LILLERS COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.56784, Longitude: 2.47932
Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
Lillers is a small town about 15 kilometres west-north-west of Bethune and the Communal Cemetery and Extension lie to the north of the town. From the Mairie in the centre of the town, head north on the D182, after 500 metres turn right onto Rue St Venant. The cemetery is a further 200 metres on the left hand side.
Within the Communal Cemetery the Commonwealth war graves are situated on the right hand side half way up the cemetery central path, and the Extension is at the far right end of the Communal Cemetery. Both cemeteries are signposted.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemetery is possible, but may be by an alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Lillers was used for billets and headquarter offices from the autumn of 1914 to April 1918. At that time it was a hospital centre with the 6th, 9th, 18th, 32nd, 49th and 58th Casualty Clearing Stations in the town at one time or another. These units buried their dead on the right of the central path of the communal cemetery, working back from Plot I. In April 1918, the Germans advanced as far as Robecq; Lillers came under shell-fire, and the units holding this front continued to bury beyond the cemetery boundary, in the extension.
The COMMUNAL CEMETERY contains 894 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 67 of which are unidentified. There are also 15 German graves in the Commonwealth plots.
Total Burials: 909.
Commonwealth Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 689, India 97, Canada 42, Australia 1, South Africa 1. Total 830.
The EXTENSION contains 71 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, six of them unidentified.
Commonwealth Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 59, Australia 3, Canada 2, India 1. Total 65.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens & Arthur James Scott Hutton
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
6707 Corporal
William Richard Cotter, V. C.
6th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
died of wounds 14th March 1916, aged 33.
Plot IV. E. 45.
Son of Amy Cotter of 2, Barton Cottages, Sandgate, Kent.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 28th March, 1916 (No. 29527), records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When his right leg had been blown off at the knee and he had also been wounded in both arms, he made his way unaided for fifty yards to a crater, steadied the men who were holding it, controlled their fire, issued orders, and altered the dispositions of his men to meet a fresh counter-attack by the enemy. For two hours he held his position, and only allowed his wounds to be roughly dressed when the attack had quieted down. He could not be moved back for fourteen hours, and during all this time had a cheery word for all who passed him. There is no doubt that his magnificent courage helped greatly to save a critical situation."
William Richard Cotter, V. C.
6th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
died of wounds 14th March 1916, aged 33.
Plot IV. E. 45.
Son of Amy Cotter of 2, Barton Cottages, Sandgate, Kent.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 28th March, 1916 (No. 29527), records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When his right leg had been blown off at the knee and he had also been wounded in both arms, he made his way unaided for fifty yards to a crater, steadied the men who were holding it, controlled their fire, issued orders, and altered the dispositions of his men to meet a fresh counter-attack by the enemy. For two hours he held his position, and only allowed his wounds to be roughly dressed when the attack had quieted down. He could not be moved back for fourteen hours, and during all this time had a cheery word for all who passed him. There is no doubt that his magnificent courage helped greatly to save a critical situation."
Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
Major
David Nelson, V. C. Mentioned in Despatches.
"D" Bty. 59th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
died of wounds 8th April1918, aged 31.
Plot V. A. 16.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Name A Great Example Stands A Memory Dear"
Son of the late George and Annie Nelson; husband of A. J. Jessie Nelson, of 92, Ranelagh Rd., Ipswich. Native of Deraghland, Co. Monaghan, Ulster. Gained "V.C." while serving with "L" Bty. R.H.A. on Sept. 1st, 1914.
Citation: An extract from the "London Gazette" (No. 28976, dated 13th Nov., 1914), records the following-"Helping to bring the guns into action under heavy fire at Nery on 1st September, and while severely wounded remaining with them until all the ammunition was expended-although he had been ordered to retire to cover."
David Nelson, V. C. Mentioned in Despatches.
"D" Bty. 59th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
died of wounds 8th April1918, aged 31.
Plot V. A. 16.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Name A Great Example Stands A Memory Dear"
Son of the late George and Annie Nelson; husband of A. J. Jessie Nelson, of 92, Ranelagh Rd., Ipswich. Native of Deraghland, Co. Monaghan, Ulster. Gained "V.C." while serving with "L" Bty. R.H.A. on Sept. 1st, 1914.
Citation: An extract from the "London Gazette" (No. 28976, dated 13th Nov., 1914), records the following-"Helping to bring the guns into action under heavy fire at Nery on 1st September, and while severely wounded remaining with them until all the ammunition was expended-although he had been ordered to retire to cover."
Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
18729 Airman 1st Class
L. K. H. Bailey
1st Bde. HQ., Royal Flying Corps
18th September 1917.
Plot V. E. 18.
L. K. H. Bailey
1st Bde. HQ., Royal Flying Corps
18th September 1917.
Plot V. E. 18.
1967 Private
Thomas George Beaver
5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
13th October 1915, aged 22.
Plot IV. C. 33.
Son of John and Sarah Beaver, of 7, Davies Cottages, Northgate St., Oakham, Rutland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "How Sleeps The Brave Who Sinks To Rest By All His Country's Wishes Blest."
Thomas George Beaver
5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
13th October 1915, aged 22.
Plot IV. C. 33.
Son of John and Sarah Beaver, of 7, Davies Cottages, Northgate St., Oakham, Rutland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "How Sleeps The Brave Who Sinks To Rest By All His Country's Wishes Blest."
Major
Charles Bliss, C. I. E., Twice Mentioned in Despatches
1st King George's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)
22nd December 1914, aged 43.
Plot I. B. 2.
Son of Sir Henry W. Bliss, K.C.I.E.
Note on awards: C. I. E. is Companion of the Indian Empire. K. C. I. E. is Knight Commander of the Indian Empire.
Charles Bliss, C. I. E., Twice Mentioned in Despatches
1st King George's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment)
22nd December 1914, aged 43.
Plot I. B. 2.
Son of Sir Henry W. Bliss, K.C.I.E.
Note on awards: C. I. E. is Companion of the Indian Empire. K. C. I. E. is Knight Commander of the Indian Empire.
1332 Private
Charles Ernest Bradbrook
1st/4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
22nd December 1914, aged 20.
Plot III. B. 39.
Son of Mrs. E. J. Bradbrook, of 50, Rope Walk, Ipswich.
Charles Ernest Bradbrook
1st/4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
22nd December 1914, aged 20.
Plot III. B. 39.
Son of Mrs. E. J. Bradbrook, of 50, Rope Walk, Ipswich.
13503 Private
Arthur Darlow
2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
19th June 1915.
Plot II. A. 7.
Son of Mrs. E. Darlow, of Factory Cottage, near Ramsey, Hunts.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Not Gone From Memory Not Gone From Love But Gone To Our Father's Home Above."
Arthur Darlow
2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
19th June 1915.
Plot II. A. 7.
Son of Mrs. E. Darlow, of Factory Cottage, near Ramsey, Hunts.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Not Gone From Memory Not Gone From Love But Gone To Our Father's Home Above."
993 Sapper
Anton Marinius Eliassen
3rd Coy. Australian Tunnelling Corps
27th February 1917.
Plot V. C. 44.
Anton Marinius Eliassen
3rd Coy. Australian Tunnelling Corps
27th February 1917.
Plot V. C. 44.
328 Serjeant
William Fraser
7th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
17th June 1915.
Plot II. C. 37.
William Fraser
7th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
17th June 1915.
Plot II. C. 37.
736729 Lance Corporal
Francis Forsyth Gardiner
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
16th August 1917, aged 28.
Plot V. E. 3.
Son of John and Euphemia Forsyth Gardiner, of Wood Well, Rait, Errol, Perthshire. Born at Aughtergaven, Perthshire.
Francis Forsyth Gardiner
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
16th August 1917, aged 28.
Plot V. E. 3.
Son of John and Euphemia Forsyth Gardiner, of Wood Well, Rait, Errol, Perthshire. Born at Aughtergaven, Perthshire.
24176 Private
James Jennings
7th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
10th March 1916.
Plot IV. E. 38.
James's home town is Ballycastle, County Antrim in Northern Ireland. From a letter written home by his friend, Thomas McFadden, who was from the same town, he described that James got hit around the head by shrapnel, and was taken down the trench on a stretcher behind the lines, but died some hours later from his wounds.
Picture and details courtesy of Patrick McSheoinin (Great Nephew)
James Jennings
7th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
10th March 1916.
Plot IV. E. 38.
James's home town is Ballycastle, County Antrim in Northern Ireland. From a letter written home by his friend, Thomas McFadden, who was from the same town, he described that James got hit around the head by shrapnel, and was taken down the trench on a stretcher behind the lines, but died some hours later from his wounds.
Picture and details courtesy of Patrick McSheoinin (Great Nephew)
2336 Lance Corporal
Charles Ernest Knight
5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
16th October 1915.
Plot IV. C. 54.
Charles Ernest Knight
5th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
16th October 1915.
Plot IV. C. 54.
1500 Private
Donald MacKenzie
4th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
26th March 1915, aged 17.
Plot III. A. 17.
Son of Mary Anne MacKenzie, of Newton of Novar, Evanton, Ross-shire.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Deep Respect Is Due To Him From Those He Left Behind; A Better Brother Never Lived."
Donald MacKenzie
4th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
26th March 1915, aged 17.
Plot III. A. 17.
Son of Mary Anne MacKenzie, of Newton of Novar, Evanton, Ross-shire.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Deep Respect Is Due To Him From Those He Left Behind; A Better Brother Never Lived."
6624 Lance Corporal
James Moles
11th Bn. Middlesex Regiment
7th November 1915, aged 32.
Plot IV. D. 38.
Son of William and Bessie Moles; husband of Wilhelmina Mary Moles, of 59, Tyndall Rd., Leyton, London. Born at Tottenham, London.
Former professional footballer, he played wing-half for Birmingham City and also in the Isthmian League for the now defunct Leyton FC.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Sleep On Beloved God Knew Best; In His Infinite Mercy He Gave You Rest."
James Moles
11th Bn. Middlesex Regiment
7th November 1915, aged 32.
Plot IV. D. 38.
Son of William and Bessie Moles; husband of Wilhelmina Mary Moles, of 59, Tyndall Rd., Leyton, London. Born at Tottenham, London.
Former professional footballer, he played wing-half for Birmingham City and also in the Isthmian League for the now defunct Leyton FC.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Sleep On Beloved God Knew Best; In His Infinite Mercy He Gave You Rest."
Captain
Rupert Auriol Conant Murray
1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
11th March 1915, aged 32.
Plot II. D. 1.
Son of Col. C. E. Gostling Murray, J.P., D.L., and Mrs Murray, of Whitton Park, Hounslow, Middx., and The Moat, Charing, Kent; husband of Ivy Greenfield (formerly Murray), of 33, Catherine St., Westminster, London.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Tried To Do His Duty" Sir Henry Lawrence 1857.
Rupert Auriol Conant Murray
1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
11th March 1915, aged 32.
Plot II. D. 1.
Son of Col. C. E. Gostling Murray, J.P., D.L., and Mrs Murray, of Whitton Park, Hounslow, Middx., and The Moat, Charing, Kent; husband of Ivy Greenfield (formerly Murray), of 33, Catherine St., Westminster, London.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Tried To Do His Duty" Sir Henry Lawrence 1857.
Private 16866
Thomas O'Connor
10th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
14th July 1915, aged 30
Plot II. A. 38.
Husband of Alice O'Connor, of 30, Wellwynd St., Airdrie.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Gone But Not Forgotten, R. I. P."
Image courtesy of Joe O'Raw and William Kilgour
Thomas O'Connor
10th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
14th July 1915, aged 30
Plot II. A. 38.
Husband of Alice O'Connor, of 30, Wellwynd St., Airdrie.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Gone But Not Forgotten, R. I. P."
Image courtesy of Joe O'Raw and William Kilgour
2577 Private
Alfred Pye
1st/4th Bn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
17th June 1915, aged 20.
Plot II. C. 40.
Alfred Pye
1st/4th Bn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
17th June 1915, aged 20.
Plot II. C. 40.
Lieutenant
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
8th Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
7th March 1916, aged 26.
Plot V. A. 3.
Son of John R. and Helen Sheridan. Native of Dugort, Achill Island, Co. Mayo.
His headstone bears the inscription; "At The Going Down Of The Sun & In The Morning We Will Remember Them."
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
8th Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
7th March 1916, aged 26.
Plot V. A. 3.
Son of John R. and Helen Sheridan. Native of Dugort, Achill Island, Co. Mayo.
His headstone bears the inscription; "At The Going Down Of The Sun & In The Morning We Will Remember Them."
Second Lieutenant
Alexander Dalzell Sprunt
4th Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment, Special Reserve, attd. 2nd Bn South Staffordshire Regiment
17th March 1915, aged 24.
Plot II. D. 2.
Son of John Dalziel Sprunt and Jane Naismith Sprunt, of Montgomerie, Berkhamsted, Herts. Born at Hampstead, London. B.A. His brothers Gerald Harper Sprunt and Edward Lawrence Sprunt also fell. They are commemorated on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton and the Menin Gate Memorial respectively.
His headstone bears the inscription; "O Man Greatly Beloved Fear Not Peace Be Unto Thee."
Alexander Dalzell Sprunt
4th Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment, Special Reserve, attd. 2nd Bn South Staffordshire Regiment
17th March 1915, aged 24.
Plot II. D. 2.
Son of John Dalziel Sprunt and Jane Naismith Sprunt, of Montgomerie, Berkhamsted, Herts. Born at Hampstead, London. B.A. His brothers Gerald Harper Sprunt and Edward Lawrence Sprunt also fell. They are commemorated on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton and the Menin Gate Memorial respectively.
His headstone bears the inscription; "O Man Greatly Beloved Fear Not Peace Be Unto Thee."
14235 Private
William James Tandy
2nd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
6th July 1916, aged 22.
Plot V. C. 21.
Son of Walter and Alice Tandy, of 20, Perdiswell St., Barbourne, Worcester.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will Be Done."
William James Tandy
2nd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
6th July 1916, aged 22.
Plot V. C. 21.
Son of Walter and Alice Tandy, of 20, Perdiswell St., Barbourne, Worcester.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will Be Done."
4135 Private
Robert (Robbie) Williams
6th Bn. Queen's Own, (Royal West Kent Regiment)
12th October 1915, aged 20.
Plot IV. C. 29.
Son of Robert Henry and Emma Williams, of 108, Hertford Rd., Enfield Wash, Enfield, Middx.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Beloved Son Of Robert Henry And Emma Williams, Enfield, England."
According to the family Robbie had been given some R&R leave and was behind the lines when the area was hit by Artillery fire. Robbie was hit in the stomach by shrapnel and died some 10 days later; a few days after his 20th birthday. His mother, Emma, was apparently very distressed for a second time when she received his birthday presents back un-opened.
Picture courtesy of Robert Gillard of Whangarei, New Zealand, great nephew of this soldier
Robert (Robbie) Williams
6th Bn. Queen's Own, (Royal West Kent Regiment)
12th October 1915, aged 20.
Plot IV. C. 29.
Son of Robert Henry and Emma Williams, of 108, Hertford Rd., Enfield Wash, Enfield, Middx.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Beloved Son Of Robert Henry And Emma Williams, Enfield, England."
According to the family Robbie had been given some R&R leave and was behind the lines when the area was hit by Artillery fire. Robbie was hit in the stomach by shrapnel and died some 10 days later; a few days after his 20th birthday. His mother, Emma, was apparently very distressed for a second time when she received his birthday presents back un-opened.
Picture courtesy of Robert Gillard of Whangarei, New Zealand, great nephew of this soldier
Shot at Dawn
6807 Private John James Dennis, 1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment, executed for desertion 29th January 1916. Plot 4. E. 16. Son of the late Samuel and Anne Dennis. Native of Cheetham Hill, Manchester.
He was a re-enlisted man, with about 13 years’ previous service.
When his battalion moved towards Ypres, Dennis absented himself, resulting in a sentence of 2 years’ imprisonment with hard labour, which was suspended on 4 June 1915 by the Army commander, Gen. Haig.
On 18 Sept, at Burbure, Dennis was present at a kit inspection, prior to a move to the trenches a few days thereafter, but was missing at roll-call on 20 Sept. He was found on 11 Nov at a farmhouse at Bas Rieux, & arrested.
At trial, the evidence was not contested. Dennis — on oath — denied knowing of the intended move to the trenches; spoke of reporting sick on 20 Sept; of going for a walk, but getting lost; & of making some effort to find his regiment.
After conviction & sentence, his CO wrote that Dennis had served only 3 months with the battalion, & was ‘useless from a military point of view’.
Dennis became the first man to have his death sentence confirmed by Haig, now C-in-C. The battalion War Diary recorded that it was thought to be the first execution in the regiment since Peninsular days. (Corns, pp.340-342; Putkowski, p.62)
6807 Private John James Dennis, 1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment, executed for desertion 29th January 1916. Plot 4. E. 16. Son of the late Samuel and Anne Dennis. Native of Cheetham Hill, Manchester.
He was a re-enlisted man, with about 13 years’ previous service.
When his battalion moved towards Ypres, Dennis absented himself, resulting in a sentence of 2 years’ imprisonment with hard labour, which was suspended on 4 June 1915 by the Army commander, Gen. Haig.
On 18 Sept, at Burbure, Dennis was present at a kit inspection, prior to a move to the trenches a few days thereafter, but was missing at roll-call on 20 Sept. He was found on 11 Nov at a farmhouse at Bas Rieux, & arrested.
At trial, the evidence was not contested. Dennis — on oath — denied knowing of the intended move to the trenches; spoke of reporting sick on 20 Sept; of going for a walk, but getting lost; & of making some effort to find his regiment.
After conviction & sentence, his CO wrote that Dennis had served only 3 months with the battalion, & was ‘useless from a military point of view’.
Dennis became the first man to have his death sentence confirmed by Haig, now C-in-C. The battalion War Diary recorded that it was thought to be the first execution in the regiment since Peninsular days. (Corns, pp.340-342; Putkowski, p.62)
Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
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Picture © Werner Van Caneghem
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Group No. 1. Signal construction Company, Lillers. © IWM (Q 27101)
Soldiers helping refugees leaving Lillers, 11 April 1918. © IWM (Q 10892)
