CITADEL NEW MILITARY CEMETERY
Fricourt
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 49.97623, Longitude: 2.71819
Location Information
Fricourt is a village about 5 kilometres east of Albert and Citadel New Military Cemetery is approximately 2.5 kilometres south of Fricourt on the east side of the road to Bray-sur-Somme.
Access to the cemetery is off a roundabout created as a result of the new airport nearby and is signposted from the roundabout.
Historical Information
Fricourt was captured by the 17th Division on 2 July 1916 but the southern part of the commune, in which this cemetery is situated, was already in Allied hands. On the road from Fricourt to Bray, before it reaches the top of the plateau, are two points 71 metres above sea level, known to the Army as 71 North and 71 South. A little further on was a feature known as the Citadel.
The cemetery is in the Northern part of a valley, running from Fricourt to the Somme, which was known in 1916 as "Happy Valley." It was begun by French troops and from August 1915, when the first Commonwealth burials were made, it was known as the Citadel Military Cemetery (Point 71). It was used until November 1916 and once in August 1918. The great majority of the burials were carried out from field ambulances before the Battles of the Somme. In the Autumn of 1916 the Citadel became a large camp for units withdrawn from the line.
The cemetery contains 380 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 17 of them unidentified.
Total Burials: 380.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 363.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Arthur James Scott Hutton
Fricourt is a village about 5 kilometres east of Albert and Citadel New Military Cemetery is approximately 2.5 kilometres south of Fricourt on the east side of the road to Bray-sur-Somme.
Access to the cemetery is off a roundabout created as a result of the new airport nearby and is signposted from the roundabout.
Historical Information
Fricourt was captured by the 17th Division on 2 July 1916 but the southern part of the commune, in which this cemetery is situated, was already in Allied hands. On the road from Fricourt to Bray, before it reaches the top of the plateau, are two points 71 metres above sea level, known to the Army as 71 North and 71 South. A little further on was a feature known as the Citadel.
The cemetery is in the Northern part of a valley, running from Fricourt to the Somme, which was known in 1916 as "Happy Valley." It was begun by French troops and from August 1915, when the first Commonwealth burials were made, it was known as the Citadel Military Cemetery (Point 71). It was used until November 1916 and once in August 1918. The great majority of the burials were carried out from field ambulances before the Battles of the Somme. In the Autumn of 1916 the Citadel became a large camp for units withdrawn from the line.
The cemetery contains 380 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 17 of them unidentified.
Total Burials: 380.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 363.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Arthur James Scott Hutton
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
Lieutenant
Gerald Archibald Arbuthnot
2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards
25th September 1916, aged 44.
Plot II. C. 1.
Son of Gen. William Arbuthnot, C.B.; husband of Dulce Arbuthnot, of 27, Rutland Gate, Kensington, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "Faithful Unto Death"
Headstone image in first gallery
Gerald Archibald Arbuthnot
2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards
25th September 1916, aged 44.
Plot II. C. 1.
Son of Gen. William Arbuthnot, C.B.; husband of Dulce Arbuthnot, of 27, Rutland Gate, Kensington, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "Faithful Unto Death"
Headstone image in first gallery
A Life Less Ordinary - Gerald Archibald Arbuthnot, Former Conservative M.P. for Burnley
Gerald Archibald Arbuthnot was the son of Major General William Arbuthnot and Selina Moncreiffe and was born at Prince's Gate, Kensington on the 19th December 1872. He was killed in action at Ginchy, Somme 25th September 1916, and buried at Fricourt in Citadel New Military Cemetery. Educated privately and at Dartmouth Royal Naval College he was a Midshipman then Sub-Lt R.N. 1885-1891 when he left to work for the Hon. Walter Long M.P. He was Private Secretary to Mr Long when he was President of the Board of Agriculture 1895-9, and Assistant Private Secretary to him when he was President of the Local Government Board 1901-2, and Chief Secretary for Ireland 1905. Gerald Arbuthnot was elected as the Conservative M.P. for Burnley in 1910 and was appointed Vice Chancellor of the Primrose League 1912-1916.
Gerald Arbuthnot fought three elections for Parliament in Burnley, he was elected at the second attempt in January 1910, although he served for just 10 months before Parliament was dissolved and he was later defeated in December that year. He was only the second Conservative to be elected in the town.
1906 - Turnout 95% - Electors 15,983
F. Maddison. L/Lab, 5288 votes - 34.8% (Elected - Majority 324 - 2.1%)
G. A. Arbuthnot. Con, 4964 votes - 32.7%
H. M. Hyndman. SDF*, 4932 votes - 32.5%
1910 (January) - Turnout 96.5% - Electors 16,992
G. A. Arbuthnot. Con, 5776 votes - 35.2% (Elected - Majority 95 - 0.6%)
F. Maddison. L/Lab, 5681 votes - 34.6%
H. M. Hyndman. SDP, 4948 votes - 30.2%
1910 (December - Parliament dissolved) Turnout 94% - Electors 16,992
P. E. Morrell. Lab, 6177 votes - 38.7% (Elected - Majority 173 - 1.2%)
G. A. Arbuthnot. Con, 6004 votes - 37.5%
H. M. Hyndman. SDP, 3810 votes - 23.8%
* Social Democratic Foundation
He joined the R.N.V.R. at the outbreak of the Great War and commanded a minesweeping squadron in the North Sea 1914-1916. He transferred to become a 2nd Lt. 2nd Bn, Grenadier Guards at the beginning of 1916. Married in St James's, Piccadilly, 6 February 1894, (Mary Johanna Antoinette) Dulcie Oppenheim (born February 1868; died 24th November 1945), daughter of Charles Augustus Oppenheim and Isabelle, nee Frith. Had issue: Frances Gertrude Arbuthnot. (born 21st Mar 1896, died 28th April 1938) Cynthia Isabelle Theresa Arbuthnot. (born 15th January 1898, died July 1989) Dorothea Helen Mary Arbuthnot. (born 27th July 1901, died 12th January 1942)
Obituary from The Times newspaper dated 2nd October 1916
SECOND LIEUTENANT GERALD ARCHIBALD ARBUTHNOT, Grenadier Guards, formerly M.P. for Burnley, only son of the late General William Arbuthnot, C.B., and grandson of the late Sir Thomas and Lady Louisa Moncreiffe, was killed in action on September 25. Born in 1872, he served in the Royal Navy from 1885 to 1891. He was private secretary to Mr. Walter Long when he was President of the Board of Agriculture, 1895-9, and assistant private secretary to him when he was President of the Local Government Board, 1901-2, and Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1905. Mr. Arbuthnot unsuccessfully contested Burnley in the Unionist interest in 1906, but was returned for that constituency in January, 1910, being defeated again in the following December. In view of his fine organizing abilities, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Primrose League in 1912, and in order to carry out the work of this office, which he held up to the time of his death, he temporarily gave up his Parliamentary career. During the first 15 months of the war Mr. Arbuthnot was engaged in mine-sweeping, and last January he was transferred to the Grenadier Guards, proceeding to the front at the end of April. He married, in 1894, Dulce, daughter of the late Charles Oppenheim, of 40, Great Cumberland-place, W., and leaves a widow and three daughters. He was a great-grandson of the tenth Earl of Kinnoull and of the first Viscount Gough."
Gerald Arbuthnot fought three elections for Parliament in Burnley, he was elected at the second attempt in January 1910, although he served for just 10 months before Parliament was dissolved and he was later defeated in December that year. He was only the second Conservative to be elected in the town.
1906 - Turnout 95% - Electors 15,983
F. Maddison. L/Lab, 5288 votes - 34.8% (Elected - Majority 324 - 2.1%)
G. A. Arbuthnot. Con, 4964 votes - 32.7%
H. M. Hyndman. SDF*, 4932 votes - 32.5%
1910 (January) - Turnout 96.5% - Electors 16,992
G. A. Arbuthnot. Con, 5776 votes - 35.2% (Elected - Majority 95 - 0.6%)
F. Maddison. L/Lab, 5681 votes - 34.6%
H. M. Hyndman. SDP, 4948 votes - 30.2%
1910 (December - Parliament dissolved) Turnout 94% - Electors 16,992
P. E. Morrell. Lab, 6177 votes - 38.7% (Elected - Majority 173 - 1.2%)
G. A. Arbuthnot. Con, 6004 votes - 37.5%
H. M. Hyndman. SDP, 3810 votes - 23.8%
* Social Democratic Foundation
He joined the R.N.V.R. at the outbreak of the Great War and commanded a minesweeping squadron in the North Sea 1914-1916. He transferred to become a 2nd Lt. 2nd Bn, Grenadier Guards at the beginning of 1916. Married in St James's, Piccadilly, 6 February 1894, (Mary Johanna Antoinette) Dulcie Oppenheim (born February 1868; died 24th November 1945), daughter of Charles Augustus Oppenheim and Isabelle, nee Frith. Had issue: Frances Gertrude Arbuthnot. (born 21st Mar 1896, died 28th April 1938) Cynthia Isabelle Theresa Arbuthnot. (born 15th January 1898, died July 1989) Dorothea Helen Mary Arbuthnot. (born 27th July 1901, died 12th January 1942)
Obituary from The Times newspaper dated 2nd October 1916
SECOND LIEUTENANT GERALD ARCHIBALD ARBUTHNOT, Grenadier Guards, formerly M.P. for Burnley, only son of the late General William Arbuthnot, C.B., and grandson of the late Sir Thomas and Lady Louisa Moncreiffe, was killed in action on September 25. Born in 1872, he served in the Royal Navy from 1885 to 1891. He was private secretary to Mr. Walter Long when he was President of the Board of Agriculture, 1895-9, and assistant private secretary to him when he was President of the Local Government Board, 1901-2, and Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1905. Mr. Arbuthnot unsuccessfully contested Burnley in the Unionist interest in 1906, but was returned for that constituency in January, 1910, being defeated again in the following December. In view of his fine organizing abilities, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Primrose League in 1912, and in order to carry out the work of this office, which he held up to the time of his death, he temporarily gave up his Parliamentary career. During the first 15 months of the war Mr. Arbuthnot was engaged in mine-sweeping, and last January he was transferred to the Grenadier Guards, proceeding to the front at the end of April. He married, in 1894, Dulce, daughter of the late Charles Oppenheim, of 40, Great Cumberland-place, W., and leaves a widow and three daughters. He was a great-grandson of the tenth Earl of Kinnoull and of the first Viscount Gough."
Captain
Cyril Noel Cory
Royal Field Artillery, attached to Trench Mortar Battery.
31st October 1916.
Plot II. A. 6.
Cyril Noel Cory
Royal Field Artillery, attached to Trench Mortar Battery.
31st October 1916.
Plot II. A. 6.
S/5684 Private
David Cook Ferguson
12th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
28th October 1915, aged 20.
Plot III. A. 4.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Ferguson, of 80, High St., Peebles.
His headstone bears the inscription "Thy Will Be Done"
David Cook Ferguson
12th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
28th October 1915, aged 20.
Plot III. A. 4.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Ferguson, of 80, High St., Peebles.
His headstone bears the inscription "Thy Will Be Done"
Lieutenant
Caldwell Gardner
6th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
11th September 1916, aged 22.
Plot II. A. 3.
Son of James Gardner (Solicitor), of Clunie, Paisley, and the late Katherine B. C. Gardner.
His headstone bears the inscription "Of Clunie, Paisley, Scotland"
Caldwell Gardner
6th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
11th September 1916, aged 22.
Plot II. A. 3.
Son of James Gardner (Solicitor), of Clunie, Paisley, and the late Katherine B. C. Gardner.
His headstone bears the inscription "Of Clunie, Paisley, Scotland"
Captain
Alexander Cecil Graham
1st Bn. Grenadier Guards
12th September 1916, aged 36.
Plot II. A. 11.
Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. F. Graham, of 29, Palace Gate, Kensington, London; husband of Ethel Daisy Egerton (formerly Graham), of Hungerford House, nr. Fordingbridge, Hants. Adjt. "Hood" Bn. R.N. Div. Sept. 1914 to Dec., 1915.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Every Loving Memory From His Wife"
Alexander Cecil Graham
1st Bn. Grenadier Guards
12th September 1916, aged 36.
Plot II. A. 11.
Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. F. Graham, of 29, Palace Gate, Kensington, London; husband of Ethel Daisy Egerton (formerly Graham), of Hungerford House, nr. Fordingbridge, Hants. Adjt. "Hood" Bn. R.N. Div. Sept. 1914 to Dec., 1915.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Every Loving Memory From His Wife"
Second Lieutenant
Alexander Balfour Hare
2nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery
31st October 1916, aged 26.
Plot II. C. 4.
Son of Edward S. and Catherine A. Hare, of Saughtree, Ceres, Cupar, Fife. Native of Leith, Edinburgh.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Was The Light And Life Of A Happy Home"
Alexander Balfour Hare
2nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery
31st October 1916, aged 26.
Plot II. C. 4.
Son of Edward S. and Catherine A. Hare, of Saughtree, Ceres, Cupar, Fife. Native of Leith, Edinburgh.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Was The Light And Life Of A Happy Home"
9122 Private
John Henson
2nd Bn. Border Regiment
19th April 1916.
Plot V. F. 16.
John Henson
2nd Bn. Border Regiment
19th April 1916.
Plot V. F. 16.
Images in this gallery © Johan Pauwels
Lieutenant
Arthur Lang
6th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
29th August 1916, aged 24.
Plot II. C. 14.
Son of Robert Lang, of Cowglen House, Thornliebank, Renfrewshire.
Arthur Lang
6th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
29th August 1916, aged 24.
Plot II. C. 14.
Son of Robert Lang, of Cowglen House, Thornliebank, Renfrewshire.
Lieutenant
Armar Valentine Lowry-Corry, M. C.
1st Bn. Grenadier Guards
12th September 1916, aged 20.
Plot II. A. 10.
Son of Brig. Gen. Noel L. Corry, D.S.O., of Llangattock Court, Crickhowell, Breconshire.
Armar Valentine Lowry-Corry, M. C.
1st Bn. Grenadier Guards
12th September 1916, aged 20.
Plot II. A. 10.
Son of Brig. Gen. Noel L. Corry, D.S.O., of Llangattock Court, Crickhowell, Breconshire.
14763 Private
Thomas Henry Oldfield
8th Bn. Devonshire Regiment
7th May 1916, aged 36.
Plot V. E. 15.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Oldfield, of 135, Dall St., Burnley.
Headstone image in first gallery
Thomas Henry Oldfield
8th Bn. Devonshire Regiment
7th May 1916, aged 36.
Plot V. E. 15.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Oldfield, of 135, Dall St., Burnley.
Headstone image in first gallery
Panoramic view of camps in Fricourt Valley, 20th July 1916.
© IWM (Q 931)
Lieutenant
Charles Richard Tisdall, M. C.
1st Bn. Irish Guards
15th September 1916, aged 23.
Plot II. A. 12.
Son of Alfred Oliver Tisdall and Evelyn Susan Tisdall, of 104, Mortlake Rd., Kew Gardens, Surrey.
His headstone bears the inscription "Lord All Pitying, Jesu Grant Him Thine Eternal Rest"
Charles Richard Tisdall, M. C.
1st Bn. Irish Guards
15th September 1916, aged 23.
Plot II. A. 12.
Son of Alfred Oliver Tisdall and Evelyn Susan Tisdall, of 104, Mortlake Rd., Kew Gardens, Surrey.
His headstone bears the inscription "Lord All Pitying, Jesu Grant Him Thine Eternal Rest"
Lieutenant
John Eadred Tollemache
6th Bn. attd. 8th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
21st August 1916, aged 24.
Plot II. C. 16.
Son of Mr. L.F.C.E. and Mrs. H.H.D Tollemache, of 24, Selwyn Rd., Eastbourne. B.A. Magdalen College, Cambridge.
His headstone bears the inscription "Killed In Action Very Dear Son Of L. F. C. E. And H. H. D. Tollemache. Love Sees Him Still"
John Eadred Tollemache
6th Bn. attd. 8th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
21st August 1916, aged 24.
Plot II. C. 16.
Son of Mr. L.F.C.E. and Mrs. H.H.D Tollemache, of 24, Selwyn Rd., Eastbourne. B.A. Magdalen College, Cambridge.
His headstone bears the inscription "Killed In Action Very Dear Son Of L. F. C. E. And H. H. D. Tollemache. Love Sees Him Still"
British troops loading 9.2-inch howitzer shells onto a light railway trolley, Fricourt, September 1916. © IWM (Q 1470)
Camp near Fricourt, September 1916. © IWM Q 1272
British troops pulling a Lewis gun handcart through the deep mud. The Machine Gun Corps camp can be seen in the background. Hill 163 at the Fricourt-Bray road, 7 August 1916. © IWM Q 4193
Prisoner of War Camp outside Corbie on the Bray-Corbie Road in September 1916. Photograph shows Carl Wimmer (a German Prisoner of War) who already had the Iron Cross and did good work bringing in British wounded soldiers under heavy shell fire. Watering place for horses on the Bray-Fricourt road, South West of St. George's Hill. September 1916. © IWM Q 4274
Ruined farm at Fricourt, 2nd July 1917. © IWM Q 78468
1960 - ©CWGC
