NAVES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Nord
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.198, Longitude: 3.30877
Location Information
Naves is a small village about 5 kilometres north-east of Cambrai on the road to Saulzoir (D114). The Communal Cemetery is on the south side of the road a little south-west of the village at the entrance to the village coming from Cambrai.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access with some difficulty.
Historical Information
The Extension was begun by the 49th (West Riding) Division in October, 1918, after the capture of the village on the 10th. The 31 graves then made are now in Plot V; Plots I to IV were made after the Armistice, by the concentration of graves from smaller cemeteries and from the battlefields of Cambrai. Among the graves thus concentrated were those of many Lancashire Fusiliers and King's Own Royal Lancasters who fell in August, 1914.
There are now nearly 450, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over a quarter are unidentified and special memorials are erected to four soldiers of the 8th Northumberland Fusiliers, buried in Eswars German Cemetery, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. The grave of one American soldier has been removed to another cemetery.
The Extension covers an area of 1,446 square metres and is enclosed by a low red brick wall.
The following were among the burial grounds from which British graves were removed to Naves Communal Cemetery Extension:-
ESWARS COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION, which contained the graves of seven soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Canada who fell in October, 1918.
HILLTOP CEMETERY, LESDAIN, between Lesdain and Seranvillers, containing the graves of 17 New Zealand and six German soldiers who fell in October, 1918.
MAUROIS BRITISH CEMETERY, on the Maurois-Maretz road, containing the graves of 15 South African soldiers who fell on the 14th October, 1918.
PAILLENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY, close to the Sensee river, containing the graves of twelve soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Canada who fell on the 16th October, 1918.
THUN-ST. MARTIN BRITISH CEMETERY, in the middle of the village. Here were buried 18 soldiers from the United Kingdom (mainly of the 51st (Highland) Division) and three from Canada, who fell in October, 1918.
The cemetery was designed by Charles Henry Holden & Captain Wilfred Clement Von Berg, M. C.
Total Burials: 444.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 204, New Zealand 53, Canada 43, South Africa 15, Australia 4. Total 319.
422047 Corporal
James McPhie, V. C.
416th (Edinburgh) Field Company, Royal Engineers
died of wounds 14th October 1918, aged 24.
Plot II. E. 4.
Son of Allan and Elizabeth McPhie, of 112, Rose St., Edinburgh.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 31155, dated 28th Jan., 1919, records the following:- " For most conspicuous bravery on the 14th October, 1918, when with a party of sappers maintaining a cork float bridge across the Canal de la Sensee near Aubencheul-au-Bac. The further end of the bridge was under close machine gun fire and within reach of hand grenades. When Infantry just before dawn were crossing it, closing up resulted and the bridge began to sink and break. Accompanied by a sapper, he jumped into the water and endeavoured to hold the cork and timbers together, but this they failed to do. Cpl. McPhie then swam back, and, having reported the broken bridge, immediately started to collect material for repair. It was now daylight. Fully aware that the bridge was under close fire and that the far bank was almost entirely in the hands of the enemy, with the inspiring words " It is death or glory work which must be done for the sake of our patrol on the other side," he led the way, axe in hand, on to the bridge and was at once severely wounded, falling partly into the water, and died after receiving several further wounds. It was due to the magnificent example set by Cpl. McPhie that touch was maintained with the patrol on the enemy bank at a most critical period."
James McPhie, V. C.
416th (Edinburgh) Field Company, Royal Engineers
died of wounds 14th October 1918, aged 24.
Plot II. E. 4.
Son of Allan and Elizabeth McPhie, of 112, Rose St., Edinburgh.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 31155, dated 28th Jan., 1919, records the following:- " For most conspicuous bravery on the 14th October, 1918, when with a party of sappers maintaining a cork float bridge across the Canal de la Sensee near Aubencheul-au-Bac. The further end of the bridge was under close machine gun fire and within reach of hand grenades. When Infantry just before dawn were crossing it, closing up resulted and the bridge began to sink and break. Accompanied by a sapper, he jumped into the water and endeavoured to hold the cork and timbers together, but this they failed to do. Cpl. McPhie then swam back, and, having reported the broken bridge, immediately started to collect material for repair. It was now daylight. Fully aware that the bridge was under close fire and that the far bank was almost entirely in the hands of the enemy, with the inspiring words " It is death or glory work which must be done for the sake of our patrol on the other side," he led the way, axe in hand, on to the bridge and was at once severely wounded, falling partly into the water, and died after receiving several further wounds. It was due to the magnificent example set by Cpl. McPhie that touch was maintained with the patrol on the enemy bank at a most critical period."
Picture © Johan Pauwels
Cemetery images in this gallery © Johan Pauwels
3205057 Private
Edron Anderson
"A" Coy. 10th Bn. Canadian Infantry
28th September 1918, aged 26.
Plot I. E. 12.
Son of Edron and Gertrude A. Anderson, of 732, 19th Avenue, West, Calgary, Alberta.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Not Now But In The Coming Years Sometime, Someday We'll Understand."
Edron Anderson
"A" Coy. 10th Bn. Canadian Infantry
28th September 1918, aged 26.
Plot I. E. 12.
Son of Edron and Gertrude A. Anderson, of 732, 19th Avenue, West, Calgary, Alberta.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Not Now But In The Coming Years Sometime, Someday We'll Understand."
21814 Serjeant
Frank Forsyth
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
8th October 1918, aged 23.
Plot III. D. 1.
Son of Francis and Marjory Forsyth, of Ealing, New Zealand.
Frank Forsyth
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
8th October 1918, aged 23.
Plot III. D. 1.
Son of Francis and Marjory Forsyth, of Ealing, New Zealand.
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74911 Rifleman
Ernest Arthur Griffin
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
8th October 1918, aged 20.
Plot III. B. 16.
Eldest son of Arthur and Helena M. Griffin, of Inaha, New Zealand.
Ernest Arthur Griffin
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
8th October 1918, aged 20.
Plot III. B. 16.
Eldest son of Arthur and Helena M. Griffin, of Inaha, New Zealand.
65664 Rifleman
Francis Patrick Jones
2nd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
8th October 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. F. 4.
Son of M. and Catherine Jones.
Francis Patrick Jones
2nd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
8th October 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. F. 4.
Son of M. and Catherine Jones.
34871 Private
Jonathan Keast
1st Bn. Otago Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
8th October 1918, aged 24.
Plot IV. D. 2.
Son of John and Mary Jane Keast, of Middlemarch, New Zealand.
Jonathan Keast
1st Bn. Otago Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
8th October 1918, aged 24.
Plot IV. D. 2.
Son of John and Mary Jane Keast, of Middlemarch, New Zealand.
23/481 Lance Corporal
Ernest Gilchrist Laurie
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
8th October 1918, aged 32.
Plot IV. A. 9.
Son of Mrs. Jane G. Laurie.
Ernest Gilchrist Laurie
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
8th October 1918, aged 32.
Plot IV. A. 9.
Son of Mrs. Jane G. Laurie.
71231 Rifleman
Thomas Lovatt
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
8th October 1918, aged 21.
Plot III. D. 5.
Son of John Thomas Strange Lovatt and Margaret Jane Lovatt.
Thomas Lovatt
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
8th October 1918, aged 21.
Plot III. D. 5.
Son of John Thomas Strange Lovatt and Margaret Jane Lovatt.
23464 Private
Bert John Robinson
2nd Bn. Suffolk Regiment
8th October 1918, aged 27.
Plot I. F. 2
Son of Mrs. Harriet Robinson, of 29, Eden St., Cambridge
Picture courtesy of Andy Kin, great, great nephew
Bert John Robinson
2nd Bn. Suffolk Regiment
8th October 1918, aged 27.
Plot I. F. 2
Son of Mrs. Harriet Robinson, of 29, Eden St., Cambridge
Picture courtesy of Andy Kin, great, great nephew
24748 Private
David Ross
7th Bn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
13th October 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. A. 17.
Son of James and Annie Ross nee Stevenson, of 19 Nimmo's Rows, New Stevenston, Lanarkshire. prior to enlisting David was a miner in James Nimmo's Collieries, Holytown, Lanarkshire.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Memory Of Our Dear Son David, Sadly Missed."
Picture courtesy of great niece, Mary Garraton
David Ross
7th Bn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
13th October 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. A. 17.
Son of James and Annie Ross nee Stevenson, of 19 Nimmo's Rows, New Stevenston, Lanarkshire. prior to enlisting David was a miner in James Nimmo's Collieries, Holytown, Lanarkshire.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Memory Of Our Dear Son David, Sadly Missed."
Picture courtesy of great niece, Mary Garraton
203359 Private
Frank Smith
1st/4th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
12th October 1918, aged 23.
Plot V. A. 2.
Son of Robert Foster Smith and Margaret Smith, of Alnwick, Northumberland.
Frank Smith
1st/4th Bn. Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
12th October 1918, aged 23.
Plot V. A. 2.
Son of Robert Foster Smith and Margaret Smith, of Alnwick, Northumberland.
Lieutenant
Cyril Steele-Perkins
1st Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
26th August 1914, aged 27.
Plot IV. B. 15.
Son of George C. Steele-Perkins, M.D., and Alice E. Steele Perkins (nee Chapman), of 6, Weymouth St., Portland Place, London. Educated at St. Paul's School, University of London, and Sandhurst.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Goodnight Dearest One."
Cyril Steele-Perkins
1st Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
26th August 1914, aged 27.
Plot IV. B. 15.
Son of George C. Steele-Perkins, M.D., and Alice E. Steele Perkins (nee Chapman), of 6, Weymouth St., Portland Place, London. Educated at St. Paul's School, University of London, and Sandhurst.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Goodnight Dearest One."
62176 Rifleman
David Watkin Taylor
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
8th October 1918.
Plot IV. E. 20.
David Watkin Taylor
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
8th October 1918.
Plot IV. E. 20.
Capture of Cambrai by the British 57th Division. Soldiers of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment wearing pickelhaubes which they found whilst on patrol in Cambrai, 9 October 1918. © IWM (Q 11367)
Men of the the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Regiment) salvaging German rifles near Marcoing, 22 November 1917. © IWM (Q 6312)
