NEUVE-CHAPELLE BRITISH CEMETERY
Pas De Calais
France
Location Information
From La Bassee take the Estaires road, D947, for approximately 5 kilometres, then turn right along the D171 for 1 kilometre until entering Neuve Chapelle. Turn left after the church and then right after 200 metres onto a rough track where the Cemetery will be found on the left hand side.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
The village has given its name to the battle which began on the 10th March, 1915, and in which it was captured, not for the first time, by the IV and Indian Corps. It was later "adopted" by the County Borough of Blackpool.
Neuve-Chapelle British Cemetery was begun during the Battle of Neuve-Chapelle and used until the following November. The Cemetery was known at one time as Moggs Hole Cemetery.
There are now over 50, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified and special memorials are erected to six soldiers from the United Kingdom known to be buried in these graves. Other special memorials record the names of five soldiers from the United Kingdom, buried in Neuve-Chapelle Churchyard, whose graves were destroyed by shell-fire.
The Cemetery covers an area of 452 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall.
Casualty Details: UK 55, Total Burials: 55.
From La Bassee take the Estaires road, D947, for approximately 5 kilometres, then turn right along the D171 for 1 kilometre until entering Neuve Chapelle. Turn left after the church and then right after 200 metres onto a rough track where the Cemetery will be found on the left hand side.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
The village has given its name to the battle which began on the 10th March, 1915, and in which it was captured, not for the first time, by the IV and Indian Corps. It was later "adopted" by the County Borough of Blackpool.
Neuve-Chapelle British Cemetery was begun during the Battle of Neuve-Chapelle and used until the following November. The Cemetery was known at one time as Moggs Hole Cemetery.
There are now over 50, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified and special memorials are erected to six soldiers from the United Kingdom known to be buried in these graves. Other special memorials record the names of five soldiers from the United Kingdom, buried in Neuve-Chapelle Churchyard, whose graves were destroyed by shell-fire.
The Cemetery covers an area of 452 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall.
Casualty Details: UK 55, Total Burials: 55.
Captain
Thomas Rupert Aldworth, Mentioned in Despatches
Adjt. 2nd Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
11th March 1915, aged 32.
Sp. Mem. 1.
Son of Philip and Martha Edith Aldworth, of Frilford, Abingdon, Berks.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out."
Thomas Rupert Aldworth, Mentioned in Despatches
Adjt. 2nd Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
11th March 1915, aged 32.
Sp. Mem. 1.
Son of Philip and Martha Edith Aldworth, of Frilford, Abingdon, Berks.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out."
Lieutenant
Eric Gilbey
2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade
12th March 1915, aged 27.
Neuve-Chapelle Chyd. Mem. 3.
Son of Sir Walter Gilbey, 2nd Bart.
Eric Gilbey
2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade
12th March 1915, aged 27.
Neuve-Chapelle Chyd. Mem. 3.
Son of Sir Walter Gilbey, 2nd Bart.
Lieutenant
Thomas Percy Pilcher, Mentioned in Despatches
2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade
12th March 1915, aged 21.
Neuve-Chapelle Chyd. Mem. 4.
Son of Maj. Gen. Thomas David Pilcher, C.B., and Kathleen Pilcher, of 94, Piccadilly, London.
Thomas Percy Pilcher, Mentioned in Despatches
2nd Bn. Rifle Brigade
12th March 1915, aged 21.
Neuve-Chapelle Chyd. Mem. 4.
Son of Maj. Gen. Thomas David Pilcher, C.B., and Kathleen Pilcher, of 94, Piccadilly, London.
9776 Private
Frederick George Webb
1st Bn. Manchester Regiment
25th September 1915.
Row F. 5.
Son of Mrs Webb, 1 Tennyson Street, Burnley.
Fred's mother received the following letter from one of Fred's comrades;.
"I am very sorry to relate to you the new that your son, Fred, was killed in action on Saturday morning, September 25th. Death was instantaneous, he was next to me when he got hit. We were at the time making an attack on the German trenches which proved successful for us. I am proud to tell you that Fred died bravely fighting for his King and country. I got help from another fellow and carried him to our trenches and made the arrangements for his burial. Our commanding officer, Major Crawford, was present and read a short service, though at the time the German shells were dropping about us. But we stuck to our painful duty and buried him with as much ceremony as circumstances would allow.
The news of Fred's death will be a great blow to all of you at home, I am sure. He was a good and honest soldier, and was always ready when duty had to be done. Being my chum, I was very much upset to lose him. I have not got over it yet. I hope you will try and bear the painful news as lightly as you can, though I know it will be very hard for you. I took from his pocket, his playbook etc., and gave them to his company officer, there was also a postcard photo of two young ladies...."
Frederick George Webb
1st Bn. Manchester Regiment
25th September 1915.
Row F. 5.
Son of Mrs Webb, 1 Tennyson Street, Burnley.
Fred's mother received the following letter from one of Fred's comrades;.
"I am very sorry to relate to you the new that your son, Fred, was killed in action on Saturday morning, September 25th. Death was instantaneous, he was next to me when he got hit. We were at the time making an attack on the German trenches which proved successful for us. I am proud to tell you that Fred died bravely fighting for his King and country. I got help from another fellow and carried him to our trenches and made the arrangements for his burial. Our commanding officer, Major Crawford, was present and read a short service, though at the time the German shells were dropping about us. But we stuck to our painful duty and buried him with as much ceremony as circumstances would allow.
The news of Fred's death will be a great blow to all of you at home, I am sure. He was a good and honest soldier, and was always ready when duty had to be done. Being my chum, I was very much upset to lose him. I have not got over it yet. I hope you will try and bear the painful news as lightly as you can, though I know it will be very hard for you. I took from his pocket, his playbook etc., and gave them to his company officer, there was also a postcard photo of two young ladies...."
General view of the cemetery near battalion HQ in "D" Lines sector, Neuve Chapelle, 19 March 1915. © IWM (Q 51602)
Air Photo. Sheet 36. M. 35. 36. Neuve Chapelle (Map attached) No. 5535. © IWM (Q 45960)
2nd East Lancs. December 1914. Machine Gun Section with Maxims. Trenches near Neuve Chapelle, 8th Division, 24th Brigade. © IWM (Q 51751)
