FONTAINE-AU-BOIS COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Nord
France
GPS Coordinates Latitude: 50.14414 Longitude: 3.64605
Picture © Johan Pauwels
Location Information
Fontaine-au-Bois is a village in the Department of the Nord, between Le Cateau and Landrecies.
From the main street of the village, follow the rough track up the left side of the church for approximately 200 metres to find the Cemetery on the right side.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access with some difficulty.
Historical Information
The Commonwealth plot was made by the XIII Corps Burial Officer in November 1918, next to a German plot now removed; one of the graves was originally in this German plot. In 1934 a further five graves were added from GOMMEGNIES COMMUNAL CEMETERY. All of the burials date from the period October and November 1918.
Fontaine-au-Bois Communal Cemetery contains 96 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, six of which are unidentified.
Visitors with an attentive eye may have noticed five headstones that stand out from the rest in Fontaine-au-Bois Communal Cemetery. At first glance, you might think the wrong material was used for those five headstones. However, historical research has revealed the truth. Originally, all the headstones were erected in Stancliffe sandstone. Later, in the 1950's all, except for these five, were replaced by headstones of Portland stone. At that time, it was believed that the soft Stancliffe sandstone would not wear as well and that Portland would be easier to maintain. However the five surviving headstones in sandstone disprove this theory.
The cemetery was designed by William Harrison Cowlishaw
Total Burials: 96.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 89, South Africa 1. Total 90.
Unidentified Casualties: 6.
Fontaine-au-Bois is a village in the Department of the Nord, between Le Cateau and Landrecies.
From the main street of the village, follow the rough track up the left side of the church for approximately 200 metres to find the Cemetery on the right side.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access with some difficulty.
Historical Information
The Commonwealth plot was made by the XIII Corps Burial Officer in November 1918, next to a German plot now removed; one of the graves was originally in this German plot. In 1934 a further five graves were added from GOMMEGNIES COMMUNAL CEMETERY. All of the burials date from the period October and November 1918.
Fontaine-au-Bois Communal Cemetery contains 96 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, six of which are unidentified.
Visitors with an attentive eye may have noticed five headstones that stand out from the rest in Fontaine-au-Bois Communal Cemetery. At first glance, you might think the wrong material was used for those five headstones. However, historical research has revealed the truth. Originally, all the headstones were erected in Stancliffe sandstone. Later, in the 1950's all, except for these five, were replaced by headstones of Portland stone. At that time, it was believed that the soft Stancliffe sandstone would not wear as well and that Portland would be easier to maintain. However the five surviving headstones in sandstone disprove this theory.
The cemetery was designed by William Harrison Cowlishaw
Total Burials: 96.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 89, South Africa 1. Total 90.
Unidentified Casualties: 6.
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
3202 Serjeant
Ralph Anderson
"B" Company, 2nd Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
4th November 1918, aged 26.
Row E. 3.
Son of Andrew and Elizabeth Anderson, of Gateshead; husband of Annie Anderson, of I, Coniston Terrace, Abbeydale, Sheffield.
His headstone bears the inscription "Till The Day Breaks"
Ralph Anderson
"B" Company, 2nd Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
4th November 1918, aged 26.
Row E. 3.
Son of Andrew and Elizabeth Anderson, of Gateshead; husband of Annie Anderson, of I, Coniston Terrace, Abbeydale, Sheffield.
His headstone bears the inscription "Till The Day Breaks"
266463 Corporal
Alfred Carey, M. M.
5th Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), late 2nd/6th Bn.
6th November 1918, aged 24.
Row E. 9.
Son of Alfred and Elizabeth Carey, of Cosy Nook Hotel, Bolton-by-Bowland. Born at Gisburn, Clitheroe.
His headstone bears the inscription "For God, Home, Parents King & Country He Died"
Alfred Carey, M. M.
5th Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), late 2nd/6th Bn.
6th November 1918, aged 24.
Row E. 9.
Son of Alfred and Elizabeth Carey, of Cosy Nook Hotel, Bolton-by-Bowland. Born at Gisburn, Clitheroe.
His headstone bears the inscription "For God, Home, Parents King & Country He Died"
315431 Private
William James Robertson
13th (Scottish Horse) Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
4th November 1918, aged 21.
Row B. 19.
Son of James and Elizabeth Robertson, of 21, Partickhill Rd., Glasgow.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Until The Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away."
William James Robertson
13th (Scottish Horse) Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
4th November 1918, aged 21.
Row B. 19.
Son of James and Elizabeth Robertson, of 21, Partickhill Rd., Glasgow.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Until The Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away."
48910 Private
W. E. Slade
6th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
4th November 1918
Row A. 4.
W. E. Slade
6th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
4th November 1918
Row A. 4.
Wreckage of the British Mark IV tank "Blarney Castle" destroyed in Fontaine-au-Bois. © IWM (Q 87618)
British troops resting on a felled tree near Le Cateau, 25 October 1918. © IWM (Q 3317)
