CHOCQUES MILITARY CEMETERY
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.54419, Longitude: 2.57556
Location Information
Chocques is 4 kilometres north-west of Bethune on the road to Lillers. When you reach the traffic lights on this road at Chocques, follow the signs for the centre of town and go through the main street, then turn left towards Gonnheim. Take the next turning on the right and the cemetery lies approximately 400 metres down the road on the left.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to site possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Chocques was occupied by Commonwealth forces from the late autumn of 1914 to the end of the war. The village was at one time the headquarters of I Corps and from January 1915 to April 1918, No.1 Casualty Clearing Station was posted there. Most of the burials from this period are of casualties who died at the clearing station from wounds received at the Bethune front.
From April to September 1918, during the German advance on this front, the burials were carried out by field ambulances, divisions and fighting units. The groups of graves of a single Royal Artillery brigade in Plot II, Row A, and of the 2nd Seaforths in II D, and III A, are significant of the casualties of the 4th Division at that time. The big collective grave in VI A contains the remains of 29 soldiers of the 4th King's Liverpool Regiment killed in a troop train in April 1918. The stone memorial in IA is placed behind the graves of eight men of the 3rd Squadron, RFC, killed in a bomb explosion on the aerodrome at Merville in March 1915.
After the Armistice it was found necessary to concentrate into this Cemetery (Plots II, III, IV and VI) a large number of isolated graves plus some small graveyards from the country between Chocques and Bethune. Among the small cemeteries thus removed were:-
ANNEZIN Communal Cemetery Extension, a short distance West of Bethune, made by the 3rd Division in April, 1918, which contained 38 graves.
LES HARISOIRS British Cemetery, Mont-Bernenchon, 4.8 Kms North East of Chocques, made by the 4th Division in April, 1918, which contained 27 graves.
CANAL Cemetery, Les Harisoirs, made by the 4th Division in April, 1918, which contained 17 graves.
BOIS-DES-MONTAGNES British Cemetery, Vaudricourt, 3.2 Kms South West of Bethune, made by the 46th Field Ambulance in September, 1915, which contained 8 graves.
Chocques Military Cemetery now contains 1,801 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 134 of then unidentified. There are also 82 German war graves, 47 being unidentified.
Total Burials: 1,882.
Commonwealth World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,610, Canada 51, South Africa 4, India 1. Total 1,666.
Commonwealth World War One Unidentified Casualties: 134.
German Casualties: 82 of which 34 are unidentified. Total 82.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Captain Wilfred Clement Von Berg M. C.
Dedications
2345 Private Joseph Cave, 1st/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment, 15th October 1915, aged 29.
Gone but not forgotten by grandchildren Josephine, Gillian and Lynn (nee Richardson)
52505 Gunner Richard Thomas Fewings, "D" Battery, 251st Bde., Royal Field Artillery, 18th April 1918, aged 29.
Remembered by one of your nine grandchildren, Christopher Palmer
16219 Private Henry Joseph Tritschler, 9th Bn. Devonshire Regiment, 27th September 1915, aged 19. Only son of Conrad Tritschler, of 43, Wheathill Rd., Anerley, London. Born at Everett, Mass., U.S.A.
"Remembered with honour" by Mike Hogan
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Second Lieutenant Alexander Buller Turner, V. C.
1st Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
died of wounds 1st October 1915, aged 22.
Plot I. B. 2.
Son of Major and Mrs. Charles Turner, of Thatcham House, Newbury, Berks.
His headstone bears the inscription "Love, Joy, Peace Long Suffering, Gentleness Goodness, Faith"
Citation:
An extract from the Third Supplement to the London Gazette of 16th Nov., 1915, No. 29371, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on 28th Sept., 1915, at "Fosse 8," near Vermelles. When the regimental bombers could make no headway in Slag Alley, Second Lieutenant Turner volunteered to lead a new bombing attack. He pressed down the communication trench practically alone, throwing bombs incessantly with such dash and determination that he drove back the Germans about 150 yards without a check. His action enabled the reserves to advance with very little loss, and subsequently covered the flank of his regiment in its retirement, thus probably averting a loss of some hundreds of men. This most gallant Officer has since died of wounds received in this action."
Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
Lieutenant
Rowland Latimer Almond
Royal Engineers, attached to 21st Coy. Indian Expeditionary Force. 3rd Sappers and Miners
28th October 1914, aged 27.
Plot III. D. 40.
Son of Dr. and Mrs. H. H. Almond, of Loretto, Musselburgh, Edinburgh; husband of Helen Almond, of Watlington, Oxon.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Souls Of The Righteous Are In The Hand Of God"
Rowland Latimer Almond
Royal Engineers, attached to 21st Coy. Indian Expeditionary Force. 3rd Sappers and Miners
28th October 1914, aged 27.
Plot III. D. 40.
Son of Dr. and Mrs. H. H. Almond, of Loretto, Musselburgh, Edinburgh; husband of Helen Almond, of Watlington, Oxon.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Souls Of The Righteous Are In The Hand Of God"
Lieutenant
John Batho, Mentioned in Despatches
54th Field Coy. Royal Engineers
30th September 1915, aged 22.
Plot I. F. 1.
Son of Richard William and Beatrice Batho, of 15, Luxemburg Gardens, Brook Green, London. Educated at St. Paul's School, London; and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "Killed At Loos Aetat 22 St. Pauls School R. M. Academy France 1914 Pro Patria"
John Batho, Mentioned in Despatches
54th Field Coy. Royal Engineers
30th September 1915, aged 22.
Plot I. F. 1.
Son of Richard William and Beatrice Batho, of 15, Luxemburg Gardens, Brook Green, London. Educated at St. Paul's School, London; and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "Killed At Loos Aetat 22 St. Pauls School R. M. Academy France 1914 Pro Patria"
Captain
John Lyon Booth, M. C.
2nd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
18th April 1918, aged 25.
Plot III. A. 2.
Son of Alexander and Jessie Milne Booth, of 174, Mid Stocket Rd., Aberdeen.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away"
John Lyon Booth, M. C.
2nd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
18th April 1918, aged 25.
Plot III. A. 2.
Son of Alexander and Jessie Milne Booth, of 174, Mid Stocket Rd., Aberdeen.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away"
Lieutenant
William Archibald Campbell
10th Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps and 1st/7th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
21st September 1917, aged 20.
Plot V. C. 5.
Son of Mr. D. A. Campbell, of "Grosvenor House," Headingley, Leeds.
William Archibald Campbell
10th Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps and 1st/7th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
21st September 1917, aged 20.
Plot V. C. 5.
Son of Mr. D. A. Campbell, of "Grosvenor House," Headingley, Leeds.
751686 Private
Milton Louis Capling
1st Bn. Canadian Infantry
27th July 1917, aged 23.
Plot I. L. 37.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Capling, of 54, Mill St., Kitchener, Ontario.
Milton Louis Capling
1st Bn. Canadian Infantry
27th July 1917, aged 23.
Plot I. L. 37.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Capling, of 54, Mill St., Kitchener, Ontario.
Lieutenant
Albert William Buchan Carless
1st Bn. Middlesex Regiment
27th September 1915, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 30.
Son of Albert Carless, C.B.E., M.S., R.C.S., of 38, Enys Rd., Eastbourne.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Thy Presence Is Fulness Of Joy"
Albert William Buchan Carless
1st Bn. Middlesex Regiment
27th September 1915, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 30.
Son of Albert Carless, C.B.E., M.S., R.C.S., of 38, Enys Rd., Eastbourne.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Thy Presence Is Fulness Of Joy"
Second Lieutenant
Algernon Percy Clarke
23rd Bn. London Regiment
24th July 1915, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 21.
Son of Joseph Percy Clarke, C.B.E., and Elizabeth Clarke, of Rosary Gardens, South Kensington, London. Undergraduate Pembroke College, Cambridge. Born at Buenos Aires.
His headstone bears the inscription "E'en As He Trod That Day To God So Walked He From His Birth In Gentleness And Simpleness And Honour And Clean Mirth"
Algernon Percy Clarke
23rd Bn. London Regiment
24th July 1915, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 21.
Son of Joseph Percy Clarke, C.B.E., and Elizabeth Clarke, of Rosary Gardens, South Kensington, London. Undergraduate Pembroke College, Cambridge. Born at Buenos Aires.
His headstone bears the inscription "E'en As He Trod That Day To God So Walked He From His Birth In Gentleness And Simpleness And Honour And Clean Mirth"
2054 Corporal
Richard Henry Coad
2nd Lines of Communication Sect., Royal Army Medical Corps
22nd May 1915, aged 23.
Plot I. C. 48.
Son of Richard Henry and Ellen Jane Coad. Born at Redruth, Cornwall.
Dick lived at 47 March Street, Burnley. He was wounded on May 20th 1915 and handed over to the 4th (London) Field Ambulance for treatment.
His friend, Harry Greenhalgh, wrote to Dick's parents:
"Last Thursday evening the Germans started shelling this place, and a group of us were standing not far from our billet when a shell burst about ten yards away. Dick, Will and another of our chaps were hit, but we soon had them inside, and our officer, who is a doctor and was in the billet at the time, attended to them, and it was not long before they were taken into hospital. I went to see them the following day and found them all right. As I expect Dick will be all right in a few weeks. They have taken him away from this place, I don't know where he has been removed, but I am expecting a letter from him any time now. I received the parcel you sent to him yesterday, and Dick told me to divide it among the section. I am looking after his kit for him and will let you know if I hear something."
Sadly, Dick succumbed to his wounds and was buried at Chocques Military Cemetery. Harry Greenhalgh, also from Burnley, survived the war and ended up as a Serjeant in the R.A.M.C.
Richard Henry Coad
2nd Lines of Communication Sect., Royal Army Medical Corps
22nd May 1915, aged 23.
Plot I. C. 48.
Son of Richard Henry and Ellen Jane Coad. Born at Redruth, Cornwall.
Dick lived at 47 March Street, Burnley. He was wounded on May 20th 1915 and handed over to the 4th (London) Field Ambulance for treatment.
His friend, Harry Greenhalgh, wrote to Dick's parents:
"Last Thursday evening the Germans started shelling this place, and a group of us were standing not far from our billet when a shell burst about ten yards away. Dick, Will and another of our chaps were hit, but we soon had them inside, and our officer, who is a doctor and was in the billet at the time, attended to them, and it was not long before they were taken into hospital. I went to see them the following day and found them all right. As I expect Dick will be all right in a few weeks. They have taken him away from this place, I don't know where he has been removed, but I am expecting a letter from him any time now. I received the parcel you sent to him yesterday, and Dick told me to divide it among the section. I am looking after his kit for him and will let you know if I hear something."
Sadly, Dick succumbed to his wounds and was buried at Chocques Military Cemetery. Harry Greenhalgh, also from Burnley, survived the war and ended up as a Serjeant in the R.A.M.C.
Major
Archibald Thomas Wynne Constable
9th Bn. Essex Regiment
16th October 1915, aged 32.
Plot I. F. 12.
Son of the Rev. Thomas and Amy Constable, of "Inglenook," Churt, Farnham, Surrey.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Amorem Sempiternum"
Archibald Thomas Wynne Constable
9th Bn. Essex Regiment
16th October 1915, aged 32.
Plot I. F. 12.
Son of the Rev. Thomas and Amy Constable, of "Inglenook," Churt, Farnham, Surrey.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Amorem Sempiternum"
Lieutenant
Cyril Edward Cook
2nd Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
8th July 1916
Plot I. F. 16.
Cyril Edward Cook
2nd Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
8th July 1916
Plot I. F. 16.
Chaplain 4th Class
The Rev. Oswin Creighton
Army Chaplains' Department
15th April 1918, aged 34.
Plot I. P. 34.
Son of Mandell Creighton (Bishop of London), and Louise Creighton.
His headstone bears the inscription "Son Of Mandell Bishop Of London Whosoever Will Lose His Life For My Sake, Shall Find It"
The Rev. Oswin Creighton
Army Chaplains' Department
15th April 1918, aged 34.
Plot I. P. 34.
Son of Mandell Creighton (Bishop of London), and Louise Creighton.
His headstone bears the inscription "Son Of Mandell Bishop Of London Whosoever Will Lose His Life For My Sake, Shall Find It"
6165 Serjeant
Arthur Davies
1st/4th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
11th May 1915, aged 24.
Plot I. A. 110.
Son of Mr. W. Davies, of II, Lodge Lane, Liverpool; husband of E. Conde (formerly Davies), of 2, Chirk Green, Chirk, Denbighshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
Wounded at the Battle of Aubers Ridge 9th May 1915 and died of wounds two days later 11th May 1915, his death is mentioned in All that we had we gave, by Peter Glynn
Arthur Davies
1st/4th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
11th May 1915, aged 24.
Plot I. A. 110.
Son of Mr. W. Davies, of II, Lodge Lane, Liverpool; husband of E. Conde (formerly Davies), of 2, Chirk Green, Chirk, Denbighshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
Wounded at the Battle of Aubers Ridge 9th May 1915 and died of wounds two days later 11th May 1915, his death is mentioned in All that we had we gave, by Peter Glynn
80314 Gunner
Charles Thomas Edgington
"A" Bty. 47th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
6th May 1918, aged 21.
Plot IV. A. 8.
Only son of Charles and Florence Edgington, of 245, Queen's Rd., Dalston, London. Enlisted 11th Aug., 1914. Served in France from the 15th March, 1915.
His headstone bears the inscription "Jesus Lover Of My Soul"
Charles Thomas Edgington
"A" Bty. 47th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
6th May 1918, aged 21.
Plot IV. A. 8.
Only son of Charles and Florence Edgington, of 245, Queen's Rd., Dalston, London. Enlisted 11th Aug., 1914. Served in France from the 15th March, 1915.
His headstone bears the inscription "Jesus Lover Of My Soul"
2531 Private
Joseph Gallagher
1st Bn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
1st July 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. J. 15.
Son of Ellen Gallagher, of 35, Higginson St., Preston.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori"
Joseph Gallagher
1st Bn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
1st July 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. J. 15.
Son of Ellen Gallagher, of 35, Higginson St., Preston.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori"
Lieutenant
Charles Gillespie
4th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
22nd September 1915, aged 22.
Plot I. B. 27.
Son of Mrs. Christina Wallace Hird Gillespie, and the late James Ross Gillespie, of St. Andrews. His brother, Capt. James Gillespie, also died on service and is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 2.
Charles Gillespie
4th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
22nd September 1915, aged 22.
Plot I. B. 27.
Son of Mrs. Christina Wallace Hird Gillespie, and the late James Ross Gillespie, of St. Andrews. His brother, Capt. James Gillespie, also died on service and is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 2.
8 Private
Percy Groves
I Corps, Army Cyclist Corps.
13th August 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. J. 45.
Son of John Humphrey Groves and Charlotte Groves, of Tonbridge, Kent.
His headstone bears the inscription "Not Gone From Love Only To Be With Jesus From Mum & Dad"
Percy Groves
I Corps, Army Cyclist Corps.
13th August 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. J. 45.
Son of John Humphrey Groves and Charlotte Groves, of Tonbridge, Kent.
His headstone bears the inscription "Not Gone From Love Only To Be With Jesus From Mum & Dad"
S/2177 Piper
R. McNab Halliday
7th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
2nd October 1915
Plot I. E. 114.
R. McNab Halliday
7th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
2nd October 1915
Plot I. E. 114.
Lieutenant
James Cuthbert Hartney
11th (Reserve) Bn. Canadian Infantry, attd. Royal Flying Corps
1st May 1917.
Plot I. F. 26.
James Cuthbert Hartney
11th (Reserve) Bn. Canadian Infantry, attd. Royal Flying Corps
1st May 1917.
Plot I. F. 26.
Images in gallery below © Werner Van Caneghem
2603 Private
Alfred Herbert Jardine
9th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
27th August 1915, aged 17.
Plot I. D. 79.
Son of Alfred Jardine & Lucy Emily Jardine nee Herbert.
Alfred Herbert Jardine
9th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
27th August 1915, aged 17.
Plot I. D. 79.
Son of Alfred Jardine & Lucy Emily Jardine nee Herbert.
WW1 Service (A Liverpool Boy soldier)
The sad loss of my Grandfather’s only son. Like many of his friends and other Liverpool youngsters at that time; they enlisted enthusiastically and like Alfred, many were under age.
For Alfred it would result in a life cut so tragically short when he was killed in Action at just 17 years of age.
Alfred Herbert Jardine was born in Wavertree, Liverpool on the 5th July 1898, the only son of Alfred Jardine & Lucy Emily Jardine nee Herbert. He lived with his parents & three sisters Dorothy, Winifred & Elsie (the second eldest sister being my mother Winifred Lucy Bancroft nee Jardine,) at 77 Alderson Road, Wavertree, Liverpool.
I have always had an interest in Family History and I have a number of Memorabilia items for my uncle Alfred that relate to his short life. One of these being a copy of an essay written by Alfred at his school- Lawrence Road, Wavertree in 1912 entitled ‘My Life’. A fascinating innocent window of his life, his hobbies and pleasures. I also have several sketches he did, one of these being a picture dated June 1914 of the liner ‘Empress Of Ireland’ that sank in the Saint Lawrence River following a collision with the Norwegian collier SS Storstad in the early hours of 29 May 1914. By a strange coincidence my Wife’s Great Uncle George Oswald Willis was a Smoke Room Steward and one of the fatalities of the accident which claimed the lives of 1,012 (840 passengers, 172 crew)
It is hard to believe that such a happy childhood would be brutally interrupted in 1914 and have a devastating impact for him and his family the following year in 1915 when he was killed in action.
He enlisted in Liverpool with the 9th Battalion, The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) Private 2603 on the 29th September 1914 giving his age as 18 years 2 months.
My Mother told me that on hearing from Alfred that he had enlisted, her Father went to the recruiting office to try and get the papers cancelled because his son was under age. This was refused as the official papers had been signed.
So began Alfred’s short but brave military career.
He was stationed at home in the UK 29th September 1914 to 11th March 1915.
Embarked at Southampton for France 12th March 1915
From his arrival in France till his death he would be engaged in a number of actions with his battalion.
Family story has been passed to the present generation that Alfred was shot by an enemy sniper after leaving his trench to collect firewood.
To date I have not found any evidence for this or what action he might have taken part in.
From his British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920 I do know, that he died on the 27th August 1915 of wounds received in action on 26th August 1915 in Vermelles situated 6 miles south east of Béthune, Pas de Calais, France and he is buried at Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
I still have the dreadful telegram dated 7th September 1915 ..”It is my painful duty to inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of…………..” that my Dear Grandfather had to open on that tragic day, like so many other families would have to endure.
In fact, two years later in 1917, my paternal Grandfather would receive the same painful telegram to report the death of my second uncle to die in the Great War - Thomas Wright Bancroft (See his story on the Arras Memorial Roll of Honour page)
They are truly 'not forgotten' and I have had the honour to visit their War Graves on two occasions and pay our family respects for their sacrifice.
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Alfred's parents visit his grave in Chocques Military Cemetery after the war (left)
Alfred's nephew, George Bancroft and his son visit his grave many years later (centre)
A portrait of Alfred Herbert Jardine (right)
Alfred's nephew, George Bancroft and his son visit his grave many years later (centre)
A portrait of Alfred Herbert Jardine (right)
Above the casualty sheet from Alfred's service record
Pictures and text courtesy of George Bancroft, nephew of Alfred Jardine
Pictures and text courtesy of George Bancroft, nephew of Alfred Jardine
German Offensive in Flanders. Prisoners captured near La Bassee at Chocques, 10 April 1918, outside a medical inspection hut.
© IWM (Q 8687)
12111 Private
Richard Jarvis
12th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
17th August 1916, aged 36.
Plot I. A. 67.
Son of Benjamin and Eliza Jarvis, husband of Ada of 2 Selkirk Street, Hull, father to Richard, Harold and Ada Alkimia. Brother to my grandmother Matilda Ward (nee Jarvis). Also brother to 10657 Private Arthur Harold Jarvis, 6th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment killed Monday 9th August 1915 at the Dardnelles in the Gallipoli campaign. Commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.
His headstone bears the inscription "Safe In God's Keeping"
Remembered with honour and pride by great niece Liz Cook and all his descendants
Richard Jarvis
12th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
17th August 1916, aged 36.
Plot I. A. 67.
Son of Benjamin and Eliza Jarvis, husband of Ada of 2 Selkirk Street, Hull, father to Richard, Harold and Ada Alkimia. Brother to my grandmother Matilda Ward (nee Jarvis). Also brother to 10657 Private Arthur Harold Jarvis, 6th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment killed Monday 9th August 1915 at the Dardnelles in the Gallipoli campaign. Commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.
His headstone bears the inscription "Safe In God's Keeping"
Remembered with honour and pride by great niece Liz Cook and all his descendants
13523 Lance Corporal
George Daniel King
9th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
27th September 1915, aged 27.
Plot I. E. 23.
Son of Charles and Eleanor King, of 123, Botley Rd., New Botley, Oxford.
His headstone bears the inscription "Lord Be With Us Till We Meet Again"
George Daniel King
9th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
27th September 1915, aged 27.
Plot I. E. 23.
Son of Charles and Eleanor King, of 123, Botley Rd., New Botley, Oxford.
His headstone bears the inscription "Lord Be With Us Till We Meet Again"
41438 Gunner
William MacAllister
"C" Bty. 96th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
3rd October 1915.
Plot I. E. 125.
The last picture shows the reverse side of a picture postcard (Note that the CWGC show him as McAllister but he writes his name as MacAllister)
Pictures courtesy of Michel Leclercq
William MacAllister
"C" Bty. 96th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
3rd October 1915.
Plot I. E. 125.
The last picture shows the reverse side of a picture postcard (Note that the CWGC show him as McAllister but he writes his name as MacAllister)
Pictures courtesy of Michel Leclercq
Captain
Charles Meyrick Pritchard, Mentioned in Despatches
12th Bn. South Wales Borderers
14th August 1916
Plot I. F. 17.
Former Welsh Rugby Football International.
Charles Meyrick Pritchard, Mentioned in Despatches
12th Bn. South Wales Borderers
14th August 1916
Plot I. F. 17.
Former Welsh Rugby Football International.
Charles Meyrick Pritchard (30 September 1882 – 14 August 1916) was a Welsh international rugby union player. He was a member of the winning Welsh team who beat the 1905 touring All Blacks. He played club rugby for Newport RFC and county rugby for Monmouthshire. Pritchard was one of 13 Wales international players to be killed serving in the First World War.
Pritchard joined Newport in 1901, and on 25 January played his first senior game, facing Swansea. He spent his entire rugby career with Newport and during the 1905/06 season was made vice-captain; but after the captain Wyatt Gould was unable to fulfil his duties, Pritchard acted as stand-in captain. The next season, he was given the captaincy, a role he held for three consecutive seasons.
Pritchard made his debut for Wales against Ireland in 1904, while playing club rugby for Newport. Pritchard would play in a further 13 internationals including the game against the famous 1905 All Black touring team. Although all the Welsh players on the day played their part in the victory over the New Zealanders, Pritchard was commended for his all out defensive play and continual heavy tackling against the All Blacks. He was seen as the star of the Welsh pack and was 'always in the thick of the fight'; fellow Welsh international George Travers would sum up Pritchard's aggressive play against the All Blacks as 'He knocked 'em down like nine pins.'
Pritchard would score his only international try in a 16-3 win against England in a home nations match on 13 January 1906. After a serious injury in 1908 he returned to the Welsh side in the 1909/10 season and played his final game against England in 1910.
In May 1915 Pritchard was commissioned second lieutenant to the 12th Battalion South Wales Borderers. In November 1915 he was promoted to captain, and in June 1916 he went out to the Western Front with his battalion. On the night of 12 August 1916 he led a trench raid near Loos to capture a German prisoner. Although the raid was successful in its objective, Pritchard was seriously wounded and was carried to No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station a few miles behind the front at Chocques. His last reported words were to ask if they had got the "Hun", and when told they had, he replied 'Well, I have done my bit.' Pritchard died of his wounds at the clearing station on 14 August 1916.
Pritchard joined Newport in 1901, and on 25 January played his first senior game, facing Swansea. He spent his entire rugby career with Newport and during the 1905/06 season was made vice-captain; but after the captain Wyatt Gould was unable to fulfil his duties, Pritchard acted as stand-in captain. The next season, he was given the captaincy, a role he held for three consecutive seasons.
Pritchard made his debut for Wales against Ireland in 1904, while playing club rugby for Newport. Pritchard would play in a further 13 internationals including the game against the famous 1905 All Black touring team. Although all the Welsh players on the day played their part in the victory over the New Zealanders, Pritchard was commended for his all out defensive play and continual heavy tackling against the All Blacks. He was seen as the star of the Welsh pack and was 'always in the thick of the fight'; fellow Welsh international George Travers would sum up Pritchard's aggressive play against the All Blacks as 'He knocked 'em down like nine pins.'
Pritchard would score his only international try in a 16-3 win against England in a home nations match on 13 January 1906. After a serious injury in 1908 he returned to the Welsh side in the 1909/10 season and played his final game against England in 1910.
In May 1915 Pritchard was commissioned second lieutenant to the 12th Battalion South Wales Borderers. In November 1915 he was promoted to captain, and in June 1916 he went out to the Western Front with his battalion. On the night of 12 August 1916 he led a trench raid near Loos to capture a German prisoner. Although the raid was successful in its objective, Pritchard was seriously wounded and was carried to No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station a few miles behind the front at Chocques. His last reported words were to ask if they had got the "Hun", and when told they had, he replied 'Well, I have done my bit.' Pritchard died of his wounds at the clearing station on 14 August 1916.
13970 Private
James Miller Taylor
10th Bn. Cameronians, (Scottish Rifles)
26th September 1915, aged 21.
Plot II. C. 3.
Husband of Mrs. M. G. Cartwright (formerly Taylor), of 41, May St., Burnley Wood, Burnley.
Picture courtesy of Grandson, Gareth Davies
James Miller Taylor
10th Bn. Cameronians, (Scottish Rifles)
26th September 1915, aged 21.
Plot II. C. 3.
Husband of Mrs. M. G. Cartwright (formerly Taylor), of 41, May St., Burnley Wood, Burnley.
Picture courtesy of Grandson, Gareth Davies
700121 Driver
Edward Waddington
"C" Battery, 210th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
10th March 1918, aged 26.
Plot I. O. 33.
Son of John and Sarah Waddington, of 116, Cleaver St., Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription "Man's Humanity To Man"
Edward died of bronchial pneumonia at No.1 Casualty Clearing Station, France. The chaplain, Rev. R. G. Gamble wrote the following words to his parents:
"Your son has given his life for his country and for love of you and yours. He did not suffer much, but passed away quietly in his sleep. We laid him to rest in a little cemetery near here this afternoon, and his officer and many of his fellow-men attended to do him last honour."
Edward Waddington
"C" Battery, 210th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
10th March 1918, aged 26.
Plot I. O. 33.
Son of John and Sarah Waddington, of 116, Cleaver St., Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription "Man's Humanity To Man"
Edward died of bronchial pneumonia at No.1 Casualty Clearing Station, France. The chaplain, Rev. R. G. Gamble wrote the following words to his parents:
"Your son has given his life for his country and for love of you and yours. He did not suffer much, but passed away quietly in his sleep. We laid him to rest in a little cemetery near here this afternoon, and his officer and many of his fellow-men attended to do him last honour."
Shot at Dawn
18143 Private Albert Holmes, 8th Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), executed for desertion 22nd April 1918, aged 22. Plot III. C. 10. Husband of Bessie Holmes, of 51, Croydon St., Easton Road, Bristol. A volunteer who may have lied about his age in order to enlist in 1914, he had seen considerable service & had been wounded. But Holmes was under a suspended sentence of death for 2 offences of desertion when he again repeated the offence. (Putkowski, pp 241-242)
20808 Private Robert W. Simmes, 2nd Bn. Royal Scots, executed for desertion 19th May 1918, aged 25. Plot III. A. 19.
He was the 23rd member of his Division to be executed. (Putkowski, p. 243).
N. B. The CWGC have the above listed as Simmes including his headstone below. His surname was Simmers.
18143 Private Albert Holmes, 8th Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), executed for desertion 22nd April 1918, aged 22. Plot III. C. 10. Husband of Bessie Holmes, of 51, Croydon St., Easton Road, Bristol. A volunteer who may have lied about his age in order to enlist in 1914, he had seen considerable service & had been wounded. But Holmes was under a suspended sentence of death for 2 offences of desertion when he again repeated the offence. (Putkowski, pp 241-242)
20808 Private Robert W. Simmes, 2nd Bn. Royal Scots, executed for desertion 19th May 1918, aged 25. Plot III. A. 19.
He was the 23rd member of his Division to be executed. (Putkowski, p. 243).
N. B. The CWGC have the above listed as Simmes including his headstone below. His surname was Simmers.
Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
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Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
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