CHARMES MILITARY CEMETERY
Essegney
Vosges
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 48.38272, Longitude: 6.32385
Image above © Johan Pauwels
Location Information
Charmes is a small town 25 kilometres north-west of Epinal and 44 kilometres south of Nancy. It is best reached from the junction off the motorway N.57 - E.23. The CWGC cemetery is located on the east side of the town of Charmes, on road D9 going to Damas-aux-Bois.
Historical Information
Charmes Military Cemetery was used by the 8th Canadian and 42nd Stationary Hospitals and enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from BAZOILLES-SUR-MEUSE French Military Cemetery, BOSSERVILLE and CHARMES Communal Cemetery Extensions, GERARDMER Communal and French Military Cemeteries, ROUCEUX French Military Cemetery, SAVIGNY Churchyard and TOUL American Cemetery.
The cemetery now contains 202 burials and commemorations of the First World War. Three of the burials are unidentified and there is a special memorial to one casualty buried in NEUFCHATEAU Communal Cemetery whose grave could not be found. The cemetery also contains 13 Second World War burials and three war graves of other nationalities.
Total Burials: 218.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 147, India 41, Canada 11, Germany 2, Russia 1. Total 202.
World War One Unidentified Casualties: India 3.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 11, Canada 1, India 1. Total 13.
The cemetery was designed by William Harrison Cowlishaw
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
Cemetery images © Conrad Freeling
World War One Roll of Honour
Lieutenant
Wilfrid Bissell Andrew
Regimental Depot, Canadian Infantry, (Central Ontario). seconded to Royal Flying Corps
12th February 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. G. 12.
Son of Harry A. and Alice A. Andrew, of 26, Murray St., Chatham, Ontario.
Wilfrid Bissell Andrew
Regimental Depot, Canadian Infantry, (Central Ontario). seconded to Royal Flying Corps
12th February 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. G. 12.
Son of Harry A. and Alice A. Andrew, of 26, Murray St., Chatham, Ontario.
Captain
Geoffrey Sebastian Buck, M. C., D. F. C.
215th Sqdn. Royal Air Force
3rd September 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 13.
Son of Percy Carter Buck and Lucy Elizabeth Buck, of "Steep Hill," Waldron Rd., Harrow-on-the-Hill. Gazetted, 2nd Lt. 1st Bn. London Regt. (R. Fus.), Nov., 1914; Capt., July,1917.
His headstone bears the inscription "And All The Trumpets Sounded For Him On The Other Side"
Geoffrey Sebastian Buck, M. C., D. F. C.
215th Sqdn. Royal Air Force
3rd September 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 13.
Son of Percy Carter Buck and Lucy Elizabeth Buck, of "Steep Hill," Waldron Rd., Harrow-on-the-Hill. Gazetted, 2nd Lt. 1st Bn. London Regt. (R. Fus.), Nov., 1914; Capt., July,1917.
His headstone bears the inscription "And All The Trumpets Sounded For Him On The Other Side"
790822 Private
Cecil Redverse Cameron
51st Coy. Canadian Forestry Corps
14th January 1919.
Plot I. F. 2.
Cecil Redverse Cameron
51st Coy. Canadian Forestry Corps
14th January 1919.
Plot I. F. 2.
2163 Chief Mechanic
George Alan Park
99th Squadron, Royal Air Force
19th October 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. C. 17.
Son of the Rev. G. E. Park, of Burton Fleming Vicarage, Yorks; husband of Kate Park, of West Heslerton Wold, Yorks.
The information below supplied by 'The Ellesmerian Club', the alumni organisation for Ellesmere College where George was a pupil.
George Alan Park
99th Squadron, Royal Air Force
19th October 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. C. 17.
Son of the Rev. G. E. Park, of Burton Fleming Vicarage, Yorks; husband of Kate Park, of West Heslerton Wold, Yorks.
The information below supplied by 'The Ellesmerian Club', the alumni organisation for Ellesmere College where George was a pupil.
George Alan Park enjoyed a lengthy stay at Ellesmere College. He arrived on 7th May 1902 and left in April 1908. He played a part in all aspects of college life, being in his early years a member of ‘Alfred’ dormitory cricket, football, hockey and rugby teams. In the latter sport he was a forward at the age of thirteen. In 1906, he won his second consecutive Steeplechase Open Handicap and the Three Mile Flat Race. Unfortunately, he was down the field in 1907.
He spoke frequently in Debating Society meetings and had a small part as ‘a sailor’ in the Shakespearian Society production of “Twelfth Night” (1906). The following year he was ‘Snug the Joiner’ in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. As his roles in drama grew so did his participation in the senior games’ teams. In July 1907, he won his 2nd XI cricket Colours. The following year he won his full football and hockey Colours. The Ellesmerian, in its end of season critique, described his football playing: “A difficult person to pass but lacks speed. Should learn to keep cool and not kick too far out of reach of his own forwards. Sticks well to his man. Keen.”
George also took an active part in the Officer Training Corps where, in 1907, he was promoted to Lance-Corporal from Drummer. He was, in fact, a solid all-rounder and he took these qualities with him into adult life.
His father was the Reverend George Edward and his mother, Amy (née Baynes) Park. He had three siblings and, at the time of George’s birth on 5th October 1890, his father was a Curate in Bolton.
After leaving Ellesmere, he became a motor engineer, and lived in Bridlington, Yorkshire. His father did not share the same enthusiasm for the motor car and is on record as referring to them as a ton of scrap metal and a stench. He enlisted on 12th November 1914 and his mechanical interests saw him join the Royal Flying Corps as 2nd Class Air Mechanic – he would remain with this organisation until his death, at which time he was Chief Mechanic for No. 99 Squadron. In the summer of 1915 his mother died and two days before Christmas he married Kate Hall at Malton in the Yorkshire North Riding, albeit without the official approval of his Commanding Officer. His father officiated.
On 23rd June 1916, as Corporal Park, he obtained his Aviators’ Certificate on a Maurice Farman Biplane at Brooklands. In 1917, he was a member of No. 99 Squadron, which was flying de Havilland DH. 9 bombers in large-scale, daylight bombing raids against targets in Germany.
George was now a Flight Sergeant but it was not the dangerous flights over Germany that directly caused his death, although they did weaken his constitution, for he fell ill with pneumonia and died on 19th October 1918 whilst a patient in the 8th Canadian Stationary Hospital.
Chief Mechanic George Alan Park was buried at Charmes Military Cemetery, Essegney. On that same day, seven members of the Royal Air Force were killed whilst flying and another twelve died from pneumonia and influenza.
Kate Park, his widow, received his medals, the 1914-1915 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. She had to wait until 1929 to receive probate of his will! To honour George’s memory, she donated a hymn board to All Saints Church, West Heslerton, Yorkshire. George’s life in commemorated on memorials at Burton Fleming and Ellesmere College.
He spoke frequently in Debating Society meetings and had a small part as ‘a sailor’ in the Shakespearian Society production of “Twelfth Night” (1906). The following year he was ‘Snug the Joiner’ in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. As his roles in drama grew so did his participation in the senior games’ teams. In July 1907, he won his 2nd XI cricket Colours. The following year he won his full football and hockey Colours. The Ellesmerian, in its end of season critique, described his football playing: “A difficult person to pass but lacks speed. Should learn to keep cool and not kick too far out of reach of his own forwards. Sticks well to his man. Keen.”
George also took an active part in the Officer Training Corps where, in 1907, he was promoted to Lance-Corporal from Drummer. He was, in fact, a solid all-rounder and he took these qualities with him into adult life.
His father was the Reverend George Edward and his mother, Amy (née Baynes) Park. He had three siblings and, at the time of George’s birth on 5th October 1890, his father was a Curate in Bolton.
After leaving Ellesmere, he became a motor engineer, and lived in Bridlington, Yorkshire. His father did not share the same enthusiasm for the motor car and is on record as referring to them as a ton of scrap metal and a stench. He enlisted on 12th November 1914 and his mechanical interests saw him join the Royal Flying Corps as 2nd Class Air Mechanic – he would remain with this organisation until his death, at which time he was Chief Mechanic for No. 99 Squadron. In the summer of 1915 his mother died and two days before Christmas he married Kate Hall at Malton in the Yorkshire North Riding, albeit without the official approval of his Commanding Officer. His father officiated.
On 23rd June 1916, as Corporal Park, he obtained his Aviators’ Certificate on a Maurice Farman Biplane at Brooklands. In 1917, he was a member of No. 99 Squadron, which was flying de Havilland DH. 9 bombers in large-scale, daylight bombing raids against targets in Germany.
George was now a Flight Sergeant but it was not the dangerous flights over Germany that directly caused his death, although they did weaken his constitution, for he fell ill with pneumonia and died on 19th October 1918 whilst a patient in the 8th Canadian Stationary Hospital.
Chief Mechanic George Alan Park was buried at Charmes Military Cemetery, Essegney. On that same day, seven members of the Royal Air Force were killed whilst flying and another twelve died from pneumonia and influenza.
Kate Park, his widow, received his medals, the 1914-1915 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. She had to wait until 1929 to receive probate of his will! To honour George’s memory, she donated a hymn board to All Saints Church, West Heslerton, Yorkshire. George’s life in commemorated on memorials at Burton Fleming and Ellesmere College.
Second Lieutenant
James George Quinton
55th Squadron, Royal Air Force
30th August 1918, aged 18.
Plot I. B. 8.
Son of Mr. J. A. R. and Mrs. E. A. Quinton, of 30, Anderson's Rd., Southampton.
His headstone bears the inscription "Because I Live Ye Shall Live Also"
James George Quinton
55th Squadron, Royal Air Force
30th August 1918, aged 18.
Plot I. B. 8.
Son of Mr. J. A. R. and Mrs. E. A. Quinton, of 30, Anderson's Rd., Southampton.
His headstone bears the inscription "Because I Live Ye Shall Live Also"
Lieutenant
Charles Railton Whitelock
55th Squadron, Royal Air Force
16th July 1918, aged 20.
Plot I. A. 9.
Son of Thomas Railton Whitelock and Mary Whitelock, of 43, Mount Vernon Rd., Barnsley.
His headstone bears the inscription "Yea, He Did Fly Upon The Wings Of The Wind"
Charles Railton Whitelock
55th Squadron, Royal Air Force
16th July 1918, aged 20.
Plot I. A. 9.
Son of Thomas Railton Whitelock and Mary Whitelock, of 43, Mount Vernon Rd., Barnsley.
His headstone bears the inscription "Yea, He Did Fly Upon The Wings Of The Wind"
A German heavy artillery gun on wheeled carriage on railway platform at Epinal. © IWM (Q 56539)
The 13 World War Two Graves
Images © Johan Pauwels
Click on individual headstone for more details if applicable
World War Two Roll of Honour
1319886 Flight Sergeant
Stanley James Honour
103 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
29th July 1944, aged 23.
Plot 2. Row A. Collective Grave 18-19.
Son of Percy Eli and Amy Elizabeth Honour, of Corfe Castle, Dorsetshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Lord Is My Shepherd: Therefore Can I Lack Nothing"
Photograph supplied by Aircrew Remembered"
Stanley James Honour
103 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
29th July 1944, aged 23.
Plot 2. Row A. Collective Grave 18-19.
Son of Percy Eli and Amy Elizabeth Honour, of Corfe Castle, Dorsetshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Lord Is My Shepherd: Therefore Can I Lack Nothing"
Photograph supplied by Aircrew Remembered"
159579 Flying Officer (Pilot)
Joseph Barker Moss
103 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
29th July 1944, aged 32.
Plot 2. Row A. Collective Grave 18-19.
Son of Ernest and Annie Moss, of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester.
His headstone bears the inscription "Deep In Our Hearts Your Memory We Keep"
Joseph Barker Moss
103 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
29th July 1944, aged 32.
Plot 2. Row A. Collective Grave 18-19.
Son of Ernest and Annie Moss, of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester.
His headstone bears the inscription "Deep In Our Hearts Your Memory We Keep"
J/28500 Flying Officer
Michael Richard Frewin Oliver
103 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
29th July 1944, aged 25.
Plot 2. Row A. Collective Grave 18-19.
Son of Sydney Milton Oliver and Edith Marion Oliver, of Langford, British Columbia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Eternal God Is Thy Refuge, And Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms"
"THE ETERNAL GOD IS THY REFUGE, AND UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS"
Michael Richard Frewin Oliver
103 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
29th July 1944, aged 25.
Plot 2. Row A. Collective Grave 18-19.
Son of Sydney Milton Oliver and Edith Marion Oliver, of Langford, British Columbia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Eternal God Is Thy Refuge, And Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms"
"THE ETERNAL GOD IS THY REFUGE, AND UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS"
