HARPONVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.03888, Longitude: 2.50191
Image above © Johan Pauwels
Location Information
Harponville is 3 kilometres along the D47 north of Contay towards Varennes.
The cemetery will be found at the end of the main street, turning right at the church for 200 metres. The Communal Cemetery Extension is north of the Communal Cemetery.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to site possible - maybe by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
The Commonwealth graves at Harponville were made by fighting units during the German advance on the Somme in 1918.
The 34 burials in the CEMETERY date from April, May and early June. 19 of the burials are of men of the Welch Regiment.
Total Casualties: United Kingdom 34.
Major
Harry Jex Dresser
1st Bn. attached to 15th Bn. Cheshire Regiment
2nd June 1918, aged 33.
Row A. 15.
Son of John Henry and Angela Dresser, of London; husband of Meta Mary Dresser, of IC, Grenville Place, South Kensington, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "Taking The World's Life On Him His Own Lay Down He Dying So Lives"
Harry Jex Dresser
1st Bn. attached to 15th Bn. Cheshire Regiment
2nd June 1918, aged 33.
Row A. 15.
Son of John Henry and Angela Dresser, of London; husband of Meta Mary Dresser, of IC, Grenville Place, South Kensington, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "Taking The World's Life On Him His Own Lay Down He Dying So Lives"
Lieutenant
Kenneth Grenville Edwards
13th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
8th May 1918, aged 24.
Row B. 3.
Son of John Stevenson Edwards and Kathleen Dora Edwards, of Bangor, Carnarvon; husband of Lucy E. Edwards, of Shrewsbury. Buried by his friend, W. F. Crosthwaite, C.F., attached 13th Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers.
His headstone bears the inscription "Fervent In Spirit Serving The Lord Rejoicing In Hope"
Kenneth was educated at a preparatory school and Friars School (Bangor). He later joined the staff of the National Provincial Bank of Shrewsbury. In November 1914, he resigned his position to join the 16th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers. He went to France in April 1916, fighting at Mametz Wood (July 1916) and Pilkem (August 1917). In October 1917, he returned to England for light duty, and returned to France on 18th April 1918.
He was killed in action in a communication trench by a shell at about midnight. Age: 24.
His brother Lieutenant Algernon Stuart Edwards, with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 17th Bn. was killed in action at Pilkem Ridge (Belgium) on 31st July 1917 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial
Kenneth Grenville Edwards
13th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
8th May 1918, aged 24.
Row B. 3.
Son of John Stevenson Edwards and Kathleen Dora Edwards, of Bangor, Carnarvon; husband of Lucy E. Edwards, of Shrewsbury. Buried by his friend, W. F. Crosthwaite, C.F., attached 13th Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers.
His headstone bears the inscription "Fervent In Spirit Serving The Lord Rejoicing In Hope"
Kenneth was educated at a preparatory school and Friars School (Bangor). He later joined the staff of the National Provincial Bank of Shrewsbury. In November 1914, he resigned his position to join the 16th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers. He went to France in April 1916, fighting at Mametz Wood (July 1916) and Pilkem (August 1917). In October 1917, he returned to England for light duty, and returned to France on 18th April 1918.
He was killed in action in a communication trench by a shell at about midnight. Age: 24.
His brother Lieutenant Algernon Stuart Edwards, with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 17th Bn. was killed in action at Pilkem Ridge (Belgium) on 31st July 1917 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial
Captain
Richard James Wallace Ritchie
4th Bn. attached to 18th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
20th May 1918, aged 21.
Row A. 7.
Son of Fred W. Ritchie, of Edinburgh. His brother Second Lieutenant John Waugh Edwards was also killed in the war and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
His headstone bears the inscription "Also His Brother Lt. J. W. Ritchie. 3rd Gordons Fell At Roeux 23.4.17."
Richard James Wallace Ritchie
4th Bn. attached to 18th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
20th May 1918, aged 21.
Row A. 7.
Son of Fred W. Ritchie, of Edinburgh. His brother Second Lieutenant John Waugh Edwards was also killed in the war and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
His headstone bears the inscription "Also His Brother Lt. J. W. Ritchie. 3rd Gordons Fell At Roeux 23.4.17."
Captain
David Robertson Sillars
12th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
4th June 1918, aged 21.
Row A. 18.
Son of the late D. R. Sillars, of Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "There Is A Link Death Cannot Sever Love & Memory Live For Ever"
David Robertson Sillars
12th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
4th June 1918, aged 21.
Row A. 18.
Son of the late D. R. Sillars, of Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire.
His headstone bears the inscription "There Is A Link Death Cannot Sever Love & Memory Live For Ever"
Image above © Johan Pauwels
