MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY
Marseille
Bouches-du-Rhône
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 43.2491, Longitude: 5.40531
Picture © Iain Craig
Location Information
Marseille is the chief town in the Department of the Bouches-du-Rhone.
Mazargues is a southern suburb (the 9th Arrondissement), some 6 kilometres from the centre of Marseilles. The cemetery is located 200 metres south of the 'Rond-Point de Mazargues' on the main road (the D559) to Toulon via Cassis. The address of the cemetery is No.24 Avenue General de Lattre de Tassigny.
Visiting Information
PLEASE NOTE: It is regretted that due to vandalism in the area it is necessary to keep the main cemetery gate locked outside working hours and at weekends. Access is, however, always possible via the civilian cemetery from 0730hrs to 1730hrs. The entrance to the civilian cemetery can be found on Rue Ernest Rouvier.
The location or design of this site makes wheelchair access difficult.
Historical Information
Marseille was the Base of the Indian troops in France during the 1914-18 war and throughout the War the Royal Navy, the Merchant Navy, British troops and Labour units worked in the port or passed through it.
Four of the town cemeteries were used, in the main, for the burial of officers and men of the Commonwealth forces who died at Marseilles. At ST. PIERRE CEMETERY, on the East side of the town, the bodies of Hindu soldiers and labourers were cremated in 1914-16. LE CANET OLD CEMETERY and LE CANET NEW CEMETERY, on the North side, were in 1917-19, the places of burial for Indian soldiers and Indian, Egyptian and Chinese labourers.
MAZARGUES CEMETERY, on the South-East side, was used less in the War, but before the Armistice an Extension was made, to which were removed, a little later, the bodies or ashes from the four Town cemeteries and from PORT ST. LOUIS-DU-RHONE COMMUNAL CEMETERY.
There are now 1,487, 1914-18 and 267, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. 205 of the Indian casualties, who were cremated, are commemorated on a memorial at the rear of the cemetery. The Mazargues Indian Memorial was unveiled by Field Marshal Sir William Birdwood in July 1925. In addition, 8 members of the Egyptian Labour Corps, who were buried in Le Canet New Communal Cemetery at the time, but whose graves were later lost, are commemorated on a stone tablet on the left hand wall of the war cemetery.
The cemetery covers an of 9,021 square metres.
Total Burials: 1,742.
World War One Identified Burials: India 993, United Kingdom 465, Australia 14, New Zealand 3, South Africa 3. Total 1,478.
World War Two Identified Burials: United Kingdom 199, Canada 43, Australia 7, South Africa 7, Poland 4, New Zealand 3, India 1. Total 264.
Cemetery designed by Arthur James Scott Hutton
Images in this gallery © Iain Craig
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."
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.
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.
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)
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 © André De Smet
