COJEUL BRITISH CEMETERY
St. Martin-Sur-Cojeul
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.22604, Longitude: 2.85541
Location Information
St. Martin-sur-Cojeul is a village about 8 kilometres south-south-east of Arras on the D33. Cojeul British Cemetery lies about 1 kilometre south of the village.
Historical Information
The village of St. Martin-sur-Cojeul was taken by the 30th Division on 9 April 1917, lost in March 1918, and retaken in the following August.
Cojeul British Cemetery was begun by the 21st Division Burial Officer in April 1917, and used by fighting units until the following October. It was very severely damaged in later fighting.
The cemetery contains 350 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 35 of the burials are unidentified and 31 graves destroyed by shell fire are represented by special memorials.
Total Burials: 350
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 315.
World War One Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 35.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and George Hartley Goldsmith
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Captain Arthur Henderson, V. C., M. C.
4th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
died 24th April 1917, aged 23.
Row B. 61.
Son of the late George Henderson, O.B.E., of Egnal, Paisley, a Magistrate of Paisley, and Elizabeth Purdie or Henderson.
Citation:
An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30167, dated 3rd July, 1917, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack on the enemy trenches this officer, although almost immediately wounded in the left arm, led his Company through the front enemy line until he gained his final objective. He then proceeded to consolidate his position, which, owing to heavy gun and machine gun fire and bombing attacks, was in danger of being isolated. By his cheerful courage and coolness he was enabled to maintain the spirit of his men under most trying conditions. Captain Henderson was killed after he had successfully accomplished his task."
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30144 Private Horace Waller V. C.
10th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
killed in action 10th April 1917 aged 20 years.
Row C. 55.
Son of John Edward and Esther Waller, of "Laurel Bank," Heald's Rd., Dewsbury.
His headstone bears the inscription "Honour'd, Beloved And Mourn'd"
Citation:
An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30122, dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery when with a bombing section forming a block in the enemy line. A very violent counter-attack was made by the enemy on this post, and although five of the garrison were killed, Pte. Waller continued for more than an hour to throw bombs, and finally repulsed the attack. In the evening the enemy again counter-attacked the post and all the garrison became casualties, except Pte. Waller, who, although wounded later, continued to throw bombs for another half an hour until he was killed. Throughout these attacks he showed the utmost valour, and it was due to his determination that the attacks on this important post were repulsed."
Picture © Johan Pauwels
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Picture © Johan Pauwels
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24848 Private
Thomas Bromby
1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
9th April 1917, aged 31.
Row B. 19.
Son of Thomas and Hannah Bromby, of Thearne, Beverley, Yorks.; husband of Elizabeth Bromby, of Robson's Cottage, Wawne, Hull.
His headstone bears the inscription "To Memory Dear"
Thomas Bromby
1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
9th April 1917, aged 31.
Row B. 19.
Son of Thomas and Hannah Bromby, of Thearne, Beverley, Yorks.; husband of Elizabeth Bromby, of Robson's Cottage, Wawne, Hull.
His headstone bears the inscription "To Memory Dear"
15895 Serjeant
John Chalmers
1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
9th April 1917, aged 22.
Row B. 3.
Son of Annie Parkin (formerly Chalmers), of Bridge End Gardens, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, and the late Thomas Chalmers.
His headstone bears the inscription "For Ever With The Lord"
John Chalmers
1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
9th April 1917, aged 22.
Row B. 3.
Son of Annie Parkin (formerly Chalmers), of Bridge End Gardens, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, and the late Thomas Chalmers.
His headstone bears the inscription "For Ever With The Lord"
Second Lieutenant
Hugh Edward Hughes
156th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
10th July 1917, aged 25.
Row B. 1.
Son of John Henry and Alice Hughes, of Cradock, South Africa. A Civil Engineer.
His headstone bears the inscription "From The Warfare Of The World Into The Peace Of God"
Hugh Edward Hughes
156th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
10th July 1917, aged 25.
Row B. 1.
Son of John Henry and Alice Hughes, of Cradock, South Africa. A Civil Engineer.
His headstone bears the inscription "From The Warfare Of The World Into The Peace Of God"
347 Private
Walter Charles Jackson
"A" Company, 1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
9th April 1917, aged 22.
Row C. 46.
Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Jackson, of 111, Spyree St., Hull.
His headstone bears the inscription "R. I. P".
Walter Charles Jackson
"A" Company, 1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
9th April 1917, aged 22.
Row C. 46.
Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Jackson, of 111, Spyree St., Hull.
His headstone bears the inscription "R. I. P".
35274 Lance Corporal
Sidney James
9th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 26.
Row D. 9.
Son of Mrs. Sarah James, of 11, Wharf Rd., Tinsley, Sheffield.
A Professional footballer with Huddersfield Town. He had played in 12 League and 2 FA Cup ties for the Terriers before war broke out and then in 30 games in Town's first wartime season of 1915/16 when temporary regional fixtures were arranged. He played both at centre-forward and centre-half.
Sidney James
9th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 26.
Row D. 9.
Son of Mrs. Sarah James, of 11, Wharf Rd., Tinsley, Sheffield.
A Professional footballer with Huddersfield Town. He had played in 12 League and 2 FA Cup ties for the Terriers before war broke out and then in 30 games in Town's first wartime season of 1915/16 when temporary regional fixtures were arranged. He played both at centre-forward and centre-half.
44056 Private
Herbert Thomas Jones
9th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
11th April 1917, aged 26.
Row D. 48.
Herbert Jones was the first husband of my grandmother, Florrie Lilian Cox ,of Bristol, and all I have about them as a couple is their marriage certificate. From the certificate we learn that they were married on 3 July 1915 at the Parish Church of Roath, Cardiff. His age was given as 26. (I have not been able to verify this - rather a lot of people of shared his name!). His occupation was given as 'collector'. His father was George William Jones, retired gentleman. Her father was Edwin John Cox, confectioner, and he was also a witness. The other witness was Elsie May Cox, cousin to the bride. Both gave their residence as 6, Tyler Street.
I believe the photo was taken shortly after the marriage. I have a companion photo of the couple, where the brides wedding ring is definitely on display.
My grandmother never spoke of her first husband. I remember my father saying she regarded the subject as 'too painful'.
Herbert Thomas Jones
9th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
11th April 1917, aged 26.
Row D. 48.
Herbert Jones was the first husband of my grandmother, Florrie Lilian Cox ,of Bristol, and all I have about them as a couple is their marriage certificate. From the certificate we learn that they were married on 3 July 1915 at the Parish Church of Roath, Cardiff. His age was given as 26. (I have not been able to verify this - rather a lot of people of shared his name!). His occupation was given as 'collector'. His father was George William Jones, retired gentleman. Her father was Edwin John Cox, confectioner, and he was also a witness. The other witness was Elsie May Cox, cousin to the bride. Both gave their residence as 6, Tyler Street.
I believe the photo was taken shortly after the marriage. I have a companion photo of the couple, where the brides wedding ring is definitely on display.
My grandmother never spoke of her first husband. I remember my father saying she regarded the subject as 'too painful'.
38268 Sergeant
Arthur Harry Morton
9th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 19.
Row. A. 7.
Son of Arthur Henry and Jessie Morton, of 52, Board School Rd., Woking, Surrey.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Brave Beloved Son Never Forgotten"
Sergeant Arthur Harry Morton was one of four children born to Arthur Henry Morton and his wife Jessie.
He enlisted into The East Surrey Regiment on 5 March 1915 and arrived on the Western Front on 31 August 1915. He worked as a stretcher bearer until he was gassed in June 1916. He was invalided home and when sent back to France was transferred to The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
He was killed on 9 April 1917, the first day of the Battle of Arras. He was serving with 9th Battalion The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry which was tasked with an assault on the Hindenburg Line around the Hénin-Héninel Road. They were successful at getting through the first line of German wire but were held up at the second line. The attack stalled as they came under rifle and machine gun fire.
The battalion established itself in shell holes within the German wire but were unable to reorganise in daylight as German snipers were very active. At dusk companies of 10th Battalion The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were seen advancing to occupy the road in front of the enemy's positions. Members of 9th Battalion were then organised and started digging in on the left of 10th Battalion. It was during the fighting that day that Sergeant Morton was killed.
He was buried in Cojeul British Cemetery but his grave was recorded as that of an unknown sergeant of The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry who was killed on 9 April 1917.
Recent research has shown that Sergeant Morton is buried here. Please note that this casualty was previously commemorated on the Arras Memorial; his name will be removed when the appropriate panel is next replaced.
Arthur Harry Morton
9th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 19.
Row. A. 7.
Son of Arthur Henry and Jessie Morton, of 52, Board School Rd., Woking, Surrey.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Brave Beloved Son Never Forgotten"
Sergeant Arthur Harry Morton was one of four children born to Arthur Henry Morton and his wife Jessie.
He enlisted into The East Surrey Regiment on 5 March 1915 and arrived on the Western Front on 31 August 1915. He worked as a stretcher bearer until he was gassed in June 1916. He was invalided home and when sent back to France was transferred to The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
He was killed on 9 April 1917, the first day of the Battle of Arras. He was serving with 9th Battalion The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry which was tasked with an assault on the Hindenburg Line around the Hénin-Héninel Road. They were successful at getting through the first line of German wire but were held up at the second line. The attack stalled as they came under rifle and machine gun fire.
The battalion established itself in shell holes within the German wire but were unable to reorganise in daylight as German snipers were very active. At dusk companies of 10th Battalion The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry were seen advancing to occupy the road in front of the enemy's positions. Members of 9th Battalion were then organised and started digging in on the left of 10th Battalion. It was during the fighting that day that Sergeant Morton was killed.
He was buried in Cojeul British Cemetery but his grave was recorded as that of an unknown sergeant of The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry who was killed on 9 April 1917.
Recent research has shown that Sergeant Morton is buried here. Please note that this casualty was previously commemorated on the Arras Memorial; his name will be removed when the appropriate panel is next replaced.
Second Lieutenant
William Henry Smith
261st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
23rd April 1917.
Row. D. 51.
Son of Albert Edward and Mary Emma Smith, of Ridge House, Rastrick, Yorks.
His headstone bears the inscription "Loved In Life Remembered In Death"
William Henry Smith
261st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
23rd April 1917.
Row. D. 51.
Son of Albert Edward and Mary Emma Smith, of Ridge House, Rastrick, Yorks.
His headstone bears the inscription "Loved In Life Remembered In Death"
Second Lieutenant
Robert Weir
15th Bn. Durham Light Infantry, formerly 1st/7th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
9th April 1917, aged 27.
Row D. 5.
Son of Alexander and Margaret Mungle Weir, of Dunbeth Manse, Coatbridge. Native of Kirkcaldy. United Free Church Probationer.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Good Soldier Of Jesus Christ"
Robert Weir
15th Bn. Durham Light Infantry, formerly 1st/7th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
9th April 1917, aged 27.
Row D. 5.
Son of Alexander and Margaret Mungle Weir, of Dunbeth Manse, Coatbridge. Native of Kirkcaldy. United Free Church Probationer.
His headstone bears the inscription "A Good Soldier Of Jesus Christ"
An officer and men using binoculars and a telescope at an advanced Royal Artillery observation post near Hénin-sur-Cojeul, 27 May 1917. © IWM (Q 2269)
