NINE ELMS MILITARY CEMETERY
Thélus
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.34637, Longitude: 2.78457
Location Information
Thélus is a village about 6.5 kilometres north of Arras and 1 kilometre east of the main road from Arras to Lens. The cemetery is on the western side of the main road and about 1.5 kilometres south of the village.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access is possible with some difficulty.
Historical Information
"NINE ELMS" was the name given by the Army to a group of trees 460 metres East of the Arras-Lens main road, between Thélus and Roclincourt.
The cemetery was begun, after the capture of Vimy Ridge, by the burial in what is now Plot I, Row A of 80 men of the 14th Canadian Infantry Battalion, who fell on the 9th April 1917; and this and the next row were filled by June 1917. Three burials were made in Plot I, Row C, in July 1918. The rest of the cemetery was made after the Armistice by the concentration of British and French graves from the battlefields of Vimy and Neuville-St. Vaast and from certain small cemeteries, including:-
ARRAS ROAD CEMETERY, THÉLUS, on the roadside a little North of Nine Elms Cemetery. This graveyard, originally called "CA 39," contained the graves of 46 Canadian soldiers, 39 of whom belonged to the 15th Battalion, and most of whom fell on the 9th April 1917.
GRAVE CA 26, ROCLINCOURT, by the roadside a little South of Nine Elms Cemetery, in which were buried 72 Canadian soldiers of the 5th Battalion who fell on the 9th April 1917.
GRAVE CA 35, NEUVILLE-ST. VAAST, 914 metres West of Nine Elms Cemetery, in which were buried 23 Canadian soldiers of the 15th Battalion who fell on the 9th April 1917.
GRAVE CA 40, THÉLUS, 274 metres West of the main road, by the light railway track. Here were buried 44 Canadian soldiers of the 16th Battalion who fell on the 9th April 1917.
GRAVE CB 10, THÉLUS, 274 metres South-West of the hamlet of Les Tilleuls, in which were buried 52 Canadian soldiers and two from the United Kingdom who fell in April and May 1917.
GRAVE CC 3, VIMY, just South of the highest point of the Ridge, in which were buried 58 Canadian soldiers who fell on the 9th and 10th April 1917.
ROCLINCOURT SQUARE CEMETERY (or Roclincourt Forward Cemetery No.5), 1 kilometre North of the village of Roclincourt, contained the graves of 23 soldiers of the 51st (Highland) Division who fell on the 9th April 1917.
SEAFORTH GRAVE, ROCLINCOURT (or Roclincourt Forward Cemetery No.4), a little North-West of the Square Cemetery. Here were buried twelve N.C.O'S. and men of the 1st/4th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders who fell on the 9th April 1917.
*The numerous groups of graves made about this time by the Canadian Corps Burial Officer were, as a rule, not named, but serially lettered and numbered.
There are 738, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 149 are unidentified and a special memorial is erected to one Canadian soldier, believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of 44 soldiers from Canada and ten from the United Kingdom, buried in other cemeteries, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. Four graves in Plot IV, identified as a whole but not individually, are marked by headstones bearing the additional words: "Buried near this spot". The great majority of the British graves are of April 1917; the French are of 1914 and 1915. 177 French graves have been removed to other cemeteries.
The cemetery covers an area of 3,355 square metres and is enclosed by a low brick wall.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and Noel Ackroyd Rew
Total Burials: 738.
Commonwealth Identified Casualties: Canada 430, United Kingdom 105. Total 535.
Commonwealth Unidentified Casualties: Canada 99, United Kingdom 50. Total 149.
French Burials: 54.
925975 Private
Levi Walter Aldous
5th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 20.
Plot IV. A. 18.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Aldous, of Lorlie, Saskatchewan.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Beneath This Stone There Lies At Rest, A Brave Soldier Who Did His Best."
Levi Walter Aldous
5th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 20.
Plot IV. A. 18.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Aldous, of Lorlie, Saskatchewan.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Beneath This Stone There Lies At Rest, A Brave Soldier Who Did His Best."
183133 Private
Albert Ancell
10th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 23.
Plot I. F. 8.
Son of Arthur and Elizabeth Ann Ancell, of 1611, 15 Avenue, Calgary West, Alberta.
Albert Ancell
10th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 23.
Plot I. F. 8.
Son of Arthur and Elizabeth Ann Ancell, of 1611, 15 Avenue, Calgary West, Alberta.
186003 Lance Corporal
Harry Anderson
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
Died Between 07/04/1917 and 10/04/1917
Plot III. G. 19.
Harry Anderson
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
Died Between 07/04/1917 and 10/04/1917
Plot III. G. 19.
628010 Sergeant
Archie Blandford
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 34.
Plot I. A. 28.
Archie Blandford
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 34.
Plot I. A. 28.
75758 Private
Robert Lumsden Boyd
29th Bn. Canadian Infantry
10th April 1917.
Plot III. E. 1.
Lived at 4 Underhill Place, Montreal.
Robert Lumsden Boyd
29th Bn. Canadian Infantry
10th April 1917.
Plot III. E. 1.
Lived at 4 Underhill Place, Montreal.
809122 Private
Alexander Caldwell
10th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Arras Road. Cem. Mem. 40.
Killed in the taking of Vimy Ridge, he was close to the enemy front line when a shell exploded killing him.
Alexander Caldwell
10th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Arras Road. Cem. Mem. 40.
Killed in the taking of Vimy Ridge, he was close to the enemy front line when a shell exploded killing him.
Lieutenant
Ian McKenzie Cameron
No. 4 Coy. 15th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 23.
Arras Road. Cem. Mem.2.
Son of William and Mary Emily Cameron, of Strathcona Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia. Born at Edgeley, Qu'-Appelle, Saskatchewan.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Did But Do His Duty Simply, Bravely And In The Doing Died."
Ian McKenzie Cameron
No. 4 Coy. 15th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 23.
Arras Road. Cem. Mem.2.
Son of William and Mary Emily Cameron, of Strathcona Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia. Born at Edgeley, Qu'-Appelle, Saskatchewan.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Did But Do His Duty Simply, Bravely And In The Doing Died."
444239 Private
David Campbell
21st Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Plot IV. C. 12.
David Campbell
21st Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Plot IV. C. 12.
Canadian troops tend the graves of their comrades fallen at Vimy, June, 1917. (Library and Archives Canada)
105530 Private
Francis Shirley Davis
5th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 25.
Plot IV. A. 3.
Francis Shirley Davis
5th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 25.
Plot IV. A. 3.
718675 Private
Firth Duncan
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 26.
Plot I. G. 39.
Firth Duncan
16th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 26.
Plot I. G. 39.
425782 Private
Charles Samuel Dyer
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
Died Between 07/04/1917 and 10/04/1917, aged 25.
Plot III. G. 9.
Fifth son of Mr & Mrs George W. Dyer.
Charles Samuel Dyer
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
Died Between 07/04/1917 and 10/04/1917, aged 25.
Plot III. G. 9.
Fifth son of Mr & Mrs George W. Dyer.
642662 Private
Charles Ambrose Flowerday
1st Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 20.
Plot I. D. 37.
Son of David and Martha Flowerday.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This."
Charles Ambrose Flowerday
1st Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 20.
Plot I. D. 37.
Son of David and Martha Flowerday.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This."
675915 Private
Ernest Arthur Harfield
21st Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Plot IV. C. 11.
Ernest Arthur Harfield
21st Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Plot IV. C. 11.
177176 Private
Frank William Kennedy
1st Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Plot I. C. 16.
Frank William Kennedy
1st Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Plot I. C. 16.
Canadian grave near Vimy. June, 1917. (Library and Archives Canada)
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
187091 Private
John Laidlaw
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
Died Between 07/04/1917 and 10/04/1917, aged 23.
Plot III. D. 2.
Son of Mr. A. and Mrs. Jane Laidlaw, of 1642, Arlington St., Winnipeg. Born at Edinburgh, Scotland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Saw The Spirit Of God Descending Like A Dove'' Matthew 3.16."
John Laidlaw
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
Died Between 07/04/1917 and 10/04/1917, aged 23.
Plot III. D. 2.
Son of Mr. A. and Mrs. Jane Laidlaw, of 1642, Arlington St., Winnipeg. Born at Edinburgh, Scotland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Saw The Spirit Of God Descending Like A Dove'' Matthew 3.16."
907143 Private
Harry McEwan
5th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 23.
Plot III. A. 8.
Son of James and Elizabeth McEwan, of 340, Robson St., Vancouver, British Columbia. Born at Middlesbrough, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Show Us O Lord, Thy Mercy."
Harry McEwan
5th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 23.
Plot III. A. 8.
Son of James and Elizabeth McEwan, of 340, Robson St., Vancouver, British Columbia. Born at Middlesbrough, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Show Us O Lord, Thy Mercy."
108385 Sergeant
John Middleton
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
Died Between 07/04/1917 and 10/04/1917, aged 23.
Plot III. G. 6.
John Middleton
1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion
Died Between 07/04/1917 and 10/04/1917, aged 23.
Plot III. G. 6.
797078 Private
Harold Vernon Nethercott
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. A. 8.
Son of Charles Frederick and Mary Nethercott, of Clear Creek, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Present With The Lord."
Harold Vernon Nethercott
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. A. 8.
Son of Charles Frederick and Mary Nethercott, of Clear Creek, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Present With The Lord."
808554 Private
William Heard Reid
10th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Plot I. F. 22.
William Heard Reid
10th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Plot I. F. 22.
63755 Private
Frederick Roberts
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Plot I. A. 7.
Frederick Roberts
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Plot I. A. 7.
700725 Private
Charles Wesley Robertson
24th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 24.
Plot III. D. 14.
Charles Wesley Robertson
24th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 24.
Plot III. D. 14.
Canadians advancing through German wire entanglements - Vimy Ridge. April, 1917. (Library and Archives, Canada)
790216 Private
James Alvin Scott
29th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Plot III. E. 3.
James Alvin Scott
29th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917.
Plot III. E. 3.
141775 Sergeant
Frederick Shipley
21st Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 27.
Plot IV. C. 14.
Son of Mrs. Jane Shipley, of 2547, Garland Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
Frederick Shipley
21st Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 27.
Plot IV. C. 14.
Son of Mrs. Jane Shipley, of 2547, Garland Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
184042 Private
Francis Reginald Skinner
31st Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 21.
Plot IV. D. 7.
Son of William Hugh and Emma Matilda Skinner; husband of Alga Woolley (formerly Skinner) of Albert Park, Calgary, Alberta. Born at Tavistock, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "God Be With You Till We Meet."
Francis Reginald Skinner
31st Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 21.
Plot IV. D. 7.
Son of William Hugh and Emma Matilda Skinner; husband of Alga Woolley (formerly Skinner) of Albert Park, Calgary, Alberta. Born at Tavistock, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "God Be With You Till We Meet."
420684 Private
Michael Alfred Stanton
3rd Coy. Canadian Machine Gun Corps
9th April 1917, aged 19.
Plot I. E. 4.
Son of Mr. M. Stanton, of 183, McDermot Avenue East, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
His headstone bears the inscription; "These Be The Glorious Ends Whereto We Pass" Kipling."
Michael Alfred Stanton
3rd Coy. Canadian Machine Gun Corps
9th April 1917, aged 19.
Plot I. E. 4.
Son of Mr. M. Stanton, of 183, McDermot Avenue East, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
His headstone bears the inscription; "These Be The Glorious Ends Whereto We Pass" Kipling."
Lieutenant
James Lloyd Stevenson
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 23.
Plot I. A. 29.
Son of James and Lilla Stevenson, of 67, Chambly St., Montreal.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Beloved Son Of James Stevenson, Montreal.
James Lloyd Stevenson
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 23.
Plot I. A. 29.
Son of James and Lilla Stevenson, of 67, Chambly St., Montreal.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Beloved Son Of James Stevenson, Montreal.
158735 Private
George John Thompson
18th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 18.
Plot IV. E. 19.
Son of Mrs Thompson, 100 Weston Road South, Toronto.
George John Thompson
18th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 18.
Plot IV. E. 19.
Son of Mrs Thompson, 100 Weston Road South, Toronto.
877610 Sergeant
Thomas Ephraim Tysall
25th Bn. Canadian Infantry
29th May 1917, aged 43.
Plot IV. D. 9.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Tysall, of London, England; husband of Emma Tysall, of 145, Cornishtown Rd., Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Thomas Ephraim Tysall
25th Bn. Canadian Infantry
29th May 1917, aged 43.
Plot IV. D. 9.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Tysall, of London, England; husband of Emma Tysall, of 145, Cornishtown Rd., Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Major
Robert Eugene Wallace
15th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 24.
Arras Road. Cem. Mem. 1.
Son of William and Alice A. M. Wallace, of Cannington, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription; "With Loving Recollections We Honor Him For Evermore."
Robert Eugene Wallace
15th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 24.
Arras Road. Cem. Mem. 1.
Son of William and Alice A. M. Wallace, of Cannington, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription; "With Loving Recollections We Honor Him For Evermore."
Brothers killed on the same day
797131 Private
Arthur West 14th Bn. Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). 9th April 1917, aged 27. Plot I. A. 3 Son of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham West, of Kinglake, Ontario. |
797116 Private
William James (Bill Jim) West 14th Bn. Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). 9th April 1917, aged 19. Plot I. A. 3. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham West, of Kinglake, Ontario. |
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Click on above images to enlarge
A third brother died in the war, to see an image of him follow the link below
Lapugnoy Military Cemetery
Above photos courtesy of Andy Mercer
Image above © Geerhard Joos
Aerial photograph of Thelus, near Arras, looking towards north east, showing the Lille Road. Sheet 51b, A16. date 30 September 1916. © IWM (Q58376)
German gun emplacement on the north side of Vimy Ridge at Thelus, 1920. © IWM (Q 37282)
Memorial to men of the 21st Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Thelus. July, 1918.
Canadian machine gunners dig themselves in on Vimy Ridge. (Library and Archive Canada)
