CROSS ROADS CEMETERY
Fontaine-au-Bois
Nord
France
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 50.13614 Longitude: 3.62673
Picture © Johan Pauwels
Location Information
Fontaine-au-Bois is a village some 8 kilometres north-east of Le Cateau, or 4 kilometres north-west of Landrecies.
Cross Roads Cemetery is west of the village beyond the hamlet of Rue du Pont, at the crossroads with the road to Bousies.
Visiting Information
The location or design of this site makes wheelchair access impossible.
Historical Information
Cross Roads Cemetery was begun in the first week of November, 1918, by the 1/1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance; and at the Armistice it contained the graves of 61 soldiers from the United Kingdom (now Row A and part of Row B, Plot I). It was then enlarged by the concentration of graves from the battlefields between the Escaut and the Sambre, and from certain other cemeteries, including:-
BAVAY GERMAN CEMETERY, on the South side of the road to Feignies, in which eleven soldiers from the United Kingdom and two from New Zealand were buried in the latter half of 1918. The German graves were removed to Frasnoy German Cemetery.
CATILLON COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, in which 35 soldiers of the 1st and 8th Divisions were buried after the capture of Catillon by the 1st Division on the 4th November, 1918.
ETH BRITISH CEMETERY, on the road to Wargnies-le-Grand, contained the graves of 16 men of the 19th Division who fell on the 4th and 5th November, 1918.
VILLEREAU CHURCHYARD, in which two soldiers from New Zealand and one from the United Kingdom were buried in November, 1918.
With four exceptions, every man buried in this cemetery fell between the 1st October, 1918 and the Armistice.
There are 742, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 104 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to one soldier from the United Kingdom and one from New Zealand, believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of nineteen soldiers from the United Kingdom, one from New Zealand and one from South Africa, buried in BAVAY German Cemetery and LANDRECIES Communal Cemetery, whose graves could not be found.
The cemetery covers an area of 2,512 square metres and is enclosed by a red brick wall on three sides.
The cemetery was designed by Charles Henry Holden & William Harrison Cowlishaw
Total Burials: 742.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 550, New Zealand 86, Australia 1, South Africa 1. Total 638.
Unidentified Casualties: 104.
Cemetery images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
54798 Private
John Foxcroft Addis
1st Bn. Wellington Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
4th November 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. D. 28.
Son of Mrs. Jessie Addis, of Ellerslie, Auckland, New Zealand.
John Foxcroft Addis
1st Bn. Wellington Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
4th November 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. D. 28.
Son of Mrs. Jessie Addis, of Ellerslie, Auckland, New Zealand.
29414 Private
James Edward Ashworth
8th Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
29th October 1918
Plot IV. D. 26.
Lived at 51 Whittlefield Street, Burnley.
James Edward Ashworth
8th Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
29th October 1918
Plot IV. D. 26.
Lived at 51 Whittlefield Street, Burnley.
38797 Private
Percival Moore Beattie
3rd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th November 1918, aged 30.
Plot I. E. 14.
Son of Alfred Luther Beattie and Mary Ann Beattie; husband of Annie Henrietta Beattie, of Herepoho, Eskdale, Napier, New Zealand.
Percival Moore Beattie
3rd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th November 1918, aged 30.
Plot I. E. 14.
Son of Alfred Luther Beattie and Mary Ann Beattie; husband of Annie Henrietta Beattie, of Herepoho, Eskdale, Napier, New Zealand.
74852 Rifleman
Louis Isidore Beaurepaire
4th Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th November 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. G. 6.
Son of Louis Isidore Beaurepaire and Elizabeth Jane Beaurepaire, of 65, Wilson St., Hawera, Taranaki, New Zealand. Bom at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Louis Isidore Beaurepaire
4th Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th November 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. G. 6.
Son of Louis Isidore Beaurepaire and Elizabeth Jane Beaurepaire, of 65, Wilson St., Hawera, Taranaki, New Zealand. Bom at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
21/42 Second Lieutenant
Victor Raymond Bernard
4th Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th November 1918, aged 27.
Plot I. G. 9.
Son of Manuel Joseph and Ann Eliza Newcomin Bernard, of Jennings St., Te Kuiti, New Zealand.
Victor Raymond Bernard
4th Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th November 1918, aged 27.
Plot I. G. 9.
Son of Manuel Joseph and Ann Eliza Newcomin Bernard, of Jennings St., Te Kuiti, New Zealand.
30004 Private
David Alexander Brown
9th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment
10th October 1918
Plot IV. D. 23.
Son of John Brown of 37 Fraser Street Newtownards Road, Belfast.
He was born in Newry. Co Down, Ulster.
Picture courtesy of Glenn Stafford, great nephew of this soldier
David Alexander Brown
9th Bn. Yorkshire Regiment
10th October 1918
Plot IV. D. 23.
Son of John Brown of 37 Fraser Street Newtownards Road, Belfast.
He was born in Newry. Co Down, Ulster.
Picture courtesy of Glenn Stafford, great nephew of this soldier
315083 Private
Alexander Crerar
13th (Scottish Horse) Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
4th November 1918, aged 26.
Plot I. A. 5.
Son of Peter and Betsy Crerar, of Beech Cottage, Dalginross, Conrie, Perthshire.
Alexander Crerar
13th (Scottish Horse) Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
4th November 1918, aged 26.
Plot I. A. 5.
Son of Peter and Betsy Crerar, of Beech Cottage, Dalginross, Conrie, Perthshire.
25/20 Second Lieutenant
Louis Chanel Dudson, Mentioned in Despatches
3rd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
28th October 1918, aged 28.
Plot II. F. 21.
Son of Joseph and Mabel Dudson, of Carterton, New Zealand.
Louis Chanel Dudson, Mentioned in Despatches
3rd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
28th October 1918, aged 28.
Plot II. F. 21.
Son of Joseph and Mabel Dudson, of Carterton, New Zealand.
6702 Serjeant
Robert Henry Edwards, M. M.
11th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
11th October 1918
Landrecies Com. Cem. Mem. 15.
Robert Henry Edwards, M. M.
11th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
11th October 1918
Landrecies Com. Cem. Mem. 15.
54745 Lance Corporal
Arthur Hayter
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th November 1918, aged 33.
Plot II. C. 19.
Son of Mrs. J. A. Hayter, of Tapuhi, Bay of Islands, New Zealand.
Arthur Hayter
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th November 1918, aged 33.
Plot II. C. 19.
Son of Mrs. J. A. Hayter, of Tapuhi, Bay of Islands, New Zealand.
71400 Rifleman
Archie James Hitchcock
2nd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
26th October 1918, aged 31.
Plot I. F. 3.
Son of Thomas and Fanny Hitchcock, of Motupipi Road, Takaka, Nelson, New Zealand.
Archie James Hitchcock
2nd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
26th October 1918, aged 31.
Plot I. F. 3.
Son of Thomas and Fanny Hitchcock, of Motupipi Road, Takaka, Nelson, New Zealand.
Images in this gallery © Johan Pauwels
Wreckage of the British Mark IV tank "Blarney Castle" destroyed in Fontaine. © IWM (Q 87618)
30592 Lance Corporal
Norman Charles Smith Irons
4th Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
27th October 1918
Sp. Mem. 1.
Son of the late George and Margaret Irons.
Norman Charles Smith Irons
4th Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
27th October 1918
Sp. Mem. 1.
Son of the late George and Margaret Irons.
34385 Corporal
Thomas Lauer
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th November 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. F. 16.
Son of Frederick and Lucy Lauer, of Pukekohe, Auckland, New Zealand.
Thomas Lauer
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th November 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. F. 16.
Son of Frederick and Lucy Lauer, of Pukekohe, Auckland, New Zealand.
34386 Serjeant
William Lauer
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
29th October 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. F. 20.
Son of Frederick and Lucy Lauer, of Pukekohe, Auckland, New Zealand.
William Lauer
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
29th October 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. F. 20.
Son of Frederick and Lucy Lauer, of Pukekohe, Auckland, New Zealand.
26/315 Rifleman
James Henry Morrison
4th Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th November 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. G. 11.
Son of James and Agnes Morrison, of 811, Outram Rd., Hastings, New Zealand. Also served in Egypt.
James Henry Morrison
4th Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
4th November 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. G. 11.
Son of James and Agnes Morrison, of 811, Outram Rd., Hastings, New Zealand. Also served in Egypt.
30056 Private
Arthur Perry
7th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
25th October1918, aged 30.
Plot IV. B. 6.
Son of John and Sarah Ann Perry, of Harlington, Dunstable.
Arthur Perry
7th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
25th October1918, aged 30.
Plot IV. B. 6.
Son of John and Sarah Ann Perry, of Harlington, Dunstable.
54084 Rifleman
Allen Douglas Ricketts
3rd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
27th October 1918, aged 21.
Plot II. F. 27.
Son of Percy and Jane Ricketts, of Tui, Nelson, New Zealand.
Allen Douglas Ricketts
3rd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
27th October 1918, aged 21.
Plot II. F. 27.
Son of Percy and Jane Ricketts, of Tui, Nelson, New Zealand.
72193 Private
Hubert Rusbatch
2nd Bn. Otago Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
5th November 1918, aged 22.
Plot II. A. 8.
Son of George and Jane Rusbatch, of North Rd., Eveline, Oamaru, New Zealand.
Hubert Rusbatch
2nd Bn. Otago Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
5th November 1918, aged 22.
Plot II. A. 8.
Son of George and Jane Rusbatch, of North Rd., Eveline, Oamaru, New Zealand.
8/727 Second Lieutenant
Richard Attlesey Savage
2nd Bn. Otago Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
5th November 1918, aged 21.
Plot II. A. 2.
Son of William and Mary Savage, of Petone, Wellington, New Zealand; husband of Ivy Margaret Savage, of Sparrow's Farm, Twinstead, Essex, England.
Richard Attlesey Savage
2nd Bn. Otago Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
5th November 1918, aged 21.
Plot II. A. 2.
Son of William and Mary Savage, of Petone, Wellington, New Zealand; husband of Ivy Margaret Savage, of Sparrow's Farm, Twinstead, Essex, England.
23/591 Rifleman
James Arthur Scott
2nd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
26th October 1918
Plot I. E. 26.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Scott, of Birch Hill, Takaka, Nelson, New Zealand.
James Arthur Scott
2nd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
26th October 1918
Plot I. E. 26.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Scott, of Birch Hill, Takaka, Nelson, New Zealand.
59732 Rifleman
Charles Robert Sharman
4th Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
26th October 1918
Plot I. G. 3.
Son of C. and C. E. Sharman, of 137, College St., Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Charles Robert Sharman
4th Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
26th October 1918
Plot I. G. 3.
Son of C. and C. E. Sharman, of 137, College St., Palmerston North, New Zealand.
315226 Private
J. Sturrock
13th (Scottish Horse) Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
4th November1918
Plot I. A. 6.
J. Sturrock
13th (Scottish Horse) Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
4th November1918
Plot I. A. 6.
41371 Rifleman
Richard McIntosh Talbot
4th Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
27th October 1918, aged 36.
Plot I. F. 23.
Son of Richard and Henrietta Talbot; husband of Emily Bennett Talbot, of Clifton, Opotiki, Auckland, New Zealand.
Richard McIntosh Talbot
4th Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
27th October 1918, aged 36.
Plot I. F. 23.
Son of Richard and Henrietta Talbot; husband of Emily Bennett Talbot, of Clifton, Opotiki, Auckland, New Zealand.
36357 Private
Edgar Percy Warner
2nd/5th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
2nd November 1918, aged 20.
Plot I. H. 12.
Son of Florence Warner, of 26, Rue Graversiere, Brussels, Belgium, and the late Percy Warner.
Edgar Percy Warner
2nd/5th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
2nd November 1918, aged 20.
Plot I. H. 12.
Son of Florence Warner, of 26, Rue Graversiere, Brussels, Belgium, and the late Percy Warner.
British troops resting on a felled tree near Le Cateau, 25 October 1918. © IWM (Q 3317)
