PONT-DU-HEM MILITARY CEMETERY
La Gorgue
Nord
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.61039, Longitude: 2.74941
Location Information
Pont-du-Hem is a hamlet situated on the main road from La Bassee to Estaires. Follow the D947 from La Bassee to Estaires for 10 kms and the cemetery lies on the left hand side of the road, 5 kms short of Estaires.
Historical Information
Pont-du-Hem was in German hands from mid-April to mid-September 1918. The Cemetery was begun, in an apple-orchard, in July 1915, and used until April 1918, by fighting units and Field Ambulances; these original burials are in Plots I, II and III, and Rows A and B of Plot IV. In April and May 1918, German burials were made in Plots III and IV. After the Armistice, 426 German graves were removed to other cemeteries; the Portuguese graves of 1917-1918 were removed to the Portuguese cemetery of Richebourg-L'Avoue; and British graves were brought in from the suurounding battlefields and from smaller burial grounds, including:-
BEAUCAMPS COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION, a cemetery of 1,800 graves: 104 U.K., A.I.F. and N.Z.E.F., 1914-18.
BOUSBECQUE COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION (2,300 Germans): 21 U.K., 2 A.I.F., 1917-18.
COMINES COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION (2,400 Germans): 21 U.K., 1 Canadian, 1 A.I.F., 1 N.Z.E.F., 1915-17.
DEVASIER FARM GERMAN CEMETERY, WAMBRECHIES, on road to Quesnoy-sur-Deule (1,500 Germans): 19 U.K., 1916-18.
EDWARD ROAD CEMETERY No.3 (WINDY CORNER), RICHEBOURG-L'AVOUE: 12 U.K., 1914-15.
ENNEQUIN COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION, LOOS (near Lille): 977 Germans, 9 U.K., 2 A.I.F., 1917-18.
ESTAIRES CONVENT CEMETERIES No.1 and No.2, made by the Germans, on the North side of town: 4 U.K., 1918.
FERME DELOUX-BOQUET, NOUVEAUMONDE, La GORGUE: 17 U.K., 1 A.I.F., 1915-16.
FESTUBERT NORTH CEMETERY, on North-West side of village: 20 U.K. and 5 Canadian, 1915-16.
HALLUIN COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION (2,216 Germans): 36 U.K., 3 Canadian, 1 N.Z.E.F., 1917-18.
INDIAN VILLAGE GRAVEYARDS No.1 and No.2, RICHEBOURG-L'AVOUE and FESTUBERT, North of Rue de Cailloux: 39 U.K. and 1 Canadian, May-Sept., 1915.
LA CORDONNERIE FARM CEMETERY, North of FROMELLES: 58 of the 2nd R.W.F., Oct.-Nov. 1914.
LACOUTURE CHURCHYARD: 1 R.F.A., Oct. 1914.
LA FOSSE GERMAN CEMETERY, in a chateau garden South of LESTREM: 6 U.K., 1918.
LAVENTIE NORTH GERMAN CEMETERY, near the railway station.
LE TROU-BAYARD GERMAN CEMETERY, ESTAIRES: 36 U.K. (mainly 50th Div.) and 2 A.F.C., April-Nov. 1918.
LOCON CHURCHYARD: 1 U.K., Nov. 1914.
RUE MASSELOT GERMAN CEMETERY (made round the British Cemetery, and called by the Germans WANGERIE): 8 U.K. and 1 Italian, 1918.
VERLINGHEM GERMAN CEMETERY, on South-West outskirts of village (1,152 Germans): 14 U.K. and 1 A.I.F., 1916-17.
VIEILLE-CHAPELLE CHURCHYARD: 14 U.K., 1914-15.
There are 1,827, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over half are unidentified and special memorials are erected to nine soldiers from the United Kingdom believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of 44 soldiers from the United Kingdom, two from Canada, two from Australia and one of the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, buried in this or other cemeteries, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire, and of five Indian soldiers whose bodies were cremated. There are 107 German burials and 1 American.
The cemetery covers an area of 6,433 square metres.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and Noel Ackroyd Rew
Total Burials: 1,827.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 730, Germany 107, New Zealand 39, Australia 19, India 17, Canada 9, U. S. A. 1. Total 922.
Dedications
24826 Private William John Hoye, 9 Bn. Welsh Regiment, 25th September 1915 aged 22. Son of William James Hoye and Susannah Hoye of Enfield, Middx and Husband of Alice Maud Hoye of Chippenham, Wiltshire
Remembered with Pride and Honour by Stephen Hoye
Cemetery images in gallery below © Werner Van Caneghem
27684 Private
Henry David Austin
15th Bn. Canadian Infantry
21st May 1915, aged 24.
Plot V. A. 13.
Son of Harry and Lizzie Austin, of Croydon, Surrey.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Faithful Unto Death."
Henry David Austin
15th Bn. Canadian Infantry
21st May 1915, aged 24.
Plot V. A. 13.
Son of Harry and Lizzie Austin, of Croydon, Surrey.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Faithful Unto Death."
Second Lieutenant
Eric Francis Richard Balderson
"C" Bty. 158th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
28th March 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. D. 9.
Son of Francis G. and Florence R. Balderson. Born at Melbourne, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Into The Light."
Eric Francis Richard Balderson
"C" Bty. 158th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
28th March 1916, aged 26.
Plot I. D. 9.
Son of Francis G. and Florence R. Balderson. Born at Melbourne, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Into The Light."
Lieutenant
William Gordon Hamilton Crowe
37th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th February 1918, aged 25.
Plot IV. G. 20.
Son of Jane C. Cochrane, of 37, St Edmond's Rd., Prahran, Victoria, Australia, and the late George Crowe. Born at Jingenic Station, Upper Murray, Victoria. His brother Howard Oswald Leslie Crowe also fell and is buried at Ration Farm Military Cemetery.
His headstone bears the inscription: "A Loving Son Sadly Missed By A Sorrowing Mother."
William Crowe was one of two officers taken prisoner whilst raiding the German trenches at Warneton, he was badly wounded in the raid and died from these wounds on the same day.
Information received from the Hauptkrankenbuchlager on 11/2/18 stated that Lt. Hamilton was "wounded by a piece of shell at the upper arm and upper and lower thigh with fracture of left lower thigh and an abdominal shot. He died at 3.45pm."
William Gordon Hamilton Crowe
37th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th February 1918, aged 25.
Plot IV. G. 20.
Son of Jane C. Cochrane, of 37, St Edmond's Rd., Prahran, Victoria, Australia, and the late George Crowe. Born at Jingenic Station, Upper Murray, Victoria. His brother Howard Oswald Leslie Crowe also fell and is buried at Ration Farm Military Cemetery.
His headstone bears the inscription: "A Loving Son Sadly Missed By A Sorrowing Mother."
William Crowe was one of two officers taken prisoner whilst raiding the German trenches at Warneton, he was badly wounded in the raid and died from these wounds on the same day.
Information received from the Hauptkrankenbuchlager on 11/2/18 stated that Lt. Hamilton was "wounded by a piece of shell at the upper arm and upper and lower thigh with fracture of left lower thigh and an abdominal shot. He died at 3.45pm."
104060 Corporal
Albert John Walter Eldridge
1st Bn. Hampshire Regiment
22nd April 1918.
Plot VI. F. 22.
Picture courtesy of grandson, D. C. Eldridge
Albert John Walter Eldridge
1st Bn. Hampshire Regiment
22nd April 1918.
Plot VI. F. 22.
Picture courtesy of grandson, D. C. Eldridge
Lieutenant (Observer)
Philip Challinor Ellis
1st Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps and Highland Light Infantry
17th October 1916, aged 23.
Plot IV. G. 2.
Son of Clement C. and Florence Ellis, of Knivedon Hall, Leek, Staffs.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death & I Will Give Thee A Crown Of Life."
Philip Challinor Ellis
1st Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps and Highland Light Infantry
17th October 1916, aged 23.
Plot IV. G. 2.
Son of Clement C. and Florence Ellis, of Knivedon Hall, Leek, Staffs.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death & I Will Give Thee A Crown Of Life."
2nd East Lancs. December 1914. Machine Gun Section with Maxims. Captured from trenches near Neuve Chapelle, 8th Division, 24th Brigade. © IWM (Q 51751)
Lieutenant
Alexander Finnie
4th Sqdn. Australian Flying Corps
22nd May 1918, aged 25.
Plot II. F. 19.
Son of Alexander James and Ida Finnie, of 43, Botany Rd., Botany, New South Wales, Australia
His headstone bears the inscription: "Forever With The Lord."
A sheet metal worker before enlisting on 21 August 1914, he embarked from Sydney as a Sapper with the 1 Field Company Engineers on HMAT Afric on 18 October 1914. He was evacuated from Gallipoli with gas poisoning on 18 August 1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 22 January 1916, to Second Corporal on 9 March 1916, and to Temporary Corporal on 23 July 1916, this rank becoming permanent on 9 August 1916. On 30 April 1917 he transferred to the AFC, and having graduated as a pilot was promoted to Second Lieutenant on 6 November 1917, then to Lieutenant on 6 February 1918. He was killed in action near Estaires on 22 May 1918, when his plane collided with another 4th Squadron plane while shooting down balloons behind the German lines and plummeted to the ground from 10,000 feet. He was 25 years old.
Alexander Finnie
4th Sqdn. Australian Flying Corps
22nd May 1918, aged 25.
Plot II. F. 19.
Son of Alexander James and Ida Finnie, of 43, Botany Rd., Botany, New South Wales, Australia
His headstone bears the inscription: "Forever With The Lord."
A sheet metal worker before enlisting on 21 August 1914, he embarked from Sydney as a Sapper with the 1 Field Company Engineers on HMAT Afric on 18 October 1914. He was evacuated from Gallipoli with gas poisoning on 18 August 1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 22 January 1916, to Second Corporal on 9 March 1916, and to Temporary Corporal on 23 July 1916, this rank becoming permanent on 9 August 1916. On 30 April 1917 he transferred to the AFC, and having graduated as a pilot was promoted to Second Lieutenant on 6 November 1917, then to Lieutenant on 6 February 1918. He was killed in action near Estaires on 22 May 1918, when his plane collided with another 4th Squadron plane while shooting down balloons behind the German lines and plummeted to the ground from 10,000 feet. He was 25 years old.
Lieutenant
Francis Carl Howard
"A" Coy. 75th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th September 1916, aged 21.
Plot IV. H. 7.
Son of Lewis Alexander and Ella Aneil Howard, of 131, Madison Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Son Of Lewis A. And Ella A. Howard Toronto, Can."
Francis Carl Howard
"A" Coy. 75th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th September 1916, aged 21.
Plot IV. H. 7.
Son of Lewis Alexander and Ella Aneil Howard, of 131, Madison Avenue, Toronto, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Son Of Lewis A. And Ella A. Howard Toronto, Can."
715 Lance Corporal
Ralph Johnson
31st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
Died Between 19/07/1916 and 21/07/1916, aged 19.
Beaucamps Com. Cem. German Extension Mem. 23.
Son of Hubert and Alice Maude Mary Johnson, of "Glan-Y-mor," Sandown St., Middle Brighton, Victoria, Australia. Born at Healesville, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori."
A clerk from Middle Brighton, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte Johnson embarked with C Company from Melbourne on HMAT Wandilla on 9 November 1915. Later promoted to Lance Corporal he was killed in action at Fromelles, aged 19.
Ralph Johnson
31st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
Died Between 19/07/1916 and 21/07/1916, aged 19.
Beaucamps Com. Cem. German Extension Mem. 23.
Son of Hubert and Alice Maude Mary Johnson, of "Glan-Y-mor," Sandown St., Middle Brighton, Victoria, Australia. Born at Healesville, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori."
A clerk from Middle Brighton, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte Johnson embarked with C Company from Melbourne on HMAT Wandilla on 9 November 1915. Later promoted to Lance Corporal he was killed in action at Fromelles, aged 19.
S/3339 Private
Archie Kay
7th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
1st July 1915, aged 33.
Plot VI. E. 21.
Husband of Harriet Kay, of 1, Baillie's Lane, Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Until The Day Breaks And The Shadows Flee Away."
Image courtesy of Joe O'Raw and William Kilgour
Archie Kay
7th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
1st July 1915, aged 33.
Plot VI. E. 21.
Husband of Harriet Kay, of 1, Baillie's Lane, Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Until The Day Breaks And The Shadows Flee Away."
Image courtesy of Joe O'Raw and William Kilgour
12th April 1918; Plotting reference: 36A L 34. Key feature: La Gorgue. © IWM (BOX 356-189-18JC-36A-1918)
Lieutenant Colonel
George Brenton Laurie, Mentioned in Despatches
1st Bn. Royal Irish Rifles
12th March 1915, aged 47.
Plot VI. L. 15.
Son of Lt. Gen. Laurie and Mrs. Laurie, of Halifax, Nova Scotia; husband of Florence C. V. Vere-Laurie, of Carlton Hall, Newark, Notts.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Faithful Unto Death, My Beloved Husband Fell At Neuve Chapelle. F.V.L."
George Brenton Laurie, Mentioned in Despatches
1st Bn. Royal Irish Rifles
12th March 1915, aged 47.
Plot VI. L. 15.
Son of Lt. Gen. Laurie and Mrs. Laurie, of Halifax, Nova Scotia; husband of Florence C. V. Vere-Laurie, of Carlton Hall, Newark, Notts.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Faithful Unto Death, My Beloved Husband Fell At Neuve Chapelle. F.V.L."
3164 Sergeant
William Leech
58th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
19th July 1916, aged 24.
Plot XI. D. 4.
Son of Johnston Melmore Leech and Annie Eliza Leech, of 558, Hargreave St., Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. Born at Kerang, Victoria.
3122 Corporal, R. Humphries gave these details of the death of William Leech;
"He was killed in the affair at Fleurbaix on July 19th. The last I saw of him, he was lying up against Fritz's barbed wire, dead. I saw his body lying there just as we retired. None of us got into the German trench at this point. The body had to be left there. I knew him well, we came over in the same reinforcement together. He belonged to VII Platoon, B Coy., and came from Bendigo."
2087 Private, A. J. Stone later added;
"After the attack, men went out and brought in the papers from his body and handed them over to the Orderly Room."
William Leech
58th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
19th July 1916, aged 24.
Plot XI. D. 4.
Son of Johnston Melmore Leech and Annie Eliza Leech, of 558, Hargreave St., Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. Born at Kerang, Victoria.
3122 Corporal, R. Humphries gave these details of the death of William Leech;
"He was killed in the affair at Fleurbaix on July 19th. The last I saw of him, he was lying up against Fritz's barbed wire, dead. I saw his body lying there just as we retired. None of us got into the German trench at this point. The body had to be left there. I knew him well, we came over in the same reinforcement together. He belonged to VII Platoon, B Coy., and came from Bendigo."
2087 Private, A. J. Stone later added;
"After the attack, men went out and brought in the papers from his body and handed them over to the Orderly Room."
1294 Gunner
William James Lowe
15th Bty. Machine Gun Corps (Motors)
22nd December 1916, aged 20.
Plot II. D. 4.
William James Lowe was born on 25th August 1896 in Morningside, the younger son of Mr. James Robert Lowe and Mrs. Agnes Straiton Lowe nee Hall of Ashville, Tweedmount Road, Melrose. He attended Galashiels Academy before he was enrolled in 1909 at George Watson's College where his academic brilliance was recognized as Dux of the Modern or Commercial Side in 1913 when he received the John Dudgeon Medal.
After leaving the School, William James Lowe studied electrical engineering at the Royal Technical College in Glasgow now the University of Strathclyde. His studies were interrupted by the first world war as in May 1915 he enlisted as Gunner No. 1294, 15th Battery, Machine Gun Corps (Motors), Royal Field Artillery, and in July 1915 he travelled to France where he experienced 18 months of arduous combat on the western front. He was wounded at Nueve Chapelle and at Levantie where a shell hit his dugout and on 22nd December 1916 he died of his wounds and he was buried at Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery.
William James Lowe enlisted together with his elder brother Ion Alexander Lowe who had returned from Canada. Ion Alexander Lowe enlisted as Gunner 1295 and together they travelled to France where they were together when a shell hit their dugout. Ion Alexander Lowe survived and was honorably discharged in January 1918 due to ill health and awarded a Silver War Badge (302421).
The name of William James Lowe is recorded on a headstone in Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, France; the war memorial on the Weir Hill above the Greenyards in Melrose; on a plaque inside Melrose Parish Church; on the war memorial at George Watson's College and in the Watson's War Records; in the Roll of the Fallen at the Royal Technical College now the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow; and in the Roll of Honour in the Hall of Honour of the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle. In his memory, Mr. James R. Lowe and Mrs. Agnes S. Lowe, his father and mother, donated the William James Lowe Memorial Prize in Chemistry at George Watson's College which continues to award this prize. Ex Corde Caritas
Please contact the site in the contact box above if you can provide more information on William.
William James Lowe
15th Bty. Machine Gun Corps (Motors)
22nd December 1916, aged 20.
Plot II. D. 4.
William James Lowe was born on 25th August 1896 in Morningside, the younger son of Mr. James Robert Lowe and Mrs. Agnes Straiton Lowe nee Hall of Ashville, Tweedmount Road, Melrose. He attended Galashiels Academy before he was enrolled in 1909 at George Watson's College where his academic brilliance was recognized as Dux of the Modern or Commercial Side in 1913 when he received the John Dudgeon Medal.
After leaving the School, William James Lowe studied electrical engineering at the Royal Technical College in Glasgow now the University of Strathclyde. His studies were interrupted by the first world war as in May 1915 he enlisted as Gunner No. 1294, 15th Battery, Machine Gun Corps (Motors), Royal Field Artillery, and in July 1915 he travelled to France where he experienced 18 months of arduous combat on the western front. He was wounded at Nueve Chapelle and at Levantie where a shell hit his dugout and on 22nd December 1916 he died of his wounds and he was buried at Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery.
William James Lowe enlisted together with his elder brother Ion Alexander Lowe who had returned from Canada. Ion Alexander Lowe enlisted as Gunner 1295 and together they travelled to France where they were together when a shell hit their dugout. Ion Alexander Lowe survived and was honorably discharged in January 1918 due to ill health and awarded a Silver War Badge (302421).
The name of William James Lowe is recorded on a headstone in Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, France; the war memorial on the Weir Hill above the Greenyards in Melrose; on a plaque inside Melrose Parish Church; on the war memorial at George Watson's College and in the Watson's War Records; in the Roll of the Fallen at the Royal Technical College now the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow; and in the Roll of Honour in the Hall of Honour of the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle. In his memory, Mr. James R. Lowe and Mrs. Agnes S. Lowe, his father and mother, donated the William James Lowe Memorial Prize in Chemistry at George Watson's College which continues to award this prize. Ex Corde Caritas
Please contact the site in the contact box above if you can provide more information on William.
Flight Lieutenant
Robert Geoffrey Masson
156th Bn. Canadian Infantry and 20th Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps
24th May 1917, aged 22.
Plot IV. G. 17.
Son of Robert and Harriett Masson, of Ottawa, Ontario. His brother Donald Howe Masson was also killed and is buried at Dunkirk Town Cemetery.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Greater Lover Hath No Man."
Robert Geoffrey Masson
156th Bn. Canadian Infantry and 20th Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps
24th May 1917, aged 22.
Plot IV. G. 17.
Son of Robert and Harriett Masson, of Ottawa, Ontario. His brother Donald Howe Masson was also killed and is buried at Dunkirk Town Cemetery.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Greater Lover Hath No Man."
13/3055 Serjeant
George Leo McCabe
2nd Bn. Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
21st February 1917, aged 20.
Plot IV. E. 12.
Son of John and Bridget McCabe, of Rama Rama, New Zealand. Born in New Zealand.
George Leo McCabe
2nd Bn. Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
21st February 1917, aged 20.
Plot IV. E. 12.
Son of John and Bridget McCabe, of Rama Rama, New Zealand. Born in New Zealand.
7227 Private
William Metcalfe
2nd Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
28th October 1914, aged 38.
Plot XI. C. 3.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Metcalfe, of Padiham; husband of Mary E. Hartley (formerly Metcalfe), of 29, Elm St., Burnley.
William Metcalfe
2nd Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
28th October 1914, aged 38.
Plot XI. C. 3.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Metcalfe, of Padiham; husband of Mary E. Hartley (formerly Metcalfe), of 29, Elm St., Burnley.
Plotting reference: 36M 14. Key feature: Pont du Hem. © IWM (BOX 292-13-18JD-36M-1918)
Flight Lieutenant
John Albert Page
10th (Naval) Sqdn. Royal Naval Air Service
22nd July 1917, aged 24.
Plot IV. G. 21.
Son of James Albert and Olivia Cameron Page, of 54, Pine St., Brockville, Ontario, Canada.
John Albert Page
10th (Naval) Sqdn. Royal Naval Air Service
22nd July 1917, aged 24.
Plot IV. G. 21.
Son of James Albert and Olivia Cameron Page, of 54, Pine St., Brockville, Ontario, Canada.
Lieutenant
William Janson Potts
59th Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps and Royal Field Artillery
21st September 1917.
Plot IV. C. 15.
Son of William and Sophia Potts, of New Eltham, Kent; husband of Gladys Isabelle Potts, of Blackboro' Lodge, Reigate, Surrey.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms."
William Janson Potts
59th Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps and Royal Field Artillery
21st September 1917.
Plot IV. C. 15.
Son of William and Sophia Potts, of New Eltham, Kent; husband of Gladys Isabelle Potts, of Blackboro' Lodge, Reigate, Surrey.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms."
Captain
Ralph Lewis Pratt
2nd/4th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
18th October 1916, aged 41.
Plot II. B. 18.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Pratt, of Cleve Lodge, Downend, Bristol.
Captain Ralph Lewis Pratt was born in July 1875 in Newport, Monmouthshire, his father, Edwin Woodhall Pratt JP was a boot manufacturer in Kingswood, Bristol. He married Clara Pratt in 1902. When the First War started he obtained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the British Army and was sent to France. He rose to the rank of captain and was killed in action whilst serving with the 4th (City of Bristol Battalion) The Gloucestershire Regiment in France on 18th October 1916. His death was reported in newspapers highlighting his bravery as a soldier leading his men and how he was a very able sportsman both as a footballer representing Clifton Football Club as a Right Half and as a rower at the Ariel Rowing Club. He was also the Chairman of the Bristol and Kingswood Boot Manufacturer Federation. At the time of his death he was 41 years old and was buried at the British Military Cemetery in La Gorgue, Nord, France.
Image, Newspaper article and additional text kindly proved by David Welch
Ralph Lewis Pratt
2nd/4th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
18th October 1916, aged 41.
Plot II. B. 18.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Pratt, of Cleve Lodge, Downend, Bristol.
Captain Ralph Lewis Pratt was born in July 1875 in Newport, Monmouthshire, his father, Edwin Woodhall Pratt JP was a boot manufacturer in Kingswood, Bristol. He married Clara Pratt in 1902. When the First War started he obtained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the British Army and was sent to France. He rose to the rank of captain and was killed in action whilst serving with the 4th (City of Bristol Battalion) The Gloucestershire Regiment in France on 18th October 1916. His death was reported in newspapers highlighting his bravery as a soldier leading his men and how he was a very able sportsman both as a footballer representing Clifton Football Club as a Right Half and as a rower at the Ariel Rowing Club. He was also the Chairman of the Bristol and Kingswood Boot Manufacturer Federation. At the time of his death he was 41 years old and was buried at the British Military Cemetery in La Gorgue, Nord, France.
Image, Newspaper article and additional text kindly proved by David Welch
Click on image to enlarge
Second Lieutenant
Harry Akers Row
4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
11th March 1915, aged 29.
Plot VI. F. 8.
Son of William Benjamin and Emily Row, of Saxmundham, Suffolk.
Harry Akers Row
4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
11th March 1915, aged 29.
Plot VI. F. 8.
Son of William Benjamin and Emily Row, of Saxmundham, Suffolk.
Flight Commander
John Edward Sharman, D. S. C. and Bar
10th (Naval) Sqdn. Royal Naval Air Service attd. 22nd Wing Royal Flying Corps
22nd July 1917, aged 24.
Plot IV. G. 22.
Son of Thomas H. and Frances A. Sharman, of Oak Lake, Manitoba, Canada. Croix-de-Guerre with Palm (France) - cited by General Castelnau for services in 11 long distance air raids; notably leading two raids on Freiburg in one day.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Until The Day Dawn."
John Edward Sharman, D. S. C. and Bar
10th (Naval) Sqdn. Royal Naval Air Service attd. 22nd Wing Royal Flying Corps
22nd July 1917, aged 24.
Plot IV. G. 22.
Son of Thomas H. and Frances A. Sharman, of Oak Lake, Manitoba, Canada. Croix-de-Guerre with Palm (France) - cited by General Castelnau for services in 11 long distance air raids; notably leading two raids on Freiburg in one day.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Until The Day Dawn."
7984 Private
George E. A. Simmers
1st Bn. Canadian Infantry
15th June 1915.
Plot VI. G. 31.
George E. A. Simmers
1st Bn. Canadian Infantry
15th June 1915.
Plot VI. G. 31.
Captain
Loscombe Law Stable
2nd Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
26th October 1914, aged 28.
Plot XI. C. 1.
Son of Daniel Wintringham Stable, J.P., LL.B., and Gertrude Mary his wife, of Plas Llwyn Owen, Llanbrynmair, Mont.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Virtue, Honour, God."
Loscombe Law Stable
2nd Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
26th October 1914, aged 28.
Plot XI. C. 1.
Son of Daniel Wintringham Stable, J.P., LL.B., and Gertrude Mary his wife, of Plas Llwyn Owen, Llanbrynmair, Mont.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Virtue, Honour, God."
3961 Sapper
Victor John Tisdale Thompson
Australian Mining And Boring Company
18th December 1917, aged 20.
Plot III. C. 1.
Son of Ralph Tisdale Thompson and Eliza Ann Thompson, of High St., Mansfield, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Our Dearly Loved Son And Brother, In God's Keeping. Duty Nobly Done."
Victor John Tisdale Thompson
Australian Mining And Boring Company
18th December 1917, aged 20.
Plot III. C. 1.
Son of Ralph Tisdale Thompson and Eliza Ann Thompson, of High St., Mansfield, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Our Dearly Loved Son And Brother, In God's Keeping. Duty Nobly Done."
