HOUCHIN BRITISH CEMETERY
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.47957, Longitude: 2.61051
Location Information
Houchin is a village situated between Barlin and Bethune, about 5 kilometres south of Bethune. Houchin British Cemetery is on the south-west side of Houchin village.
There are CWGC signposts to be found in the village of Houchin and on the main D72 road.
Visiting Information
The location or design of this site makes wheelchair access impossible.
Historical Information
The cemetery was opened in March 1918 when the 6th Casualty Clearing Station came to Houchin. From April to September the German advance made Houchin unsafe for hospitals, and the cemetery was used by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division. In September 1918, the 6th Casualty Clearing Station returned to Houchin and was joined by the 15th CCS in October.
Houchin British Cemetery contains 700 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and two from the Second World War. There are also 39 German and one Belgian war graves.
Total Burials: 742.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 659, Canada 39, Germany 33, Belgium 1. Total 732.
World War One Unidentified Casualties: Germany 6, United Kingdom 2. Total 8.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 2.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and John Reginald Truelove
357714 Private
George Trevor Bird
1st/10th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
19th June 1918
Plot II. F. 7.
George Trevor Bird
1st/10th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
19th June 1918
Plot II. F. 7.
50233 Lance Corporal
Philip Cartridge
1st/5th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
25th May 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. B. 32.
Son of Fanny Cartridge, of 114, Dale House Fold, Poynton, Stockport.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Not Gone From Memory Or From Love But To His Father's Home Above."
Philip Cartridge
1st/5th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
25th May 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. B. 32.
Son of Fanny Cartridge, of 114, Dale House Fold, Poynton, Stockport.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Not Gone From Memory Or From Love But To His Father's Home Above."
Lieutenant
Ernest Rowland Chappell
"C" Anti-Aircraft Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
30th September 1918
Plot III. D. 31.
Ernest Rowland Chappell
"C" Anti-Aircraft Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
30th September 1918
Plot III. D. 31.
Second Lieutenant
Charles Spencer Day
"D" Bty. 59th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
25th April 1918, aged 31.
Plot I. E. 1.
Son of James Charles and Emma Day, of 4, Lavender Sweep, Clapham Common, London.
His headstone bears the inscription; "With Christ Which Is Far Better."
Charles Spencer Day
"D" Bty. 59th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
25th April 1918, aged 31.
Plot I. E. 1.
Son of James Charles and Emma Day, of 4, Lavender Sweep, Clapham Common, London.
His headstone bears the inscription; "With Christ Which Is Far Better."
602947 Sergeant
Harold Dickinson, M. M.
7th Bn. Canadian Infantry
21st March 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. G. 24.
Harold Dickinson, M. M.
7th Bn. Canadian Infantry
21st March 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. G. 24.
235328 Lance Serjeant
Joshua Fielden, M.S.M.
2nd/5th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
27th September 1918, aged 20.
Plot III. D. 26.
Son of James H. and M. E. Fielden, of 36, Ashfield Grove, Reedley, Burnley, Lancs.
Joshua joined the army aged 16, he was a serjeant by the time he was 17 and worked well in various clerical roles before reaching France. Prior to enlisting he was a clerk at the Co-operative Society, Brierfield. He was gassed on the 21st September 1918, succumbing to the effects 6 days later aged just 20.
240053 Lance Corporal
Frank Gill
5th Coy. 1st Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
28th May 1918, aged 22.
Plot I. A. 9.
Son of William and S. A. Gill, of Kenton Cottage, Jamieson St., Arbroath.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will Be Done."
Frank Gill
5th Coy. 1st Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
28th May 1918, aged 22.
Plot I. A. 9.
Son of William and S. A. Gill, of Kenton Cottage, Jamieson St., Arbroath.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will Be Done."
33634 Lance Corporal
John Green
2nd/5th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
23rd July 1918
Plot II. C. 9.
Lived at 34 Murray Street, Burnley.
John Green
2nd/5th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
23rd July 1918
Plot II. C. 9.
Lived at 34 Murray Street, Burnley.
356010 Private
John William Hesketh
10th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
27th April 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. D. 1.
Son of Ellen Hesketh, of 19, Garnet St., Sutton, St. Helens, Lancs.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Memory Of My Dear Son."
John William Hesketh
10th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
27th April 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. D. 1.
Son of Ellen Hesketh, of 19, Garnet St., Sutton, St. Helens, Lancs.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Memory Of My Dear Son."
32461 Private
Walter Heys
1st/5th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
22nd May 1918, aged 20.
Plot I. B. 17.
Son of William and Jane Heys, of 63, Barden Lane, Burnley, Lancs.
One of my Best Men - Officers Tribute (Burnley Express)
Mr & Mrs William Heys, of 63, Barden Lane, Burnley, have received a letter stating that their son Rifleman Walter Heys, aged 21, was killed in France on Wednesday, May 22nd, by a piece of shrapnel. The unfortunate soldier had been out since February, 1917. He joined the Forces in September, 1916, as a motor driver, and serving eight months he along with other single young men, was transferred into the South Lancashire Rifle Brigade. Previous to enlisting he was employed as a motor driver by Mr. Wesley Clegg (Nelson). He was for a time a member of the United Temperance Cycling Club, and was well known, and highly respected by everyone with whom he came into contact. There are two brothers serving in France, and a younger brother is at present training. The deceased was on the roll of honour both at St Andrew's, where he was an old scholar, and also at the Temperance Society, Parker Lane.
An Officer, in the course of his letter to Mrs Heys, says:
"I cannot express my sorrow at losing such a good man, and I can assure you it is felt by the whole of the Platoon. He was always most cheery and bright under the most trying circumstances, and he was one of my best men. On behalf of myself and his comrades, I wish to offer you our most sincere sympathy in your great loss."
I remain, yours sincerely,
W. J. Ferris
His family placed this tribute to him in the local newspaper:
"In affectionate memory of Rifleman Walter Heys,
who was killed by a piece of shrapnel
in France on May 22nd, 1918, in his 21st Year.
We loved him dearly,
Life's battle o'er, his victory won,
A soldier of the heavenly King.
He was all that a son and a brother should be."
From Father, Mother, and brothers, Arthur (in training), Albert and Charlie (in France). Home, 63 Barden Lane, Burnley.
180347 Gunner
George Wilfred Lloyd
Base Details Royal Garrison Artillery, attd. 381st Bty. Royal Field Artillery
11th June 1916, aged 23.
Plot II. G. 8.
Son of Mary Lloyd, of Cilgarenydd, Pontfaen, Brecon; husband of E. A. Jenkins (formerly Lloyd), of Westwood House, Llanwonno Rd., Mountain Ash, Glam.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Silent Loving Remembrance We Deeply Mourn "God's Will Be Done."
George Wilfred Lloyd
Base Details Royal Garrison Artillery, attd. 381st Bty. Royal Field Artillery
11th June 1916, aged 23.
Plot II. G. 8.
Son of Mary Lloyd, of Cilgarenydd, Pontfaen, Brecon; husband of E. A. Jenkins (formerly Lloyd), of Westwood House, Llanwonno Rd., Mountain Ash, Glam.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Silent Loving Remembrance We Deeply Mourn "God's Will Be Done."
Second Lieutenant
Zaven Manoukian
2nd/5th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
3rd September 1918, aged 19.
Plot III. G. 31.
Son of Setrak and Elise Manoukian, of 16, Rue Misk, Pera, Constantinople, Turkey. Born at West Didsbury, Manchester, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Everlasting Memory Of The Noblest And Most Dearly Loved Of Sons."
Zaven Manoukian
2nd/5th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
3rd September 1918, aged 19.
Plot III. G. 31.
Son of Setrak and Elise Manoukian, of 16, Rue Misk, Pera, Constantinople, Turkey. Born at West Didsbury, Manchester, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Everlasting Memory Of The Noblest And Most Dearly Loved Of Sons."
39205 Private
Frederick Pollard
2nd/5th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
26th August 1918, aged 30.
Plot III. G. 5.
Son of John Thomas and Mary Ann Pollard, of Burnley, Lancs., England; husband of Mary Annie Pollard, of 42, East 27th St., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Formerly, 3 Holmsley Street, Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Hath Done What He Could."
Fred had previously worked for Alderman J. Sellars Kay, Massey's Burnley Brewery and prior to enlisting on 1st December 1916, was working for the Prudential Assurance Co. His father being the superintendent of that company.
Frederick Pollard
2nd/5th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
26th August 1918, aged 30.
Plot III. G. 5.
Son of John Thomas and Mary Ann Pollard, of Burnley, Lancs., England; husband of Mary Annie Pollard, of 42, East 27th St., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Formerly, 3 Holmsley Street, Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Hath Done What He Could."
Fred had previously worked for Alderman J. Sellars Kay, Massey's Burnley Brewery and prior to enlisting on 1st December 1916, was working for the Prudential Assurance Co. His father being the superintendent of that company.
300550 Private
Richard Woolley Potter
1st/6th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
17th August 1918
Plot II. B. 19.
Richard Woolley Potter
1st/6th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
17th August 1918
Plot II. B. 19.
S/40218 Private
James Robertson Scrimgeour
1st Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
28th May 1918, aged 24.
Plot I. A. 10.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Scrimgeour, of Ponds, Stormontfield, Perth.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Gave His All That We Might Live."
James Robertson Scrimgeour
1st Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
28th May 1918, aged 24.
Plot I. A. 10.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Scrimgeour, of Ponds, Stormontfield, Perth.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Gave His All That We Might Live."
Major
Joseph Donaldson Simpson, M. C.10th Bn. Canadian Infantry, attd. 44th Imperial Inf. Bde.
11th October 1918
Plot III. B. 18.
Joseph Donaldson Simpson, M. C.10th Bn. Canadian Infantry, attd. 44th Imperial Inf. Bde.
11th October 1918
Plot III. B. 18.
34816 Private
Harry Slater
2nd/5th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
26th August 1918, aged 29.
Plot III. G. 4.
Husband of Mary E. Slater, of 150, Melville St., Burnley, Lancs.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Memory Ever Dear From His Wife, Mother Sisters & Brothers."
Harry Slater
2nd/5th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
26th August 1918, aged 29.
Plot III. G. 4.
Husband of Mary E. Slater, of 150, Melville St., Burnley, Lancs.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Memory Ever Dear From His Wife, Mother Sisters & Brothers."
242609 Private William George Stubbs, M. M. (Awarded on 13th March 1919) 2nd/5th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers 3rd October 1918, aged 21. Plot III. C. 7. Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Stubbs, of 23, Tottington Rd., Elton, Bury, Lancs. Real name George William Stubbs Pictures courtesy of George's Great Nephew Graham Richardson |
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193433 Private
Arthur Frederick Styles
42nd Bn. Canadian Infantry
4th April 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. F. 7.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Styles, of 61, Sturry Rd., Canterbury, Kent, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Gone But Not Forgotten Mother, Father Sisters & Brother."
Arthur Frederick Styles
42nd Bn. Canadian Infantry
4th April 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. F. 7.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Styles, of 61, Sturry Rd., Canterbury, Kent, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Gone But Not Forgotten Mother, Father Sisters & Brother."
147630 Private
Norman Bothamley Tempest
78th Bn. Canadian Infantry
5th April 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. F. 9.
Son of David and Ellen Tempest, of Leeds, Yorks, England. Went to Canada in 1908. Enlisted 1915. Wounded three times.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Fought A Good Fight And Finished His Course."
Norman Bothamley Tempest
78th Bn. Canadian Infantry
5th April 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. F. 9.
Son of David and Ellen Tempest, of Leeds, Yorks, England. Went to Canada in 1908. Enlisted 1915. Wounded three times.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Fought A Good Fight And Finished His Course."
24878 Gunner
Gilbert Dunstan Young
97th Battery, 147th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
18th April 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. F. 29.
Son of John Walter and Gertrude Alice Young, of Snead's Green, Droitwich, Worcestershire. Native of Lower Gornal, Dudley.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Gave Of His Blood To Succour Another Till We Meet Again"
The information below supplied by 'The Ellesmerian Club', the alumni organisation for Ellesmere College where Gilbert was a pupil.
Gilbert Dunstan Young
97th Battery, 147th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
18th April 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. F. 29.
Son of John Walter and Gertrude Alice Young, of Snead's Green, Droitwich, Worcestershire. Native of Lower Gornal, Dudley.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Gave Of His Blood To Succour Another Till We Meet Again"
The information below supplied by 'The Ellesmerian Club', the alumni organisation for Ellesmere College where Gilbert was a pupil.
Gilbert Dunstan Young began his career at Ellesmere College in the Summer Term of 1907, staying until the end of the same term in 1910.
He played hockey and cricket for his dormitory, the ‘Edward’, and passed the Preliminaries of the Oxford Local Examinations in November 1909 in Religious Knowledge, History, English and French. Otherwise, The Ellesmerian makes no comment on his activities during his time at the college.
He was born on 19th May 1895 in Sedgley, Staffordshire to John Walter and Gertrude Alice Young who came from London and Norfolk respectively. His father was a government official for the Inland Revenue and Excise.
Gilbert was the youngest of their three children and, in the census for 1911, he is listed as a fifteen-year-old student who lived with his father in Dudley and was presumably continuing his education at a school or college close to home.
Gilbert, having enlisted in Stoke-on-Trent, saw service with the Royal Field Artillery as Gunner Young, Service No: 24878 with 97 Battery, 147 Brigade. It has not been possible, to date, to discover many details of his enlistment and service other than he embarked for service in France on 30th May 1915.
There are few surviving records of his military service. His entry in college’s Roll of Honour shows that he was wounded in September,1917 and shortly afterwards gave 400 c.c. of blood to a severely shocked comrade. This was after his Brigade’s return to France.
In April 1918, a German attack, known as “Operation Georgette”, took place in the valley of the River Lys and the Flemish hills. No. 147 Brigade was part of the force opposing this attack in the area of Messines and it is quite possible that Gilbert was injured on the 10th to 11th April.
He would have been taken to the 6th Casualty Clearing Station, which lay some six kilometres south of Bethune and was established there in March 1918.
He did not survive his injuries on this occasion and died on 18th April 1918. His body lies in the Houchin British Cemetery, approximately six kilometres almost due south of Bethune.
Gilbert was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, and the British War and Victory medals.
His older brothers, Claude and Victor also attended Ellesmere College and survived the war.
He played hockey and cricket for his dormitory, the ‘Edward’, and passed the Preliminaries of the Oxford Local Examinations in November 1909 in Religious Knowledge, History, English and French. Otherwise, The Ellesmerian makes no comment on his activities during his time at the college.
He was born on 19th May 1895 in Sedgley, Staffordshire to John Walter and Gertrude Alice Young who came from London and Norfolk respectively. His father was a government official for the Inland Revenue and Excise.
Gilbert was the youngest of their three children and, in the census for 1911, he is listed as a fifteen-year-old student who lived with his father in Dudley and was presumably continuing his education at a school or college close to home.
Gilbert, having enlisted in Stoke-on-Trent, saw service with the Royal Field Artillery as Gunner Young, Service No: 24878 with 97 Battery, 147 Brigade. It has not been possible, to date, to discover many details of his enlistment and service other than he embarked for service in France on 30th May 1915.
There are few surviving records of his military service. His entry in college’s Roll of Honour shows that he was wounded in September,1917 and shortly afterwards gave 400 c.c. of blood to a severely shocked comrade. This was after his Brigade’s return to France.
In April 1918, a German attack, known as “Operation Georgette”, took place in the valley of the River Lys and the Flemish hills. No. 147 Brigade was part of the force opposing this attack in the area of Messines and it is quite possible that Gilbert was injured on the 10th to 11th April.
He would have been taken to the 6th Casualty Clearing Station, which lay some six kilometres south of Bethune and was established there in March 1918.
He did not survive his injuries on this occasion and died on 18th April 1918. His body lies in the Houchin British Cemetery, approximately six kilometres almost due south of Bethune.
Gilbert was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, and the British War and Victory medals.
His older brothers, Claude and Victor also attended Ellesmere College and survived the war.
Bethune, France. c. 1918. A British Army Intelligence sergeant checking the details of a civilian in the town.
Bethune, France. c. 1918. British Army troops engaged in agricultural work growing a crop of potatoes. Note the abandoned trenches in the foreground.
