FONCQUEVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY
Pas De Calais
France
Location Information
Foncquevillers is a village about 18 kilometres south-west of Arras on the D3. The Military Cemetery is on the western outskirts of the village and a CWGC signpost indicating the direction of the site is situated at the junction just beyond the village green on the D3, coming from Arras.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
In 1915 and 1916 the Allied front line ran between Foncquevillers and Gommecourt. The cemetery was begun by French troops, and taken over by Commonweatlh forces. It remained in use by units and field ambulances until March 1917, the burials in July 1916 (particularly in Plot I, Row L) being especially numerous. The cemetery was used again from March to August 1918, when the German offensive brought the front line back to nearly the old position. Seventy-four graves were brought in after the Armistice from the battlefields of 1916 and 1918 to the east of the village and the 325 French military graves were removed to La Targette French National Cemetery, near Arras. The village of Foncquevillers was "adopted" by the town of Derby.
The cemetery contains 648 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. 53 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to two casualties known to be buried among them. There are five airmen of the Second World War buried in the cemetery, and four Germans. There is also 1 French Non World War burial.
Casualty Details: UK 630, New Zealand 12, Germany 4, France 1, Total Burials: 647.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and W. C. Von Berg.
Foncquevillers is a village about 18 kilometres south-west of Arras on the D3. The Military Cemetery is on the western outskirts of the village and a CWGC signpost indicating the direction of the site is situated at the junction just beyond the village green on the D3, coming from Arras.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
In 1915 and 1916 the Allied front line ran between Foncquevillers and Gommecourt. The cemetery was begun by French troops, and taken over by Commonweatlh forces. It remained in use by units and field ambulances until March 1917, the burials in July 1916 (particularly in Plot I, Row L) being especially numerous. The cemetery was used again from March to August 1918, when the German offensive brought the front line back to nearly the old position. Seventy-four graves were brought in after the Armistice from the battlefields of 1916 and 1918 to the east of the village and the 325 French military graves were removed to La Targette French National Cemetery, near Arras. The village of Foncquevillers was "adopted" by the town of Derby.
The cemetery contains 648 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. 53 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to two casualties known to be buried among them. There are five airmen of the Second World War buried in the cemetery, and four Germans. There is also 1 French Non World War burial.
Casualty Details: UK 630, New Zealand 12, Germany 4, France 1, Total Burials: 647.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and W. C. Von Berg.
Captain, John Leslie Green, V. C.
Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 5th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), he was killed in action at Gommecourt on 1st July 1916, aged 26. Plot III. D. 15.
Born at Buckden, Hunts. Son of John George and Florence May Green, of St. Mark's Lodge, Cambridge. Educated at Felsted School and Downing College, Cambridge, and Bartholomew's Hospital.
Citation: An extract from the London Gazette, No. 29695, dated 4th Aug.,1916, records the following:- "For most conspicuous devotion to duty. Although himself wounded, he went to the assistance of an officer who had been wounded and was hung up on the enemy's wire entanglements, and succeeded in dragging him to a shell hole, where he dressed his wounds, notwithstanding that bombs and rifle grenades were thrown at him the whole time. Captain Green then endeavoured to bring the wounded officer into safe cover, and had nearly succeeded in doing so when he himself was killed.
Picture © Johan Pauwels
British troops at the entrance to a bomb store in the Churchyard at Foncquevillers, March 1917. © IWM (Q 1642)
Lieutenant and Adjutant
Charles Nesbitt Bond 3rd Bn. Somerset Light Infantry, attd. 3rd/4th Bn. Lincolnshire Yeomanry 30th June 1916, aged 22. Plot I. G. 2. Son of Francis and Ada Bond, of "Uplands" 54, Ashburton Rd., Croydon. |
His headstone bears the inscription; "Qui Procul Hinc Ante Diem Periit Sed Miles Sed Pro Patria."
|
200 Company Serjeant Major
James Richard Boraston
1st/8th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
24th December 1915, aged 26.
Plot I. E. 20.
Son of Mr. A. G. and Mrs. S. A. Boraston, of 24, Richmond Rd., Handsworth, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the inscription; "R. I. P."
James Richard Boraston
1st/8th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
24th December 1915, aged 26.
Plot I. E. 20.
Son of Mr. A. G. and Mrs. S. A. Boraston, of 24, Richmond Rd., Handsworth, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the inscription; "R. I. P."
5433 Private
Clarance George Crook
1st/7th Bn. Duke of Wellington's, (West Riding Regiment)
25th November 1916, aged 19.
Plot I. H. 19.
Son of Frederick and Maria Crook, of New St., Wall Heath, Dudley, Staffs. He worked as a gardener before the war.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "He Did His Duty."
Picture courtesy of great niece, Michelle Keddy
Clarance George Crook
1st/7th Bn. Duke of Wellington's, (West Riding Regiment)
25th November 1916, aged 19.
Plot I. H. 19.
Son of Frederick and Maria Crook, of New St., Wall Heath, Dudley, Staffs. He worked as a gardener before the war.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "He Did His Duty."
Picture courtesy of great niece, Michelle Keddy
5269 Private
Frank Elliott
7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters, (Notts and Derby Regiment)
20th June 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. F. 11.
Husband of Mrs. Elliott, of 107, Union Rd., Nottingham.
Frank Elliott
7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters, (Notts and Derby Regiment)
20th June 1916, aged 21.
Plot I. F. 11.
Husband of Mrs. Elliott, of 107, Union Rd., Nottingham.
4191 Private
A. English
1st/8th Bn. Sherwood Foresters, (Notts and Derby Regiment)
24th June 1916.
Plot I. F. 26.
A. English
1st/8th Bn. Sherwood Foresters, (Notts and Derby Regiment)
24th June 1916.
Plot I. F. 26.
3909 Lance Corporal
Harold Mawby Hawkins
7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters, (Notts and Derby Regiment)
29th May 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. D. 4.
Son of Benjamin and Harriett Hawkins, of 78, Egypt Rd., Basford, Nottingham.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Died To Save Us."
Harold Mawby Hawkins
7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters, (Notts and Derby Regiment)
29th May 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. D. 4.
Son of Benjamin and Harriett Hawkins, of 78, Egypt Rd., Basford, Nottingham.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Died To Save Us."
A stretcher bearer party of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment stand on a road in Fonquevillers, March 1917. All are wearing their steel helmets and carry their box respirators around their necks. They are holding an empty stretcher, ready to collect casualties as necessary. © IWM (Q 1643)
74798 Gunner
Ernest Washington Jex
32nd Div. Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery
15th October 1916.
Plot I. K. 17.
Ernest Washington Jex
32nd Div. Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery
15th October 1916.
Plot I. K. 17.
11868 Private
James Thomas Leech
1st Bn. Hampshire Regiment
28th April 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. A. 1.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Leech, of 140, Crockett's Rd., Handsworth, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "Rest In The Lord The Victory Won. Mother & Country Say Well Done."
James Thomas Leech
1st Bn. Hampshire Regiment
28th April 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. A. 1.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Leech, of 140, Crockett's Rd., Handsworth, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "Rest In The Lord The Victory Won. Mother & Country Say Well Done."
4385 Sergeant
Bernard James O'Brien, M. M.
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th March 1918, aged 27.
Plot III. E. 20.
Son of Edward Charles and Emma O'Brien, of Cygnet, Tasmania.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "Our Darling So Sadly Missed By Father Mother, Sisters & Brothers."
Pte O'Brien enlisted on 6 September 1915 and embarked aboard HMAT Demosthenes on 29 December 1915. Lance Corporal O'Brien was awarded a Military Medal (MM) on 17 March 1917. On 29 March 1918 he died of wounds at Foncquevillers.
Sergeant J. W. Shevelling leter recalled;
"Sgt. O'Brien was wounded by shell fire at Hebuterne. I saw him at our R. A. P. (Regimental Aid Post) He was badly wounded about the middle of the body and the top of the legs. he was taken from our R. A. P. to a C. C. S. (Casualty Clearing Station) and word came back that he died of his wounds while being taken to the C. C. S., I cannot say where he was buried."
Bernard James O'Brien, M. M.
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th March 1918, aged 27.
Plot III. E. 20.
Son of Edward Charles and Emma O'Brien, of Cygnet, Tasmania.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "Our Darling So Sadly Missed By Father Mother, Sisters & Brothers."
Pte O'Brien enlisted on 6 September 1915 and embarked aboard HMAT Demosthenes on 29 December 1915. Lance Corporal O'Brien was awarded a Military Medal (MM) on 17 March 1917. On 29 March 1918 he died of wounds at Foncquevillers.
Sergeant J. W. Shevelling leter recalled;
"Sgt. O'Brien was wounded by shell fire at Hebuterne. I saw him at our R. A. P. (Regimental Aid Post) He was badly wounded about the middle of the body and the top of the legs. he was taken from our R. A. P. to a C. C. S. (Casualty Clearing Station) and word came back that he died of his wounds while being taken to the C. C. S., I cannot say where he was buried."
2126 Serjeant
Henry Poxon, M. M.
1st/5th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
7th October 1916, aged 34.
Plot I. J. 9.
Son of Selina Poxon, of Barnsley, and the late William Poxon; husband of Amy Poxon, of 8, Cobden Terrace, Silver St., Barnsley.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Death Divides But Memory Clings. From Wife And Children."
Picture submitted by Great Granddaughter Beverley Walton on behalf of Granddaugher Mary Riley.
Henry Poxon, M. M.
1st/5th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
7th October 1916, aged 34.
Plot I. J. 9.
Son of Selina Poxon, of Barnsley, and the late William Poxon; husband of Amy Poxon, of 8, Cobden Terrace, Silver St., Barnsley.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Death Divides But Memory Clings. From Wife And Children."
Picture submitted by Great Granddaughter Beverley Walton on behalf of Granddaugher Mary Riley.
5447 Private
Albert Simmonds
14th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
11th April 1918, aged 27.
Plot I. L. 56.
Originally from Godalming, Surrey, England, Pte Simmonds was a gardener from Hawksburn, Victoria prior to enlistment and embarked with the 17th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides on 4 April 1916. Later wounded in action in France, he remained with his unit and, on 11 April 1918, aged 27, was killed in action.
Albert Simmonds
14th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
11th April 1918, aged 27.
Plot I. L. 56.
Originally from Godalming, Surrey, England, Pte Simmonds was a gardener from Hawksburn, Victoria prior to enlistment and embarked with the 17th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Euripides on 4 April 1916. Later wounded in action in France, he remained with his unit and, on 11 April 1918, aged 27, was killed in action.
Lieutenant
Hubert Sydney Centennial Simpson
13th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
30th March 1918, aged 30.
Plot III. E. 17.
Son of Frederick Washington Simpson and Emily Simpson, of "Trebor," Rawson St., Haberfield, New South Wales. Born Sydney.
Lt. Simpson was my grandfather's cousin. He was known as Bill in the 13th Battalion, which he joined in September 1914. After seeing service at Gallipoli in 1915, Lt Simpson was mentioned in despatches for gallantry in action at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm in August 1916. He was again recommended for a bravery award in February 1918, but was killed by shellfire at Hebuterne on 30 March 1918. In the Battalion history, Lt. Simpson is remembered as as one the unit's heroes, who had risen through the ranks "through sheer battle work". His name is inscribed on the Honour Roll of the old GPO in Sydney.
I would very much like to hear from any relatives of Bill, so that something might be written about his life.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Lives While His Memory Lingers To Lighten The Darkness Of Death."
Picture courtesy of Rian Willmot
Hubert Sydney Centennial Simpson
13th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
30th March 1918, aged 30.
Plot III. E. 17.
Son of Frederick Washington Simpson and Emily Simpson, of "Trebor," Rawson St., Haberfield, New South Wales. Born Sydney.
Lt. Simpson was my grandfather's cousin. He was known as Bill in the 13th Battalion, which he joined in September 1914. After seeing service at Gallipoli in 1915, Lt Simpson was mentioned in despatches for gallantry in action at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm in August 1916. He was again recommended for a bravery award in February 1918, but was killed by shellfire at Hebuterne on 30 March 1918. In the Battalion history, Lt. Simpson is remembered as as one the unit's heroes, who had risen through the ranks "through sheer battle work". His name is inscribed on the Honour Roll of the old GPO in Sydney.
I would very much like to hear from any relatives of Bill, so that something might be written about his life.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Lives While His Memory Lingers To Lighten The Darkness Of Death."
Picture courtesy of Rian Willmot
8621 Private
John Parkes Somerfield
"A" Coy. 1st/5th Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment
26th June 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. K. 2.
Son of Amos and Mary Ann Somerfield, of 53, Croft St., Walsall, Staffs.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "No Morning Dawns No Night Returns But What We Think Of Thee. Rest In Peace."
John Parkes Somerfield
"A" Coy. 1st/5th Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment
26th June 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. K. 2.
Son of Amos and Mary Ann Somerfield, of 53, Croft St., Walsall, Staffs.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "No Morning Dawns No Night Returns But What We Think Of Thee. Rest In Peace."
