CERISY-GAILLY FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY
(La Nécropole Nationale de Cerisy)
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 49.90532, Longitude: 2.63341
Location Information
Cerisy is a village 10 kilometres south-west of Albert.
From Albert take the D42 in the direction of Morlancourt and Moreuil. After passing Morlancourt you arrive at Sailly-Laurette. Continue until reaching a crossroads where you turn left onto the D71 in the direction of Cerisy. Continue on the D71 until you approach a group of bungalows on your left. Turn left at the end of this group of bungalows when you will then approach Cerisy-Gailly French National Cemetery. The Commonwealth war graves will be found at the rear of the cemetery.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to site possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Gailly was the site of the 39th and 13th Casualty Clearing Stations during the early part of 1917, and of the 41st Stationary Hospital from May 1917 to March 1918. The villages were then captured by the Germans, but were retaken by the Australian Corps in August 1918.
Cerisy-Gailly French National Cemetery was begun by a clearing hospital of the French Tenth Army in February 1916. The Commonwealth plots are on the western side of it, and were made after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields of the Somme and from BUIRE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION. The great majority of these soldiers died in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
The cemetery now contains 393 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 296 of which are unidentified.
Total Burials: 393.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 57, Australia 37, Canada 3. Total 97.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 287, Australia 1, Canada 1, New Zealand 1. Total 296.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens & George Hartley Goldsmith
Images of the French Cemetery are at the bottom of this page
Captain
Wilfred Herbert Bull
7th Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
3rd May 1917.
Plot I. C. 11.
Wilfred was born in Willesden on the 23rd October 1885 and baptised on the 14th February 1886. He was the son of Charles Herbert Bull and Eliza Kate Bull (née Wright). They had married on the 10th December 1878 in St Andrew's Church, Hoxton, Shoreditch. Eliza was a widow. She had married Albert Harry Hancock in Bath on the 31st March 1875 but he died on the 1st January 1877. Wilfred's father was a Chartered Accountant. The family lived at 43, Christchurch Road, Willesden. Wilfred had two younger sisters, Violet and Ethel. Sadly, his mother died on the 4th October 1891 when Wilfred was very young.
Until 1902, Wilfred attended Merchant Taylor's School in London. After finishing his education Wilfred also became a Chartered Accountant and became a partner in the firm of Hibberd, Bull & Co. at 6a Devonshire Square in London. The family now lived at 'The Homestead' Barnet Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire and employed a cook and a housemaid.
On the outbreak of war in August 1914, Wilfred enlisted as a Private (Service No. 888) in the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps. On the 12th September 1914, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th Battalion, the Bedfordshire Regiment. After training with the Battalion he landed in France on the 26th July 1915. Wilfrid was given command of 'B' Company on the 11th October 1915.
Around 8.30a.m.on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, the 1st July 1916, Wilfred was leading his Company to the outskirts of the Pommiers Redoubt, when he was severely wounded in the head by shrapnel. He also suffered concussion.
Wilfred was commended by his Commanding Officer in the following terms:
'Captain Bull led the right attack with conspicuous gallantry until severely wounded at Maple Trench. 'Wounded, it would seem, by heavy shrapnel fire. Bull, who had 'done splendid work ... had to retire.'
After convalescing for nine months he finally returned to his Battalion.
One month later on the 3rd May 1917 Wilfred was killed in action at Cherisy, during the third Battle of the Scarpe, Arras. He was amongst the front ranks as they tried in vain to force a way through the wire all the time being swept by machine- gunfire.
He was described by his men as "One of the finest officers we ever had".
Wilfred was buried in Cerisy-Gailly French National Cemetery. His death was announced in The Times newspaper on the 15th May 1917.
He is also commemorated on the War Memorial in Elstree, on the Memorial in the Church of St. Nicholas in Elstree and on the family grave in St Nicholas' Churchyard.
His name is commemorated on the Bedfordshire Regiment's Roll of Honour.
In April 2004 Wilfred's medals and memorial plaque were sold at auction in London. They fetched £850.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Herts at War 1914-1918, Bedfordshire Regiment in the Great War, National Archives, Newspaper Archives, Noonans)
(Bio: Woose)
Wilfred Herbert Bull
7th Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
3rd May 1917.
Plot I. C. 11.
Wilfred was born in Willesden on the 23rd October 1885 and baptised on the 14th February 1886. He was the son of Charles Herbert Bull and Eliza Kate Bull (née Wright). They had married on the 10th December 1878 in St Andrew's Church, Hoxton, Shoreditch. Eliza was a widow. She had married Albert Harry Hancock in Bath on the 31st March 1875 but he died on the 1st January 1877. Wilfred's father was a Chartered Accountant. The family lived at 43, Christchurch Road, Willesden. Wilfred had two younger sisters, Violet and Ethel. Sadly, his mother died on the 4th October 1891 when Wilfred was very young.
Until 1902, Wilfred attended Merchant Taylor's School in London. After finishing his education Wilfred also became a Chartered Accountant and became a partner in the firm of Hibberd, Bull & Co. at 6a Devonshire Square in London. The family now lived at 'The Homestead' Barnet Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire and employed a cook and a housemaid.
On the outbreak of war in August 1914, Wilfred enlisted as a Private (Service No. 888) in the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps. On the 12th September 1914, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 7th Battalion, the Bedfordshire Regiment. After training with the Battalion he landed in France on the 26th July 1915. Wilfrid was given command of 'B' Company on the 11th October 1915.
Around 8.30a.m.on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, the 1st July 1916, Wilfred was leading his Company to the outskirts of the Pommiers Redoubt, when he was severely wounded in the head by shrapnel. He also suffered concussion.
Wilfred was commended by his Commanding Officer in the following terms:
'Captain Bull led the right attack with conspicuous gallantry until severely wounded at Maple Trench. 'Wounded, it would seem, by heavy shrapnel fire. Bull, who had 'done splendid work ... had to retire.'
After convalescing for nine months he finally returned to his Battalion.
One month later on the 3rd May 1917 Wilfred was killed in action at Cherisy, during the third Battle of the Scarpe, Arras. He was amongst the front ranks as they tried in vain to force a way through the wire all the time being swept by machine- gunfire.
He was described by his men as "One of the finest officers we ever had".
Wilfred was buried in Cerisy-Gailly French National Cemetery. His death was announced in The Times newspaper on the 15th May 1917.
He is also commemorated on the War Memorial in Elstree, on the Memorial in the Church of St. Nicholas in Elstree and on the family grave in St Nicholas' Churchyard.
His name is commemorated on the Bedfordshire Regiment's Roll of Honour.
In April 2004 Wilfred's medals and memorial plaque were sold at auction in London. They fetched £850.
(Sources: CWGC, Ancestry, Find My Past, Herts at War 1914-1918, Bedfordshire Regiment in the Great War, National Archives, Newspaper Archives, Noonans)
(Bio: Woose)
2119A Private
Percy Charles Burrows
10th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
18th September 1918, aged 34.
Plot I. E. 4.
Son of James and Clara Burrows; husband of Muriel H. Burrows, of Brighton, South Australia. Born in Oxford, England.
His headstone bears the inscription "Beloved Husband Of Muriel & Son Of H. J. & C. Burrows Mizpah"
BELOVED HUSBAND OF MURIEL & SON OF H.J. & C. BURROWS MIZPAH
Percy Charles Burrows
10th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
18th September 1918, aged 34.
Plot I. E. 4.
Son of James and Clara Burrows; husband of Muriel H. Burrows, of Brighton, South Australia. Born in Oxford, England.
His headstone bears the inscription "Beloved Husband Of Muriel & Son Of H. J. & C. Burrows Mizpah"
BELOVED HUSBAND OF MURIEL & SON OF H.J. & C. BURROWS MIZPAH
823 Sergeant
Harry Osmond Callear
10th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
1st July 1916.
Plot II. G. 4.
Harry Osmond Callear
10th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
1st July 1916.
Plot II. G. 4.
7537 Sergeant
Charles Alfred Dilley
1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment
18th August 1916.
Plot I. G. 18.
Charles Alfred Dilley
1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment
18th August 1916.
Plot I. G. 18.
Second Lieutenant
Francis Basil Freeman
1st/8th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
1st July 1916, aged 26.
Plot II. G. 16.
Son of Albert Francis and Ellen Louise Freeman, of 71, King's Rd., Bengeworth, Evesham, Worcs. Born at Hednesford, Staffs.
His headstone bears the inscription "Asleep Until Jesus Calls Him"
Francis Basil Freeman
1st/8th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
1st July 1916, aged 26.
Plot II. G. 16.
Son of Albert Francis and Ellen Louise Freeman, of 71, King's Rd., Bengeworth, Evesham, Worcs. Born at Hednesford, Staffs.
His headstone bears the inscription "Asleep Until Jesus Calls Him"
637A Corporal
Ebenezer Joseph Hayward
3rd Bn. Australian Machine Gun Corps
19th September 1918.
Plot I. E. 2.
His headstone bears the inscription "An Australian Hero Here Doth Rest Mourned By Those That Loved Him Best"
Ebenezer Joseph Hayward
3rd Bn. Australian Machine Gun Corps
19th September 1918.
Plot I. E. 2.
His headstone bears the inscription "An Australian Hero Here Doth Rest Mourned By Those That Loved Him Best"
38512 Gunner
Charles Alfred Kedge
14th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
16th September 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. D. 13.
Son of Charles Elliott Kedge and Adelaide Catherine Kedge, of "Buire," Canberra St., West Brunswick, Victoria, Australia. Born at Bendigo, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Is Dead Yet He Speaketh Our Lodestar In Life And Death"
A school teacher prior to enlisting, he embarked from Melbourne aboard SS Indarra on 26 November 1917.
Charles Kedge along with two other men, Baxter and King were sleeping in a cellar when an enemy aeroplane dropped a bomb, killing all three. Gunner Kedge was hit in the forehead but died 15 minutes later without regaining consciousness.
Charles Alfred Kedge
14th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
16th September 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. D. 13.
Son of Charles Elliott Kedge and Adelaide Catherine Kedge, of "Buire," Canberra St., West Brunswick, Victoria, Australia. Born at Bendigo, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Is Dead Yet He Speaketh Our Lodestar In Life And Death"
A school teacher prior to enlisting, he embarked from Melbourne aboard SS Indarra on 26 November 1917.
Charles Kedge along with two other men, Baxter and King were sleeping in a cellar when an enemy aeroplane dropped a bomb, killing all three. Gunner Kedge was hit in the forehead but died 15 minutes later without regaining consciousness.
13th August 1918; Members of the 3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion on the Somme Canal, repairing a bridge which had been blown up by the Germans in their retreat. The battalion were issued orders to rebuild the steel girder bridge between Cerisy and Chipilly. Seated on the bridge wearing a white shirt, hat and leggings is 2067 Private (Pte) Sidney Frank Flenley. Pte Flenley referred to the photograph in his diary, writing "[w]e started erecting a big iron bridge that was blown up at Cerisey [sic], the Official photographer took our photos on it."
Dead British soldiers near Chipilly, August 1918. © IWM Q 23561
British soldiers searching a dead British soldier for identification. Near Chipilly, 10 August 1918. © IWM (Q 23562)
71A Sergeant
Louis Warnecke McNamara, M. M. & Mentioned in Despatches
1st Division, Signals Company, Australian Engineers
18th September 1918, aged 31.
Plot I. E. 8.
Son of David Joseph and Emma McNamara, of 11, Arthur St., Medindie, South Australia. Born at Nuriootpa, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died As He Had Lived Faithful To Duty And True To His Ideals"
Louis Warnecke McNamara, M. M. & Mentioned in Despatches
1st Division, Signals Company, Australian Engineers
18th September 1918, aged 31.
Plot I. E. 8.
Son of David Joseph and Emma McNamara, of 11, Arthur St., Medindie, South Australia. Born at Nuriootpa, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died As He Had Lived Faithful To Duty And True To His Ideals"
2333 Private
Wilfred Harris Moore
39th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
10th September 1918, aged 25.
Plot I. E. 18.
Son of David and Rose Anna Moore, of "Lyndhurst", Pine Grove McKinnon's, Victoria, Australia. Born at East Brighton, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dearly Loved, Deeply Mourned. Youngest Of Four Soldier Brothers"
Wilfred Harris Moore
39th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
10th September 1918, aged 25.
Plot I. E. 18.
Son of David and Rose Anna Moore, of "Lyndhurst", Pine Grove McKinnon's, Victoria, Australia. Born at East Brighton, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dearly Loved, Deeply Mourned. Youngest Of Four Soldier Brothers"
16614 Lance Corporal
Cecil John Moss
11th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
1st July 1916, aged 22.
Plot II. F. 13.
Son of Mrs. H. Moss, of 12, New Rd., Chippenham, Ely, Cambs.
Cecil John Moss
11th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
1st July 1916, aged 22.
Plot II. F. 13.
Son of Mrs. H. Moss, of 12, New Rd., Chippenham, Ely, Cambs.
3121 Private
William John Nevill
39th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
10th September 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. E. 22.
Studio portrait of 3121 Private (Pte) William John Nevill, 39th Battalion, of St Arnaud, Vic. He worked as a butcher prior to enlisting on 18 January 1917. Pte Nevill embarked from Melbourne with the 7th Reinforcements on board HMAT Ballarat (A70) on 19 February 1917. They arrived in England in April and after training arrived in France in late Decemer 1917. The 39th Battalion served in Belgium during this time and in the spring of 1918 returned to France to participate in the defence of Amiens. Throughout August and September 1918 the 39 Battalion was engaged in countering the enemy push along the Somme Valley. Pte Nevill was killed in action on the Somme, France, on 10 September 1918. He was 19 years of age.
William John Nevill
39th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
10th September 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. E. 22.
Studio portrait of 3121 Private (Pte) William John Nevill, 39th Battalion, of St Arnaud, Vic. He worked as a butcher prior to enlisting on 18 January 1917. Pte Nevill embarked from Melbourne with the 7th Reinforcements on board HMAT Ballarat (A70) on 19 February 1917. They arrived in England in April and after training arrived in France in late Decemer 1917. The 39th Battalion served in Belgium during this time and in the spring of 1918 returned to France to participate in the defence of Amiens. Throughout August and September 1918 the 39 Battalion was engaged in countering the enemy push along the Somme Valley. Pte Nevill was killed in action on the Somme, France, on 10 September 1918. He was 19 years of age.
Lieutenant
Charles Nye
8th Bn. attached to 1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment
16th August 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. G. 17.
Son of Charles Edward and M. E. Nye, of "Cranford," Cranmore Lane, Aldershot.
His headstone bears the inscription "I. H. S. Fiat Voluntas Tua R. I. P".
Charles Nye
8th Bn. attached to 1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment
16th August 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. G. 17.
Son of Charles Edward and M. E. Nye, of "Cranford," Cranmore Lane, Aldershot.
His headstone bears the inscription "I. H. S. Fiat Voluntas Tua R. I. P".
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Images in this gallery © Johan Pauwels
4906 Private
Robert James Pont
5th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
23rd September 1918.
Plot I. D. 5.
Click on image to enlarge
A spinner from Geelong, Vic prior to enlistment, Pte Pont embarked with the 15th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Wiltshire on 7 March 1916. On 23 September 1918 he was killed in action at Roisel.
Robert James Pont
5th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
23rd September 1918.
Plot I. D. 5.
Click on image to enlarge
A spinner from Geelong, Vic prior to enlistment, Pte Pont embarked with the 15th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Wiltshire on 7 March 1916. On 23 September 1918 he was killed in action at Roisel.
3131 Private
James Price
39th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
10th September 1918, aged 25.
Plot I. E. 19.
Son of William and Annie Price. Born at Peechelba, Victoria, Australia.
James Price
39th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
10th September 1918, aged 25.
Plot I. E. 19.
Son of William and Annie Price. Born at Peechelba, Victoria, Australia.
Captain
Arthur Roberts
15th Bn. London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles)
15th September 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. H. 15.
Son of John and Catherine Roberts.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dear Son Of John & Catherine Roberts, Because I Live, Ye Shall Live"
Arthur Roberts
15th Bn. London Regiment (Prince of Wales' Own Civil Service Rifles)
15th September 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. H. 15.
Son of John and Catherine Roberts.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dear Son Of John & Catherine Roberts, Because I Live, Ye Shall Live"
770A Private
Cecil Clow Ross
3rd Bn. Australian Machine Gun Corps
18th September 1918, aged 24.
Plot I. E. 7.
Son of Alexander Malcolm Ross and Elizabeth Jane Ross of Barcoorah, Aramac, Queensland. Born at Dalby, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Dearly Beloved Son Of Mr. & Mrs. A. M. Ross. Sadly Missed"
Cecil Clow Ross
3rd Bn. Australian Machine Gun Corps
18th September 1918, aged 24.
Plot I. E. 7.
Son of Alexander Malcolm Ross and Elizabeth Jane Ross of Barcoorah, Aramac, Queensland. Born at Dalby, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Dearly Beloved Son Of Mr. & Mrs. A. M. Ross. Sadly Missed"
Captain
Herbert Thompson, Mentioned in Despatches
7th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
28th March 1918, aged 27.
Plot II. A. 1.
Husband of Evelyn Jeannie Thompson, of "Ignaucourt", 9, Adolphus Terrace, Whitburn, Sunderland.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Breaks And the Shadows Flee Away"
Picture courtesy of Noel Herbert Thompson (known as Tucker) Grandson of this officer.
Herbert Thompson, Mentioned in Despatches
7th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
28th March 1918, aged 27.
Plot II. A. 1.
Husband of Evelyn Jeannie Thompson, of "Ignaucourt", 9, Adolphus Terrace, Whitburn, Sunderland.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Breaks And the Shadows Flee Away"
Picture courtesy of Noel Herbert Thompson (known as Tucker) Grandson of this officer.
7589 Private
Thomas Reginald Wallace
5th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
23rd September 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. D. 3.
Son of Thomas and Adelaide Wallace, of Kirkma Esplanade, Williamstown, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "One Who Never Turned His Back But Marched Breast Forward. Mother"
Thomas Reginald Wallace
5th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
23rd September 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. D. 3.
Son of Thomas and Adelaide Wallace, of Kirkma Esplanade, Williamstown, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "One Who Never Turned His Back But Marched Breast Forward. Mother"
Images in this gallery © Nicholas Philpot
Ruins of the churchyard and church at Cerisy, which was completely destroyed. Cerisy was the scene of a charge by the Scots Grey and 12th Lancers on 27 August 1914. © IWM Q 69973
Cerisy, Somme, 1920. © IWM Q 37182
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
La Necropole Nationale de Cerisy
Historical Information
The cemetery was created during the Great War on 12th February 1916. Located immediately behind the front, Cerisy, on the Somme Canal, was chosen by the French army for the establishment of a military hospital near the hamlet of Gailly. In 1923, the remains of soldiers from the military square of the communal cemetery of Cerisy were transferred here.
Total Burials: France 990.
