PRÉMONT BRITISH CEMETERY
Aisne
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.00393, Longitude: 3.41505
Location Information
Prémont is a village some 19.5 kilometres south-east of Cambrai on the road to Guise and a little south-east of the main straight road from St. Quentin to Le Cateau. Prémont British Cemetery is 1.5 kilometres south-east of the village on the south side of the road to Bohain.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to the cemetery is possible via the main entrance.
Historical Information
Premont village was captured by the 30th American Division on the 8th October 1918. Premont British Cemetery was made and used by four Casualty Clearing Stations (the 20th, 50th, 55th and 61st), which came to Bohain in October 1918, and it was closed in the following December. Some years later 165 graves were added to it from the following sites:-
BOHAIN STATION MILITARY CEMETERY, which was on the West side of the cross-road immediately West of Bohain railway station. It was made by the Germans, but one plot of 47 graves was added by the 11th Essex and other British units in October 1918. It contained in all 806 German graves, 155 British, 14 Russian, twelve French, one Italian and one Rumanian.
SEBONCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY, which contained the graves of six soldiers from the United Kingdom buried by the enemy in January, March and April 1918.
Four from a site near Honnechy.
This cemetery contains the graves of 534 Commonwealth casualties of the First World War, eight of which are unidentified. There are also 36 German casualties buried here, two of which are unidentified.
Total Burials: 572.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 511, Germany 34, Australia 7, Canada 6, India 1, South Africa 1. Total 560.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 10, Germany 2. Total 12.
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden and J. R. Truelove
Premont, France. c. November 1918. A disabled British Whippet tank near the airfield used by No. 3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps. Note nearby the grave of its crew marked with a white wooden cross.
S/17899 Private
A. Allardyce
1st/5th Bn. Gordon Highlanders
5th April 1918, aged 20.
Plot IV. B. 28.
Son of James and Margaret Allardyce, of Stonedyke, Rhynie, Aberdeenshire.
A. Allardyce
1st/5th Bn. Gordon Highlanders
5th April 1918, aged 20.
Plot IV. B. 28.
Son of James and Margaret Allardyce, of Stonedyke, Rhynie, Aberdeenshire.
153871 Gunner
William Henry Allsopp
11th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
24th April 1918, aged 32.
Plot IV. B. 14.
Husband of V. R. Morley (formerly Allsop), of High St., Lakenheath, Brandon, Suffolk.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Loving Wife and Daughter."
William Henry Allsopp
11th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
24th April 1918, aged 32.
Plot IV. B. 14.
Husband of V. R. Morley (formerly Allsop), of High St., Lakenheath, Brandon, Suffolk.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Loving Wife and Daughter."
Captain
Denis Cotterill
50th Casualty Clearing Station, Royal Army Medical Corps
2nd December 1918, aged 37.
Plot IV. A. 1.
M.B., C.M., F.R.C.S.E. Son of Joseph Montague Cotterill and Mary Jane Cotterill; husband of Emily J. Cotterill, of Ardnacraggan, Callander, Perthshire. Native of Edinburgh.
His headstone bears the inscription; "I Have No Fear."
Denis Cotterill
50th Casualty Clearing Station, Royal Army Medical Corps
2nd December 1918, aged 37.
Plot IV. A. 1.
M.B., C.M., F.R.C.S.E. Son of Joseph Montague Cotterill and Mary Jane Cotterill; husband of Emily J. Cotterill, of Ardnacraggan, Callander, Perthshire. Native of Edinburgh.
His headstone bears the inscription; "I Have No Fear."
20019 Sapper
William Rawlings Bennetts Delbridge
2nd Field Coy. Australian Engineers
22nd November 1918, aged 20.
Plot III. C. 16.
Son of William and Elizabeth Delbridge, of The Elms, Alphington, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Still Lives In The Thoughts Of Those Who Loved Him."
A plumber from Melbourne, Victoria prior to enlistment, Spr Delbridge had originally enlisted in December 1915 but had been discharged when it was discovered that he had forged his parent’s consent on his enlistment documents. Subsequently re-enlisting he embarked with the August 1917 Reinforcements, Field Companies Engineers from Melbourne on HMAT Nestor on 21 November 1917. Later transferring to the 2nd Field Company Engineers he was accidently injured when run over by a motor lorry and was evacuated to hospital suffering from a fractured pelvis and thigh. On 29 November 1918, aged 20, he succumbed to his injuries and was buried in the Military Cemetery, Bohain, France. He was later re-interred in the Premont British Cemetery.
William Rawlings Bennetts Delbridge
2nd Field Coy. Australian Engineers
22nd November 1918, aged 20.
Plot III. C. 16.
Son of William and Elizabeth Delbridge, of The Elms, Alphington, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Still Lives In The Thoughts Of Those Who Loved Him."
A plumber from Melbourne, Victoria prior to enlistment, Spr Delbridge had originally enlisted in December 1915 but had been discharged when it was discovered that he had forged his parent’s consent on his enlistment documents. Subsequently re-enlisting he embarked with the August 1917 Reinforcements, Field Companies Engineers from Melbourne on HMAT Nestor on 21 November 1917. Later transferring to the 2nd Field Company Engineers he was accidently injured when run over by a motor lorry and was evacuated to hospital suffering from a fractured pelvis and thigh. On 29 November 1918, aged 20, he succumbed to his injuries and was buried in the Military Cemetery, Bohain, France. He was later re-interred in the Premont British Cemetery.
28015 Private
F. Ellwood
2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
23rd October 1918, aged 38.
Plot I. A. 5.
Husband of Mrs. D. Ellwood, of Great Gransden, Sandy, Beds.
F. Ellwood
2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
23rd October 1918, aged 38.
Plot I. A. 5.
Husband of Mrs. D. Ellwood, of Great Gransden, Sandy, Beds.
Captain
Francis Herbert Hodgson
"O" Flight, Royal Air Force
19th November 1918, aged 22.
Plot III. B. 18.
Son of Charles Herbert Hodgson, of Wallace House, Sherborne, Dorset.
His headstone bears the inscription; "R. I. P."
Francis Herbert Hodgson
"O" Flight, Royal Air Force
19th November 1918, aged 22.
Plot III. B. 18.
Son of Charles Herbert Hodgson, of Wallace House, Sherborne, Dorset.
His headstone bears the inscription; "R. I. P."
78476 Serjeant
Richard Herbert Johnson, M. M.
25th Div. Signal Coy. Royal Engineers
25th October 1918, aged 38.
Plot I. D. 10.
Son of the late Richard and Annie Johnson, of Balfour St., Liverpool; husband of Frances Johnson, of 74, The Laurels, Connah's Quay, Chester.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thine Is The Victor's Laurel And Thine The Golden Dower." (From the hymn 'For Thee, O Dear, Dear Country' by John M. Neale.
Richard Herbert Johnson, M. M.
25th Div. Signal Coy. Royal Engineers
25th October 1918, aged 38.
Plot I. D. 10.
Son of the late Richard and Annie Johnson, of Balfour St., Liverpool; husband of Frances Johnson, of 74, The Laurels, Connah's Quay, Chester.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thine Is The Victor's Laurel And Thine The Golden Dower." (From the hymn 'For Thee, O Dear, Dear Country' by John M. Neale.
12th October 1918; An 77mm gun abandoned by the enemy, in its firing position in a newly ploughed field near Premonth. During the latter stages of the campaign, fighting was carried on under open warfare conditions in the cultivated fields between villages which were scarcely damaged by shellfire.
5689 Gunner
Arnold Alexander Macully
14th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
23rd October 1918, aged 24.
Plot I. A. 7.
Son of Maria Julia Macully, of Dunluce, Brighton, Adelaide, South Australia, and the late Alexander Macully.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Pro Deo Et Patria "Mother Dear I Must Go""
A 21 year old farmer from Brighton, South Australia when he enlisted on 7 August 1915. He embarked for overseas from Melbourne on 11 October 1915 aboard HMAT Nestor and served in the Middle East and on the Western Front. While in Egypt he was injured but recovered to go on to serve with the 14th Field Artillery Brigade in France. On 22 October 1918 he was wounded and the next day died of wounds at Premont, near Bohain, France.
James F. Fleming, attached to No. 55 C.C.S. gave the following details regarding Arnold Macully;
"This man was admitted into this, No. 55, C.C.S., on 23rd October 1918, suffering from gunshot wounds to left leg and thigh. He died the same day and was buried on the following day, 24th October 1918 in the British cemetery, Premont, near Bohain."
19090 Driver Saunders, gave the following details of the incident which led to the death of Arnold Maculley;
"I did not see him killed but from 200 yards away, I saw the shell burst which caused his death. It happened at dusk one evening, late in October. He was in his du-out in the waggon lines when hit and badly wounded in the left thigh and side. I and my mate, Driver John Edwards, picked him up and placed him on the stretcher and carried him to an ambulance by the road-side. He was quite conscious and chatted to us cheerfully, telling us how to apply the field dressing, he was then taken away and I learned some days afterwards that he had died. I do not know where his death occurred. Two other men were killed and twelve others wounded by the same shell."
Arnold Alexander Macully
14th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
23rd October 1918, aged 24.
Plot I. A. 7.
Son of Maria Julia Macully, of Dunluce, Brighton, Adelaide, South Australia, and the late Alexander Macully.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Pro Deo Et Patria "Mother Dear I Must Go""
A 21 year old farmer from Brighton, South Australia when he enlisted on 7 August 1915. He embarked for overseas from Melbourne on 11 October 1915 aboard HMAT Nestor and served in the Middle East and on the Western Front. While in Egypt he was injured but recovered to go on to serve with the 14th Field Artillery Brigade in France. On 22 October 1918 he was wounded and the next day died of wounds at Premont, near Bohain, France.
James F. Fleming, attached to No. 55 C.C.S. gave the following details regarding Arnold Macully;
"This man was admitted into this, No. 55, C.C.S., on 23rd October 1918, suffering from gunshot wounds to left leg and thigh. He died the same day and was buried on the following day, 24th October 1918 in the British cemetery, Premont, near Bohain."
19090 Driver Saunders, gave the following details of the incident which led to the death of Arnold Maculley;
"I did not see him killed but from 200 yards away, I saw the shell burst which caused his death. It happened at dusk one evening, late in October. He was in his du-out in the waggon lines when hit and badly wounded in the left thigh and side. I and my mate, Driver John Edwards, picked him up and placed him on the stretcher and carried him to an ambulance by the road-side. He was quite conscious and chatted to us cheerfully, telling us how to apply the field dressing, he was then taken away and I learned some days afterwards that he had died. I do not know where his death occurred. Two other men were killed and twelve others wounded by the same shell."
168216 Gunner
W. Middleton
25th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
31st October 1918.
Plot I. E. 1.
W. Middleton
25th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
31st October 1918.
Plot I. E. 1.
Battle of Cambrai. Men of the 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment (25th Division) resting by a tank (serial number 9891), disabled by side-slipping down a railway embankment. Near Premont, 8 October 1918. © IWM (Q 7113)
Second Lieutenant
Thomas Stewart Ross
1st Bn. Cameron Highlanders
13th November 1918, aged 18.
Plot III. D. 1.
Son of Richard and Emily H. Ross. Native of Maxton, Roxburghshire.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Youngest Son Of Richard Ross Rutherford, Maxton, Scotland."
Thomas Stewart Ross
1st Bn. Cameron Highlanders
13th November 1918, aged 18.
Plot III. D. 1.
Son of Richard and Emily H. Ross. Native of Maxton, Roxburghshire.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Youngest Son Of Richard Ross Rutherford, Maxton, Scotland."
127147 Private
Edward Santer
61st Bn. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
8th April 1918, aged 18.
Plot IV. B. 25.
Son of Edward and Ellen Santer, of 8, Park Place, Beaner Rd., Ashford, Kent.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will Be Done."
Edward Santer
61st Bn. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
8th April 1918, aged 18.
Plot IV. B. 25.
Son of Edward and Ellen Santer, of 8, Park Place, Beaner Rd., Ashford, Kent.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will Be Done."
Second Lieutenant
Tom Shepherd
2nd Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
17th October 1918, aged 22.
Plot I. A. A. 14.
Tom enlisted as a private in the 29th Royal Fusiliers and was then commissioned into the Yorks & Lancs in December 1916. At the time of his death, he was seconded to the 2nd D.L I. and his death is mentioned in their War Diaries for 1918. He was the third son and fourth child of the late Thomas Shepherd and Sarah Shepherd of Penrith. Before the war he worked as accounts clerk in the Olympia Oil Mills Selby. Both his brothers also served; Neal Turnbull was in the Royal Field Artillery and William Alfred (known as Alfred) was in the Kings Royal Rifles. They both survived the war.
Images and additional text provided by Nicola Musgrave (Great Niece)
Tom Shepherd
2nd Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment
17th October 1918, aged 22.
Plot I. A. A. 14.
Tom enlisted as a private in the 29th Royal Fusiliers and was then commissioned into the Yorks & Lancs in December 1916. At the time of his death, he was seconded to the 2nd D.L I. and his death is mentioned in their War Diaries for 1918. He was the third son and fourth child of the late Thomas Shepherd and Sarah Shepherd of Penrith. Before the war he worked as accounts clerk in the Olympia Oil Mills Selby. Both his brothers also served; Neal Turnbull was in the Royal Field Artillery and William Alfred (known as Alfred) was in the Kings Royal Rifles. They both survived the war.
Images and additional text provided by Nicola Musgrave (Great Niece)
202046 Private
T. Sheppard
2nd/4th Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
22nd March 1918.
Plot IV. B. 57.
T. Sheppard
2nd/4th Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
22nd March 1918.
Plot IV. B. 57.
26th October 1918; Australian Artillerymen conversing with a liberated villager and child in the reclaimed village of Premont. Note the writing on the wall behind the woman, it reads '3 Platoon'.
Lieutenant Colonel
Charles Turner Van Straubenzee, 3 times Mentioned in Despatches
Royal Canadian Dragoons
9th October 1918.
Plot IV. A. 13.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Faithful Unto death."
Charles Turner Van Straubenzee, 3 times Mentioned in Despatches
Royal Canadian Dragoons
9th October 1918.
Plot IV. A. 13.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Faithful Unto death."
17967 Private
J. Varley
11th Bn. Essex Regiment
17th October 1918.
Plot V. A. 13.
J. Varley
11th Bn. Essex Regiment
17th October 1918.
Plot V. A. 13.
2690 Private
Beryl Emmett Wyman
Australian Reinforcement
26th November 1918, aged 30.
Plot III. E. 21.
Son of Lester C. and Zelia Wyman; husband of Queenie May Wyman, of North Rd., Gladesville, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of United States of America.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Fond Remembrance Of My Husband Who Died For Home & Country."
Beryl Emmett Wyman
Australian Reinforcement
26th November 1918, aged 30.
Plot III. E. 21.
Son of Lester C. and Zelia Wyman; husband of Queenie May Wyman, of North Rd., Gladesville, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of United States of America.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Fond Remembrance Of My Husband Who Died For Home & Country."
9th Lancers returning from the front at Premont, 13 October 1918. © IWM (Q 72605)
November 1918; The German Cemetery at Premont. This is probably what was known to the British troops as Bohain Station Military Cemetery.
