DOULLENS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION NO. 1
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.15521, Longitude: 2.35102
Location Information
Doullens is a town in the Department of the Somme, approximately 30 kilometres north of Amiens on the N25 road to Arras.
The Communal Cemetery and Extensions lie on the eastern side of the town, about 270 metres south-east of the road to Arras.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to site possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Doullens was Marshal Foch's headquarters early in the First World War and the scene of the conference in March 1918, after which he assumed command of the Allied armies on the Western Front. From the summer of 1915 to March 1916, Doullens was a junction between the French Tenth Army on the Arras front and the Commonwealth Third Army on the Somme. The citadelle, overlooking the town from the south, was a French military hospital, and the railhead was used by both armies. In March 1916, Commonwealth forces succeeded the French on the Arras front and the 19th Casualty Clearing Station came to Doullens, followed by the 41st, the 35th and the 11th. By the end of 1916, these had given way to the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital (which stayed until June 1918) and the 2/1st Northumbrian Casualty Clearing Station.
From February 1916 to April 1918, these medical units continued to bury in the French extension (No 1) of the communal cemetery. In March and April 1918 the German advance and the desperate fighting on this front threw a severe strain on the Canadian Stationary Hospital. The extension was filled, and a second extension begun on the opposite side of the communal cemetery.
In May 1940, Doullens was bombed with Arras and Abbeville before being occupied by the Germans.
The COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION No 1 contains 1,336 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also seven French and 13 German war graves from this period. Second World War burials number 35, more than half of them men of the Queen's Royal West Kents who died 20/21 May 1940.
The COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION no 2 contains 374 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, and 87 German war graves.
The COMMUNAL CEMETERY itself contains ten Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.
Total Burials: 1,392
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,133, New Zealand 78, Australia 69, Canada 40, Germany 11, South Africa 3, India 2. Total 1,336.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 24. Total 24.
The extensions were designed by Charles Holden and William Harrison Cowlishaw
Dedication
52355 Private John Castle Morton, Auckland Regiment, N. Z. E. F., 19th April 1918, aged 33. Son of Clara and the late W.H. Morton Savage Rd , Waihi, Auckland. NZ.
Remembered by Brian Coventry, great nephew
Doullens is a town in the Department of the Somme, approximately 30 kilometres north of Amiens on the N25 road to Arras.
The Communal Cemetery and Extensions lie on the eastern side of the town, about 270 metres south-east of the road to Arras.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to site possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Doullens was Marshal Foch's headquarters early in the First World War and the scene of the conference in March 1918, after which he assumed command of the Allied armies on the Western Front. From the summer of 1915 to March 1916, Doullens was a junction between the French Tenth Army on the Arras front and the Commonwealth Third Army on the Somme. The citadelle, overlooking the town from the south, was a French military hospital, and the railhead was used by both armies. In March 1916, Commonwealth forces succeeded the French on the Arras front and the 19th Casualty Clearing Station came to Doullens, followed by the 41st, the 35th and the 11th. By the end of 1916, these had given way to the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital (which stayed until June 1918) and the 2/1st Northumbrian Casualty Clearing Station.
From February 1916 to April 1918, these medical units continued to bury in the French extension (No 1) of the communal cemetery. In March and April 1918 the German advance and the desperate fighting on this front threw a severe strain on the Canadian Stationary Hospital. The extension was filled, and a second extension begun on the opposite side of the communal cemetery.
In May 1940, Doullens was bombed with Arras and Abbeville before being occupied by the Germans.
The COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION No 1 contains 1,336 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also seven French and 13 German war graves from this period. Second World War burials number 35, more than half of them men of the Queen's Royal West Kents who died 20/21 May 1940.
The COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION no 2 contains 374 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, and 87 German war graves.
The COMMUNAL CEMETERY itself contains ten Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.
Total Burials: 1,392
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,133, New Zealand 78, Australia 69, Canada 40, Germany 11, South Africa 3, India 2. Total 1,336.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 24. Total 24.
The extensions were designed by Charles Holden and William Harrison Cowlishaw
Dedication
52355 Private John Castle Morton, Auckland Regiment, N. Z. E. F., 19th April 1918, aged 33. Son of Clara and the late W.H. Morton Savage Rd , Waihi, Auckland. NZ.
Remembered by Brian Coventry, great nephew
10/1441 Private
John Henry Archbutt
12th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
30th June 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 4.
Son of Eliza and the late Abel Archbutt, of Cottingham. Born at Cottingham, East Yorks.
His headstone bears the inscription; "A Good Son, A Good Soldier A Good Friend He Died For Us."
He died the day before the Battle of the Somme began after taking part in a scouting mission as a sniper.
Remembered with pride every June and November and at times between
Picture courtesy of great niece, Christine Rooks.
John Henry Archbutt
12th Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
30th June 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 4.
Son of Eliza and the late Abel Archbutt, of Cottingham. Born at Cottingham, East Yorks.
His headstone bears the inscription; "A Good Son, A Good Soldier A Good Friend He Died For Us."
He died the day before the Battle of the Somme began after taking part in a scouting mission as a sniper.
Remembered with pride every June and November and at times between
Picture courtesy of great niece, Christine Rooks.
25324 Serjeant
Alfred Edward Barrett
1st/5th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
27th April 1918, aged 27.
Plot VI. A. 48.
Alfred Edward Barrett
1st/5th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
27th April 1918, aged 27.
Plot VI. A. 48.
114 Sergeant
Albert Harris Tasman Bender
40th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
30th March 1918, aged 28.
Plot VI. G. 22.
Son of August and Luckenia Jane Bender, of Chapel St., Glenorchy, Tasmania.
A farm labourer prior to enlistment, he embarked for service overseas with A Company from Hobart aboard HMAT Berrima on 1 July 1916. By December his battalion was serving in the trenches in France. Promoted to the rank of Corporal (Cpl) in April 1917, he was transferred to England to undertake further training with the 10th Training Battalion, Durrington, and later qualified as an assistant instructor at the Bombing School, Lyndhurst. Rejoining his unit in France in January 1918, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant (Sgt) on 9 March. During the German Spring Offensive at Morlancourt, Sgt Bender was wounded in action on 28 March 1918. He was admitted to the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital with gunshot wounds to the left side of his chest. Sgt Bender died of wounds on 30 March 1918, aged 28.
Albert Harris Tasman Bender
40th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
30th March 1918, aged 28.
Plot VI. G. 22.
Son of August and Luckenia Jane Bender, of Chapel St., Glenorchy, Tasmania.
A farm labourer prior to enlistment, he embarked for service overseas with A Company from Hobart aboard HMAT Berrima on 1 July 1916. By December his battalion was serving in the trenches in France. Promoted to the rank of Corporal (Cpl) in April 1917, he was transferred to England to undertake further training with the 10th Training Battalion, Durrington, and later qualified as an assistant instructor at the Bombing School, Lyndhurst. Rejoining his unit in France in January 1918, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant (Sgt) on 9 March. During the German Spring Offensive at Morlancourt, Sgt Bender was wounded in action on 28 March 1918. He was admitted to the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital with gunshot wounds to the left side of his chest. Sgt Bender died of wounds on 30 March 1918, aged 28.
Lieutenant
Norman Harry Coghill
Scots Guards attached to Machine Gun Guards
28th March 1918, aged 20.
Plot VI. A. 1.
Son of Norman and Emma Coghill, of Almington Hall, Market Drayton, Salop.
His headstone bears the inscription; "God Have You In His Keeping."
Norman Harry Coghill
Scots Guards attached to Machine Gun Guards
28th March 1918, aged 20.
Plot VI. A. 1.
Son of Norman and Emma Coghill, of Almington Hall, Market Drayton, Salop.
His headstone bears the inscription; "God Have You In His Keeping."
5293 Bombardier
James Lawrence Earley
104th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
6th April 1918, aged 29.
Plot VI. C. 7.
Husband of Mona Earley, of 78, Ruskin St., Walton, Liverpool.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Father In Thy Gracious Keeping Leave I Now My Loved One Sleeping."
This is James Lawrence Earley and his wife, my Grandmother Mona (second picture). James was born in Rainhill, near Liverpool and my grandmother was born in Liverpool. They married in 1916.
Pictures courtesy of Joyce Saunders
James Lawrence Earley
104th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
6th April 1918, aged 29.
Plot VI. C. 7.
Husband of Mona Earley, of 78, Ruskin St., Walton, Liverpool.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Father In Thy Gracious Keeping Leave I Now My Loved One Sleeping."
This is James Lawrence Earley and his wife, my Grandmother Mona (second picture). James was born in Rainhill, near Liverpool and my grandmother was born in Liverpool. They married in 1916.
Pictures courtesy of Joyce Saunders
Second Lieutenant
John Frederick Egerton
8th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
3rd April 1916, aged 19.
Plot II. A. 2.
Son of the Right Honble. Sir Edwin Egerton, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., &c., and Olga Egerton Princess Olga Lobanow de Rostoff.
John Frederick Egerton
8th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
3rd April 1916, aged 19.
Plot II. A. 2.
Son of the Right Honble. Sir Edwin Egerton, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., &c., and Olga Egerton Princess Olga Lobanow de Rostoff.
Canadian journalists visiting the ruins of No. 3 Canadian General Hospital at Doullens which was bombed during an air-raid on the night of 29 May 1918. 27 July 1918. © IWM (Q 9125)
90989 Gunner
Arthur George Freeman
154th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
27th March 1918, aged 33.
Plot V. E. 31.
Born in Akeley, Buckinghamshire. Died of wounds at No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital on 27th March 1918, aged 33. Son of George and Louisa Freeman (nee Herbert), of Greens Norton, Towcester, Northamptonshire. George (his father) was a gardener. They had five children: Alice Freeman (b. 1879), Harry Herbert Freeman (b. 1881), Arthur George Freeman (b. 1885), Horace Freeman (b. 1888), Ray Freeman (b. 1891)
His headstone bears the inscription; "Dearly Loved And Sadly Missed. By His Loving Wife. Reggie And Bedley."
Resident of Greens Norton, Northamptonshire, Enlisted at Bletchley, Buckinghamshire.
Picture and information courtesy of Bill & Hazel Howell (niece of Arthur)
Arthur George Freeman
154th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
27th March 1918, aged 33.
Plot V. E. 31.
Born in Akeley, Buckinghamshire. Died of wounds at No. 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital on 27th March 1918, aged 33. Son of George and Louisa Freeman (nee Herbert), of Greens Norton, Towcester, Northamptonshire. George (his father) was a gardener. They had five children: Alice Freeman (b. 1879), Harry Herbert Freeman (b. 1881), Arthur George Freeman (b. 1885), Horace Freeman (b. 1888), Ray Freeman (b. 1891)
His headstone bears the inscription; "Dearly Loved And Sadly Missed. By His Loving Wife. Reggie And Bedley."
Resident of Greens Norton, Northamptonshire, Enlisted at Bletchley, Buckinghamshire.
Picture and information courtesy of Bill & Hazel Howell (niece of Arthur)
23/1 Brigadier General
Harry Townsend Fulton, Companion of St. Michael and St. George, Distinguished Service Order, Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Commanding 3rd N. Z. Rifle Brigade, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
29th March 1918, aged 49.
Plot VI. A. 4.
Croix de Guerre (France). Son of Lt. Gen. John Fulton, R.A., and Ellen Fulton, of India. Served on Indian Frontier, 1897; in South Africa, 1900; Samoa, 1914, and Egypt, 1915.
His headstone bears the inscription; "I Thank My God Upon Every Remembrance Of You."
Harry Townsend Fulton, Companion of St. Michael and St. George, Distinguished Service Order, Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Commanding 3rd N. Z. Rifle Brigade, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
29th March 1918, aged 49.
Plot VI. A. 4.
Croix de Guerre (France). Son of Lt. Gen. John Fulton, R.A., and Ellen Fulton, of India. Served on Indian Frontier, 1897; in South Africa, 1900; Samoa, 1914, and Egypt, 1915.
His headstone bears the inscription; "I Thank My God Upon Every Remembrance Of You."
1852 Private
Arthur Heath
8th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
7th July 1916, aged 20.
Plot III. C. 5.
Son of Harry and Rosina Heath, of 1/108, Berners St., Lozells, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Not My Will O Lord But Thy Will Be Done."
Arthur Heath
8th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
7th July 1916, aged 20.
Plot III. C. 5.
Son of Harry and Rosina Heath, of 1/108, Berners St., Lozells, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Not My Will O Lord But Thy Will Be Done."
Lieutenant
Ebenezer Maclay
1st Bn. Scots Guards
11th April 1918, aged 27.
Plot VI. A. 33.
Son of Sir Joseph Paton Maclay, Bart., and Lady Maclay, of Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire. B.A. of Cambridge. Native of Glasgow. His brother William Strang Maclay also fell and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Son Of Sir Joseph Paton Maclay, Bart. Glasgow Till He Come."
Ebenezer Maclay
1st Bn. Scots Guards
11th April 1918, aged 27.
Plot VI. A. 33.
Son of Sir Joseph Paton Maclay, Bart., and Lady Maclay, of Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire. B.A. of Cambridge. Native of Glasgow. His brother William Strang Maclay also fell and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Turkey.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Son Of Sir Joseph Paton Maclay, Bart. Glasgow Till He Come."
3454 Private
Thomas Eric Peterson
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th April 1918, aged 20.
Plot VI. D. 2.
Son of Mary Reiddie Peterson, of Minlaton, South Australia, and the late William Peterson.
A 21 year old shop assistant prior to enlisting on 2 January 1917, he embarked for overseas with the 9th Reinforcements of the 50th Battalion from Adelaide on 10 February 1917 aboard HMAT Seang Bee. Following further training in England, he arrived in France and joined the 50th Battalion on 25 August 1917. Pte Peterson was wounded in action at Dernancourt, France on 5 April 1918 and died of his wounds the same day.
The Officer Commanding No.3 Canadian Stationary Hospital wrote the following response to a query regarding Thomas Peterson's whereabouts: "He was admitted to this hospital on April 5th, with shrapnel wounds in the right leg and left arm. I regret to say that he was already dead when admitted. He was buried in the Military Cemetery at Doullens."
Thomas Eric Peterson
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th April 1918, aged 20.
Plot VI. D. 2.
Son of Mary Reiddie Peterson, of Minlaton, South Australia, and the late William Peterson.
A 21 year old shop assistant prior to enlisting on 2 January 1917, he embarked for overseas with the 9th Reinforcements of the 50th Battalion from Adelaide on 10 February 1917 aboard HMAT Seang Bee. Following further training in England, he arrived in France and joined the 50th Battalion on 25 August 1917. Pte Peterson was wounded in action at Dernancourt, France on 5 April 1918 and died of his wounds the same day.
The Officer Commanding No.3 Canadian Stationary Hospital wrote the following response to a query regarding Thomas Peterson's whereabouts: "He was admitted to this hospital on April 5th, with shrapnel wounds in the right leg and left arm. I regret to say that he was already dead when admitted. He was buried in the Military Cemetery at Doullens."
Second Lieutenant
Augustus Montague Sargent
15th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
27th April 1918, aged 34.
Plot VI. A. 45.
Son of Richard and Alice Matilda Sargent, late of Manor Villa, Wootton Bassett, Wilts; now of Seales Farm, Upper Seagry, Chippenham.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Gave All He Had, His Life; And Is Gone To His Reward."
Augustus Montague Sargent
15th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
27th April 1918, aged 34.
Plot VI. A. 45.
Son of Richard and Alice Matilda Sargent, late of Manor Villa, Wootton Bassett, Wilts; now of Seales Farm, Upper Seagry, Chippenham.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Gave All He Had, His Life; And Is Gone To His Reward."
24425 Private
Joseph Small
1st/4th Bn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Between 23rd March 1918 and 26th March 1918, aged 29.
Plot V. A. 83.
Before the war Joseph had worked as an insurance agent, He was killed in action on March 26th 1918 aged 29 in the fighting around Hebuterne trying to stem the German spring offensive. His brother Samuel who was serving with the RAMC had been killed on 24th July 1916 during the battle of the Somme whilst attending to a wounded soldier.
Son of Benjamin & Sarah Small of 8 Crown Street, Dawley, Shropshire.
Picture courtesy of Dave Shaw
Joseph Small
1st/4th Bn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Between 23rd March 1918 and 26th March 1918, aged 29.
Plot V. A. 83.
Before the war Joseph had worked as an insurance agent, He was killed in action on March 26th 1918 aged 29 in the fighting around Hebuterne trying to stem the German spring offensive. His brother Samuel who was serving with the RAMC had been killed on 24th July 1916 during the battle of the Somme whilst attending to a wounded soldier.
Son of Benjamin & Sarah Small of 8 Crown Street, Dawley, Shropshire.
Picture courtesy of Dave Shaw
3282 Private
Robert Maurice Stubbs
46th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
2nd April 1918, aged 41.
Plot VI. E. 10.
Son of John Henry and Elizabeth Harriet Stubbs, of Southern Goss, Western Australia. Native of Gisborne, New Zealand.
An assayer and metallurgist prior to enlistment Pte Stubbs embarked on 29 December 1916 aboard HMAT Persic (A34). He died at Doullens, France, on 2 April 1918 of wounds received in action during the German offensive around Dernancourt.
The Officer Commanding No.3 Canadian Stationary Hospital wrote that he was admitted to the hospital with a shrapnel wound to the face and died the same day.
Robert Maurice Stubbs
46th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
2nd April 1918, aged 41.
Plot VI. E. 10.
Son of John Henry and Elizabeth Harriet Stubbs, of Southern Goss, Western Australia. Native of Gisborne, New Zealand.
An assayer and metallurgist prior to enlistment Pte Stubbs embarked on 29 December 1916 aboard HMAT Persic (A34). He died at Doullens, France, on 2 April 1918 of wounds received in action during the German offensive around Dernancourt.
The Officer Commanding No.3 Canadian Stationary Hospital wrote that he was admitted to the hospital with a shrapnel wound to the face and died the same day.
3722 Private
Alfred Charles Thorn
45th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th March 1918, aged 23.
Plot VI. E. 34.
Son of Alfred and Clara Thorn, of Terminus St., Liverpool, New South Wales.
A carter prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Marathon (A74) on 10 May 1917. Pte Thorn, was wounded in action near Morlancourt, France on 27 March 1918 and died, later that day, of his wounds, aged 23.
Alfred Charles Thorn
45th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th March 1918, aged 23.
Plot VI. E. 34.
Son of Alfred and Clara Thorn, of Terminus St., Liverpool, New South Wales.
A carter prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Marathon (A74) on 10 May 1917. Pte Thorn, was wounded in action near Morlancourt, France on 27 March 1918 and died, later that day, of his wounds, aged 23.
R/6004 Able Seaman
John Venables
Anson Bn. R. N. Div. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
28th March 1918, aged 20.
Plot V. D. 13.
Son of James and Mary Jane Venables, of Chemical Works, Queen's Ferry, Chester.
His headstone bears the inscription: "A Loving Son, A Brother Kind A Beautiful Memory Left Behind"
Pictures and dedication courtesy of Geoff England (Great Nephew)
John Venables
Anson Bn. R. N. Div. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
28th March 1918, aged 20.
Plot V. D. 13.
Son of James and Mary Jane Venables, of Chemical Works, Queen's Ferry, Chester.
His headstone bears the inscription: "A Loving Son, A Brother Kind A Beautiful Memory Left Behind"
Pictures and dedication courtesy of Geoff England (Great Nephew)
Dedication
In memory of my great uncle John (My maternal Grandfather’s older brother) whom I unfortunately never had the chance to meet. He served with the Anson Battalion of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on the Western Front and he died on the 28th March 1918 in the Canadian Military Hospital in Doullens, France, of the wounds he received in action when he was involved in repelling a German attack the previous day at a village called Martinsart. He was only 20 years old at the time. Please can you honour the memory of this man who now lies at rest in Doullens Military Cemetery, along with far too many others of his generation, from both sides of the conflict. Let us not forget them. I am so very proud and honoured to be related to him. The following words written by his parents remain on his headstone: - A LOVING SON, A BROTHER KIND, A BEAUTIFUL MEMORY LEFT BEHIND.
Newly engraved headstone of Lieutenant Harry Morton Ellis Adie, Royal Flying Corps. 1st May 1916, aged 29. Destined for Doullens Communal Cemetery No.1, Plot II. Row A. Grave 3. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Adie, of St. Catharine's, Ontario, Canada. Enlisted October, 1914, 19th Bn. Canadians, transf. to Royal Flying Corps in France, Feb. 1st, 1916. © Jeremy Gordon-Smith
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A stonemason engraving a headstone destined for the grave of a Canadian casualty of the First World War. From the information on the bottom of the headstone P3 RA C20 DOULCCE the casualty who received this headstone has been identified as Private John Christopher Weatherhead, Canadian Army Medical Corps Plot III Row A Grave 20 in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No.1. © Jeremy Gordon-Smith
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Nurses looking after British and French wounded on a RAMC ambulance train near Doullens, 27 April 1918. They are members of either the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve or the Territorial Force Nursing Service. © IWM (Q 8750)
Troops of the 10th (Service) Battalion (1st Hull), East Yorkshire Regiment marching to the trenches near Doullens, 28 June 1916. © IWM Q 743
Images in this gallery © Johan Pauwels
Nurse and a RAMC orderly dressing wounds of French and British in a RAMC ambulance train near Doullens, 27 April 1918. © IWM Q 8737
August 1950 -©CWGC
August 1950 - ©CWGC
June 1954 - ©CWGC
