GUARDS CEMETERY, WINDY CORNER
Cuinchy
Pas De Calais
France
Location Information
Cuinchy is a village about 7 kms east of the town of Bethune and north of the N41 which runs between Bethune and La Bassee. About 1 km north-west of the village are cross roads known as Windy Corner, and Guards Cemetery is a little west of these cross roads.
Historical Information
A little west of the crossroads known to the army as 'Windy Corner' was a house used as a battalion headquarters and dressing station. The cemetery grew up beside this house.
The original cemetery is now Plots I and II and Rows A to S of Plot III. It was begun by the 2nd Division in January 1915, and used extensively by the 4th (Guards) Brigade in and after February. It was closed at the end of May 1916, when it contained 681 graves. After the Armistice it was increased when more than 2,700 graves were brought in from the neighbouring battlefields - in particular the battlefields of Neuve-Chapelle, the Aubers Ridge and Festubert - and from certain smaller cemeteries, including:-
BALUCHI ROAD CEMETERY, NEUVE-CHAPELLE, on the road from Pont-Logy to the "Moated Grange". It contained the graves of fifteen soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in the winter of 1914-15.
EDWARD ROAD CEMETERY No.3, RICHEBOURG-L'AVOUE, on the South side of the Rue des Berceaux, near another "Windy Corner" (Plot I only, which contained the graves of five men of the 1st East Surreys who fell in October 1914).
INDIAN VILLAGE NORTH CEMETERY, FESTUBERT, near the intersection of "Prince's Road" and the front line of early 1915. It contained the graves of fifteen soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in May and July 1915.
LORGIES COMMUNAL CEMETERY, which contained two British graves of October 1918.
PONT-FIXE SOUTH CEMETERY, CUINCHY, on the West side of "Harley Street" (the road going South from Windy Corner), a little South of the Canal. This was a row of graves stretching Westward behind houses, and contained the bodies of 42 soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in 1915.
Guards Cemetery now contains 3,445 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 2,198 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 36 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate six casualties buried in Indian Village North Cemetery, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire, and five Indian soldiers originally buried in the Guards Cemetery but afterwards cremated in accordance with the requirements of their faith.
Casualty Details: UK 3402, Canada 32, India 9, Total Burials: 3443
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden and Captain Wilfred Clement Von Berg. MC.
Cuinchy is a village about 7 kms east of the town of Bethune and north of the N41 which runs between Bethune and La Bassee. About 1 km north-west of the village are cross roads known as Windy Corner, and Guards Cemetery is a little west of these cross roads.
Historical Information
A little west of the crossroads known to the army as 'Windy Corner' was a house used as a battalion headquarters and dressing station. The cemetery grew up beside this house.
The original cemetery is now Plots I and II and Rows A to S of Plot III. It was begun by the 2nd Division in January 1915, and used extensively by the 4th (Guards) Brigade in and after February. It was closed at the end of May 1916, when it contained 681 graves. After the Armistice it was increased when more than 2,700 graves were brought in from the neighbouring battlefields - in particular the battlefields of Neuve-Chapelle, the Aubers Ridge and Festubert - and from certain smaller cemeteries, including:-
BALUCHI ROAD CEMETERY, NEUVE-CHAPELLE, on the road from Pont-Logy to the "Moated Grange". It contained the graves of fifteen soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in the winter of 1914-15.
EDWARD ROAD CEMETERY No.3, RICHEBOURG-L'AVOUE, on the South side of the Rue des Berceaux, near another "Windy Corner" (Plot I only, which contained the graves of five men of the 1st East Surreys who fell in October 1914).
INDIAN VILLAGE NORTH CEMETERY, FESTUBERT, near the intersection of "Prince's Road" and the front line of early 1915. It contained the graves of fifteen soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in May and July 1915.
LORGIES COMMUNAL CEMETERY, which contained two British graves of October 1918.
PONT-FIXE SOUTH CEMETERY, CUINCHY, on the West side of "Harley Street" (the road going South from Windy Corner), a little South of the Canal. This was a row of graves stretching Westward behind houses, and contained the bodies of 42 soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in 1915.
Guards Cemetery now contains 3,445 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 2,198 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 36 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate six casualties buried in Indian Village North Cemetery, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire, and five Indian soldiers originally buried in the Guards Cemetery but afterwards cremated in accordance with the requirements of their faith.
Casualty Details: UK 3402, Canada 32, India 9, Total Burials: 3443
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden and Captain Wilfred Clement Von Berg. MC.
Major, John MacKenzie, V. C.
1st Bn. attached to 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment, this officer won his award at Ashanti in 1900. Died on 19th December 1914, aged 44. Plot VIII. J. 10.
Native of Contin, Ross-shire.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "Blessed Are They That Die In The Lord." (Revelation 14:13)
Citation: An extract taken from the London Gazette dated 15th Jan., 1901 records the following: "On the 6th June, 1900, at Dompoassi, in Ashanti, Sergeant Mackenzie, after working two Maxim guns under a hot fire, and being wounded while doing so, volunteered to clear the stockades of the enemy which he did in the most gallant manner, leading the charge himself and driving the enemy headlong into the bush."
1st Bn. attached to 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment, this officer won his award at Ashanti in 1900. Died on 19th December 1914, aged 44. Plot VIII. J. 10.
Native of Contin, Ross-shire.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "Blessed Are They That Die In The Lord." (Revelation 14:13)
Citation: An extract taken from the London Gazette dated 15th Jan., 1901 records the following: "On the 6th June, 1900, at Dompoassi, in Ashanti, Sergeant Mackenzie, after working two Maxim guns under a hot fire, and being wounded while doing so, volunteered to clear the stockades of the enemy which he did in the most gallant manner, leading the charge himself and driving the enemy headlong into the bush."
Original grave at Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner of 13215 Private, Frederick John Bush Parker, 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards, 8th August 1915, aged 18. Son of the Rev. F. Talbot Parker and Mrs. Parker, of Knowle Vicarage, 217, Wells Rd., Bristol. He is now buried in plot I. A. 3. © Jeremy Gordon-Smith
Lieutenant
Francis Douglas Adamson
2nd Bn. Border Regiment
16th November 1915, aged 24.
Plot III. E. 5.
Native of Houghton-le-Spring. Son of Clara I. Adamson, of 1, Belford Terrace, Sunderland, and the late Cuthbert Edward Adamson.
His headstone bears the inscription; "From The Contagion Of The World's Slow Stain He Is Secure With Christ." Loosely quoted from - 'An Elegy on the Death of John Keats,'
By Percy Bysshe Shelley
Francis Douglas Adamson
2nd Bn. Border Regiment
16th November 1915, aged 24.
Plot III. E. 5.
Native of Houghton-le-Spring. Son of Clara I. Adamson, of 1, Belford Terrace, Sunderland, and the late Cuthbert Edward Adamson.
His headstone bears the inscription; "From The Contagion Of The World's Slow Stain He Is Secure With Christ." Loosely quoted from - 'An Elegy on the Death of John Keats,'
By Percy Bysshe Shelley
Lieutenant
H. Ball
3rd Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment, attached to 160th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers
13th January 1916, aged 21.
Plot III. D. 11.
Son of William Henry and Rhoda Ball, of "Milburn," Thrybergh, Rotherham, Yorks.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "The Path of Duty Leads to Glory."
H. Ball
3rd Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment, attached to 160th Tunnelling Coy. Royal Engineers
13th January 1916, aged 21.
Plot III. D. 11.
Son of William Henry and Rhoda Ball, of "Milburn," Thrybergh, Rotherham, Yorks.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "The Path of Duty Leads to Glory."
9760 Corporal
William Bartlett, D. C. M.
"C" Company, 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
17th May 1915, aged 23.
Plot IV. H. 9.
Husband of L. V. Bartlett, of 27, Downing St., Farnham, Surrey.
William Bartlett, D. C. M.
"C" Company, 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
17th May 1915, aged 23.
Plot IV. H. 9.
Husband of L. V. Bartlett, of 27, Downing St., Farnham, Surrey.
Second Lieutenant
Frederick Walter Battley
11th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
21st April 1916, aged 21.
Plot III. Q. 2.
Son of Ernest F. and Frances Battley, of 21 Old Kent Rd., London. Born at Camberwell, London.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "They Shall Grow Not Old As We That Are Left Grow Old."
Frederick Walter Battley
11th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
21st April 1916, aged 21.
Plot III. Q. 2.
Son of Ernest F. and Frances Battley, of 21 Old Kent Rd., London. Born at Camberwell, London.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "They Shall Grow Not Old As We That Are Left Grow Old."
Captain
Denys Cooke
3rd Bn. attd. 1st Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
18th April 1918, aged 26.
Plot V. F. 7.
Son of the Rev. Canon C. E. Cooke, formerly Rector of Pitlochry, Perthshire, now Warden and Chaplain of Whittington College, London, N., and Catherine L. Cooke (nee de Turckheim). Native of Cupar, Fife.
His headstone bears the inscription; "His Servants Shall Serve Him And They Shall See His Face Rev.Xxii.3.4."
Denys Cooke
3rd Bn. attd. 1st Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
18th April 1918, aged 26.
Plot V. F. 7.
Son of the Rev. Canon C. E. Cooke, formerly Rector of Pitlochry, Perthshire, now Warden and Chaplain of Whittington College, London, N., and Catherine L. Cooke (nee de Turckheim). Native of Cupar, Fife.
His headstone bears the inscription; "His Servants Shall Serve Him And They Shall See His Face Rev.Xxii.3.4."
Second Lieutenant
Robert Stobo Crawford
Reserve of Officers attd. 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
17th May 1915, aged 21.
Plot V. L. 4.
Son of John Wilson Crawford, of Kilburn, Largs, Ayrshire.
Robert Stobo Crawford
Reserve of Officers attd. 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
17th May 1915, aged 21.
Plot V. L. 4.
Son of John Wilson Crawford, of Kilburn, Largs, Ayrshire.
The small cemetery at Cuinchy with destoyed buildings in the background. © IWM (Q 52982AA)
Second Lieutenant
Marlborough Evelyn Bradford Crosse
2nd Bn. Yorkshire Regiment
13th May 1915.
Plot VIII. H. 16.
Marlborough Evelyn Bradford Crosse
2nd Bn. Yorkshire Regiment
13th May 1915.
Plot VIII. H. 16.
Lieutenant
Geoffrey Montagu Mason Fleming
Royal Army Medical Corps, attd. 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
16th June 1915, aged 25.
Plot I. H. 12.
Son of Alfred G. and Marie M. R. Fleming, of Beechfield, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. M.B. and B.Ch., Trinity College, Dublin.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Killed While Attending To The Wounded. With Christ Till He Come."
Geoffrey Montagu Mason Fleming
Royal Army Medical Corps, attd. 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
16th June 1915, aged 25.
Plot I. H. 12.
Son of Alfred G. and Marie M. R. Fleming, of Beechfield, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. M.B. and B.Ch., Trinity College, Dublin.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Killed While Attending To The Wounded. With Christ Till He Come."
Second Lieutenant
Dudley Mark Hayward Jewell
18th Bn. Royal Fusiliers, attd. Royal Engineers
20th January 1916, aged 22.
Plot III. D. 13.
Son of Ada Margaret Pugh Cook (formerly Jewell), of Warnercroft, Selsey, Sussex, and the late Maurice Jewell.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Until the Day Dawns."
Dudley Mark Hayward Jewell
18th Bn. Royal Fusiliers, attd. Royal Engineers
20th January 1916, aged 22.
Plot III. D. 13.
Son of Ada Margaret Pugh Cook (formerly Jewell), of Warnercroft, Selsey, Sussex, and the late Maurice Jewell.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Until the Day Dawns."
Lieutenant
Albert William Lane-Joynt
Dorsetshire Regiment, attd. Machine Gun Corps
26th February 16, aged 18.
Plot I. K. 4.
Son of Glenleigh J. S. Taylor (formerly Lane-Joynt), and the late Albert Lane Joynt, of 32, Dover St., London. Native of Dublin.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Heaven Is By The Young Invaded; Their Laughter's In The House Of God." From the poem 'Flower of Youth' by Katherine Tynan.
Albert William Lane-Joynt
Dorsetshire Regiment, attd. Machine Gun Corps
26th February 16, aged 18.
Plot I. K. 4.
Son of Glenleigh J. S. Taylor (formerly Lane-Joynt), and the late Albert Lane Joynt, of 32, Dover St., London. Native of Dublin.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Heaven Is By The Young Invaded; Their Laughter's In The House Of God." From the poem 'Flower of Youth' by Katherine Tynan.
Second Lieutenant
Ferdinand Marsham-Townshend
2nd Bn. Scots Guards
16th May 1915, aged 35.
Plot IV. K. 20.
Son of The Hon. Robert and Mrs. Marsham-Townshend, of 5, Chesterfield St., Mayfair, London.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death And I Will Give Thee A Crown Of Life." (Revelation 2:9-11)
Ferdinand Marsham-Townshend
2nd Bn. Scots Guards
16th May 1915, aged 35.
Plot IV. K. 20.
Son of The Hon. Robert and Mrs. Marsham-Townshend, of 5, Chesterfield St., Mayfair, London.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death And I Will Give Thee A Crown Of Life." (Revelation 2:9-11)
France. c. 1917. Devastated buildings and trees at a road junction known as Windy Corner.
Captain
Michael Meade, M. C.
5th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
9th April 1918, aged 22.
Plot IV. G. 20.
Son of the late Right Hon. Joseph Meade and his wife, now Ada W. Meade Coffey, of 56, Northumberland Rd., Dublin.
Michael Meade, M. C.
5th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
9th April 1918, aged 22.
Plot IV. G. 20.
Son of the late Right Hon. Joseph Meade and his wife, now Ada W. Meade Coffey, of 56, Northumberland Rd., Dublin.
106 Serjeant
John Edmund Podd
"C" Coy. 4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
12th March 1915, aged 30.
Plot VIII. E. 47.
Son of Henry and Mary Ann Podd, of Ipswich, Suffolk; husband of Kate Edith Elizabeth Podd, of 15, Cobbold St., Ipswich, Suffolk.
John Edmund Podd
"C" Coy. 4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
12th March 1915, aged 30.
Plot VIII. E. 47.
Son of Henry and Mary Ann Podd, of Ipswich, Suffolk; husband of Kate Edith Elizabeth Podd, of 15, Cobbold St., Ipswich, Suffolk.
Captain
Harold Christopher Richmond, Mentioned in Despatches
1st Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
25th January 1915, aged 34.
Plot I. J. 18.
Son of the late S.L. Richmond, of Quarry House, Lancs; husband of Mabel M. Richmond.
Harold Christopher Richmond, Mentioned in Despatches
1st Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
25th January 1915, aged 34.
Plot I. J. 18.
Son of the late S.L. Richmond, of Quarry House, Lancs; husband of Mabel M. Richmond.
10625 Private
John William Ridge
2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards
26th March 1915
Plot I. E. 12.
John William Ridge
2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards
26th March 1915
Plot I. E. 12.
Captain
Arthur Hovell Romilly, Mentioned in Despatches
1st Bn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
21st October 1914, aged 37.
Plot IV. F. 23.
Son of the late Capt. F. G. Romilly (Royal Engineers); husband of Annie Palmer Romilly. Served in the South African Campaign.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will Be Done."
Arthur Hovell Romilly, Mentioned in Despatches
1st Bn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
21st October 1914, aged 37.
Plot IV. F. 23.
Son of the late Capt. F. G. Romilly (Royal Engineers); husband of Annie Palmer Romilly. Served in the South African Campaign.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will Be Done."
Second Lieutenant
John Brown Savage, M. C. Mentioned in Despatches
1st Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
16th May 1915, aged 34.
Plot VI. B. 27.
Son of John and Margaret Savage, of 27 Ruabon Rd., Wrexham, Denbighshire.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Well Done Thou Good And Faithful Servant." (Quoted from Matthew 25:23)
John Brown Savage, M. C. Mentioned in Despatches
1st Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
16th May 1915, aged 34.
Plot VI. B. 27.
Son of John and Margaret Savage, of 27 Ruabon Rd., Wrexham, Denbighshire.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Well Done Thou Good And Faithful Servant." (Quoted from Matthew 25:23)
Lieutenant
Harold Richard Savel
21st Bn. London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles)
25th May 1915, aged 23.
Plot I. E. 8.
Son of Richard and Edith Savel, of 53, South View Rd., Shirley, Southampton. Educated at Dulwich College. Prefect for two years. Native of Forest Gate, London.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Most Dearly Loved And Never Forgotten By His Mother."
Harold Richard Savel
21st Bn. London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles)
25th May 1915, aged 23.
Plot I. E. 8.
Son of Richard and Edith Savel, of 53, South View Rd., Shirley, Southampton. Educated at Dulwich College. Prefect for two years. Native of Forest Gate, London.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Most Dearly Loved And Never Forgotten By His Mother."
Major
Roger Cecil Slacke, Mentioned in Despatches
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), attached to 2nd Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
16th May 1915.
Plot III. V. 4.
Roger Cecil Slacke, Mentioned in Despatches
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), attached to 2nd Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
16th May 1915.
Plot III. V. 4.
Captain, The Honourable
Charles Henry Murray St. Clair, Twice Mentioned in Despatches
1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
20th December 1914, aged 36.
Plot V. C. 18.
Son of the Rt. Hon. Charles William, 15th Baron Sinclair and Margaret Jane, Baroness Sinclair, of 55, Onslow Square, London; Nisbet, Duns, Berwickshire; Herdmanston, Pencaitland, Haddingtonshire.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Younger Son Of Charles William St. Clair Fifteenth Baron Sinclair."
Charles Henry Murray St. Clair, Twice Mentioned in Despatches
1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
20th December 1914, aged 36.
Plot V. C. 18.
Son of the Rt. Hon. Charles William, 15th Baron Sinclair and Margaret Jane, Baroness Sinclair, of 55, Onslow Square, London; Nisbet, Duns, Berwickshire; Herdmanston, Pencaitland, Haddingtonshire.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Younger Son Of Charles William St. Clair Fifteenth Baron Sinclair."
Second Lieutenant
Robert James Noel Stuart
3rd Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
17th May 1915, aged 29.
Plot V. L. 3.
Son of Madeline Frances Prince (formerly Stuart), of "Wilminster," Richmond Rd., Staines, Middx., and the late Horace Noel Stuart.
Robert James Noel Stuart
3rd Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
17th May 1915, aged 29.
Plot V. L. 3.
Son of Madeline Frances Prince (formerly Stuart), of "Wilminster," Richmond Rd., Staines, Middx., and the late Horace Noel Stuart.
Brigadier General, The Honourable
John Frederick Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis, D S O, Mentioned in Despatches
Cdg. 20th Infantry Bde. 7th Div. General Staff, late Irish Guards
24th October 1915, aged 37.
Plot III. J. 4.
Son of the Dowager Lady Clinton, of Woodleigh, Sunninghill, Berks, and the late Lord Clinton.
His headstone bears the inscription; "R. I. P."
John Frederick Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis, D S O, Mentioned in Despatches
Cdg. 20th Infantry Bde. 7th Div. General Staff, late Irish Guards
24th October 1915, aged 37.
Plot III. J. 4.
Son of the Dowager Lady Clinton, of Woodleigh, Sunninghill, Berks, and the late Lord Clinton.
His headstone bears the inscription; "R. I. P."
Captain
Lionel Reginald Everard West
8th Bn. London Regiment (Post Office Rifles)
23rd April 1915, aged 27.
Plot I. F. 9.
Son of Reginald Jervoise West and Ida Agnes Vane West, of Pinecote, Sunningdale, Berks. Educated at Eton.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Jour De Ma Vie" (Day of My Life)
Lionel Reginald Everard West
8th Bn. London Regiment (Post Office Rifles)
23rd April 1915, aged 27.
Plot I. F. 9.
Son of Reginald Jervoise West and Ida Agnes Vane West, of Pinecote, Sunningdale, Berks. Educated at Eton.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Jour De Ma Vie" (Day of My Life)
Aerial view of the Cuinchy Brickstacks (right upper corner) and La Bassee Canal. © IWM (Q 45785)
