GROVE TOWN CEMETERY
Méaulte
Somme
France
Location Information
Méaulte is a village just south of Albert. From Albert head south-east on the D329 in the direction of Bray-sur-Somme. Just before the main buildings for the Aerobus turn right for the centre of Meaulte. Approximately 200 metres west of the church, take the road south "rue de Etinehem" Continue south past Meaulte Military Cemetery, and approximately 2.3 kilometres further on turn left (eastwards) Grove Town Cemetery is 600 metres along on the right side of this track.
For those wishing to approach the cemetery from the south side, take the D1 Bray-sur-Somme / Corbie road, at the junction of the D1 and C2 Etineham / Meaulte minor road is the first back to back Commission roadsign. Head north towards Meaulte, until reaching a fork in the road, where there is a CWGC road sign. Take the right fork in the direction of the airfield perimeter fence. At the Commission road sign and take the left track north, Grove Town Cemetery is ahead and to the left side of the track.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
In September 1916, the 34th and 2/2nd London Casualty Clearing Stations were established at this point, known to the troops as Grove Town, to deal with casualties from the Somme battlefields. They were moved in April 1917 and, except for a few burials in August and September 1918, the cemetery was closed.
Grove Town Cemetery contains 1,397 First World War burials.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,370, Australia 14, Canada 12, New Zealand 1, Total 1,397.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Arthur James Scott Hutton
Méaulte is a village just south of Albert. From Albert head south-east on the D329 in the direction of Bray-sur-Somme. Just before the main buildings for the Aerobus turn right for the centre of Meaulte. Approximately 200 metres west of the church, take the road south "rue de Etinehem" Continue south past Meaulte Military Cemetery, and approximately 2.3 kilometres further on turn left (eastwards) Grove Town Cemetery is 600 metres along on the right side of this track.
For those wishing to approach the cemetery from the south side, take the D1 Bray-sur-Somme / Corbie road, at the junction of the D1 and C2 Etineham / Meaulte minor road is the first back to back Commission roadsign. Head north towards Meaulte, until reaching a fork in the road, where there is a CWGC road sign. Take the right fork in the direction of the airfield perimeter fence. At the Commission road sign and take the left track north, Grove Town Cemetery is ahead and to the left side of the track.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
In September 1916, the 34th and 2/2nd London Casualty Clearing Stations were established at this point, known to the troops as Grove Town, to deal with casualties from the Somme battlefields. They were moved in April 1917 and, except for a few burials in August and September 1918, the cemetery was closed.
Grove Town Cemetery contains 1,397 First World War burials.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,370, Australia 14, Canada 12, New Zealand 1, Total 1,397.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Arthur James Scott Hutton
13823 Corporal
John Thomas Alderson
"C" Coy. 2nd Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
30th October 1916, aged 28.
Plot II. D. 24.
Son of William and Elizabeth Alderson; husband of Margaret Alderson, of 26, Brown St., Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gone But Will Never Be Forgotten."
John Thomas Alderson
"C" Coy. 2nd Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
30th October 1916, aged 28.
Plot II. D. 24.
Son of William and Elizabeth Alderson; husband of Margaret Alderson, of 26, Brown St., Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gone But Will Never Be Forgotten."
Second Lieutenant
Eric Appleby
42nd Bty. 2nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery
28th October 1916, aged 23.
Plot II. D. 43.
Son of Joseph and Alice Maud Appleby, of "Farnley," Moor Park, Great Crosby, Liverpool. Joined O.T.C. at the age of 16, afterwards with the R.E. (Terr.). Enlisted in R.F.A. in 1914.
Eric Appleby
42nd Bty. 2nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery
28th October 1916, aged 23.
Plot II. D. 43.
Son of Joseph and Alice Maud Appleby, of "Farnley," Moor Park, Great Crosby, Liverpool. Joined O.T.C. at the age of 16, afterwards with the R.E. (Terr.). Enlisted in R.F.A. in 1914.
Captain
James Dacres Belgrave, M. C. and Bar.
60th Sqdn. Royal Air Force and 2nd Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
13th June 1918, aged 21.
Plot III. A. 18.
Son of Dalrymple James Belgrave (Barrister at law, Inner Temple), and Isabel Belgrave, of Braemar, Sandown, Isle of Wight.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will Be Done."
James Dacres Belgrave, M. C. and Bar.
60th Sqdn. Royal Air Force and 2nd Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
13th June 1918, aged 21.
Plot III. A. 18.
Son of Dalrymple James Belgrave (Barrister at law, Inner Temple), and Isabel Belgrave, of Braemar, Sandown, Isle of Wight.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will Be Done."
Captain
Hugh Henry Burn, M. C.
2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards
16th September 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. C. 17.
Son of Mrs. A. A. Massey (formerly Burn), of 12, Linden Gardens, Bayswater, London, and the late Mr. C. W. Burn. Native of Haughton, Haslemere.
Captain Hugh Henry Burn MC . He was born at Damoh, India on November 15, 1895 where he father Charles was employed by the Indian Civil Service.
Educated at Winchester College he was accepted at Christ College, Oxford but did not enter as he accepted a commission as 2nd Lieutenant with the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards in August 1914. He was awarded the Military Cross June 1916.
On September 15, 1916, while leading his company, Captain Burn was fatally wounded by machine gun fire shortly after the beginning of the Guards Division assault toward Les Boeufs from Ginchy. He was evacuated to the 34th Casualty Clearing Station at Meaulte where he died of his wounds the following day. He was buried in the adjacent CWGC Grove Town Cemetery.
His headstone bears the inscription; "O Soldier Saint No Work Begun Shall Ever Pause For Death." (Quoted from a poem by Robert Browning)
Hugh Henry Burn, M. C.
2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards
16th September 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. C. 17.
Son of Mrs. A. A. Massey (formerly Burn), of 12, Linden Gardens, Bayswater, London, and the late Mr. C. W. Burn. Native of Haughton, Haslemere.
Captain Hugh Henry Burn MC . He was born at Damoh, India on November 15, 1895 where he father Charles was employed by the Indian Civil Service.
Educated at Winchester College he was accepted at Christ College, Oxford but did not enter as he accepted a commission as 2nd Lieutenant with the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards in August 1914. He was awarded the Military Cross June 1916.
On September 15, 1916, while leading his company, Captain Burn was fatally wounded by machine gun fire shortly after the beginning of the Guards Division assault toward Les Boeufs from Ginchy. He was evacuated to the 34th Casualty Clearing Station at Meaulte where he died of his wounds the following day. He was buried in the adjacent CWGC Grove Town Cemetery.
His headstone bears the inscription; "O Soldier Saint No Work Begun Shall Ever Pause For Death." (Quoted from a poem by Robert Browning)
7522 Serjeant
Leslie Coulson
2nd/2nd Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) attd. 12th Bn. London Regiment (The Rangers)
8th October 1916, aged 27.
Plot I. J. 24.
Son of Frederick Raymond Coulson and Ada Mary Coulson, of 68, Corringham Rd., Golders Green, London. A former Fleet Street journalist and war poet. Author of "From an Outpost and Other Poems".
His headstone bears the inscription; "Nothing But Well And Fair And What May Quiet Us In A Death So Noble."
From an Outpost - by Leslie Coulson
I've tramped South England up and down
Down Dorset way, down Devon way,
Through every little ancient town
Down Dorset way, down Devon way.
I mind the old stone churches there,
The taverns round the market square,
The cobbled streets, the garden flowers,
The sundials telling peaceful hours
Down Dorset way, down Devon way.
The Meadowlands are green and fair
Down Somerset and Sussex way,
The clover scent is in the air
Down Somerset and Sussex way.
I mind the deep-thatched homesteads there
The noble downlands, clean and bare.
The sheepfolds and the cattle byres,
The blue wood-smoke from shepherd's fires
Down Dorset way, down Devon way.
Mayhap I shall not walk again
Down Dorset way, down Devon way,
Nor pick a posy in a lane
Down Somerset and Sussex way.
But though my bones, unshriven, rot
In some far distant alien spot,
what soul I have shall rest from care
To know that meadows still are fair
Down Dorset way, down Devon way.
Leslie Coulson
2nd/2nd Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) attd. 12th Bn. London Regiment (The Rangers)
8th October 1916, aged 27.
Plot I. J. 24.
Son of Frederick Raymond Coulson and Ada Mary Coulson, of 68, Corringham Rd., Golders Green, London. A former Fleet Street journalist and war poet. Author of "From an Outpost and Other Poems".
His headstone bears the inscription; "Nothing But Well And Fair And What May Quiet Us In A Death So Noble."
From an Outpost - by Leslie Coulson
I've tramped South England up and down
Down Dorset way, down Devon way,
Through every little ancient town
Down Dorset way, down Devon way.
I mind the old stone churches there,
The taverns round the market square,
The cobbled streets, the garden flowers,
The sundials telling peaceful hours
Down Dorset way, down Devon way.
The Meadowlands are green and fair
Down Somerset and Sussex way,
The clover scent is in the air
Down Somerset and Sussex way.
I mind the deep-thatched homesteads there
The noble downlands, clean and bare.
The sheepfolds and the cattle byres,
The blue wood-smoke from shepherd's fires
Down Dorset way, down Devon way.
Mayhap I shall not walk again
Down Dorset way, down Devon way,
Nor pick a posy in a lane
Down Somerset and Sussex way.
But though my bones, unshriven, rot
In some far distant alien spot,
what soul I have shall rest from care
To know that meadows still are fair
Down Dorset way, down Devon way.
30186 Private
William James Croker
1st Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
22nd October 1916, aged 37.
Plot I. P. 10.
Son of William Henry Croker, of Paignton, Devon; husband of Annie Croker, of "Trevarth," King's Rd., Paignton, Devon.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Faithful Unto Death."
William James Croker
1st Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
22nd October 1916, aged 37.
Plot I. P. 10.
Son of William Henry Croker, of Paignton, Devon; husband of Annie Croker, of "Trevarth," King's Rd., Paignton, Devon.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Faithful Unto Death."
28609 Private
John Dawson
13th Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
14th October 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. L. 37.
Son of George and Ellen Dawson, of 34, Nelson St., Patricroft, Manchester.
His headstone bears the inscription; "R. I. P."
The Wind On The Heath - Written by John Dawson (Date unknown)
I’m off for a walk with the wind on the heath
where the gorse and the heather bloom,
and the blood will course gaily through my veins
as I stride on from dawn to gloom.
From afar I have heard the Pipers of Pan
with the ears of a loving child,
and my heart leaps up with a joyous bound
to answer the call of the wild.
I’m off for a romp with the wind on the Heath
where the smell of the earth is sweet,
and I’ll laugh and I’ll dance with the shadows
that come gambolling round my feet.
And I’ll sing a good song of the west wind
and a “lass with a delicate air”,
while I feel the breeze’s kiss on my cheek
as she gaily tosses my hair.
I’m off to commune with the wind on the heath
where material thoughts are banned,
and we’ll talk of love and a thousand things
the folk of the wild understand.
And I’ll hear the song of the honey-bee
as, laden, he passes me by,
and the call of the cuckoo and curlew
and the wild haunting pewit’s cry.
John Dawson.
Born 17 June 1890
Died 14 October 1916 during the battle of the Somme.
JOHN DAWSON born 17 June 1890 - died 14 October 1916
Betrothed to Doris H Crompton.
Private John Dawson 2860913, attached to the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, was wounded on the 12th October 1916 during the Trones Wood Trenches attack on Lesboeufs and died from his wounds two days later aged 26. He is buried in plot 1, row L, grave 37, in Grove Town cemetery, Méaulte, France, a village to the south of Albert. Grove town cemetery is approximately 2 km south of Méaulte just out of town and close to the runway of Albert Picardie Airport (LFAQ). The nearest large town is Amiens, 25 km to the southwest. John Dawson was born in Patricroft, Manchester, the son of George and Ellen Dawson. His sister, Annie, married Arthur Smith - parents of Ronald and John.
Image, poem and information courtesy of great nephew, Dave Smith
John Dawson
13th Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
14th October 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. L. 37.
Son of George and Ellen Dawson, of 34, Nelson St., Patricroft, Manchester.
His headstone bears the inscription; "R. I. P."
The Wind On The Heath - Written by John Dawson (Date unknown)
I’m off for a walk with the wind on the heath
where the gorse and the heather bloom,
and the blood will course gaily through my veins
as I stride on from dawn to gloom.
From afar I have heard the Pipers of Pan
with the ears of a loving child,
and my heart leaps up with a joyous bound
to answer the call of the wild.
I’m off for a romp with the wind on the Heath
where the smell of the earth is sweet,
and I’ll laugh and I’ll dance with the shadows
that come gambolling round my feet.
And I’ll sing a good song of the west wind
and a “lass with a delicate air”,
while I feel the breeze’s kiss on my cheek
as she gaily tosses my hair.
I’m off to commune with the wind on the heath
where material thoughts are banned,
and we’ll talk of love and a thousand things
the folk of the wild understand.
And I’ll hear the song of the honey-bee
as, laden, he passes me by,
and the call of the cuckoo and curlew
and the wild haunting pewit’s cry.
John Dawson.
Born 17 June 1890
Died 14 October 1916 during the battle of the Somme.
JOHN DAWSON born 17 June 1890 - died 14 October 1916
Betrothed to Doris H Crompton.
Private John Dawson 2860913, attached to the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, was wounded on the 12th October 1916 during the Trones Wood Trenches attack on Lesboeufs and died from his wounds two days later aged 26. He is buried in plot 1, row L, grave 37, in Grove Town cemetery, Méaulte, France, a village to the south of Albert. Grove town cemetery is approximately 2 km south of Méaulte just out of town and close to the runway of Albert Picardie Airport (LFAQ). The nearest large town is Amiens, 25 km to the southwest. John Dawson was born in Patricroft, Manchester, the son of George and Ellen Dawson. His sister, Annie, married Arthur Smith - parents of Ronald and John.
Image, poem and information courtesy of great nephew, Dave Smith
Corporal of (probably) the South Lancashire Regiment searching German prisoners for papers at Meaulte, July 1918. © IWM (Q 7932)
Second Lieutenant
Andrew Robert Ellice
4th Bn. Grenadier Guards
29th September 1916, aged 19.
Plot I. M. 1.
Son of Maj. E. C. Ellice, D.S.O., and Mrs. Ellice, of Invergarry. His brothers William Ellice and Alexander Ellice also fell. William, a Midshipman in the Royal Navy served on H.M.S. "Bulwark" and died at sea aged 15 on 26th November 1914, he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Alexander, a captain in the Cameron Highlanders was killed in action aged 21on 18th October 1916, less than 3 weeks after his brother Andrew. He is commemorated at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension.
Andrew's headstone bears the touching inscription; "A Brave Boy."
Andrew Robert Ellice
4th Bn. Grenadier Guards
29th September 1916, aged 19.
Plot I. M. 1.
Son of Maj. E. C. Ellice, D.S.O., and Mrs. Ellice, of Invergarry. His brothers William Ellice and Alexander Ellice also fell. William, a Midshipman in the Royal Navy served on H.M.S. "Bulwark" and died at sea aged 15 on 26th November 1914, he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Alexander, a captain in the Cameron Highlanders was killed in action aged 21on 18th October 1916, less than 3 weeks after his brother Andrew. He is commemorated at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension.
Andrew's headstone bears the touching inscription; "A Brave Boy."
115163 Gunner
Tom Greenwood
"B" Bty. 250th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
24th August 1918, aged 24.
Plot III. A. 20.
Son of Rennie M. and Louisa Greenwood, of 23, Mitchell St., Burnley, Lancs.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "Worthy Of Everlasting Love."
Tom Greenwood
"B" Bty. 250th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
24th August 1918, aged 24.
Plot III. A. 20.
Son of Rennie M. and Louisa Greenwood, of 23, Mitchell St., Burnley, Lancs.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "Worthy Of Everlasting Love."
1273 Corporal
Adam Guy
19th Bn. Manchester Regiment
10th October 1916, aged 27.
Plot I. O. 12.
Son of Mary Ann Guy, of 24, Peel St., Padiham, Lancs. Native of Bury, Lancs.
Adam Guy
19th Bn. Manchester Regiment
10th October 1916, aged 27.
Plot I. O. 12.
Son of Mary Ann Guy, of 24, Peel St., Padiham, Lancs. Native of Bury, Lancs.
27257 Private
Robert W. Kershaw
1st Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment).
20th October1916, aged 19.
Plot I. N. 35.
Son of Helen Smith (formerly Kershaw), of 52, Foster St., Lincoln, and the late Richard Kershaw.
Picture courtesy of John Kershaw
Robert W. Kershaw
1st Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment).
20th October1916, aged 19.
Plot I. N. 35.
Son of Helen Smith (formerly Kershaw), of 52, Foster St., Lincoln, and the late Richard Kershaw.
Picture courtesy of John Kershaw
Images in this gallery Geerhard Joos
Officers and men of the Gordon Highlanders resting by the roadside, near Meaulte, July 1916. © IWM (Q 858)
21 Driver
Frederick Victor Kimmance
13th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
4th January 1917, aged 22.
Plot II. J. 43.
Son of Cornelius and Ada Kimmance, of 30, Dean St., New North Rd., Islington, London. Native of Abington, Cambs.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Died Doing His Duty, Peace Be With Him For Evermore."
Frederick Victor Kimmance
13th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
4th January 1917, aged 22.
Plot II. J. 43.
Son of Cornelius and Ada Kimmance, of 30, Dean St., New North Rd., Islington, London. Native of Abington, Cambs.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Died Doing His Duty, Peace Be With Him For Evermore."
Lieutenant
George MacPherson
4th Section, Machine Gun Corps
15th September 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. C. 19.
Son of George and Hilda M. Macpherson, of "The Lloyd House," Near Wolverhampton. Educated at Lockers Park and Winchester.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "E'en As He Trod That Day To God So Walked He From His Birth." (Quoted from the poem 'Dedication' by Rudyard Kipling.
George MacPherson
4th Section, Machine Gun Corps
15th September 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. C. 19.
Son of George and Hilda M. Macpherson, of "The Lloyd House," Near Wolverhampton. Educated at Lockers Park and Winchester.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "E'en As He Trod That Day To God So Walked He From His Birth." (Quoted from the poem 'Dedication' by Rudyard Kipling.
Second Lieutenant
John Stanley Palmer
2nd Bn. Durham Light Infantry
18th October 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. B. 8.
Son of Thomas and Thirza Palmer, of 60, East Sheen Avenue, East Sheen, London. L.D.S., R.C.S. Eng. (Guy's Hospital).
His headstone bears the following inscription; "The Light Of His Life Is On All Fast Things."
John Stanley Palmer
2nd Bn. Durham Light Infantry
18th October 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. B. 8.
Son of Thomas and Thirza Palmer, of 60, East Sheen Avenue, East Sheen, London. L.D.S., R.C.S. Eng. (Guy's Hospital).
His headstone bears the following inscription; "The Light Of His Life Is On All Fast Things."
Lieutenant
Claude John Pym
2nd Bn. Irish Guards
26th March 1917, aged 24.
Plot III. A. 1.
Son of Claude George Melville Pym and Lucy Victoria Pym, of Canwick House, Lincoln.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Second Son Of Mr & Mrs Claude Pym Canwick House, Lincoln."
Claude John Pym
2nd Bn. Irish Guards
26th March 1917, aged 24.
Plot III. A. 1.
Son of Claude George Melville Pym and Lucy Victoria Pym, of Canwick House, Lincoln.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Second Son Of Mr & Mrs Claude Pym Canwick House, Lincoln."
16175 Private
Bramford Sparrow
2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards
28th January 1917, aged 21.
Plot II. M. 27.
Son of William Henry and Ada Harriette Sparrow, of 23, Gledhow Gardens, South Kensington, London. Born at Fiskerton, Lincoln.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Always Dear One We Are Thinking Of Thee Mother & Sisters."
Bramford Sparrow
2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards
28th January 1917, aged 21.
Plot II. M. 27.
Son of William Henry and Ada Harriette Sparrow, of 23, Gledhow Gardens, South Kensington, London. Born at Fiskerton, Lincoln.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Always Dear One We Are Thinking Of Thee Mother & Sisters."
Royal Artillery gunners from a 12-inch naval gun battery eating a meal outside their improvised shelter, 'Trembling Terrace', at Meaulte, September 1916. © IWM (Q 1401)
