FORCEVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY AND EXTENSION
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.06273, Longitude: 2.55237
Location Information
Forceville is a village some 10 kilometres north-west of Albert on the road to Doullens. The Communal Cemetery and Extension lie to the west of the village of Forceville, 20 kilometres from Doullens and 10 kilometres from Albert, on the D938, the main road between these two places.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but maybe by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Commonwealth forces took over this section of the front line from the French in 1915 and in early August, land to the south of the communal cemetery was set aside for military graves. Field ambulances were stationed in the village from February to July 1916.
Plot I of the extension contains the graves of men who died on the Somme front from September 1915 to June 1916. The graves in Plot II relate to the Somme offensive of July and August 1916 and those in Plot III to the operations of the autumn of 1916.
In the spring of 1917 the front line moved to the east and it was not until the German advances of April 1918, which came to a halt just east of the cemetery, that further burials were made in Plot IV.
There are now 304 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in this site, three of them in the communal cemetery adjoining the extension. The extension also contains seven German war graves.
Total Burials: 311.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 299, Germany 6, New Zealand 2, Canada 1. Total 308.
The cemetery extension, one of the first three Commission sites to be built after the First World war, was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and Charles Holden
Undated but probably c.early 1920's image of Forceville Communal Cemetery and Extension. Two ladies, two young girls and a dog visiting a grave within the cemetery. It looks as though they are standing at the grave of 17 year old, Private Thomas Wilson, 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who died on 26th June 1916, he is buried in Plot 1, Row E. 2., and was the son of William John and Rachel Wilson, of Magheracreggan. © CWGC
1920's - © CWGC
Forceville Communal Cemetery Extension between the wars
© Jeremy Gordon-Smith
1913 Corporal
Alfred Cecil Arnold
1st/8th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
17th July 1916, aged 24.
Plot 2. D. 11.
Son of Alfred and Esther Arnold, of Leeds.
Alfred Cecil Arnold
1st/8th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
17th July 1916, aged 24.
Plot 2. D. 11.
Son of Alfred and Esther Arnold, of Leeds.
3644 Private
Henry (Harry) Birch
1st/4th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
Killed by Gas on 7th September 1916, aged 20.
Plot 3. C. 5.
Son of Matthew and Sarah Birch.
Pictures courtesy of Rebecca Oliver
Remembered by Rebecca Oliver and family
Henry (Harry) Birch
1st/4th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
Killed by Gas on 7th September 1916, aged 20.
Plot 3. C. 5.
Son of Matthew and Sarah Birch.
Pictures courtesy of Rebecca Oliver
Remembered by Rebecca Oliver and family
18913 Private
John Robert Butterworth
"A" Coy. 1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
24th August 1915, aged 25.
Plot 1. A. 11.
Husband of Clara Butterworth, of Colne, late of Burnley, Lancs.
John Robert Butterworth
"A" Coy. 1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
24th August 1915, aged 25.
Plot 1. A. 11.
Husband of Clara Butterworth, of Colne, late of Burnley, Lancs.
Original Imperial War Graves Commission sign for Forceville Communal Cemetery Extension. (Image courtesy CWGC)
67003 Gunner
Charles Henry Dooley
V/V Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
2nd June 1918, aged 20.
Plot 4. D. 8.
Son of Thomas Henry and Sarah Ann Dooley, of Ouston Ferry, Lincolnshire.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Darren Dooley
Charles Henry Dooley
V/V Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
2nd June 1918, aged 20.
Plot 4. D. 8.
Son of Thomas Henry and Sarah Ann Dooley, of Ouston Ferry, Lincolnshire.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Darren Dooley
B/201471 Rifleman
Thomas Flint
1st/28th Bn. London Regiment (Artists' Rifles)
2nd April 1918, aged 37.
Plot 3. E. 8.
Son of Thomas and Mary Ann Flint, of Salford, Manchester.
Thomas joined the army in the Army Service Corps and went to France on 22-8-1915. He served as a driver in the Army Service Corps Transport, and in late 1916, was transferred to the 16th Rifle Brigade, and then later attached to the Artists' Rifles in September 1917. He was killed in action on 2 April 1918, by enemy shellfire.
Picture courtesy of great grandson, Ian Jackson
Thomas Flint
1st/28th Bn. London Regiment (Artists' Rifles)
2nd April 1918, aged 37.
Plot 3. E. 8.
Son of Thomas and Mary Ann Flint, of Salford, Manchester.
Thomas joined the army in the Army Service Corps and went to France on 22-8-1915. He served as a driver in the Army Service Corps Transport, and in late 1916, was transferred to the 16th Rifle Brigade, and then later attached to the Artists' Rifles in September 1917. He was killed in action on 2 April 1918, by enemy shellfire.
Picture courtesy of great grandson, Ian Jackson
3647 Private
Harry Greenwood
7th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
28th July 1916, aged 25.
Plot 2. D. 7.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Highton Greenwood, of Skipton.
Harry Greenwood
7th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
28th July 1916, aged 25.
Plot 2. D. 7.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Highton Greenwood, of Skipton.
1337 Private
Harry Hague
7th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
21st April 1918, aged 25.
Plot 4. A. 7.
Son of Albert Figtree and Mary Hague.
Picture courtesy of great niece, Mary Holliday
Harry Hague
7th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
21st April 1918, aged 25.
Plot 4. A. 7.
Son of Albert Figtree and Mary Hague.
Picture courtesy of great niece, Mary Holliday
87174 Gunner
Frederick Sinclair Halliday
3rd Divisional Ammunition Col. Canadian Field Artillery
14th November 1916, aged 28.
Plot 3. C. 22.
Son of John and Annie Halliday, of Eldon, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Picture courtesy of Deborah L. Halliday (Great Niece)
Another cold and wet November night
That seemed like all the rest, he waited, slept,
Perhaps unsoundly, knowing that first light
Might bring the signal to attack; night crept.
He’d struck out on his own at seventeen,
Gone west to Red Deer, there found work and land;
When after years the war came unforeseen,
He volunteered and learned a gunner’s stand,
Five months in Belgium, two at Somme in France,
And now, ‘mid Ancre’s snow and ice and fog;
That morning Generals ordered the advance--
This time the battle brought the epilogue.
Forever now his only rendezvous,
Forceville, Plot 3, Row C, grave twenty-two.
Deborah L Halliday, January 2020
Frederick Sinclair Halliday
3rd Divisional Ammunition Col. Canadian Field Artillery
14th November 1916, aged 28.
Plot 3. C. 22.
Son of John and Annie Halliday, of Eldon, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Picture courtesy of Deborah L. Halliday (Great Niece)
Another cold and wet November night
That seemed like all the rest, he waited, slept,
Perhaps unsoundly, knowing that first light
Might bring the signal to attack; night crept.
He’d struck out on his own at seventeen,
Gone west to Red Deer, there found work and land;
When after years the war came unforeseen,
He volunteered and learned a gunner’s stand,
Five months in Belgium, two at Somme in France,
And now, ‘mid Ancre’s snow and ice and fog;
That morning Generals ordered the advance--
This time the battle brought the epilogue.
Forever now his only rendezvous,
Forceville, Plot 3, Row C, grave twenty-two.
Deborah L Halliday, January 2020
The cemetery, c.1921.
641 Rifleman
John Knox
"A" Coy. 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles
8th April 1916, aged 20.
Plot 1. B. 13.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Knox, of 19, Greenwall Street, Ballymena, Ireland.
John Knox
"A" Coy. 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles
8th April 1916, aged 20.
Plot 1. B. 13.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Knox, of 19, Greenwall Street, Ballymena, Ireland.
PO/14897 Private
J. A. C. Lewis
188th Light T. M. Bty. R. N. Div. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
2nd April 1918, aged 29.
Plot 3. E. 7.
Son of John Abel and Mary Ann Lewis of Leicester
In memory of an uncle, brother and dear cousin, Eric Lewis (War Veteran)
J. A. C. Lewis
188th Light T. M. Bty. R. N. Div. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
2nd April 1918, aged 29.
Plot 3. E. 7.
Son of John Abel and Mary Ann Lewis of Leicester
In memory of an uncle, brother and dear cousin, Eric Lewis (War Veteran)
16380 Private
Robert Leggott
7th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
2nd May 1918, aged 36.
Plot 4. C. 2.
Son of Charles Ravell and Esther Leggott, of Freiston, Boston, Lincs.
Robert Leggott
7th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
2nd May 1918, aged 36.
Plot 4. C. 2.
Son of Charles Ravell and Esther Leggott, of Freiston, Boston, Lincs.
Second Lieutenant
Timothy Harold (Ted) Riordan
1st/4th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
6th July 1916, aged 20.
Plot 2. C. 9.
Son of Daniel and Elizabeth Riordan, of Cotham Grove, Bristol.
Picture courtesy of his great niece; Clare
Timothy Harold (Ted) Riordan
1st/4th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
6th July 1916, aged 20.
Plot 2. C. 9.
Son of Daniel and Elizabeth Riordan, of Cotham Grove, Bristol.
Picture courtesy of his great niece; Clare
6158 Private
Alec Brellisford Rushworth, M. M.
"O" Bty. 246th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
19th November 1916, aged 20.
Plot 3. D. 6.
Son of John Thomas and Maria Rushworth, of North Ives Farm, Horsforth, near Leeds.
Alec Brellisford Rushworth, M. M.
"O" Bty. 246th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
19th November 1916, aged 20.
Plot 3. D. 6.
Son of John Thomas and Maria Rushworth, of North Ives Farm, Horsforth, near Leeds.
27908 Private
Horatio Smith
"A" Coy. 2nd Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
25th July 1916, aged 20.
Plot 2. D. 10.
Son of John T. and Elizabeth Smith, of Ealby, Doncaster. Great grandfather (a Newark man) fought in the Waterloo and lived to a good old age.
His headstone bears the simple inscription; "Victory"
Horatio Smith
"A" Coy. 2nd Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
25th July 1916, aged 20.
Plot 2. D. 10.
Son of John T. and Elizabeth Smith, of Ealby, Doncaster. Great grandfather (a Newark man) fought in the Waterloo and lived to a good old age.
His headstone bears the simple inscription; "Victory"
Shot at Dawn
15094 Private John Lewis, 5th Bn. Dorset Regiment, executed for desertion on 19th April 1917, aged 21. Plot 3. F. 2. Son of Albert and Mary Lewis, of 1, Factory Road, Barking.
In Sept 1916, he was with a party of 25 men working, under continuous & heavy shell-fire, at Mouquet Farm on the Somme, but on 29 Sept, was found missing from the morning roll-call. (Pte. William Anderson, also missing at the same time, seems to have conspired with Lewis to desert — & was tried separately, in due course executed, & buried at Gezaincourt CCE).
On 11 Oct, Lewis was accosted at Puchevillers railway station by the Town Major, & said that he was a civilian (‘Tom Jones’), who had crossed to France before the war; & sought to explain away the uniform that he was wearing. He was arrested & detained until December in a Detention Room. During those months, he was put to work, all the while persisting in the account given.
The findings of his court-martial were not confirmed, owing it seems to serious doubts about the evidence given — & a retrial ordered.
At the fresh proceedings, Lewis testified to deny having any recollection of leaving from Mouquet Farm, of the events at Puchevillers, or of his claim to be a civilian.
He was disbelieved & sentenced — & no extenuating circumstances could be found. (Corns, pp 236-239)
15094 Private John Lewis, 5th Bn. Dorset Regiment, executed for desertion on 19th April 1917, aged 21. Plot 3. F. 2. Son of Albert and Mary Lewis, of 1, Factory Road, Barking.
In Sept 1916, he was with a party of 25 men working, under continuous & heavy shell-fire, at Mouquet Farm on the Somme, but on 29 Sept, was found missing from the morning roll-call. (Pte. William Anderson, also missing at the same time, seems to have conspired with Lewis to desert — & was tried separately, in due course executed, & buried at Gezaincourt CCE).
On 11 Oct, Lewis was accosted at Puchevillers railway station by the Town Major, & said that he was a civilian (‘Tom Jones’), who had crossed to France before the war; & sought to explain away the uniform that he was wearing. He was arrested & detained until December in a Detention Room. During those months, he was put to work, all the while persisting in the account given.
The findings of his court-martial were not confirmed, owing it seems to serious doubts about the evidence given — & a retrial ordered.
At the fresh proceedings, Lewis testified to deny having any recollection of leaving from Mouquet Farm, of the events at Puchevillers, or of his claim to be a civilian.
He was disbelieved & sentenced — & no extenuating circumstances could be found. (Corns, pp 236-239)
Picture © Geerhard Joos
13th April 1918; Battle of the Lys. British troops returning by motor lorry from the trenches. © IWM (Q 367)
