MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.44729, Longitude: 2.74738
Location Information
Maroc British Cemetery is located in the village of Grenay, which is about 15 kilometres south-east of Bethune. From Lens take the N43 towards Bethune. After Loos-en-Gohelle turn left (after the petrol station) and continue straight on. The Cemetery is a few kilometres on the right side of the road, in the village.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
If necessary, one can park in the pavement in front of the cemetery, or alternatively there is a long parking bay directly across the road from the cemetery with enough room for 2-3 coaches.
Historical Information
The cemetery was begun by French troops in August 1915, but it was first used as a Commonwealth cemetery by the 47th (London) Division in January 1916. During the greater part of the war it was a front-line cemetery used by fighting units and field ambulances, and protected from German observation by a slight rise in the ground. Plot II was begun in April 1917 by the 46th (North Midland) Division and by the middle of October 1918, Plot III, Row A and part of Row B, had been filled. The remainder of Plot III, and the ends of certain rows in Plot I, contain graves brought in after the Armistice from the battlefields and small cemeteries (including Maroc Churchyard), north and east of Grenay.
Maroc British Cemetery now contains 1,379 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 264 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 89 casualties known to be buried among them. In particular, 87 officers and men of the 6th London Regiment, who died on 25 September 1915 in the capture of Loos, are now buried (but without individual identification) in Plot III, Rows H, J, K and L. The cemetery also contains 45 French and German burials.
Total Burials: 1,425.
Commonwealth Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 954, Canada 164. Total 1,118.
Other Nationalities: Germany 23, France 22. Total 45.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and John Reginald Truelove
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
59008 Private
Oliver Harold Allen
21st Bn. Canadian Infantry
13th January 1917.
Plot I. J. 44.
Oliver Harold Allen
21st Bn. Canadian Infantry
13th January 1917.
Plot I. J. 44.
1853 Lance Serjeant
Albert George Board
6th Bn. London Regiment (City of London Rifles)
9th February 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. D. 32.
Native of Clerkenwell, London. Son of Thomas Alfred and Emma Scott Board, of 8, Napier St., Islington, London.
Next to his grave there are 4 more Soldiers from the London Rifles
Picture courtesy of Mark Board (Great Great Nephew)
Click on image to enlarge
Albert George Board
6th Bn. London Regiment (City of London Rifles)
9th February 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. D. 32.
Native of Clerkenwell, London. Son of Thomas Alfred and Emma Scott Board, of 8, Napier St., Islington, London.
Next to his grave there are 4 more Soldiers from the London Rifles
Picture courtesy of Mark Board (Great Great Nephew)
Click on image to enlarge
L/9107 Serjeant
Walter Couchman, D. C. M.
2nd Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
1st May 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. A. 16.
Son of Walter and Sarah Couchman, of 8, Moorcroft Cottages, William St., Edgbaston, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the inscription; "As Long As Life And Memory Last We Will Remember Thee."
Walter Couchman, D. C. M.
2nd Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
1st May 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. A. 16.
Son of Walter and Sarah Couchman, of 8, Moorcroft Cottages, William St., Edgbaston, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the inscription; "As Long As Life And Memory Last We Will Remember Thee."
187550 Private
Arthur Dauphinais
8th Bn. Canadian Infantry
15th August 1917, aged 35.
Plot III. M. 12.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Dauphinais, of Starbuck, Manitoba, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Starbuck, Manitoba, Canada."
Arthur Dauphinais
8th Bn. Canadian Infantry
15th August 1917, aged 35.
Plot III. M. 12.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Pierre Dauphinais, of Starbuck, Manitoba, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Starbuck, Manitoba, Canada."
231165 Private
Horace William Notley Gallagher
10th Bn. Canadian Infantry
15th August 1917, aged 19.
Plot III. M. 2.
Son of William Gallagher, of 737, 13th Avenue West, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Horace William Notley Gallagher
10th Bn. Canadian Infantry
15th August 1917, aged 19.
Plot III. M. 2.
Son of William Gallagher, of 737, 13th Avenue West, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
440849 Private
Frederick James Haisley
8th Bn. Canadian Infantry
24th July 1917, aged 29.
Plot II. G. 14.
Son of James and Elizabeth Ann Haisley, of Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Died That We Might Live."
Frederick James Haisley
8th Bn. Canadian Infantry
24th July 1917, aged 29.
Plot II. G. 14.
Son of James and Elizabeth Ann Haisley, of Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Died That We Might Live."
Second Lieutenant
Geoffrey Evans Hall
1st Bn. attd. 9th Bn. Norfolk Regiment
25th April 1917, aged 36.
Plot II. P. 11.
Son of Frederic Evans Hall and Helen Elizabeth Hall, of Cumberland Cottage, Redbourn, Herts.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Beloved Son Of F. E. Hall And H. E. Hall Of Redbourn, Herts. England."
Geoffrey Evans Hall
1st Bn. attd. 9th Bn. Norfolk Regiment
25th April 1917, aged 36.
Plot II. P. 11.
Son of Frederic Evans Hall and Helen Elizabeth Hall, of Cumberland Cottage, Redbourn, Herts.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Beloved Son Of F. E. Hall And H. E. Hall Of Redbourn, Herts. England."
292399 Private
Wilfrid Maurice Holden
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
20th August 1917, aged 22.
Plot III. H. 1.
Son of Mr. C. P. and Mrs. M. J. Holden, of Melita, Manitoba.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Greater Love Hath No Man."
Wilfrid Maurice Holden
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
20th August 1917, aged 22.
Plot III. H. 1.
Son of Mr. C. P. and Mrs. M. J. Holden, of Melita, Manitoba.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Greater Love Hath No Man."
636964 Private
Thomas Edward Hook
2nd Bn. Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
30th July 1917
Plot II. J. 2.
Thomas was born in Sidcup, Kent, England in 1894, he emigrated to Canada around 1910, he was married in 1915 and his son, Robert was born in 1916 whilst Thomas was sailing to England to serve in the war.
Remembered with the utmost respect by Gloria Jowett, Dianne Hadley and Debra Marshall, his granddaughter's from Ontario, Canada
Thomas Edward Hook
2nd Bn. Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
30th July 1917
Plot II. J. 2.
Thomas was born in Sidcup, Kent, England in 1894, he emigrated to Canada around 1910, he was married in 1915 and his son, Robert was born in 1916 whilst Thomas was sailing to England to serve in the war.
Remembered with the utmost respect by Gloria Jowett, Dianne Hadley and Debra Marshall, his granddaughter's from Ontario, Canada
Second Lieutenant
Henry Earlam Johnson
5th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
4th June 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. A. 1.
Son of the late A. E. Johnson, of Bickershaw Hall, near Wigan, and of Mrs. F. R. Johnson, of "Rokeby," Stafford Rd., Ellesmere Park, Eccles, Manchester. His brothers William Godfrey Earlam Johnson and Pieter Cedric Earlam Johnson also fell they are commemorated at Zuydcoote Military Cemetery and the Arras Flying Service Memorial respectively.
Henry Earlam Johnson
5th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
4th June 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. A. 1.
Son of the late A. E. Johnson, of Bickershaw Hall, near Wigan, and of Mrs. F. R. Johnson, of "Rokeby," Stafford Rd., Ellesmere Park, Eccles, Manchester. His brothers William Godfrey Earlam Johnson and Pieter Cedric Earlam Johnson also fell they are commemorated at Zuydcoote Military Cemetery and the Arras Flying Service Memorial respectively.
782167 Private
Otis George Kemp
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
24th July 1917, aged 20.
Plot II. G. 17.
Son of Isabel Kemp, of Keeler, Saskatchewan, and the late H. H. Kemp.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Till The Day Dawns & The Shadows Flee Away."
Otis George Kemp
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
24th July 1917, aged 20.
Plot II. G. 17.
Son of Isabel Kemp, of Keeler, Saskatchewan, and the late H. H. Kemp.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Till The Day Dawns & The Shadows Flee Away."
Captain
Herbert Bernard Mollman
4th Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Leinster Regiment
1st February 1917.
Plot I. N. 6.
Herbert Bernard Mollman
4th Bn. attd. 2nd Bn. Leinster Regiment
1st February 1917.
Plot I. N. 6.
8950 Serjeant
Donald George Munro
14th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
7th September 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. K. 35.
Son of Peter and Margaret Munro, of Knockglass, Watten, Caithness.
Donald George Munro
14th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
7th September 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. K. 35.
Son of Peter and Margaret Munro, of Knockglass, Watten, Caithness.
L/7945 Private
Sidney Oakman
2nd Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment, attd. 107th Field Coy. Royal Engineers
18th August 1916.
Plot I. JA. 4.
Husband of Phillis Oakman, of 63, London Rd., Bognor, Sussex.
Sidney Oakman
2nd Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment, attd. 107th Field Coy. Royal Engineers
18th August 1916.
Plot I. JA. 4.
Husband of Phillis Oakman, of 63, London Rd., Bognor, Sussex.
722035 Private
Oli Olason
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
16th August 1917, aged 34.
Plot III. M. 25.
Husband of Mrs. O. Jacobson (formerly Olason), of 938, West 64th St., Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
His headstone bears the inscription; "I Have Finished My Fight Have Gone To The Land Of Everlasting Peace."
Oli Olason
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
16th August 1917, aged 34.
Plot III. M. 25.
Husband of Mrs. O. Jacobson (formerly Olason), of 938, West 64th St., Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
His headstone bears the inscription; "I Have Finished My Fight Have Gone To The Land Of Everlasting Peace."
841050 Private
William Edouard Piche
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
1st February 1917, aged 26.
Plot I. N. 4.
Son of William and Mary Piche (nee Craven), of 2087, Delormier Avenue, Montreal.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Rest In Peace, Mother."
William Edouard Piche
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
1st February 1917, aged 26.
Plot I. N. 4.
Son of William and Mary Piche (nee Craven), of 2087, Delormier Avenue, Montreal.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Rest In Peace, Mother."
37062 Private
Charles Pickles
8th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
15th February 1917, aged 25.
Plot I. N. 25.
Lived at 20 Rumley Road, Burnley, Lancashire.
Charles had married 4 months previously on October 22nd 1916, he joined up on 2nd November 1916, was in training for 9 weeks and killed on 15th February 1917. His brother, William Pickles died of wounds on June 30th 1917, he is buried at Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery
Charles worked as a coal dealer along with his father.
Charles Pickles
8th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
15th February 1917, aged 25.
Plot I. N. 25.
Lived at 20 Rumley Road, Burnley, Lancashire.
Charles had married 4 months previously on October 22nd 1916, he joined up on 2nd November 1916, was in training for 9 weeks and killed on 15th February 1917. His brother, William Pickles died of wounds on June 30th 1917, he is buried at Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery
Charles worked as a coal dealer along with his father.
22212 Private
Joseph Quarmby
1st Bn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
1st July 1916.
Plot I. J. 41.
Joseph Quarmby
1st Bn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
1st July 1916.
Plot I. J. 41.
Second Lieutenant
Douglas Leman Reid
6th Bn. attd. 11th Bn. Essex Regiment
21st September 1917, aged 21.
Plot II. L. 19.
Son of Leman Knight Reid and Mary Eleanor Reid, of 163, Auckland Hill, West Norwood, London. Born at Camberwell, London.
His headstone bears the inscription; "May Heaven's Light Shine Upon Thee For Evermore."
Douglas Leman Reid
6th Bn. attd. 11th Bn. Essex Regiment
21st September 1917, aged 21.
Plot II. L. 19.
Son of Leman Knight Reid and Mary Eleanor Reid, of 163, Auckland Hill, West Norwood, London. Born at Camberwell, London.
His headstone bears the inscription; "May Heaven's Light Shine Upon Thee For Evermore."
36438 Private
Albert Saunders
11th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
17th April 1917, aged 23.
Plot I. G. 30.
His commanding officer, Second Lieutenant Richard B. Godfrey wrote the following to Albert's wife;
"It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the death of your husband, who was killed in action late last night, the 17th April. He was working close to the first line when a shell bursting quite closely killed him instantly. Your husband proved himself an excellent soldier, and one of the many who went to make the 'New Armies' of which we are all so proud. He made many comrades in his Company, and they share my sorrow in his loss which his death has brought. His personal effects have been forwarded and will reach you in due course. Regulations forbid my saying where he is buried, but a cross has been erected, and the Graves Registration Unit will forward particulars in the near future. Assuring you of my sincere sympathy.- Richard B. Godfrey, 2nd. Lieutenant."
Albert Saunders
11th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
17th April 1917, aged 23.
Plot I. G. 30.
His commanding officer, Second Lieutenant Richard B. Godfrey wrote the following to Albert's wife;
"It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the death of your husband, who was killed in action late last night, the 17th April. He was working close to the first line when a shell bursting quite closely killed him instantly. Your husband proved himself an excellent soldier, and one of the many who went to make the 'New Armies' of which we are all so proud. He made many comrades in his Company, and they share my sorrow in his loss which his death has brought. His personal effects have been forwarded and will reach you in due course. Regulations forbid my saying where he is buried, but a cross has been erected, and the Graves Registration Unit will forward particulars in the near future. Assuring you of my sincere sympathy.- Richard B. Godfrey, 2nd. Lieutenant."
241280 Private
J. Wheat
1st/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
14th May 1917, aged 21.
Plot II. P. 24.
Son of Mrs. Lucy Wheat, of 14, Clarence Terrace, Clarence St., Nottingham.
His headstone berqas the inscription; "Gone But Not Forgotten From Mother, Father Brothers & Sisters."
J. Wheat
1st/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
14th May 1917, aged 21.
Plot II. P. 24.
Son of Mrs. Lucy Wheat, of 14, Clarence Terrace, Clarence St., Nottingham.
His headstone berqas the inscription; "Gone But Not Forgotten From Mother, Father Brothers & Sisters."
Shot at Dawn
10710 Private
William Hunter
1st Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
executed for desertion 21st February 1916, aged 18.
Plot I. B. 38.
Son of James and Margaret Hunter, of 55, Coronation St., North Shields, Northumberland.
He arrived in France on 4 Jan 1915, having not long before in the UK served 14 days’ Field Punishment No 2 for an absence of 15 days. On 6 Aug 1915, Hunter went missing en route to the trenches & received 10 days’ Field Punishment No 1 for his absence of 3 days. On 15 Aug 1915, he left his unit, surrendering himself 3 days later. At court martial, he was convicted of absence & sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment with hard labour (later commuted to 1 year, suspended).
On 23 Sept 1915, Hunter was absent when the battalion paraded before the battle of Loos, but was found at a farm on 30 Nov. On 1 Dec, he escaped from the guardroom at Lillers, remaining at large till 4 Dec. En route to Mazingarbe under escort, he escaped again, being found on 8 Jan.
At trial, Hunter was unrepresented & called no witnesses in his defence. In a statement on oath however, he said that he had on enlistment given his age at 18 when in fact he was only 16. As for his 2-month absence, he spoke of having a good time with friends & in female company; expressed regret for having played the fool all along, & asked for leniency: ‘I am young & have always been easily led’.
Under cross-examination, he made some disadvantageous admissions — to the effect that he had sometimes thought of the regiment being in the trenches in his absence; & that he would have still stayed absent if he had not been arrested.
Hunter was convicted on all charges & sentenced to death, but with a strong recommendation to mercy ‘on grounds of extreme youth, service in the field & the likelihood of being a good fighting man’.
His CO rated his character as a fighting soldier as ‘NIL’, since he would carry on as before, avoiding all trench-work & fighting. The Brigade commander concurred, but the Divisional commander recommended commutation & 5 years’ penal servitude substituted, on grounds of age, but no leniency was granted thereafter.
Hunter was the youngest man knowingly executed by the British Army in the war. (Corns, pp. 300-304)
William Hunter
1st Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
executed for desertion 21st February 1916, aged 18.
Plot I. B. 38.
Son of James and Margaret Hunter, of 55, Coronation St., North Shields, Northumberland.
He arrived in France on 4 Jan 1915, having not long before in the UK served 14 days’ Field Punishment No 2 for an absence of 15 days. On 6 Aug 1915, Hunter went missing en route to the trenches & received 10 days’ Field Punishment No 1 for his absence of 3 days. On 15 Aug 1915, he left his unit, surrendering himself 3 days later. At court martial, he was convicted of absence & sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment with hard labour (later commuted to 1 year, suspended).
On 23 Sept 1915, Hunter was absent when the battalion paraded before the battle of Loos, but was found at a farm on 30 Nov. On 1 Dec, he escaped from the guardroom at Lillers, remaining at large till 4 Dec. En route to Mazingarbe under escort, he escaped again, being found on 8 Jan.
At trial, Hunter was unrepresented & called no witnesses in his defence. In a statement on oath however, he said that he had on enlistment given his age at 18 when in fact he was only 16. As for his 2-month absence, he spoke of having a good time with friends & in female company; expressed regret for having played the fool all along, & asked for leniency: ‘I am young & have always been easily led’.
Under cross-examination, he made some disadvantageous admissions — to the effect that he had sometimes thought of the regiment being in the trenches in his absence; & that he would have still stayed absent if he had not been arrested.
Hunter was convicted on all charges & sentenced to death, but with a strong recommendation to mercy ‘on grounds of extreme youth, service in the field & the likelihood of being a good fighting man’.
His CO rated his character as a fighting soldier as ‘NIL’, since he would carry on as before, avoiding all trench-work & fighting. The Brigade commander concurred, but the Divisional commander recommended commutation & 5 years’ penal servitude substituted, on grounds of age, but no leniency was granted thereafter.
Hunter was the youngest man knowingly executed by the British Army in the war. (Corns, pp. 300-304)
10161 Private James Molyneaux, 1st Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, executed for desertion 15th June 1916, Plot I. H. 6.
He was already serving under a suspended sentence of 10 years’ penal servitude. The execution of Molyneux was the third in his battalion in 4 months, the firing squad being found from his own unit. (Putkowski, p.86)
1214 Private William Watts, B Company, 1st Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, executed for desertion 5th May 1916, aged 29.Plot I. H. 39. Husband of Mary Ann Watts, of 144, Upper Frederick St., Liverpool.
He was a Regular who had served in the regiment since 1908. On 8 Nov 1915, Watts left on leave for Liverpool, due to return on 20 Nov. He did not, & was arrested in Liverpool on 24 Dec, & then sent to the rest camp in Southampton, arriving on 1 Jan; but he escaped the following day. On 6 Mar 1916, he was arrested when found in plain clothes in Liverpool; & thereafter spent 9 days in hospital with a head-wound, rejoining his battalion on 28 Mar 1916.
Serious evidential difficulties dictated that he was charged with Desertion relating to his absence from 20 Nov to 24 Dec 1915, & only a second, lesser charge relating to 6 March 1916.
Watts was claiming a history of insanity in the family, but the results of inquiries of the police in Lancashire were unhelpful.
At trial, Watts said that on reaching home he had discovered that his wife was ‘carrying on with a black man’, & did not want him any longer, only his money. Upset & not knowing what he was doing, he went to London where he worked on a ship, being arrested on his return to Liverpool.
After conviction on both charges, the court heard that Watts was a good soldier, who had been in France since Sept 1914, & had been admitted to hospital suffering from the effect of gas at Loos. His CO did not consider that an example was necessary, & was supported by the Brigade commander, but different views prevailed thereafter.
His wife does not seem to have known the true cause of her husband’s death, for she had recorded on the cemetery register that he had been killed in action. (Corns, pp.232-234; Putkowski, p.76)
Pictures of Headstones © Werner Van Caneghem
He was already serving under a suspended sentence of 10 years’ penal servitude. The execution of Molyneux was the third in his battalion in 4 months, the firing squad being found from his own unit. (Putkowski, p.86)
1214 Private William Watts, B Company, 1st Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, executed for desertion 5th May 1916, aged 29.Plot I. H. 39. Husband of Mary Ann Watts, of 144, Upper Frederick St., Liverpool.
He was a Regular who had served in the regiment since 1908. On 8 Nov 1915, Watts left on leave for Liverpool, due to return on 20 Nov. He did not, & was arrested in Liverpool on 24 Dec, & then sent to the rest camp in Southampton, arriving on 1 Jan; but he escaped the following day. On 6 Mar 1916, he was arrested when found in plain clothes in Liverpool; & thereafter spent 9 days in hospital with a head-wound, rejoining his battalion on 28 Mar 1916.
Serious evidential difficulties dictated that he was charged with Desertion relating to his absence from 20 Nov to 24 Dec 1915, & only a second, lesser charge relating to 6 March 1916.
Watts was claiming a history of insanity in the family, but the results of inquiries of the police in Lancashire were unhelpful.
At trial, Watts said that on reaching home he had discovered that his wife was ‘carrying on with a black man’, & did not want him any longer, only his money. Upset & not knowing what he was doing, he went to London where he worked on a ship, being arrested on his return to Liverpool.
After conviction on both charges, the court heard that Watts was a good soldier, who had been in France since Sept 1914, & had been admitted to hospital suffering from the effect of gas at Loos. His CO did not consider that an example was necessary, & was supported by the Brigade commander, but different views prevailed thereafter.
His wife does not seem to have known the true cause of her husband’s death, for she had recorded on the cemetery register that he had been killed in action. (Corns, pp.232-234; Putkowski, p.76)
Pictures of Headstones © Werner Van Caneghem
Orchard Valley Relay Bearer Post. 2nd R.N. Field Ambulance, R.N. Division, August 1916. Note anti-gas blankets at entrance. (Bully-Grenay, Angres Sector, Bovril Alley Communication Trench) © IWM (Q 14733)
