MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY
Pas De Calais
France
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.
Casualty Details: UK 1201, Canada 178, Germany 23, France 22, Total Burials: 1424.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker
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.
Casualty Details: UK 1201, Canada 178, Germany 23, France 22, Total Burials: 1424.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker
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 20. Plot I. B. 38. Son of James and Margaret Hunter, of 55, Coronation St., North Shields, Northumberland. He had served on the Western Front since January 1915; & his desertion a year later was followed by 2 escapes from custody. At trial, Hunter was labelled as of little value as a fighting soldier. Nonetheless at review, it was recommended that sentence be commuted, but Haig did not concur. (Putkowski, p.63)
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. A pre-war Regular, he decamped in November 1915, being arrested near his Liverpool home on Christmas Eve. Watts was tried in France in April: it is not clear what had happened to him meanwhile. His wife does not seem to have known the true cause of death, for she had recorded in the cemetery register that he had been killed in action. (Putkowski, p 76)
Pictures of Headstones © Werner Van Caneghem
10710 Private William Hunter, 1st Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, executed for desertion 21st February 1916, aged 20. Plot I. B. 38. Son of James and Margaret Hunter, of 55, Coronation St., North Shields, Northumberland. He had served on the Western Front since January 1915; & his desertion a year later was followed by 2 escapes from custody. At trial, Hunter was labelled as of little value as a fighting soldier. Nonetheless at review, it was recommended that sentence be commuted, but Haig did not concur. (Putkowski, p.63)
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. A pre-war Regular, he decamped in November 1915, being arrested near his Liverpool home on Christmas Eve. Watts was tried in France in April: it is not clear what had happened to him meanwhile. His wife does not seem to have known the true cause of death, for she had recorded in the cemetery register that he had been killed in action. (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)
