DOMINION CEMETERY
Hendecourt-Lès-Cagnicourt
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.21697, Longitude: 2.97592
Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
Hendecourt-lès-Cagnicourt is 16 kilometres south-east of Arras and 4 kilometres south of the Arras-Cambrai main road.
Dominion Cemetery is 2.5 kilometres north-east of Hendecourt-les-Cagnicourt, in fields reached by a track signposted off the road (the D956) between Hendecourt and the main Arras to Cambrai road (the D939).
Historical Information
Hendecourt-les-Cagnicourt was captured by the 57th (West Lancashire) and 52nd (Lowland) Division on the night of the 1st-2nd September, 1918.
Dominion Cemetery was made by Canadian units in September, 1918, after the storming by the Canadian Corps of the Drocourt-Queant Line; IMPERIAL CEMETERY, to the West of the village, has now been removed to H.A.C. Cemetery, Ecoust-St. Mein. The grave of one Canadian airman was brought in after the Armistice from an isolated position some kilometres to the East.
There are 231, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified and a special memorial is erected to a Canadian soldier believed to be buried among them.
The cemetery covers an area of 818 square metres and is enclosed by a flint and rubble wall.
Total Burials: 231.
Identified Casualties: Canada 211, United Kingdom 15. Total 226.
The crew of a German 21 cm Mörser 16 heavy howitzer at rest in their position at Hendecourt, March 1918. IWM (Q 55222)
Cemetery images in gallery below © Werner Van Caneghem
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426402 Sergeant Arthur George Knight V. C.
10th Bn. Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment)
Died of wounds 3rd September 1918, aged 32.
Plot I. F. 15.
Croix de Guerre (France). Native of Haywards Heath, Sussex.
Citation:
An extract from the "London Gazette," No. 31012, dated 12th Nov., 1918, records the following :- "For most conspicuous bravery, initiative, and devotion to duty when, after an unsuccessful attack, Serjt. Knight led a bombing section forward, under very heavy fire of all descriptions, and engaged the enemy at close quarters. Seeing that his party continued to be held up, he dashed forward alone, bayoneting several of the enemy machine-gunners and trench-mortar crews, and forcing the remainder to retire in confusion. He then brought forward a Lewis gun and directed his fire on the retreating enemy, inflicting many casualties. In the subsequent advance of his platoon in pursuit, Serjt. Knight saw a party of about thirty of the enemy go into a deep tunnel which led off the trench. He again dashed forward alone, and, having killed one officer and two N.C.O.s., captured twenty other ranks. Subsequently he routed, single-handed, another enemy party which was opposing the advance of his platoon. On each occasion he displayed the greatest valour under fire at very close range, and by his example of courage, gallantry and initiative was a wonderful inspiration to all. This very gallant N.C.O. was subsequently fatally wounded."
Headstone
Picture © Johan Pauwels
154641 Private
James Ard Patrick Bell
15th Bn. Canadian Infantry, (48th Highlanders of Canada)
1st September 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. E. 12.
Son of William Bell, of Welwyn, Saskatchewan.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Richard Davies, Victoria, BC, Canada
James Ard Patrick Bell
15th Bn. Canadian Infantry, (48th Highlanders of Canada)
1st September 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. E. 12.
Son of William Bell, of Welwyn, Saskatchewan.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Richard Davies, Victoria, BC, Canada
736968 Private
John Stuart Bingham
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
2nd September 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. D. 11.
Son of J. D. and Margaret Bigham, of 2255, East 14th St., Long Beach, California, U.S.A.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "Peace Perfect Peace. Ever Treasured & Loving Memory, Dad, Mother And Sister."
John Stuart Bingham
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
2nd September 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. D. 11.
Son of J. D. and Margaret Bigham, of 2255, East 14th St., Long Beach, California, U.S.A.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "Peace Perfect Peace. Ever Treasured & Loving Memory, Dad, Mother And Sister."
Lieutenant
Felix Olivier Bolte
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
2nd September 1918, aged 24.
Plot I. G. 5.
Son of Auguste Bolte and his wife Elsie Armour Miles, of 14, Willcocks St., Toronto.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "The Dearly Beloved Son Of Auguste Bolté And Elsie Armour Miles."
Felix Olivier Bolte
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
2nd September 1918, aged 24.
Plot I. G. 5.
Son of Auguste Bolte and his wife Elsie Armour Miles, of 14, Willcocks St., Toronto.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "The Dearly Beloved Son Of Auguste Bolté And Elsie Armour Miles."
Lieutenant
Alex Campbell-Johnston
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
2nd September 1918, aged 18.
Plot I. C. 25.
Son of Ronald Campbell and Amy Ellen C. Campbell-Johnston, of 1337, Alberni St., Vancouver, British Columbia. He enlisted when under sixteen years of age, serving first as a Private in the same Regiment. His brother Ronald Alfred Campbell-Johnston also fell the following day and is buried at Dominion Cemetery in Plot I. G. 13. No known image of Ronald exists.
Alex Campbell-Johnston
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
2nd September 1918, aged 18.
Plot I. C. 25.
Son of Ronald Campbell and Amy Ellen C. Campbell-Johnston, of 1337, Alberni St., Vancouver, British Columbia. He enlisted when under sixteen years of age, serving first as a Private in the same Regiment. His brother Ronald Alfred Campbell-Johnston also fell the following day and is buried at Dominion Cemetery in Plot I. G. 13. No known image of Ronald exists.
875060 Corporal
George Cooper
"A" Coy. 27th Bn. Canadian Infantry
8th September 1918, aged 22.
Plot I. G. 23.
Son of George and Ellen Cooper, of Carman, Manitoba.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "The Battle O'er, Your Work Is Done. Sleep On Dear George, Beloved Son."
George Cooper
"A" Coy. 27th Bn. Canadian Infantry
8th September 1918, aged 22.
Plot I. G. 23.
Son of George and Ellen Cooper, of Carman, Manitoba.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "The Battle O'er, Your Work Is Done. Sleep On Dear George, Beloved Son."
199201 Corporal
Robert Currie, M. M.
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
2nd September 1918, aged 36.
Plot I. B. 19.
Son of Jackson and Eliza Armstrong Currie.
Robert Currie, M. M.
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
2nd September 1918, aged 36.
Plot I. B. 19.
Son of Jackson and Eliza Armstrong Currie.
16225 Private
G. D. Hays, D. C. M.
7th Bn. Canadian Infantry
3rd September 1918.
Plot I. G. 14.
G. D. Hays, D. C. M.
7th Bn. Canadian Infantry
3rd September 1918.
Plot I. G. 14.
120268 Sergeant
Alexander Ramsay
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
1st September 1918, aged 33.
Plot I. A. 13.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Ramsay, of 177, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, Scotland; husband of Violet Ramsay, of 1094, St. Clair Avenue, Toronto.
His headstone bears the inscription "Till We Meet Again, Sadly Missed, Mother, Father Wife And Children"
Alexander was living at 1094 St. Clair Avenue, Toronto before his enlistment at Montreal, Quebec on 12th August 1915, aged 29.
Alex Ramsay was born in Edinburgh Scotland and had 12 sisters and brothers. He emigrated to Canada before the war, like many Scots, to find a better life.
We organized a Family Pilgrimage to Sergeant Alex Ramsay's graveside as a memorial to Alex and his mates on the 100th Anniversary of Alex's death on 1st September 2018. We had a Service of Remembrance at Alex's final resting place. Each Pilgrim contributed to the service on a warm sunny day. As a family we committed to keeping Alex and his mates memory alive for future generations. RIP Alex.
Biography courtesy of his Great Nephew Alex Walker
Alexander Ramsay
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
1st September 1918, aged 33.
Plot I. A. 13.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Ramsay, of 177, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, Scotland; husband of Violet Ramsay, of 1094, St. Clair Avenue, Toronto.
His headstone bears the inscription "Till We Meet Again, Sadly Missed, Mother, Father Wife And Children"
Alexander was living at 1094 St. Clair Avenue, Toronto before his enlistment at Montreal, Quebec on 12th August 1915, aged 29.
Alex Ramsay was born in Edinburgh Scotland and had 12 sisters and brothers. He emigrated to Canada before the war, like many Scots, to find a better life.
We organized a Family Pilgrimage to Sergeant Alex Ramsay's graveside as a memorial to Alex and his mates on the 100th Anniversary of Alex's death on 1st September 2018. We had a Service of Remembrance at Alex's final resting place. Each Pilgrim contributed to the service on a warm sunny day. As a family we committed to keeping Alex and his mates memory alive for future generations. RIP Alex.
Biography courtesy of his Great Nephew Alex Walker
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426604 Private
Thomas Smith
16th Bn. (Manitoba Regiment) Canadian Infantry (Canadian Scottish).
2nd September 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. C. 3.
Son of Mrs Mercy Smith of 4115 Welwyn Street, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Pte. Smith was a direct descendant of one Sgt. Robert Perry, late of Major Jessup's Rangers as a United Empire Loyalist during the American War of Independence. He is therefore entitled to the post-nominal of UE. He was killed during the Second Battle of Arras in the assault on the Drocourt-Queant Line on September 2, 1918.
Photo courtesy Ron Smith
Thomas Smith
16th Bn. (Manitoba Regiment) Canadian Infantry (Canadian Scottish).
2nd September 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. C. 3.
Son of Mrs Mercy Smith of 4115 Welwyn Street, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Pte. Smith was a direct descendant of one Sgt. Robert Perry, late of Major Jessup's Rangers as a United Empire Loyalist during the American War of Independence. He is therefore entitled to the post-nominal of UE. He was killed during the Second Battle of Arras in the assault on the Drocourt-Queant Line on September 2, 1918.
Photo courtesy Ron Smith
2129193 Private
Harold Tomalin
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
2nd September 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 14.
Private Harold Tomalin 2129193 Private in the Canadian Infantry 16th Bn., killed September 2, 1918. He was born in Leicestershire, England to parents William and Jane (Sanford) Tomalin on November 2, 1896. He was the 3rd of 5 children. He emigrated to Canada with his parents and surviving sister and brother (my grandfather) and enlisted near the end of the war. My father (Harold's nephew) told me he only lasted little more than a month once posted to France and died sadly near the war's end. He was never married and left no children behind upon his death at age of 21 and 10 months.
Photo and information provided by Jo Ann Tomalin Thompson, great niece of Harold Tomalin.
Harold Tomalin
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
2nd September 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 14.
Private Harold Tomalin 2129193 Private in the Canadian Infantry 16th Bn., killed September 2, 1918. He was born in Leicestershire, England to parents William and Jane (Sanford) Tomalin on November 2, 1896. He was the 3rd of 5 children. He emigrated to Canada with his parents and surviving sister and brother (my grandfather) and enlisted near the end of the war. My father (Harold's nephew) told me he only lasted little more than a month once posted to France and died sadly near the war's end. He was never married and left no children behind upon his death at age of 21 and 10 months.
Photo and information provided by Jo Ann Tomalin Thompson, great niece of Harold Tomalin.
German Air Force hangars in Hendecourt-les-Cagnicourt. © IWM (Q 105763)
