Oxford he had also become a distinguished runner, earning a half blue in the cross-country in 1909, and the mile race the following year. Having graduated, he spent time as a private tutor, before, in 1913, joining Rossall School in Lancashire as an Assistant Master.
The outbreak of war saw Arthur enlist in the military, at first as a member of the London Rifle Brigade. In October 1914, however, after just two months, he took up a commission in the Royal Fusiliers, and was promoted to Lieutenant the following March. That June he won the individual cross country event during the Army Sports meeting at Folkestone, mere days before he was transferred to the front for the first time. At the time of his death he had been working on a book entitled Comparative Thought in England during the French Revolution, which as a result was never published.
Killed by a sniper at Le Bizet. Age: 25.
2341 Private
Ernest Palfrey
2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
25th December 1914, aged 21.
Plot I. A. 9.
Son of Charles and Ann Palfrey, of Ael-Y-Bryn, Ffrwd Rd., Abersychan, Mon.
His headstone bears the inscription "To Live In Hearts We Leave Behind Is Not To Die"
Before the war he was a colliery workman at Llanerch, he was described as "a steady young man".
He enlisted on 27th August 1914 and was deployed to France with 2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment on 7th November that year. When Christmas 1914 arrived the unit were holding eleven hundred yards of front line trench north east of Armentières.
The unit's war diary states that there was "practically no firing by either side by mutual agreement" on Christmas day. It was decided to use the truce to bury the dead that lay in no man's land and to "ascertain what German Regiment opposed us".
Ernest was a member of the party detailed to gather and bury the dead.
They had completed their gruesome task and were no doubt relieved to be heading back to the relative safety of their trench.
A single shot broke the silence and hit Ernest in the head killing him instantly. Age: 21.
Ernest Palfrey
2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
25th December 1914, aged 21.
Plot I. A. 9.
Son of Charles and Ann Palfrey, of Ael-Y-Bryn, Ffrwd Rd., Abersychan, Mon.
His headstone bears the inscription "To Live In Hearts We Leave Behind Is Not To Die"
Before the war he was a colliery workman at Llanerch, he was described as "a steady young man".
He enlisted on 27th August 1914 and was deployed to France with 2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment on 7th November that year. When Christmas 1914 arrived the unit were holding eleven hundred yards of front line trench north east of Armentières.
The unit's war diary states that there was "practically no firing by either side by mutual agreement" on Christmas day. It was decided to use the truce to bury the dead that lay in no man's land and to "ascertain what German Regiment opposed us".
Ernest was a member of the party detailed to gather and bury the dead.
They had completed their gruesome task and were no doubt relieved to be heading back to the relative safety of their trench.
A single shot broke the silence and hit Ernest in the head killing him instantly. Age: 21.
Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium. 26 December 1917. Men of the 22nd Battalion, laying down wire entanglements, behind the line at Ploegsteert Wood. Hill 63 is seen in the background. The men were living in hutments at Kortepyp Camp where Christmas Day was spent. The Battalion was in reserve and fatigue parties were sent forward daily by the light railway to Ploegsteert where wiring was carried out and extensive salvaging operations undertaken under the supervision of Major J. S. Dooley MC. The area was very quiet at this time and received only desultory shelling.
Lieutenant-Colonel C M Ross-Johnson commanding 14th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery in the front lint trenches with Major Jackson, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment near Le Touquet (Frelinghien) November 1914. The trenches in this neighbourhood were very close together. © The rights holder (IWM Q 56726)
Cemetery pictures in this gallery © Thierry Grier
Second Lieutenant
John Edward Paton, Mentioned in Despatches
2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
31st December 1914, aged 19.
Plot I. B. 12.
Son of John and Susan Paton, of Waun Wern, Pontypool, Mon.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Was Carried Away By The Angels"
John was educated at Copthorne Preparatory School in Sussex before attending Winchester College from January 1909 until the summer of 1914. Whilst there, he served in the Officer Training Corps attaining the rank of Sergeant and achieving a Certificate "A" in 1912. He was also one of a team of eight who represented the College in shooting at Bisley in 1913 and 1914.
In the spring of 1914 John passed the entrance examination for Pembroke College, Oxford and left Winchester that summer intending to go to Oxford. He would have taken up his residence there in October 1914, had it not been for the war. His 1912 'A' Certificate meant John was qualified for a commission. In October 1914, he was granted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Territorial 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment and joined his Battalion in Northamptonshire.
As part of the British Expeditionary Force he went to France and the Western Front on the 5th November 1914. He was eventually sent to Bailleul. The 2nd Monmouths were involved in the famous Christmas Day Truce of 1914 although the Germans shot two men from the Battalion after they had taken them cigarettes and tobacco.
John was wounded in the trenches at Le Bizet on the morning of the 31st December 1915, and died the same afternoon. He was the first officer of the Battalion to be killed in the war. He was buried in Calvaire (Essex) Military cemetery, near Le Touquet.
John was later mentioned in Field Marshal Sir John French's Despatch of 14th January, 1915, 'for gallant and distinguished service in the field'.
John Edward Paton, Mentioned in Despatches
2nd Bn. Monmouthshire Regiment
31st December 1914, aged 19.
Plot I. B. 12.
Son of John and Susan Paton, of Waun Wern, Pontypool, Mon.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Was Carried Away By The Angels"
John was educated at Copthorne Preparatory School in Sussex before attending Winchester College from January 1909 until the summer of 1914. Whilst there, he served in the Officer Training Corps attaining the rank of Sergeant and achieving a Certificate "A" in 1912. He was also one of a team of eight who represented the College in shooting at Bisley in 1913 and 1914.
In the spring of 1914 John passed the entrance examination for Pembroke College, Oxford and left Winchester that summer intending to go to Oxford. He would have taken up his residence there in October 1914, had it not been for the war. His 1912 'A' Certificate meant John was qualified for a commission. In October 1914, he was granted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Territorial 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment and joined his Battalion in Northamptonshire.
As part of the British Expeditionary Force he went to France and the Western Front on the 5th November 1914. He was eventually sent to Bailleul. The 2nd Monmouths were involved in the famous Christmas Day Truce of 1914 although the Germans shot two men from the Battalion after they had taken them cigarettes and tobacco.
John was wounded in the trenches at Le Bizet on the morning of the 31st December 1915, and died the same afternoon. He was the first officer of the Battalion to be killed in the war. He was buried in Calvaire (Essex) Military cemetery, near Le Touquet.
John was later mentioned in Field Marshal Sir John French's Despatch of 14th January, 1915, 'for gallant and distinguished service in the field'.
Captain
Robert Laurence Pillman
"D" Company, 10th Bn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
9th July 1916, aged 23.
Plot IV. D. 10.
Son of Joseph Charles and Mary Anna Pillman, of The Cottage, Footscray Lane, Sidcup, Kent. Played Rugby Football for the XV at Rugby School, for Blackheath for several seasons and gained his International cap for England against France in 1914. Won the Gold Medal of the London Solicitor's Golfing Society. Enlisted in 10th Bn. Royal Fusiliers at the outbreak of war, and was gazetted to a commission in July, 1915.
His headstone bears the inscription "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death And I Will Give Thee The Crown Of Life Rev. II. Chapter, 10 Verse"
Robert Laurence Pillman
"D" Company, 10th Bn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
9th July 1916, aged 23.
Plot IV. D. 10.
Son of Joseph Charles and Mary Anna Pillman, of The Cottage, Footscray Lane, Sidcup, Kent. Played Rugby Football for the XV at Rugby School, for Blackheath for several seasons and gained his International cap for England against France in 1914. Won the Gold Medal of the London Solicitor's Golfing Society. Enlisted in 10th Bn. Royal Fusiliers at the outbreak of war, and was gazetted to a commission in July, 1915.
His headstone bears the inscription "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death And I Will Give Thee The Crown Of Life Rev. II. Chapter, 10 Verse"
Image above © Geerhard Joos
Captain
Arthur Hugh Percy Rose
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
23rd November 1914, aged 42.
Plot I. C. 1.
Son of Maj. Gen. James Rose (late A.D.C. to H.M. Queen Victoria) and Mrs Rose; husband of Lilian Rose, of The Cottage, Sonning-on-Thames, Berks.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away"
Arthur Hugh Percy Rose
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
23rd November 1914, aged 42.
Plot I. C. 1.
Son of Maj. Gen. James Rose (late A.D.C. to H.M. Queen Victoria) and Mrs Rose; husband of Lilian Rose, of The Cottage, Sonning-on-Thames, Berks.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away"
2275 Private
Harold Leathem Stone
1st/8th Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
31st May 1915.
Plot IV. B. 1.
Harold Leathem Stone
1st/8th Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
31st May 1915.
Plot IV. B. 1.
3/3105 Corporal
John Tippins
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
26th November 1914, aged 27.
Plot I. C. 6.
Son of Luke R. and Rose A. Tippins, of Mistley, Essex. A noted rifle shot and member of Empire Team. Born at Winsford, Somerset.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Last Possible For England"
John Tippins
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment
26th November 1914, aged 27.
Plot I. C. 6.
Son of Luke R. and Rose A. Tippins, of Mistley, Essex. A noted rifle shot and member of Empire Team. Born at Winsford, Somerset.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Last Possible For England"
G/339 Corporal
Leonard Arthur Fiske Williams
6th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
12th July 1915, aged 18.
Plot III. A. 4.
Leonard Arthur Fiske Williams
6th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
12th July 1915, aged 18.
Plot III. A. 4.
2220 Lance Sergeant
Charles Gilbert Andree Wylde
"A" Company, 1st/8th Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
21st May 1915, aged 24.
Plot IV. B. 4.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Wylde, of Bank House, Malvern. Enlisted Aug.1914,.
His headstone bears the inscription "Pro Rege Et Patria Requiescat In Pace"
Charles Gilbert Andree Wylde
"A" Company, 1st/8th Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
21st May 1915, aged 24.
Plot IV. B. 4.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Wylde, of Bank House, Malvern. Enlisted Aug.1914,.
His headstone bears the inscription "Pro Rege Et Patria Requiescat In Pace"
Canadian troops in the front line trenches at Ploegsteert, March 1916. © IWM Q 446
British troops taking up timber for a trench support through a communication trench at Ploegsteert, March 1917. © IWM Q 5092
Brigadier-General George Francis Milne at Le Touquet, near Frelinghien. "The two wagons blocked the road and you entered the communication trench showing just this side of them and went up to the front line. Our mine was started in the houses just off the photo to the right." October 1914. © The rights holder (IWM Q 56734)
