NESLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Somme
France
Location Information
Nesle is a village 20 kilometres south of Peronne.
On entering the village from the north along the D35, the Cemetery is signposted and can be easily found on the eastern side.
Historical Information
Nesle was held by the Germans during the early part of the War, and occupied by French and British cavalry on 18 March 1917. On 25 March 1918 it was taken by the Germans, after severe fighting with French and British troops; but it was recaptured by the French on the following 28th August.
From April to June 1917, No.21 Casualty Clearing Station was at Nesle, and the dead from it were buried in a plot near the West corner of the Communal Cemetery, between two German plots. In May 1918, four British soldiers were buried among these graves.
There are now over 100, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.
Casualty Details: UK 135, Total Burials: 135.
Nesle is a village 20 kilometres south of Peronne.
On entering the village from the north along the D35, the Cemetery is signposted and can be easily found on the eastern side.
Historical Information
Nesle was held by the Germans during the early part of the War, and occupied by French and British cavalry on 18 March 1917. On 25 March 1918 it was taken by the Germans, after severe fighting with French and British troops; but it was recaptured by the French on the following 28th August.
From April to June 1917, No.21 Casualty Clearing Station was at Nesle, and the dead from it were buried in a plot near the West corner of the Communal Cemetery, between two German plots. In May 1918, four British soldiers were buried among these graves.
There are now over 100, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.
Casualty Details: UK 135, Total Burials: 135.
14619 Lance Corporal
James Edmondson
17th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
13th April 1917, aged 21.
Row B. 32.
Son of James and Sarah Jane Edmondson, of 26, Hornby St., Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Loved By All."
James enlisted in January 1915 aged 19, he was wounded in July 1916. Prior to enlisting he was a clothlooker at Thornber's shed, Plumbe Street, Burnley. He attended Fulledge Wesleyan School where as an ardent footballer, he was a member of the school team.
On October 14th 1918, his brother William Henry Edmondson of the same battalion was also killed and is buried at Dadizeele New British Cemetery. He was 21years of age.
James Edmondson
17th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
13th April 1917, aged 21.
Row B. 32.
Son of James and Sarah Jane Edmondson, of 26, Hornby St., Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Loved By All."
James enlisted in January 1915 aged 19, he was wounded in July 1916. Prior to enlisting he was a clothlooker at Thornber's shed, Plumbe Street, Burnley. He attended Fulledge Wesleyan School where as an ardent footballer, he was a member of the school team.
On October 14th 1918, his brother William Henry Edmondson of the same battalion was also killed and is buried at Dadizeele New British Cemetery. He was 21years of age.
15750 Private
John Logan
18th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
16th April 1917.
Row C. 1.
John Logan
18th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
16th April 1917.
Row C. 1.
42237 Private
William Townsley
16th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
18th April 1917, aged 32.
Row A. 35.
William Townsley
16th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
18th April 1917, aged 32.
Row A. 35.
This sign was originally located on a German soldiers' canteen at Nesle and was removed and placed on a Prisoner of War cage
(Literal translation "Soldiers Home")
© IWM (FEQ 388)
Actions of the Somme Crossings. Gordon Highlanders in support watching the fighting. They are halted in the open lining a low ridge, Nesle, 24th March 1918 (Stragglers on 20th Division Front). One soldier is watching from a tree. © IWM (Q 10785)
British soldiers and French refugee children by a field kitchen on a street in Nesle, 22 March 1917. The town was reached in Allied advance of March 1917. © IWM (Q 5806)
