MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY
Marseille
Bouches-du-Rhône
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 43.2491, Longitude: 5.40531
Picture © Iain Craig
Arrival
The cemetery is signposted. The Cemetery is located to the north of Mazargues Civil Cemetery.
Parking
Approximately 125 metres south of the main entrance gate, on the D559, is a layby parking area with space for multiple vehicles.
A further parking area is a car park on the opposite side of the road D559, south of the cemetery, approximately 200 metres from the main entrance. There is a pedestrian crossing opposite the main entrance for those visitors who use this car park.
The ground is flat and firm with a concrete or tarmac surface.
There is a dedicated concrete footpath along the side of the road, separated with a raised concrete kerb.
Access Layout and Main Entrance
The main entrance gate to the cemetery is over 2 metres wide with tall (over 2 metre high, black metal gates). The gates have twist and turn handles in the middle of the 2 panels; the gates open into cemetery.
There are three stone steps up to the main gate from the pavement and three stone steps on the inside of the main gate going down to a circular paved area leading into the cemetery.
The Register Box is mounted into the left-hand side pillar inside the main entrance.
The Cross of Sacrifice is located just inside the cemetery at the main entrance.
There is a large stone memorial building at the rear of the cemetery, with stone bench seating areas under the shelter of the roof. Three steps lead up to the interior of the building from either end of the shelter.
There is a wooden bench along the southern side of the cemetery, against the wall separating the cemetery from the civil cemetery.
All internal paths are stone paving or grass. The cemetery has several ornamental water features next to the paths and among the sculptured garden areas of the cemetery.
The water feature stone boundaries are approximately 200 to 300 mm higher than the grass. The paving around the Stone of Remembrance located in front of the memorial building at the rear of the cemetery is level with the water feature surrounding the Stone of Remembrance, with no barriers between the steps down to the water.
Alternative Access
To the left of the main entrance is the service entrance, there is a 3.5 metre wide, tall green metal gate. The gate may be locked and during working hours, cemetery staff may be available to open the gate. Step-free access into the cemetery is possible through the paved service area.
There is an additional access into the cemetery, through a door in the wall of the civil cemetery. A green metal door, approximately 1 metre wide opens outwards into the civil cemetery. The door is in the southern boundary wall, approximately 70 metres from the main road, close to the pathway running in front of the Stone of Remembrance and memorial building. There is a narrow metal doorknob that is turned counterclockwise to open. There are five deep steps leading down into the cemetery. The ground drops off either side of the steps
Additional Information
The cemetery is open Monday to Friday 0830 hrs to 1700 hrs.
Due to vandalism in the area, the cemetery is closed outside working hours.
Access into the cemetery on weekends is possible through the alternate entrance from the civil cemetery.
Total Burials: 1,784.
World War One Commonwealth Identified Burials: India 993, (Including 205 Commemorated on the Indian Memorial), United Kingdom 465, Australia 14, New Zealand 3, South Africa 3. Total 1,478.
World War One Other Nationalities: Egypt 10. (Commemorated on Memorial Plaque)
World War Two Commonwealth Identified Burials: United Kingdom 199, Canada 43, Australia 7, South Africa 7, Poland 4, New Zealand 3, India 1. Total 260.
World War Two Other Nationalities: Poland 4, France 2. Total 6.
Cemetery designed by Arthur James Scott Hutton
The cemetery is signposted. The Cemetery is located to the north of Mazargues Civil Cemetery.
Parking
Approximately 125 metres south of the main entrance gate, on the D559, is a layby parking area with space for multiple vehicles.
A further parking area is a car park on the opposite side of the road D559, south of the cemetery, approximately 200 metres from the main entrance. There is a pedestrian crossing opposite the main entrance for those visitors who use this car park.
The ground is flat and firm with a concrete or tarmac surface.
There is a dedicated concrete footpath along the side of the road, separated with a raised concrete kerb.
Access Layout and Main Entrance
The main entrance gate to the cemetery is over 2 metres wide with tall (over 2 metre high, black metal gates). The gates have twist and turn handles in the middle of the 2 panels; the gates open into cemetery.
There are three stone steps up to the main gate from the pavement and three stone steps on the inside of the main gate going down to a circular paved area leading into the cemetery.
The Register Box is mounted into the left-hand side pillar inside the main entrance.
The Cross of Sacrifice is located just inside the cemetery at the main entrance.
There is a large stone memorial building at the rear of the cemetery, with stone bench seating areas under the shelter of the roof. Three steps lead up to the interior of the building from either end of the shelter.
There is a wooden bench along the southern side of the cemetery, against the wall separating the cemetery from the civil cemetery.
All internal paths are stone paving or grass. The cemetery has several ornamental water features next to the paths and among the sculptured garden areas of the cemetery.
The water feature stone boundaries are approximately 200 to 300 mm higher than the grass. The paving around the Stone of Remembrance located in front of the memorial building at the rear of the cemetery is level with the water feature surrounding the Stone of Remembrance, with no barriers between the steps down to the water.
Alternative Access
To the left of the main entrance is the service entrance, there is a 3.5 metre wide, tall green metal gate. The gate may be locked and during working hours, cemetery staff may be available to open the gate. Step-free access into the cemetery is possible through the paved service area.
There is an additional access into the cemetery, through a door in the wall of the civil cemetery. A green metal door, approximately 1 metre wide opens outwards into the civil cemetery. The door is in the southern boundary wall, approximately 70 metres from the main road, close to the pathway running in front of the Stone of Remembrance and memorial building. There is a narrow metal doorknob that is turned counterclockwise to open. There are five deep steps leading down into the cemetery. The ground drops off either side of the steps
Additional Information
The cemetery is open Monday to Friday 0830 hrs to 1700 hrs.
Due to vandalism in the area, the cemetery is closed outside working hours.
Access into the cemetery on weekends is possible through the alternate entrance from the civil cemetery.
Total Burials: 1,784.
World War One Commonwealth Identified Burials: India 993, (Including 205 Commemorated on the Indian Memorial), United Kingdom 465, Australia 14, New Zealand 3, South Africa 3. Total 1,478.
World War One Other Nationalities: Egypt 10. (Commemorated on Memorial Plaque)
World War Two Commonwealth Identified Burials: United Kingdom 199, Canada 43, Australia 7, South Africa 7, Poland 4, New Zealand 3, India 1. Total 260.
World War Two Other Nationalities: Poland 4, France 2. Total 6.
Cemetery designed by Arthur James Scott Hutton
Main Entrance and Entrance Accessible from Local Cemetery
Images © Johan Pauwels
Cemetery images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
World War One Roll of Honour
4973 Private
Royden James Ainsworth
26th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th August 1916.
Plot IV. A. 5.
Son of James and Delia Ainsworth, of Ballina, New South Wales. Born at Boulder, Western Australia.
Royden James Ainsworth
26th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th August 1916.
Plot IV. A. 5.
Son of James and Delia Ainsworth, of Ballina, New South Wales. Born at Boulder, Western Australia.
Captain
Horace Morgan Baker
1st Bde. Australian Field Artillery
11th April 1916, aged 39.
Plot IV. A. 26.
Son of Joseph Henry and Louisa Jane Baker; husband of Fannie L. Baker, of Church St., Hunter's Hill, New South Wales. Born at Leicester, England.
Horace Morgan Baker
1st Bde. Australian Field Artillery
11th April 1916, aged 39.
Plot IV. A. 26.
Son of Joseph Henry and Louisa Jane Baker; husband of Fannie L. Baker, of Church St., Hunter's Hill, New South Wales. Born at Leicester, England.
25/168 Serjeant
Joseph Benedict Crabbe
3rd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
17th April 1916.
Plot IV. A. 27.
Joseph Benedict Crabbe
3rd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
17th April 1916.
Plot IV. A. 27.
66716 Sapper
Harry Kenneth Gow
Royal Engineers
4th May 1917, aged 19.
Plot III. E. 3.
Son of Alexandra and Mary Gow, of 17, Ashchurch Terrace, Shepherd's Bush, London.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Gone From Us But Not Forgotten Never Shall His Memory Fade."
Harry Kenneth Gow
Royal Engineers
4th May 1917, aged 19.
Plot III. E. 3.
Son of Alexandra and Mary Gow, of 17, Ashchurch Terrace, Shepherd's Bush, London.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Gone From Us But Not Forgotten Never Shall His Memory Fade."
Lieutenant (and Quartermaster)
Claude Hume Lyne
12th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
7th April 1916, aged 31.
Plot IV. A. 25.
Son of Harry and Lillian Lyne; husband of Helena A. Lyne, of 35, Abbott St., Launceston, Tasmania. Born at Fingal, Tasmania.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Loved Husband Of Helena & Father Of Jack & Claire Deeply Regretted."
Claude Hume Lyne
12th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
7th April 1916, aged 31.
Plot IV. A. 25.
Son of Harry and Lillian Lyne; husband of Helena A. Lyne, of 35, Abbott St., Launceston, Tasmania. Born at Fingal, Tasmania.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Loved Husband Of Helena & Father Of Jack & Claire Deeply Regretted."
Third Engineer
John Whyte
S.S. "Gena," Mercantile Marine
24th May 1916, aged 24.
Plot III. C. 22.
Son of James and Ellen Whyte, of Cutteen, Kilrossanty, Co. Waterford.
His headstone bears the inscription; "On Whose Soul Sweet Jesus Have Mercy R.I.P."
John Whyte
S.S. "Gena," Mercantile Marine
24th May 1916, aged 24.
Plot III. C. 22.
Son of James and Ellen Whyte, of Cutteen, Kilrossanty, Co. Waterford.
His headstone bears the inscription; "On Whose Soul Sweet Jesus Have Mercy R.I.P."
Nurse
Mary Ann Eliza Young
57th General Hospital, Voluntary Aid Detachment
13th February 1919, aged 35.
Plot III. A. 57.
Click on image to enlarge
Mary Ann Eliza Young
57th General Hospital, Voluntary Aid Detachment
13th February 1919, aged 35.
Plot III. A. 57.
Click on image to enlarge
Driver Mildred Constance Davis, French Red Cross Society, died of pneumonia on 8th October 1918, aged 25. Daughter of the Rev. Edward Smith, Rector of Hazelbury-Bryan, Sturminster Newton, Dorset; wife of the late Capt. Reginald Davis. Plot III. A. 58. Her husband died on 12th October 1916 at the age of 26 and he is buried in Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs in France. Her headstone bears the inscription Wife of Capt. Noel Davis "From Glory To Glory"
Staff Nurse Amy Victoria Goldsmith, attached to 57th General Hospital, Territorial Force Nursing Service, died 5th March 1919, aged 32. Daughter of Edward John and Mary Goldsmith, of Bardwell Hall, Suffolk. Plot III. A. 56.
Staff Nurse Amy Victoria Goldsmith, attached to 57th General Hospital, Territorial Force Nursing Service, died 5th March 1919, aged 32. Daughter of Edward John and Mary Goldsmith, of Bardwell Hall, Suffolk. Plot III. A. 56.
No. 2 Australian General Hospital at Marseille. This image is from the collection of Sister Marion Susie "Tot" Steel, Australian Army Nursing Service, who served in Egypt, Lemnos, France and England.
Images in this gallery © Iain Craig
World War Two Roll of Honour
L/12464 Private
Robert Charles Anderson
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
13th September 1944, aged 25.
Plot 4. C. 56.
Son of Clarence Wallace Anderson and Edith Anderson, of Southey, Saskatchewan, Canada; husband of Helen Louise Anderson, of Southey.
His headstone bears the inscription; "My Times Are In Thy Hand"
Robert Charles Anderson
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
13th September 1944, aged 25.
Plot 4. C. 56.
Son of Clarence Wallace Anderson and Edith Anderson, of Southey, Saskatchewan, Canada; husband of Helen Louise Anderson, of Southey.
His headstone bears the inscription; "My Times Are In Thy Hand"
H/17835 Sergeant
Joseph Belanger
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
16th September 1944, aged 25.
Plot 3. D. 33.
Son of Joseph Edward Belanger and of Angelina Belanger, of Transcona, Manitoba, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Of Transcona, Man., Canada. May His Soul, Through The Mercy Of God, Rest In Peace. Amen."
Joseph Belanger
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
16th September 1944, aged 25.
Plot 3. D. 33.
Son of Joseph Edward Belanger and of Angelina Belanger, of Transcona, Manitoba, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Of Transcona, Man., Canada. May His Soul, Through The Mercy Of God, Rest In Peace. Amen."
R/198799 Flight Sergeant (Air Gunner)
Francis Anthony Coady
624 (R.A.F.) Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force
25th June 1944, aged 19.
Plot 3. Row E. Coll. grave 30-37.
Son of James M. P. Coady and Minnie Coady, of Leduc, Alberta, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "O Sacred Heart Of Jesus, I Put All My Trust In Thee. Mother Of God, Pray For Us."
Francis Anthony Coady
624 (R.A.F.) Sqdn. Royal Canadian Air Force
25th June 1944, aged 19.
Plot 3. Row E. Coll. grave 30-37.
Son of James M. P. Coady and Minnie Coady, of Leduc, Alberta, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "O Sacred Heart Of Jesus, I Put All My Trust In Thee. Mother Of God, Pray For Us."
B/128516 Sergeant
William Charles Cutmore
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
16th September 1944, aged 26.
Plot 4. C. 60.
Son of Ernest George and Edith Mary Cutmore, of Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Safe In The Arms Of Jesus Leave We Now Our Dear One Sleeping."
William Charles Cutmore
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
16th September 1944, aged 26.
Plot 4. C. 60.
Son of Ernest George and Edith Mary Cutmore, of Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Safe In The Arms Of Jesus Leave We Now Our Dear One Sleeping."
425692 Flying Officer
Francis William Douglas, D. F. C.
Royal Australian Air Force
24th March 1945, aged 24.
Plot 3. Row E. Coll. grave 8-16.
Son of George Thomas Douglas and Gladys Douglas, of Banyo, Queensland, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "His Duty Nobly Done. Ever Remembered. Rest In Peace. I.H.S."
RAAF pilot 425692, Flying Officer (FO) Francis William Douglas of Cloncurry, Qld, at the controls of a Stirling bomber aircraft of No 46 Squadron RAF. FO Douglas was killed in operations over France on 24 March 1945, and is buried in the Mazargues War Cemetery
Francis William Douglas, D. F. C.
Royal Australian Air Force
24th March 1945, aged 24.
Plot 3. Row E. Coll. grave 8-16.
Son of George Thomas Douglas and Gladys Douglas, of Banyo, Queensland, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "His Duty Nobly Done. Ever Remembered. Rest In Peace. I.H.S."
RAAF pilot 425692, Flying Officer (FO) Francis William Douglas of Cloncurry, Qld, at the controls of a Stirling bomber aircraft of No 46 Squadron RAF. FO Douglas was killed in operations over France on 24 March 1945, and is buried in the Mazargues War Cemetery
M/65994 Sergeant
Douglas Edgelow
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
15th August 1944, aged 19.
Plot 4. C. 36.
Son of Gordon H. Edgelow and Alison Edgelow, of Cavalier, Saskatchewan, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Gone But Not Forgotten By Mother And Dad."
Douglas Edgelow
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
15th August 1944, aged 19.
Plot 4. C. 36.
Son of Gordon H. Edgelow and Alison Edgelow, of Cavalier, Saskatchewan, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Gone But Not Forgotten By Mother And Dad."
M/105942 Private
Clarence Norman Guynup
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
3rd October 1944, aged 20.
Plot 3. D. 25.
Son of Clarence Norman and Blanche Guynup, Delburne, Alberta, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "When The Morning Dawns We Shall See Him Again. "Asleep In Jesus""
Clarence Norman Guynup
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
3rd October 1944, aged 20.
Plot 3. D. 25.
Son of Clarence Norman and Blanche Guynup, Delburne, Alberta, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "When The Morning Dawns We Shall See Him Again. "Asleep In Jesus""
H/16143 Sergeant
William Bruce Harry
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
17th August 1944, aged 23.
Plot 4. C. 38.
Son of Wilmot Earl Harry and Jean Sinclair Harry; husband of Irene E. Harry, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This..."
William Bruce Harry
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
17th August 1944, aged 23.
Plot 4. C. 38.
Son of Wilmot Earl Harry and Jean Sinclair Harry; husband of Irene E. Harry, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This..."
A/58248 Sergeant
Floyd Stanley Schmidt
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
27th August 1944, aged 24.
Plot 4. C. 26.
Son of Fred and Hilda Schmidt, of Elmira, Ontario, Canada.
Floyd Stanley Schmidt
1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, R.C.I.C.
27th August 1944, aged 24.
Plot 4. C. 26.
Son of Fred and Hilda Schmidt, of Elmira, Ontario, Canada.
Indian Memorial
Images © Johan Pauwels
Shot at Dawn
385 Labourer Mahmoud Mahomed Ahmed, Egyptian Labour Corps, died 10th October 1917. Executed for Mutiny.
On 16 Sept 1917, at Camp Fournier near Marseille, the men of Unit 71 of the Egyptian Labour Corps rose up against their British officers in a dispute over an unauthorised extension of their contracts & what appears to have been religious animosity. At the high point of the riot, Ahmed hit an officer with a stick, shouting: ‘Take that, you dog of a Christian’. Eventually, the disturbances were put down by Indian & British units, & Ahmed tried at court martial (for he was subject to British military law).
In his defence, he claimed that when he complained that the labourers’ work agreements had expired, his foreman had said: 'You sons of dogs will be kept here by force’ —which was the remark that had started the riot.
Ahmed was convicted of striking his superior officer, & of mutinous conduct, neither of which he really denied — & sentence was confirmed on 5 Oct 1917 by the C-in-C at Montreuil. (Corns, pp. 394-395)
Shot at Dawn
385 Labourer Mahmoud Mahomed Ahmed, Egyptian Labour Corps, died 10th October 1917. Executed for Mutiny.
On 16 Sept 1917, at Camp Fournier near Marseille, the men of Unit 71 of the Egyptian Labour Corps rose up against their British officers in a dispute over an unauthorised extension of their contracts & what appears to have been religious animosity. At the high point of the riot, Ahmed hit an officer with a stick, shouting: ‘Take that, you dog of a Christian’. Eventually, the disturbances were put down by Indian & British units, & Ahmed tried at court martial (for he was subject to British military law).
In his defence, he claimed that when he complained that the labourers’ work agreements had expired, his foreman had said: 'You sons of dogs will be kept here by force’ —which was the remark that had started the riot.
Ahmed was convicted of striking his superior officer, & of mutinous conduct, neither of which he really denied — & sentence was confirmed on 5 Oct 1917 by the C-in-C at Montreuil. (Corns, pp. 394-395)
Picture above © Johan Pauwels
