Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension
Roll of Honour
N - Z
4172 Serjeant
Arthur O'Brien
"C" Company, 8th Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers
4th September 1916, aged 29.
Plot 2. B. 6.
Arthur left Wexford, Ireland to fight with the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He was wounded during the battle of the Somme and never returned to Ireland. He left behind a loving wife (Martha O'Brien) and three children - Catherine, Patrick & Thomas.
Picture courtesy of Fiona McEvoy, great granddaughter of this soldier
Arthur O'Brien
"C" Company, 8th Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers
4th September 1916, aged 29.
Plot 2. B. 6.
Arthur left Wexford, Ireland to fight with the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He was wounded during the battle of the Somme and never returned to Ireland. He left behind a loving wife (Martha O'Brien) and three children - Catherine, Patrick & Thomas.
Picture courtesy of Fiona McEvoy, great granddaughter of this soldier
18652 Private
James Humphrey Palmer
4th Australian Pioneers
11th July 1918, aged 34.
Plot 2. F. 20.
Son of Mr. J. W. Palmer, of Springfield, Missouri, U.S.A.
James Humphrey Palmer
4th Australian Pioneers
11th July 1918, aged 34.
Plot 2. F. 20.
Son of Mr. J. W. Palmer, of Springfield, Missouri, U.S.A.
3409 Private
Owen Bennion Price
42nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
8th August 1918
Plot 2. F. 11.
1113 Private, G. Klanke witnessed the shell burst which fatally wounded Owen price;
"He was batman for an officer in "B" Coy. Happened at Corbie on the Somme, we were back from the line, Price was having breakfast when he got hit. He got a 4.2 shell practically to himself, tearing away his left shoulder, he lived for about 20 minutes after. I saw the shell explosion just outside a chateau in which was our R. A. P. (Regimental Aid post), he was in pain but conscious to the last. He asked for a drink of water which was given to him before dying."
Owen Bennion Price
42nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
8th August 1918
Plot 2. F. 11.
1113 Private, G. Klanke witnessed the shell burst which fatally wounded Owen price;
"He was batman for an officer in "B" Coy. Happened at Corbie on the Somme, we were back from the line, Price was having breakfast when he got hit. He got a 4.2 shell practically to himself, tearing away his left shoulder, he lived for about 20 minutes after. I saw the shell explosion just outside a chateau in which was our R. A. P. (Regimental Aid post), he was in pain but conscious to the last. He asked for a drink of water which was given to him before dying."
6017 Company Serjeant Major
Joseph Richardson
7th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
8th July 1916, aged 33.
Plot 1. B. 53.
Hisband of Mrs Richardson, 9, Cedar Street, Burnley.
Joseph Richardson
7th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
8th July 1916, aged 33.
Plot 1. B. 53.
Hisband of Mrs Richardson, 9, Cedar Street, Burnley.
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12779 Private
Frederick James Ricketts
"B" Company, 6th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
20th July 1916, aged 23.
Plot 1. E. 23.
Husband of Elizabeth Ricketts, of Wokingham, Berkshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Ever Near And Dear To Us"
Frederick James Ricketts
"B" Company, 6th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
20th July 1916, aged 23.
Plot 1. E. 23.
Husband of Elizabeth Ricketts, of Wokingham, Berkshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Ever Near And Dear To Us"
Captain
Thomas Riley
"C" Battery 158th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
5th August 1916, aged 33.
Plot 2. A. 48.
Son of Mrs. and the late Mr. Richard Riley, of Hambleton, Poulton-le-Fylde, Preston.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Path Of Duty Is The Way To Glory Here Am I, Send Me"
Thomas Riley
"C" Battery 158th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
5th August 1916, aged 33.
Plot 2. A. 48.
Son of Mrs. and the late Mr. Richard Riley, of Hambleton, Poulton-le-Fylde, Preston.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Path Of Duty Is The Way To Glory Here Am I, Send Me"
Second Lieutenant
Walter Nicol Russell
9th Bn. attached 1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
26th August 1916, aged 25.
Plot 2. B. 71.
Son of Walter N. and Elizabeth Russell, of School House, Glendevon, Dollar, Clackmannanshire. Born at Glendevon. M.A., B.D., St. Andrew's University. He took his commission instead of joining the Ministry of the Church of Scotland.
Walter Nicol Russell
9th Bn. attached 1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
26th August 1916, aged 25.
Plot 2. B. 71.
Son of Walter N. and Elizabeth Russell, of School House, Glendevon, Dollar, Clackmannanshire. Born at Glendevon. M.A., B.D., St. Andrew's University. He took his commission instead of joining the Ministry of the Church of Scotland.
Lieutenant
Fredrick Charles Sangster
16th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
6th September 1916, aged 22.
Plot 2. C. 2.
Son of Charles and Louisa Sangster, of Overdale, Russell Road, Moseley, Birmingham.
Fredrick Charles Sangster
16th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
6th September 1916, aged 22.
Plot 2. C. 2.
Son of Charles and Louisa Sangster, of Overdale, Russell Road, Moseley, Birmingham.
Lieutenant
Edward Melland Schill
17th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
25th August 1916, aged 25.
Plot 2. B. 72.
Son of Charles Henry and Millicent Schill, of Croston Towers, Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Freely To Freedom We Gave Pledges Till Life Should Be Spent"
Edward Melland Schill
17th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
25th August 1916, aged 25.
Plot 2. B. 72.
Son of Charles Henry and Millicent Schill, of Croston Towers, Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "Freely To Freedom We Gave Pledges Till Life Should Be Spent"
Lieutenant
Herbert Henry Shearman
2nd Entrenching Bn. late 1st Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
5th July 1916, aged 26.
Plot 1. B. 44.
Son of the late Charles and Louise Shearman, of Tynemouth.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dimicans Pro Patria"
Herbert Henry Shearman
2nd Entrenching Bn. late 1st Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
5th July 1916, aged 26.
Plot 1. B. 44.
Son of the late Charles and Louise Shearman, of Tynemouth.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dimicans Pro Patria"
Captain
William Stapleton De Courcy Stretton
3rd Bn., attached to 2nd Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
4th September 1916, aged 27.
Plot 2. B. 4.
Son of Capt. W. De C. Stretton and Mrs. Stretton, of Salcombe, S. Devon.
His headstone bears the inscription "They Shall Be Mine Said The Lord Of Hosts When I Make Up My Jewels"
William Stapleton De Courcy Stretton
3rd Bn., attached to 2nd Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
4th September 1916, aged 27.
Plot 2. B. 4.
Son of Capt. W. De C. Stretton and Mrs. Stretton, of Salcombe, S. Devon.
His headstone bears the inscription "They Shall Be Mine Said The Lord Of Hosts When I Make Up My Jewels"
Captain
Gerald Wyman Towell, M. C. and Bar.
N Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
8th August 1918, aged 21.
Plot 2. F. 5.
Son of Henry J. and Alice L. Towell, of High Firs, Gt. Missenden, Bucks. Educated at Clifton College and R.M.A., Woolwich.
His headstone bears the inscription "Pour Le Bon Dieu Le Roi Et Le Pays Sans Peur Sans Reproche"
Gerald Wyman Towell, M. C. and Bar.
N Battery, Royal Horse Artillery
8th August 1918, aged 21.
Plot 2. F. 5.
Son of Henry J. and Alice L. Towell, of High Firs, Gt. Missenden, Bucks. Educated at Clifton College and R.M.A., Woolwich.
His headstone bears the inscription "Pour Le Bon Dieu Le Roi Et Le Pays Sans Peur Sans Reproche"
27109 Private
Alfred Henry Tross
1st Bn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
4th September 1916, aged 26.
Plot 2. B. 19.
Born in 1889 Alfred was the son of Alfred and Annie Tross, of Clawton Cottages, Northwood, Newport, Isle of Wight. His last known occupation was as a Bricklayer on Ward Estate. He enlisted on 12th April 1916 and he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal
Click on image to enlarge
Image and additional info provided by Geoffrey Ruck
Alfred Henry Tross
1st Bn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
4th September 1916, aged 26.
Plot 2. B. 19.
Born in 1889 Alfred was the son of Alfred and Annie Tross, of Clawton Cottages, Northwood, Newport, Isle of Wight. His last known occupation was as a Bricklayer on Ward Estate. He enlisted on 12th April 1916 and he was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal
Click on image to enlarge
Image and additional info provided by Geoffrey Ruck
S/5287 Private
William Type
9th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
18th June 1916, aged 24.
Plot 1. B. 1.
Son of William and Elizabeth Type, of 8, Garth Terrace, Penyard, Merthyr Tydfil.
His headstone bears the inscription "Your Glorious Deeds Will Live With Mother & Father"
Picture courtesy of Jim Type
William Type
9th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
18th June 1916, aged 24.
Plot 1. B. 1.
Son of William and Elizabeth Type, of 8, Garth Terrace, Penyard, Merthyr Tydfil.
His headstone bears the inscription "Your Glorious Deeds Will Live With Mother & Father"
Picture courtesy of Jim Type
Lieutenant
Evelyn Henry Veresmith
14th Bn. attached to 9th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
9th July 1916, aged 25.
Plot 1. C. 58.
Son of Daniel A. and Marie L. Veresmith, of Abbotsbury, Mottingham, Kent.
Evelyn Henry Veresmith
14th Bn. attached to 9th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
9th July 1916, aged 25.
Plot 1. C. 58.
Son of Daniel A. and Marie L. Veresmith, of Abbotsbury, Mottingham, Kent.
Lieutenant
Charles Douglas Wells, M. C., Mentioned in Despatches
62nd Squadron, Royal Air Force
16th May 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. E. 48.
Son of Charles Herbert and Anna Wells, of Manor House, Hempstead, Norfolk. Obtained his commission in the 7th Bn. Royal Lancaster Regt., 1914, transf. to R.A.F., 1918.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Breaks"
Charles Douglas Wells, M. C., Mentioned in Despatches
62nd Squadron, Royal Air Force
16th May 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. E. 48.
Son of Charles Herbert and Anna Wells, of Manor House, Hempstead, Norfolk. Obtained his commission in the 7th Bn. Royal Lancaster Regt., 1914, transf. to R.A.F., 1918.
His headstone bears the inscription "Until The Day Breaks"
Z/2166 Rifleman
George Wilkinson
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade
25th August 1916, aged 27.
Plot 2. B. 81.
Only son of John and Rose Ann Wilkinson, of 46, Manchester Street, Salford, Manchester.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gave His Life For His Country"
George Wilkinson
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade
25th August 1916, aged 27.
Plot 2. B. 81.
Only son of John and Rose Ann Wilkinson, of 46, Manchester Street, Salford, Manchester.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gave His Life For His Country"
Captain
Oswald Eric Wreford-Brown
9th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
7th July 1916, aged 39.
Plot 1. B. 48.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Wreford-Brown, of Clifton, Bristol, Gloucestershire.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory The Souls Of The Faithful Are In The Hands Of God"
Oswald Eric Wreford-Brown
9th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
7th July 1916, aged 39.
Plot 1. B. 48.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Wreford-Brown, of Clifton, Bristol, Gloucestershire.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory The Souls Of The Faithful Are In The Hands Of God"
15234 Private
Harry York
2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
Died of his wounds on 1st August 1916, aged 33.
Plot 2. A. 26.
Son of Samuel and Elizabeth York of Deeping St James. Born on 8th September 1883.
Remembered and pictures courtesy of Roger Andrew (Great Nephew)
Harry York
2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
Died of his wounds on 1st August 1916, aged 33.
Plot 2. A. 26.
Son of Samuel and Elizabeth York of Deeping St James. Born on 8th September 1883.
Remembered and pictures courtesy of Roger Andrew (Great Nephew)
HARRY YORK , 1883-1916 buried in France
In January 2016 my idea was a speedy 170 mile drive from Nuneaton to Dover ; across the channel on a cheap middle of the night ferry ; onward to the Somme Battlefields area , find and photograph Harrys grave , pay our respects and thanks , then set off back north and be home all within 24 hours , having spent no more than £200 , but taking a tent just in case ! .…………………… That was until my wife Val got involved …………… I was told , “ If you want me to come , we are not doing that ”. The boss won , as she always did , and my plans were altered ; drastically !
This is what happened : - the “ Family History “ target was Harry York , my maternal grandmas brother , a Deeping St James man who lost his life whilst fighting for us at the Somme on 1stAugust 1916 , a century ago . He was laid to rest in Corbie Village Cemetery about half way between the towns of Amiens and Albert , about 100 miles into France . My promise was to visit him as no-one in the family had ever been able to .
My day-visit turned into a 5 day continental break , completely organised on Vals behalf by my northern Daughter-in Law , Vikki . Cost nor timing came into her thinking !
Along came Sunday July 3rd …… Just the two of us set off on a sunny day and drove to an overnight stay in Folkestone ; a morning train under the channel on the 4th, then a short drive of 30 miles to our next overnight stay at a hotel in St Omar . Our evening meal was in the sun at a restaurant in the lovely market square . First thing next day, 5thJuly it was drizzling . Travelling south on the country roads for about an hour we made good progress ; and the sun came out ! Soon we began to notice the military cemeteries which came thick and fast on both sides of the road as we approached the northern outskirts of Corbie . This was “ the Somme “ and no roadside hedges . One cemetery site was particularly eyecatching although small . It was below us , about 200 yards away, in the valley to our left , within a ripe yellow cornfield . An area of 100 square yards or so was enclosed by a dwarf wall with a tall vertical stone monolith at its centre with gravestones all around . Was this it ? The sat-nav said so .Adrenalin was up ,the road was empty so we parked up and walked quietly down to the cemetery and looked around . The soldiers were buried where they fell fighting . All were named, all from different Regiments …..………. Very moving but not Harry .
Continuing to the small town of Corbie we accidentally came across what we were looking for ………………Corbie Cemetery Extension . Parking up adjacent , looking around the entrance , I took some photographs whilst Val went straight into the cemetery which was on a slight rise away from the public highway , behind a white granite wall . I followed her inside and saw her beckoning to me ……………… she immediately found Harry in the midst of hundreds of other soldiers buried there ……………… The touching gravestones were aligned in eight straight rows some 100 yards long rising gently away from the entrance . The cemetery width was about 60 yards . Harry was in the middle of the first row of graves . The whole place was immaculately kept by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission , ………………. Top marks to them . Lots of the graves had new flowers on them .
We stood with Harry for a few minutes, looking to all 4 points of the compass , then , planted a geranium above him with a single red rose flower stem to each side . A few more photographs , a little cuddle for Val , as she was close to tears , an exchange of hugs with a French lady who was watching us , and back into the car . A little smile to each other ; Rest in peace Harry . Very sad .
We followed the battlefield front line north-east on small country roads, probably those Harry marched along , leading to Albert where we found the town decorated with masses of union jacks and coloured bunting . Tributes to our soldiers were everywhere …………. Very impressive . On to the Thiepval Monument erected in remembrance of soldiers with no grave . Since a child I ‘d always been fascinated by the phrase “ no known grave “ . The previous week our Royals , the French President and many other “ bigwigs “ had met there for a service of remembrance and as such the site and its environs were a little scruffy and needed cleaning up .
Now it was late afternoon and time to start the second part of our adventure …… “ Vals Holiday “ . Not wanting to travel in the dark we set off towards Ghent following the “ battle-towns “ of Bapaume , Cambrai , Arras , Lens and Lille . So it was goodbye to Harry and the Somme and War as our thoughts turned to enjoying ourselves for a few days .
Ghent for two nights then Brugge for one finished off our trip . We loved the town of Ghent , not so much Brugge. Come Friday and off along the coast road to Calais , with a little stop-over for lunch on the Dunes at Nieuport , the place where “ The Hun “ captured our uncle Arthur William Mountain ( aka Cecil ) on 10-7-1917 , he came home . And yes there were lots of guys “ hanging around “ , the entrance to the Channel Tunnel Shuttle Train . Foot down , central locking on and drive on , 30 minutes later drive off , up the M20 , under the Dartford Tunnel onto M25 , M1 then M6 and Nuneaton ……………. Still thinking of Harry , home again , shattered but fulfilled on the evening of Friday 8thJuly .
Roger S Andrew , 14th January 2017 .
In January 2016 my idea was a speedy 170 mile drive from Nuneaton to Dover ; across the channel on a cheap middle of the night ferry ; onward to the Somme Battlefields area , find and photograph Harrys grave , pay our respects and thanks , then set off back north and be home all within 24 hours , having spent no more than £200 , but taking a tent just in case ! .…………………… That was until my wife Val got involved …………… I was told , “ If you want me to come , we are not doing that ”. The boss won , as she always did , and my plans were altered ; drastically !
This is what happened : - the “ Family History “ target was Harry York , my maternal grandmas brother , a Deeping St James man who lost his life whilst fighting for us at the Somme on 1stAugust 1916 , a century ago . He was laid to rest in Corbie Village Cemetery about half way between the towns of Amiens and Albert , about 100 miles into France . My promise was to visit him as no-one in the family had ever been able to .
My day-visit turned into a 5 day continental break , completely organised on Vals behalf by my northern Daughter-in Law , Vikki . Cost nor timing came into her thinking !
Along came Sunday July 3rd …… Just the two of us set off on a sunny day and drove to an overnight stay in Folkestone ; a morning train under the channel on the 4th, then a short drive of 30 miles to our next overnight stay at a hotel in St Omar . Our evening meal was in the sun at a restaurant in the lovely market square . First thing next day, 5thJuly it was drizzling . Travelling south on the country roads for about an hour we made good progress ; and the sun came out ! Soon we began to notice the military cemeteries which came thick and fast on both sides of the road as we approached the northern outskirts of Corbie . This was “ the Somme “ and no roadside hedges . One cemetery site was particularly eyecatching although small . It was below us , about 200 yards away, in the valley to our left , within a ripe yellow cornfield . An area of 100 square yards or so was enclosed by a dwarf wall with a tall vertical stone monolith at its centre with gravestones all around . Was this it ? The sat-nav said so .Adrenalin was up ,the road was empty so we parked up and walked quietly down to the cemetery and looked around . The soldiers were buried where they fell fighting . All were named, all from different Regiments …..………. Very moving but not Harry .
Continuing to the small town of Corbie we accidentally came across what we were looking for ………………Corbie Cemetery Extension . Parking up adjacent , looking around the entrance , I took some photographs whilst Val went straight into the cemetery which was on a slight rise away from the public highway , behind a white granite wall . I followed her inside and saw her beckoning to me ……………… she immediately found Harry in the midst of hundreds of other soldiers buried there ……………… The touching gravestones were aligned in eight straight rows some 100 yards long rising gently away from the entrance . The cemetery width was about 60 yards . Harry was in the middle of the first row of graves . The whole place was immaculately kept by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission , ………………. Top marks to them . Lots of the graves had new flowers on them .
We stood with Harry for a few minutes, looking to all 4 points of the compass , then , planted a geranium above him with a single red rose flower stem to each side . A few more photographs , a little cuddle for Val , as she was close to tears , an exchange of hugs with a French lady who was watching us , and back into the car . A little smile to each other ; Rest in peace Harry . Very sad .
We followed the battlefield front line north-east on small country roads, probably those Harry marched along , leading to Albert where we found the town decorated with masses of union jacks and coloured bunting . Tributes to our soldiers were everywhere …………. Very impressive . On to the Thiepval Monument erected in remembrance of soldiers with no grave . Since a child I ‘d always been fascinated by the phrase “ no known grave “ . The previous week our Royals , the French President and many other “ bigwigs “ had met there for a service of remembrance and as such the site and its environs were a little scruffy and needed cleaning up .
Now it was late afternoon and time to start the second part of our adventure …… “ Vals Holiday “ . Not wanting to travel in the dark we set off towards Ghent following the “ battle-towns “ of Bapaume , Cambrai , Arras , Lens and Lille . So it was goodbye to Harry and the Somme and War as our thoughts turned to enjoying ourselves for a few days .
Ghent for two nights then Brugge for one finished off our trip . We loved the town of Ghent , not so much Brugge. Come Friday and off along the coast road to Calais , with a little stop-over for lunch on the Dunes at Nieuport , the place where “ The Hun “ captured our uncle Arthur William Mountain ( aka Cecil ) on 10-7-1917 , he came home . And yes there were lots of guys “ hanging around “ , the entrance to the Channel Tunnel Shuttle Train . Foot down , central locking on and drive on , 30 minutes later drive off , up the M20 , under the Dartford Tunnel onto M25 , M1 then M6 and Nuneaton ……………. Still thinking of Harry , home again , shattered but fulfilled on the evening of Friday 8thJuly .
Roger S Andrew , 14th January 2017 .
