Philosophe British Cemetery
Roll of Honour
A - H
40739 Private
William Baker
1st Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
5th September 1917.
Plot I. V. 26.
Son of Amy Jane Baker, of 2, Ashby Rd., Hugglescote, Leicester.
William Baker
1st Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
5th September 1917.
Plot I. V. 26.
Son of Amy Jane Baker, of 2, Ashby Rd., Hugglescote, Leicester.
Second Lieutenant
George Bott
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade
9th February 1917, aged 30.
Plot I. M. 1.
Son of the Rev. Richard and Sarah Bott, of Cotehill Vicarage, Carlisle, Born at Hayton Rectory, Maryport, Cumberland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms Deut. XXXIII. 27."
Picture courtesy of Luc D'Haene
George Bott
3rd Bn. Rifle Brigade
9th February 1917, aged 30.
Plot I. M. 1.
Son of the Rev. Richard and Sarah Bott, of Cotehill Vicarage, Carlisle, Born at Hayton Rectory, Maryport, Cumberland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms Deut. XXXIII. 27."
Picture courtesy of Luc D'Haene
306344 Lance Corporal
Walter Bulman
1st/8th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
28th July 1917.
Plot I. T. 54.
Husband of K. Bulman, of Main St., Balderton, Newark.
Walter Bulman
1st/8th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
28th July 1917.
Plot I. T. 54.
Husband of K. Bulman, of Main St., Balderton, Newark.
9044 Corporal
John Robert Clark
8th Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
21st June 1917, aged 32.
Plot I. R. 54.
Inscription "And With The Morn Those Angel Faces Smile"
Click on images to enlarge
Husband of Sarah Clark, of 7, Morris St., Peterborough.
John had two brothers killed in the war, William Clark who is buried in Étaples Military Cemetery in France and Fred Clark who is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, also in France.
Pictures courtesy of Ian Porter (Great Nephew)
John Robert Clark
8th Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
21st June 1917, aged 32.
Plot I. R. 54.
Inscription "And With The Morn Those Angel Faces Smile"
Click on images to enlarge
Husband of Sarah Clark, of 7, Morris St., Peterborough.
John had two brothers killed in the war, William Clark who is buried in Étaples Military Cemetery in France and Fred Clark who is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, also in France.
Pictures courtesy of Ian Porter (Great Nephew)
Photo No. 1. (Left to Right)
Harry Clark, Charles Clark (storeman 8th Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment old soldier having left the 1st Bn. Northamptons in 1901), John Robert Clark, Fred Clark. Seated, the brothers’ father George.
Photo No. 2. (Left to Right)
Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, William Clark, Harry Clark, Charles Clark, John Robert Clark, Fred Clark. Seated, the brothers’ father George.
Harry was sent to convalesce in Kent & married a local woman later in 1915, had children & stayed in Chatham the rest of his life passing away 1974.
William was the last to die. At this time (autumn 1914) he was a gardener at Peterborough park, but ended up enlisting in December 1915 under the Derby Scheme. He married June 1916 before arriving in France July of that year. 1st or 2nd May 1918 he was gassed in Gorre & died of wounds 8th May 1918.
Harry Clark, Charles Clark (storeman 8th Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment old soldier having left the 1st Bn. Northamptons in 1901), John Robert Clark, Fred Clark. Seated, the brothers’ father George.
Photo No. 2. (Left to Right)
Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, William Clark, Harry Clark, Charles Clark, John Robert Clark, Fred Clark. Seated, the brothers’ father George.
Harry was sent to convalesce in Kent & married a local woman later in 1915, had children & stayed in Chatham the rest of his life passing away 1974.
William was the last to die. At this time (autumn 1914) he was a gardener at Peterborough park, but ended up enlisting in December 1915 under the Derby Scheme. He married June 1916 before arriving in France July of that year. 1st or 2nd May 1918 he was gassed in Gorre & died of wounds 8th May 1918.
2235 Private
Frank Cross
12th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
26th January 1917, aged 19.
Plot I. L. 31.
Son of Henry and Elizabeth Cross, of 120, Chester Rd., Northwich.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Pro Patria Dimicans."
The information below supplied by 'The Ellesmerian Club', the alumni organisation for Ellesmere College where Frank was a pupil.
Frank Cross
12th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
26th January 1917, aged 19.
Plot I. L. 31.
Son of Henry and Elizabeth Cross, of 120, Chester Rd., Northwich.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Pro Patria Dimicans."
The information below supplied by 'The Ellesmerian Club', the alumni organisation for Ellesmere College where Frank was a pupil.
Frank Cross, one of five children, was born in Northwich, Cheshire on 1st February 1897 to Henry and Elizabeth Cross who were, at the time, resident at Chester Road, Northwich.
He was admitted to Ellesmere College on 29th September 1911 when there were only one hundred and sixty pupils on the nominal roll. He was allocated to the ‘Alfred’ dormitory and Form ‘Upper IV’ under the guidance of Mr. C. E. Andrews. He remained at the college until June 1913.
He was confirmed on 31st May 1912, played football and cricket for his dormitory and was a member of the Officer Training Corps. There are no records relating to his academic achievements
The Ellesmerian (July 1915) recorded that he had been admitted to the membership of “The Institute of Mechanical and County Engineers “. He was articled to Mr. John Brooke, Surveyor to Norwich Urban Council. A report in the Liverpool Echo of 9th February 1917 stated that ‘he showed considerable promise as an architect and surveyor”.
Frank enlisted at Chester as Private Cross, Service No.2235 with the 31st Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers. During the war over 235,000 men wore the Fusilier Badge and just under 22,000 of them paid the ultimate price for their loyalty. Frank served in the 31st Royal Fusiliers, attached to the 12th Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) that was formed in Hounslow in September 1914.
A year later, in September 1915, the main body of the 12th Battalion disembarked from the steamer ’The Queen’ at Boulogne and mobilised for war. They were engaged in various actions over the next few years including the Battle of Loos, the German gas attack at Wulverghem, the Battle of Delville Wood and the Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were involved in the Battles of Vimy Ridge, Messines, Pilkem Ridge and Langermark.
The authorative book “The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War” describes some of the conditions the men experienced in the winter of 1916 / 17 “ … Just north of Loos a more elaborate raid was carried out in broad daylight on 26th January by the 12th Battn., in conjunction with the 8th Buffs. Of the Fusiliers, 4 officers and 100 other ranks were engaged. The German front and supply lines were reached, dug outs were bombed, many Germans were killed and sixteen were taken prisoner. The German barrage of No-Man’s Land and the Fusiliers’ front and communicating trenches was accurately placed. All the officers were wounded…….there were 24 other rank casualties….”.
Frank was killed in action on 26th January 1917. Lieutenant Stewart wrote to the family:
“The loss of such a fine soldier as your son was, is, felt by us all in the company to which he was attached and in expressing to you my deepest and heartfelt sympathy I express the sentiments of those who were your son’s friends and comrades in arms…..”
Frank was buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe and his life is commemorated on memorials at Ellesmere College and Northwich.
For his wartime military service, Frank was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
He was admitted to Ellesmere College on 29th September 1911 when there were only one hundred and sixty pupils on the nominal roll. He was allocated to the ‘Alfred’ dormitory and Form ‘Upper IV’ under the guidance of Mr. C. E. Andrews. He remained at the college until June 1913.
He was confirmed on 31st May 1912, played football and cricket for his dormitory and was a member of the Officer Training Corps. There are no records relating to his academic achievements
The Ellesmerian (July 1915) recorded that he had been admitted to the membership of “The Institute of Mechanical and County Engineers “. He was articled to Mr. John Brooke, Surveyor to Norwich Urban Council. A report in the Liverpool Echo of 9th February 1917 stated that ‘he showed considerable promise as an architect and surveyor”.
Frank enlisted at Chester as Private Cross, Service No.2235 with the 31st Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers. During the war over 235,000 men wore the Fusilier Badge and just under 22,000 of them paid the ultimate price for their loyalty. Frank served in the 31st Royal Fusiliers, attached to the 12th Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) that was formed in Hounslow in September 1914.
A year later, in September 1915, the main body of the 12th Battalion disembarked from the steamer ’The Queen’ at Boulogne and mobilised for war. They were engaged in various actions over the next few years including the Battle of Loos, the German gas attack at Wulverghem, the Battle of Delville Wood and the Battle of Guillemont. In 1917 they were involved in the Battles of Vimy Ridge, Messines, Pilkem Ridge and Langermark.
The authorative book “The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War” describes some of the conditions the men experienced in the winter of 1916 / 17 “ … Just north of Loos a more elaborate raid was carried out in broad daylight on 26th January by the 12th Battn., in conjunction with the 8th Buffs. Of the Fusiliers, 4 officers and 100 other ranks were engaged. The German front and supply lines were reached, dug outs were bombed, many Germans were killed and sixteen were taken prisoner. The German barrage of No-Man’s Land and the Fusiliers’ front and communicating trenches was accurately placed. All the officers were wounded…….there were 24 other rank casualties….”.
Frank was killed in action on 26th January 1917. Lieutenant Stewart wrote to the family:
“The loss of such a fine soldier as your son was, is, felt by us all in the company to which he was attached and in expressing to you my deepest and heartfelt sympathy I express the sentiments of those who were your son’s friends and comrades in arms…..”
Frank was buried in the Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe and his life is commemorated on memorials at Ellesmere College and Northwich.
For his wartime military service, Frank was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
765447 Gunner
Charles William Davis
42nd 13 Bty. 2nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery
15th August 1917, aged 19.
Plot I. U. 28.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Davis, of 5, Alexandra Terrace, Barnsley St., Holderness Rd., Hull.
Charles William Davis
42nd 13 Bty. 2nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery
15th August 1917, aged 19.
Plot I. U. 28.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Davis, of 5, Alexandra Terrace, Barnsley St., Holderness Rd., Hull.
Captain
Harold MacKenzie Deans
3rd Bn. attd. 7th/8th Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers
17th September 1918, aged 24.
Plot III. F. 24.
Son of John and Nina A. Deans, of Bournemouth; husband of Mrs. H. M. Deans, of Lanark.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Finis Coronat Opus." (Latin: The End Crowns The Work.)
Harold MacKenzie Deans
3rd Bn. attd. 7th/8th Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers
17th September 1918, aged 24.
Plot III. F. 24.
Son of John and Nina A. Deans, of Bournemouth; husband of Mrs. H. M. Deans, of Lanark.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Finis Coronat Opus." (Latin: The End Crowns The Work.)
343 Lance Serjeant
James John Gabriel
9th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
25th September 1915.
Plot III. G. 30.
Son of Mr. W. Gabriel, of 22, Gellatty St., Dundee.
James John Gabriel
9th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
25th September 1915.
Plot III. G. 30.
Son of Mr. W. Gabriel, of 22, Gellatty St., Dundee.
73951 Driver
Andrew Gill
53rd Bty. 2nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery
18th May 1917, aged 21.
Plot I. P. 24.
Son of Andrew and Nancy Alice Gill, of 5, Craven St. Nelson. Lancs.
Andrew Gill
53rd Bty. 2nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery
18th May 1917, aged 21.
Plot I. P. 24.
Son of Andrew and Nancy Alice Gill, of 5, Craven St. Nelson. Lancs.
G/11942 Private
Frederick W. Godden
9th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
24th January 1917.
Plot I. L. 24.
Frederick W. Godden
9th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
24th January 1917.
Plot I. L. 24.
51908 Corporal
George Herne
103rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers
28th October 1916.
Plot I. K. 22.
Son of Samuel and Jane Herne of Bournemouth, Hampshire. Husband of Edith Herne nee Arney of Bournemouth, Hampshire.
Picture courtesy of Marlene Sayers, granddaughter of this soldier
George Herne
103rd Field Coy. Royal Engineers
28th October 1916.
Plot I. K. 22.
Son of Samuel and Jane Herne of Bournemouth, Hampshire. Husband of Edith Herne nee Arney of Bournemouth, Hampshire.
Picture courtesy of Marlene Sayers, granddaughter of this soldier
129329 Gunner
George Hudspith
"C" Bty. 185th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
5th August 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. F. 37.
Son of George and Jessie Hudspith, of 19, Poplar St., Throckley, Northumberland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Blessed Are The Pure In Heart For They Shall See God."
George Hudspith
"C" Bty. 185th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
5th August 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. F. 37.
Son of George and Jessie Hudspith, of 19, Poplar St., Throckley, Northumberland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Blessed Are The Pure In Heart For They Shall See God."
