CHAPELLE-D'ARMENTIÈRES OLD MILITARY CEMETERY
Nord
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.67082, Longitude: 2.90214
Location Information
La Chapelle-d'Armentieres is a village 1.5 kilometres to the west of Armentieres, a large town in the north of France.
From the Mairie in La Chapelle-d'Armentieres turn left onto the main road. The Old Military Cemetery will be found 500 metres along on the left.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access with some difficulty.
Historical Information
The village of La Chapelle-d'Armentieres was in the hands of Commonwealth forces from October 1914 until the fall of Armentieres on 10 April 1918. It was retaken in the following October. During the Allied occupation, the village was very close to the front line and its cemeteries were made by fighting units and field ambulances in the earlier days of trench warfare. Chapelle-d'Armentieres Old Military Cemetery was begun in October 1914 by units of the 6th Division and used until October 1915.
The cemetery contains 103 First World War burials three of them unidentified.
Total Burials: 103.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 100.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 3.
The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw
Images in gallery below © Thierry Grier
Shot at Dawn
8014 Lance Corporal Alfred Atkinson, 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), executed for desertion 2nd March 1915, aged 24. Row B. 8. He won a sum of money gambling, & after a drinking-bout deserted from his battalion when it was under orders to proceed to the front. Atkinson was arrested 3 weeks later. At trial, evidence was given that he was a good soldier, hence his sentence had carried a recommendation to mercy (Putkowski, p. 35)
14780 Acting Corporal Alexander Chisholm, Mentioned in Despatches, 20th Army Troop Company, Royal Engineers, executed for murder 17th May 1915, aged 31. Row B. 27. Son of James and Hannah Taylor Chisholm, of Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne; husband of Janet Chisholm, of Moline, Manitoba, Canada. When in charge of a small work-force at an aerodrome, he had a serious falling-out with one of its carpenter members, Lance Corporal Lewis. The quarrel festered, Chisholm being accused of being responsible for the loss of their billet, & of falsifying pay records. Soon after when in Bailleul, Chisholm shot Lewis — who died 24 hours later. The murderer was sentenced to be hanged, but his death certificate indicates that he was shot. (Putkowski, pp. 42-43)
7981 Private Ernest Kirk, 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) executed for desertion 6th March 1915. Row B. 9.
Pictures of S. A. D. © Geerhard Joos
8014 Lance Corporal Alfred Atkinson, 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), executed for desertion 2nd March 1915, aged 24. Row B. 8. He won a sum of money gambling, & after a drinking-bout deserted from his battalion when it was under orders to proceed to the front. Atkinson was arrested 3 weeks later. At trial, evidence was given that he was a good soldier, hence his sentence had carried a recommendation to mercy (Putkowski, p. 35)
14780 Acting Corporal Alexander Chisholm, Mentioned in Despatches, 20th Army Troop Company, Royal Engineers, executed for murder 17th May 1915, aged 31. Row B. 27. Son of James and Hannah Taylor Chisholm, of Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne; husband of Janet Chisholm, of Moline, Manitoba, Canada. When in charge of a small work-force at an aerodrome, he had a serious falling-out with one of its carpenter members, Lance Corporal Lewis. The quarrel festered, Chisholm being accused of being responsible for the loss of their billet, & of falsifying pay records. Soon after when in Bailleul, Chisholm shot Lewis — who died 24 hours later. The murderer was sentenced to be hanged, but his death certificate indicates that he was shot. (Putkowski, pp. 42-43)
7981 Private Ernest Kirk, 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) executed for desertion 6th March 1915. Row B. 9.
Pictures of S. A. D. © Geerhard Joos
492 Private
Thomas Henry Baker
2nd Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
6th July 1915, aged 35.
Row D. 16.
Son of Mrs. E. L. Baker, of 4, Orchard Place, Cheltenham. Served in the South African War.
Thomas Henry Baker
2nd Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
6th July 1915, aged 35.
Row D. 16.
Son of Mrs. E. L. Baker, of 4, Orchard Place, Cheltenham. Served in the South African War.
10462 Private
Frank Burgess
1st Bn. Royal Scots
11th June 1915.
Row B. 15.
Frank Burgess
1st Bn. Royal Scots
11th June 1915.
Row B. 15.
Second Lieutenant
Colin William Burnley-Campbell
1st Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
27th June 1915, aged 27.
Row D. 21.
Son of Lt. Col. Burnley-Campbell and Mrs. Burnley-Campbell, of Ormidale, Glendaruel, Argyll.
His headstone bears the inscription "Pro Patria Semper"
Colin William Burnley-Campbell
1st Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
27th June 1915, aged 27.
Row D. 21.
Son of Lt. Col. Burnley-Campbell and Mrs. Burnley-Campbell, of Ormidale, Glendaruel, Argyll.
His headstone bears the inscription "Pro Patria Semper"
2089 Rifleman
Hubert Pomeroy Cox
16th Bn. London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles)
19th December 1914, aged 23.
Row A. 2.
3rd and youngest son of the late Henry Cox.
Hubert Pomeroy Cox
16th Bn. London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles)
19th December 1914, aged 23.
Row A. 2.
3rd and youngest son of the late Henry Cox.
Image above © Thierry Grier
Lieutenant
Jay Crawford-Kehrmann
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade, attd. 1st Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
24th January 1915, aged 28.
Row A. 19.
Son of Mr and Mrs E. Crawford-Kehrmann, of Bailey's Hotel, London S.W.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory Born Sept. 16th 1886"
Jay Crawford-Kehrmann
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade, attd. 1st Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
24th January 1915, aged 28.
Row A. 19.
Son of Mr and Mrs E. Crawford-Kehrmann, of Bailey's Hotel, London S.W.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory Born Sept. 16th 1886"
Second Lieutenant
Robert Percy Harker
1st Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
20th March 1915, aged 42.
Row B. 15.
Son of William Harker, of Pateley Bridge, Yorks. Enlisted in Hon. Artillery Company Aug., 1914.
His headstone bears the inscription "Tisn't Life That Matters Tis The Courage You Bring To It"
Robert Percy Harker
1st Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
20th March 1915, aged 42.
Row B. 15.
Son of William Harker, of Pateley Bridge, Yorks. Enlisted in Hon. Artillery Company Aug., 1914.
His headstone bears the inscription "Tisn't Life That Matters Tis The Courage You Bring To It"
Second Lieutenant
Vere Herbert Smith
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade
22nd March 1915, aged 22.
Row B. 11.
Son of Norman and Christine L. Herbert Smith, of 107, Ashley Gardens, Westminster, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Life For His Country His Soul To His God"
Vere Herbert Smith
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade
22nd March 1915, aged 22.
Row B. 11.
Son of Norman and Christine L. Herbert Smith, of 107, Ashley Gardens, Westminster, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Life For His Country His Soul To His God"
9918 Lance Corporal
Cecil Scott Hickey
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade
19th October 1914, aged 31.
Row A. 9.
Son of Harry Hickey; husband of Nellie R. Hickey, of "Oakdene," 26, Spring Grove Rd., Lampton, Hounslow, Middx. Born at Southsea, Hants.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Good Life Proudly Given"
Cecil Scott Hickey
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade
19th October 1914, aged 31.
Row A. 9.
Son of Harry Hickey; husband of Nellie R. Hickey, of "Oakdene," 26, Spring Grove Rd., Lampton, Hounslow, Middx. Born at Southsea, Hants.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Good Life Proudly Given"
Captain
George Harvey Hume-Kelly
1st Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
20th October 1914, aged 34.
Row A. 7.
Son of Gertrude Rouse (formerly Hume-Kelly), of Keswick Lodge, East Putney, London, and the late Maj. Hume-Kelly.
George Harvey Hume-Kelly
1st Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
20th October 1914, aged 34.
Row A. 7.
Son of Gertrude Rouse (formerly Hume-Kelly), of Keswick Lodge, East Putney, London, and the late Maj. Hume-Kelly.
Images in gallery below © Werner Van Caneghem
S/16064 Corporal
George Hutchison
2nd Bn. Cameron Highlanders
16th June 1915, aged 22.
Row D. 26.
Son of George and Amelia Hutchison, of Wellpark, Glen Rd., Shotts, Lanarkshire. M.A. Glasgow University, and Assistant Schoolmaster.
His headstone bears the inscription "Son Of George And Amelia Hutchison, Shotts, N.B.He Liveth Still"
George Hutchison
2nd Bn. Cameron Highlanders
16th June 1915, aged 22.
Row D. 26.
Son of George and Amelia Hutchison, of Wellpark, Glen Rd., Shotts, Lanarkshire. M.A. Glasgow University, and Assistant Schoolmaster.
His headstone bears the inscription "Son Of George And Amelia Hutchison, Shotts, N.B.He Liveth Still"
Lieutenant
Douglas Blackwood Landale, Mentioned in Despatches
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade
23rd October 1914, aged 24.
Row A. 5.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died For Freedom And Honour"
Douglas Blackwood Landale, Mentioned in Despatches
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade
23rd October 1914, aged 24.
Row A. 5.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died For Freedom And Honour"
Lieutenant
Averell Lecky
2nd Bn. Leinster Regiment
20th October 1914, aged 29.
Row A. 10.
Son of Lt. Col. J. G. Lecky and Mrs. A. M. Lecky, of 1, Newlands Terrace,Guernsey.
Died having been wounded in action on 18 Oct 1914 in an attack on Premesques.
His headstone bears the inscription "R. I. P. Pray For Me"
Averell Lecky
2nd Bn. Leinster Regiment
20th October 1914, aged 29.
Row A. 10.
Son of Lt. Col. J. G. Lecky and Mrs. A. M. Lecky, of 1, Newlands Terrace,Guernsey.
Died having been wounded in action on 18 Oct 1914 in an attack on Premesques.
His headstone bears the inscription "R. I. P. Pray For Me"
Captain
Norman Jerome Beauchamp Leslie, Mentioned in Despatches
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade
19th October 1914, aged 28.
Row A. 8.
Son of Sir John Leslie, 2nd Bart., and Lady Leslie, of Glaslough, Co. Monaghan.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Beloved Son Of Sir John Leslie Of Glaslough, Ireland"
Leslie was educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commisioned a 2nd Lieutenant in September 1905 and joined the 4th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade on 13 October 1905. He served as ADC to Sir John Maxwell in Egypt from September 1908 to April 1910, and subsequetly ADC to Lord Carmichael in Bengal. In October 1909, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He was a recipient of the Indian Durbar Medal. He was promoted to Captain in 1914 and given command of a company.
He was a highly accomplished fencer and big-game hunter.
At the outbreak of the Great War, he served as a Captain in the 3rd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. On 19 Oct 1914 he was undertaking a reconnaissance for an attack towards Perenchies from Chapelle D'Armentieres when he was killed by a German sniper. He was hastily buried close to the front line. His brother Shane who was also serving in France, later a writer of renown, organised for his body to be recovered and he was reinterred in Chapelle D'Armentieres Old Military Cemetery, La Chapelle-d'Armentieres, Departement du Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.
Norman Jerome Beauchamp Leslie, Mentioned in Despatches
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade
19th October 1914, aged 28.
Row A. 8.
Son of Sir John Leslie, 2nd Bart., and Lady Leslie, of Glaslough, Co. Monaghan.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Beloved Son Of Sir John Leslie Of Glaslough, Ireland"
Leslie was educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commisioned a 2nd Lieutenant in September 1905 and joined the 4th Battalion of the Rifle Brigade on 13 October 1905. He served as ADC to Sir John Maxwell in Egypt from September 1908 to April 1910, and subsequetly ADC to Lord Carmichael in Bengal. In October 1909, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He was a recipient of the Indian Durbar Medal. He was promoted to Captain in 1914 and given command of a company.
He was a highly accomplished fencer and big-game hunter.
At the outbreak of the Great War, he served as a Captain in the 3rd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. On 19 Oct 1914 he was undertaking a reconnaissance for an attack towards Perenchies from Chapelle D'Armentieres when he was killed by a German sniper. He was hastily buried close to the front line. His brother Shane who was also serving in France, later a writer of renown, organised for his body to be recovered and he was reinterred in Chapelle D'Armentieres Old Military Cemetery, La Chapelle-d'Armentieres, Departement du Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.
Second Lieutenant
Frederick Christmas Mann
1st Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
12th March 1915, aged 24.
Row B. 13.
Son of Mrs. Ellen Mann, of "Glaisdale," 47, Woodstock Rd., Golder's Green, London.
Frederick Christmas Mann
1st Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
12th March 1915, aged 24.
Row B. 13.
Son of Mrs. Ellen Mann, of "Glaisdale," 47, Woodstock Rd., Golder's Green, London.
Lieutenant
Sidney Arthur Meakin
4th Bn. attd.1st Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
18th December 1914, aged 20.
Row A. 3.
Sidney Arthur Meakin
4th Bn. attd.1st Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
18th December 1914, aged 20.
Row A. 3.
2282 Private
Cecil Randolph Nicholson
4th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
30th September 191
Row C. 11.
Cecil Randolph Nicholson
4th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
30th September 191
Row C. 11.
Captain
Eric Bruce Reid
1st Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
20th October 1914, aged 34.
Row A. 6.
Third son of Maj. Gen. A. T. Reid (Bombay Staff Corps).
Eric Bruce Reid
1st Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
20th October 1914, aged 34.
Row A. 6.
Third son of Maj. Gen. A. T. Reid (Bombay Staff Corps).
The Crown Prince Chateau, at Chapelle Armentieres, where the headquarters of the 10th Australian Infantry Brigade was located.
