FAUBOURG D'AMIENS CEMETERY
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.28697, Longitude: 2.76065
Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery is in the western part of the town of Arras in the Boulevard du General de Gaulle, near the Citadel, approximately 2 Kms due west of the railway station.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to the cemetery is possible via an alternative entrance at the rear.
Historical Information
The French handed over Arras to Commonwealth forces in the spring of 1916 and the system of tunnels upon which the town is built were used and developed in preparation for the major offensive planned for April 1917.
The Commonwealth section of the FAUBOURG D'AMIENS CEMETERY was begun in March 1916, behind the French military cemetery established earlier. It continued to be used by field ambulances and fighting units until November 1918. The cemetery was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields and from two smaller cemeteries in the vicinity.
The cemetery contains over 2,650 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 10 of which are unidentified. The graves in the French military cemetery were removed after the war to other burial grounds and the land they had occupied was used for the construction of the Arras Memorial and Arras Flying Services Memorial.
The adjacent ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917.
The adjacent ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL commemorates more than 1,000 airmen of the Royal Naval Air Service, the Royal Flying Corps, and the Royal Air Force, either by attachment from other arms of the forces of the Commonwealth or by original enlistment, who were killed on the whole Western Front and who have no known grave.
During the Second World War, Arras was occupied by United Kingdom forces headquarters until the town was evacuated on 23 May 1940. Arras then remained in German hands until retaken by Commonwealth and Free French forces on 1 September 1944. The 1939-1945 War burials number 8 and comprise 3 soldiers and 4 airmen from the United Kingdom and 1 entirely unidentified casualty. Located between the 2 special memorials of the 1914-1918 War is the special memorial commemorating an officer of the United States Army Air Force, who died during the 1939-1945 War. This special memorial, is inscribed with the words "Believed to be buried in this cemetery". In addition, there are 30 war graves of other nationalities, most of them German.
Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery
Total Burials: 2,688.
World War One Commonwealth Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 2,392, Canada 153, South Africa 60, New Zealand 26, India 9. Total 2,640.
Other Nationalities: 29.
World War One Commonwealth Unidentified Casualties: 10.
World War Two Commonwealth Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 7.
World War Two American Casualty: 1.
World War Two Unidentified Casualty: 1.
Arras Memorial
Commemorated on Memorial: United Kingdom 34,672, South Africa 76, New Zealand 1. Total 34,749.
Arras Flying Services Memorial
Commemorated on Memorial: United Kingdom 911, Canada 46, Australia 17, India 6, New Zealand 2, South Africa 1. Total 983.
Both cemetery and memorials were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick.
The original design for the Arras Memorial which forms the boundary on one side of this memorial.
A large Memorial to the Missing was originally proposed for Arras. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, this was to be a tall, thin arch, 124 feet high, whose sides were to consist of a vertical series of diminishing blocks, each pierced by an arched tunnel but arranged on alternate axes and containing bells which would swing and toll with the wind. It was a concept whose ethereal form was to commemorate missing airmen and one in which Lutyens developed the complex arch theme that would be realised at Thiepval.
In 1926 the French authorities objected to this and to other proposed memorials. The following year Lutyens produced a new and more modest scheme consisting of a memorial running along one side of the Faubourg d’Amiens Cemetery to the west of Arras. This was unveiled in 1932 by Lord Trenchard. The names of 35,928 Missing who disappeared in the several campaigns in the Arras area in 1917 are listed on walls behind a colonnade broken by aedicules, and this colonnade also breaks back to enclose a free-standing pylon supporting a winged globe carved by William Reid Dick. On this are listed all the missing of the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Naval Air Service and their successor, the Royal Air Force, who died on the Western Front. The cemetery contains 2,648 burials.
Gavin Stamp
Captain
William Maurice (Pat) Armstrong, M. C. & Mentioned in Despatches
10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars
23rd May 1917, aged 27.
Plot V. F. 18.
Son of Marcus Beresford Armstrong and Rosalie Cornelia Armstrong, of Moyaliffe, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
His headstone bears the inscription "Not Lost, But Gone Before"
William Maurice (Pat) Armstrong, M. C. & Mentioned in Despatches
10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars
23rd May 1917, aged 27.
Plot V. F. 18.
Son of Marcus Beresford Armstrong and Rosalie Cornelia Armstrong, of Moyaliffe, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
His headstone bears the inscription "Not Lost, But Gone Before"
Second Lieutenant
Leonard Percival Bartlett
5th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
9th April 1917, aged 23.
Plot IV. A. 26.
Son of William and Alice Rosa Bartlett, of 248, Haydon's Rd., Wimbledon, London. A Civil Servant (Engineer's Dept., G.P.O.).
Leonard entered France on the 30th March 1915, was a Private with the Royal Berkshire Regiment, then became a 2nd Corporal with the Machine Gun Corps, before being commissioned into the Royal Berks around the 20th December 1916. At 12:45pm, on 9th April, he lead one of two companies of Royal Berkshires over the crest of Observation Ridge. At this point, Leonard, and his fellow officer, 2nd Lt KCB Storey (aged 19), also of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, together with a score of men, found themselves facing four enemy artillery batteries, which immediately opened fire at point blank range. The two officers are buried in Faubourg D'Amiens, while the men were buried in Houdain Lane Cemetery.
"There is no death, dear Len. Life and love live for ever. Mam & Dad"
Picture courtesy of Graham Wilson, his Great Nephew, who would be delighted to hear from relatives of any of the men serving with him.
Leonard Percival Bartlett
5th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
9th April 1917, aged 23.
Plot IV. A. 26.
Son of William and Alice Rosa Bartlett, of 248, Haydon's Rd., Wimbledon, London. A Civil Servant (Engineer's Dept., G.P.O.).
Leonard entered France on the 30th March 1915, was a Private with the Royal Berkshire Regiment, then became a 2nd Corporal with the Machine Gun Corps, before being commissioned into the Royal Berks around the 20th December 1916. At 12:45pm, on 9th April, he lead one of two companies of Royal Berkshires over the crest of Observation Ridge. At this point, Leonard, and his fellow officer, 2nd Lt KCB Storey (aged 19), also of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, together with a score of men, found themselves facing four enemy artillery batteries, which immediately opened fire at point blank range. The two officers are buried in Faubourg D'Amiens, while the men were buried in Houdain Lane Cemetery.
"There is no death, dear Len. Life and love live for ever. Mam & Dad"
Picture courtesy of Graham Wilson, his Great Nephew, who would be delighted to hear from relatives of any of the men serving with him.
7644 Serjeant
Samuel Colebatch
9th Bn. Essex Regiment
4th September 1916.
Plot I. F. 54.
He left behind a widow, May and a baby daughter Marjorie.
Picture courtesy of great granddaughter, Dawn McMillan
Samuel Colebatch
9th Bn. Essex Regiment
4th September 1916.
Plot I. F. 54.
He left behind a widow, May and a baby daughter Marjorie.
Picture courtesy of great granddaughter, Dawn McMillan
Lieutenant
William Murray Dobie
"D" Company, 3rd Bn. attached to 1st Bn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
9th April 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. A. 22.
Son of Herbert Dobie, M.D., of Northdene, Chester.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Give Unto Them Eternal Life John X. 28"
William Murray Dobie
"D" Company, 3rd Bn. attached to 1st Bn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
9th April 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. A. 22.
Son of Herbert Dobie, M.D., of Northdene, Chester.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Give Unto Them Eternal Life John X. 28"
G/11112 Private
E. W. J. Framp
7th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
9th February 1917.
Plot III. C. 25.
E. W. J. Framp
7th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
9th February 1917.
Plot III. C. 25.
41Private
Reginald Hands
16th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
27th April 1916, aged 23.
Plot I. B. 12.
Son of Samuel and Lizzie Hands, of 101, Dora Rd., Small Heath, Birmingham.
Reginald Hands
16th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
27th April 1916, aged 23.
Plot I. B. 12.
Son of Samuel and Lizzie Hands, of 101, Dora Rd., Small Heath, Birmingham.
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
Captain
Nelson Gordon Johnstone M. C.
9th Bn. Black Watch, (Royal Highlanders) attd. 24th Trench Mortar Battery
30th December 1917, aged 30.
Plot VII. A. 20.
Son of William and Margaret Johnstone, of Birks Hill, Raughton Head, Carlisle.
He died on 30th Dec 1917 as a result of a premature firing of a Stokes Mortar. Two other soldiers of his regiment died in the same incident. They are Lt. Grahame and Cpl. Stone MM. He is buried alongside these two soldiers. In the photograph he is pictured in the uniform of the Sherwood Foresters holding the rank of Lance Corporal. He was commissioned in 1915 and served with the Black Watch until his death.
Picture courtesy of great niece Helen Johnstone
Nelson Gordon Johnstone M. C.
9th Bn. Black Watch, (Royal Highlanders) attd. 24th Trench Mortar Battery
30th December 1917, aged 30.
Plot VII. A. 20.
Son of William and Margaret Johnstone, of Birks Hill, Raughton Head, Carlisle.
He died on 30th Dec 1917 as a result of a premature firing of a Stokes Mortar. Two other soldiers of his regiment died in the same incident. They are Lt. Grahame and Cpl. Stone MM. He is buried alongside these two soldiers. In the photograph he is pictured in the uniform of the Sherwood Foresters holding the rank of Lance Corporal. He was commissioned in 1915 and served with the Black Watch until his death.
Picture courtesy of great niece Helen Johnstone
15/420 Lance Corporal
Austin Geoffrey Leigh
"B" Coy. 15th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
4th June 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. D. 29.
Son of George Leonard Leigh and Emily Hart Leigh, of Church Lane, Yardley, Birmingham.
Picture courtesy of Alan Westwood
Austin Geoffrey Leigh
"B" Coy. 15th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
4th June 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. D. 29.
Son of George Leonard Leigh and Emily Hart Leigh, of Church Lane, Yardley, Birmingham.
Picture courtesy of Alan Westwood
23082 Private
Jesse Leppard
6th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
9th October 1916, aged 36.
Plot I. G. 41.
Son of the late Richard and Jessie Leppard; husband of the late Lily Jane Leppard.
Jesse Leppard
6th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
9th October 1916, aged 36.
Plot I. G. 41.
Son of the late Richard and Jessie Leppard; husband of the late Lily Jane Leppard.
201709 Corporal
William Lucas
5th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
27th April 1917, aged 25.
Plot V. C. 23.
Son of Henry and Jessie Lucas, of 48, Swansea Rd., Reading; husband of Elizabeth Mary Lucas, of 7, Selwood Place, Chalvey Grove, Slough, Bucks. William born in 1891 had a twin brother Sydney Lucas and was one of eleven children.
Picture courtesy of Peter Thompson
William Lucas
5th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
27th April 1917, aged 25.
Plot V. C. 23.
Son of Henry and Jessie Lucas, of 48, Swansea Rd., Reading; husband of Elizabeth Mary Lucas, of 7, Selwood Place, Chalvey Grove, Slough, Bucks. William born in 1891 had a twin brother Sydney Lucas and was one of eleven children.
Picture courtesy of Peter Thompson
G/160 Private
Edward Luck
"A" Coy. 6th Bn. The Buffs, (East Kent Regiment)
14th September 1917, aged 20.
Plot V. J. 29.
Son of George Thomas Luck and Alice Louise Luck, of 64, Alexandra Rd., Erith, Kent.
Photo courtesy of Carol Druce, great-niece of this soldier
Edward Luck
"A" Coy. 6th Bn. The Buffs, (East Kent Regiment)
14th September 1917, aged 20.
Plot V. J. 29.
Son of George Thomas Luck and Alice Louise Luck, of 64, Alexandra Rd., Erith, Kent.
Photo courtesy of Carol Druce, great-niece of this soldier
19514 Corporal
George McArthur, M. M.
10th/11th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
28th April 1917, aged 22.
Plot IV. D. 3.
Son of James and Alice McArthur, of Plains, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, brother of Jessie and Mary.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Tom Muir
George McArthur, M. M.
10th/11th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
28th April 1917, aged 22.
Plot IV. D. 3.
Son of James and Alice McArthur, of Plains, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, brother of Jessie and Mary.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Tom Muir
41638 Private
Samuel Wallace
10th/11th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
13th April 1917, aged 30.
Plot IV. A. 17.
My grandfather, Samuel Wallace, son of Alexander Wallace and Agnes Adams, was born 27 June 1886 in Coylton, Ayrshire. He married Agnes Campbell Milligan 26 Apr 1907 in Annbank, Ayrshire and had 4 children. Alexander, his only son died aged 2. and was survived by daughters, Mary, Agnes & Samella. He had been a coal miner but was already serving with the H. L. I. when his youngest daughter, Samella was born in 1915.
Picture courtesy of granddaughter Agnes M. Wilson
Samuel Wallace
10th/11th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
13th April 1917, aged 30.
Plot IV. A. 17.
My grandfather, Samuel Wallace, son of Alexander Wallace and Agnes Adams, was born 27 June 1886 in Coylton, Ayrshire. He married Agnes Campbell Milligan 26 Apr 1907 in Annbank, Ayrshire and had 4 children. Alexander, his only son died aged 2. and was survived by daughters, Mary, Agnes & Samella. He had been a coal miner but was already serving with the H. L. I. when his youngest daughter, Samella was born in 1915.
Picture courtesy of granddaughter Agnes M. Wilson
Some of the Individual Headstones in the Cemetery
Pictures © Werner Van Caneghem
Shot at Dawn
G/4495 Private John Edward Barnes of the 7th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment, executed for desertion 4th July 1917, aged 24. Son of Edward and Sarah Jane Barnes, of 49, Arundel Rd., Littlehampton. Plot IV. J. 17. He was posted to France in Sept 1915; & in June 1917, when subject to a suspended sentence of 15 years’ Penal Servitude for desertion, repeated the offence. (Putkowski, pp. 178-179)
10474 Private Robert Gillis Pattison of the 7th Bn. East Surrey Regiment was executed on 4th July 1917, aged 23 for desertion. Son of John and Mary Ann Pattison, of 49A, Station Terrace, Cramlington, Northumberland. Born at Annitsford, Northumberland. Plot IV. J. 16. He was the first soldier in his unit to suffer from shell-shock — from the heavy fighting in March 1916 involving mining & counter-mining opposite the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Pattison seems however to have been returned to duty, but later in the same month was sentenced to 84 days’ Field Punishment No 1 for desertion. In April 1917, his battalion was in the front line at the Battle of Arras; & on 3 May, prior to an attack, Pattison reported to the battalion doctor — who examined him & instructed a return to the line. He seems to have declined or deserted, for he was detained in Arras on May 4. The arresting policeman later testified to the soldier’s symptoms of shell-shock,but he was convicted, & on July 4 executed. (Putkowski, pp. 178-9)
G/4495 Private John Edward Barnes of the 7th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment, executed for desertion 4th July 1917, aged 24. Son of Edward and Sarah Jane Barnes, of 49, Arundel Rd., Littlehampton. Plot IV. J. 17. He was posted to France in Sept 1915; & in June 1917, when subject to a suspended sentence of 15 years’ Penal Servitude for desertion, repeated the offence. (Putkowski, pp. 178-179)
10474 Private Robert Gillis Pattison of the 7th Bn. East Surrey Regiment was executed on 4th July 1917, aged 23 for desertion. Son of John and Mary Ann Pattison, of 49A, Station Terrace, Cramlington, Northumberland. Born at Annitsford, Northumberland. Plot IV. J. 16. He was the first soldier in his unit to suffer from shell-shock — from the heavy fighting in March 1916 involving mining & counter-mining opposite the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Pattison seems however to have been returned to duty, but later in the same month was sentenced to 84 days’ Field Punishment No 1 for desertion. In April 1917, his battalion was in the front line at the Battle of Arras; & on 3 May, prior to an attack, Pattison reported to the battalion doctor — who examined him & instructed a return to the line. He seems to have declined or deserted, for he was detained in Arras on May 4. The arresting policeman later testified to the soldier’s symptoms of shell-shock,but he was convicted, & on July 4 executed. (Putkowski, pp. 178-9)
Picture © Geerhard Joos
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Picture © Geerhard Joos
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World War Two Burials
Colonel
Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian
361st Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
12th August 1944.
Special Memorial
Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian
361st Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Forces
12th August 1944.
Special Memorial
300140 Lieutenant
Francis George Simpson, M. M.
4 Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
7th September 1944, aged 34.
Plot 8. A. 26.
Son of Francis Edward and Hilda Maud Simpson; husband of Beatrice Maude Simpson, of Southall, Middlesex.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Golden Chain Of Memories Bind Us Till We Meet Again. His Loving Wife"
Francis George Simpson, M. M.
4 Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
7th September 1944, aged 34.
Plot 8. A. 26.
Son of Francis Edward and Hilda Maud Simpson; husband of Beatrice Maude Simpson, of Southall, Middlesex.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Golden Chain Of Memories Bind Us Till We Meet Again. His Loving Wife"
Other World War Two Burials
1275821 Aircraftman 2nd Class Alfred Thomas Blagdon, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 14th September 1944, aged 30. Plot 8. A. 28. Son of Jack and Susan Blagdon, of Millbrook, Devon; husband of Theresa Louie Blagdon, of Millbrook. his headstone bears the inscription "Not Just To-Day But Every Day We Will Remember Him. Wife, Kathleen And Tony"
1266567 Sergeant John Joseph Butler,107 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th August 1943, aged 29. Plot 8. A. 22. Son of William and Mary Butler, of Harrow, Middlesex. His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of My Son Sacred Heart Of Jesus Have Mercy On His Soul. Father & Family"
10674195 Private William A. Tate, Army Catering Corps attached 505 Inf. Bde. Coy. Royal Army Service Corps, died 16th September 1944, aged 36. Plot 8. A. 27. Son of Arthur Oswald and Annie Tate, of Blackburn, Lancashire; husband of Maud Tate, of Blackburn. His headstone bears the inscription God Giveth And God Taketh Away "Thy Will Be Done" One Of The Best.
1294669 Flight Sergeant Clifford Ewart Turl, 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th August 1943, aged 22. Plot 8. A. 24. Son of Conrad and Bessie Turl, of Brighton, Sussex. His headstone bears the inscription "At The Going Down Of The Sun And In The Morning We Will Remember Them"
1395586 Sergeant Patrick John Whelton, 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th August 1943, aged 22. Plot 8. A. 23. Son of Michael and Johanna Mary Whelton. His headstone bears the inscription "Always Remembered R. I. P."
13045949 Sergeant Donald Wigley-Jones, Corps of Military Police, died 30th September 1944, aged 31. Plot 8. A. 29.
1275821 Aircraftman 2nd Class Alfred Thomas Blagdon, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 14th September 1944, aged 30. Plot 8. A. 28. Son of Jack and Susan Blagdon, of Millbrook, Devon; husband of Theresa Louie Blagdon, of Millbrook. his headstone bears the inscription "Not Just To-Day But Every Day We Will Remember Him. Wife, Kathleen And Tony"
1266567 Sergeant John Joseph Butler,107 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th August 1943, aged 29. Plot 8. A. 22. Son of William and Mary Butler, of Harrow, Middlesex. His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of My Son Sacred Heart Of Jesus Have Mercy On His Soul. Father & Family"
10674195 Private William A. Tate, Army Catering Corps attached 505 Inf. Bde. Coy. Royal Army Service Corps, died 16th September 1944, aged 36. Plot 8. A. 27. Son of Arthur Oswald and Annie Tate, of Blackburn, Lancashire; husband of Maud Tate, of Blackburn. His headstone bears the inscription God Giveth And God Taketh Away "Thy Will Be Done" One Of The Best.
1294669 Flight Sergeant Clifford Ewart Turl, 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th August 1943, aged 22. Plot 8. A. 24. Son of Conrad and Bessie Turl, of Brighton, Sussex. His headstone bears the inscription "At The Going Down Of The Sun And In The Morning We Will Remember Them"
1395586 Sergeant Patrick John Whelton, 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died 16th August 1943, aged 22. Plot 8. A. 23. Son of Michael and Johanna Mary Whelton. His headstone bears the inscription "Always Remembered R. I. P."
13045949 Sergeant Donald Wigley-Jones, Corps of Military Police, died 30th September 1944, aged 31. Plot 8. A. 29.
Arras, France. c. 1916. British Army soldiers guarding a group of German prisoners of war one of which is wounded.
Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery and the Arras Memorial
Unveiling Ceremony 1932
Picture © Gerard Seddon
Cemetery images in gallery below © Geerhard Joos
Pre-1939 ©CWGC
24th May 1937 - ©CWGC
