QUARRY CEMETERY
Vermelles
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.49935, Longitude: 2.76931
Image above © Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
Vermelles is a village north of the N43 road between Béthune and Lens, and about 9 kilometres from either town.
From the church in Vermelles head north-east and where the road turns sharp right continue straight on in the direction of Auchy-les-Mines. The cemetery is found at the end of the gravel track, off Rue Voltaire on the right hand side of the road, 2 kilometres from the church.
Visiting Information
The cemetery is not visible from the main road as it is situated in a chalk pit 3 metres below ground level.
The location or design of this site makes wheelchair access impossible.
Historical Information
Quarry Cemetery was used from July 1915 to June 1916, and (for two burials) in August 1917. Its existence is due chiefly to the fighting at Fosse 8 and at the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and it contains many graves of the dismounted Cavalry who occupied this sector in 1915-16. The cemetery, was severely damaged by shell fire.
There are 141, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 11 are unidentified and many of the graves, identified as a whole but not individually, are marked by headstones bearing the additional words "Buried near this spot".
The cemetery covers an area of 2,061 square metres.
The cemetery was designed by Noel Ackroyd Rew
Total Burials: 141.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 130.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 10, Germany 1. Total 11.
Dedications
1957 Private Henry (Harry) Timson, 1st/7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters, 13th October 1915, aged 23. Son of John and Anna Maria Timson of Nottingham, brother of Sarah and Harriet. Killed in action whilst burying his friend Jack, at the Hohenzollern Redoubt.
Remembered with pride by your great nieces and nephews who honour your memory.
Cemetery images in gallery below © Werner Van Caneghem
18916 Private
Henry Ainsworth
2nd Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
15th October 1915, aged 24.
Row B. 17.
Son of Aaron and Maria Ainsworth; husband of Martha Haworth (formerly Ainsworth), of 5, Ewood, Blackburn. Born at Blackburn.
His headstone bears the inscription; "At Rest."
Henry Ainsworth
2nd Bn. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
15th October 1915, aged 24.
Row B. 17.
Son of Aaron and Maria Ainsworth; husband of Martha Haworth (formerly Ainsworth), of 5, Ewood, Blackburn. Born at Blackburn.
His headstone bears the inscription; "At Rest."
Captain
The Honourable Fergus Bowes-Lyon
8th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
27th September 1915, aged 26.
Plot A. 15.
Son of 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, of Glamis Castle, Forfarshire; husband of Lady Christian Bowes-Lyon (now Lady Christian Martin). Educated at Eton. Previously served with 2nd Bn. in India. (Queen Mother's brother).
In November 2011 Captain Bowes-Lyon's grandson supplied family records to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission detailing his original burial place, and showing that it had remained marked until the end of the war. As a result in August 2012 his place of commemoration was moved to the Quarry Cemetery, in Vermelles, France; his grave headstone is inscribed with his details and the words, "BURIED NEAR THIS SPOT", as the precise location of the grave is still unknown.
This casualty also appears on the Loos Memorial, his name will be removed as and when the appropriate panel is next replaced.
The Honourable Fergus Bowes-Lyon
8th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
27th September 1915, aged 26.
Plot A. 15.
Son of 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, of Glamis Castle, Forfarshire; husband of Lady Christian Bowes-Lyon (now Lady Christian Martin). Educated at Eton. Previously served with 2nd Bn. in India. (Queen Mother's brother).
In November 2011 Captain Bowes-Lyon's grandson supplied family records to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission detailing his original burial place, and showing that it had remained marked until the end of the war. As a result in August 2012 his place of commemoration was moved to the Quarry Cemetery, in Vermelles, France; his grave headstone is inscribed with his details and the words, "BURIED NEAR THIS SPOT", as the precise location of the grave is still unknown.
This casualty also appears on the Loos Memorial, his name will be removed as and when the appropriate panel is next replaced.
Image above © Werner Van Caneghem. Click on image to enlarge
3691 Private
Alexander Bennett Bowie
5th Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlotte of Wales's)
18th January 1916, aged 20.
Row D. 6.
Son of Richard and Isabella B. Bowie, of Hillside, Gorebridge, Midlothian.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will O Lord Be Done."
Alexander Bennett Bowie
5th Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlotte of Wales's)
18th January 1916, aged 20.
Row D. 6.
Son of Richard and Isabella B. Bowie, of Hillside, Gorebridge, Midlothian.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will O Lord Be Done."
4240 Private
Archibald Campbell
12th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
26th April 1916.
Row F. 9.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out."
Archibald Campbell
12th Bn. Highland Light Infantry
26th April 1916.
Row F. 9.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out."
16417 Corporal
James J. Crabtree
"B" Company, 8th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
9th November 1915, aged 22.
Row B. 3.
Son of Ellen Crabtree, of 16, Saunder's Rd., Blackburn, and the late James Crabtree.
His headstone bears the inscription "We Cannot Lord Thy Purpose See But All Is Well That's Done By Thee"
James J. Crabtree
"B" Company, 8th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
9th November 1915, aged 22.
Row B. 3.
Son of Ellen Crabtree, of 16, Saunder's Rd., Blackburn, and the late James Crabtree.
His headstone bears the inscription "We Cannot Lord Thy Purpose See But All Is Well That's Done By Thee"
Image above © Werner Van Caneghem
3/9992 Private
Walter Hayter
1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment
3rd July 1915.
Row A. 25.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out."
Walter Hayter
1st Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment
3rd July 1915.
Row A. 25.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out."
11729 Sergeant
Arthur Maund, Mentioned in Despatches
2nd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
13th October 1915, aged 27.
Row B. 13.
Son of Alfred and Dinah Maund, of Lower Wick, Worcester.
His headstone bears the inscription "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out"
Arthur Maund, Mentioned in Despatches
2nd Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
13th October 1915, aged 27.
Row B. 13.
Son of Alfred and Dinah Maund, of Lower Wick, Worcester.
His headstone bears the inscription "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out"
12752 Lance Corporal
Frederick Prewer
1st Bn. Suffolk Regiment
3rd October 1915, aged 19.
Row A. 9.
Son of George and Sarah Prewer, of Ness Rd., Burwell, Cambs.
His headstone bears the inscription; "We Loved Him Well But Jesus Loves Him Best."
Frederick Prewer
1st Bn. Suffolk Regiment
3rd October 1915, aged 19.
Row A. 9.
Son of George and Sarah Prewer, of Ness Rd., Burwell, Cambs.
His headstone bears the inscription; "We Loved Him Well But Jesus Loves Him Best."
5117 Private
Thomas Robert Robinson
4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish)
29th January 1916.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out."
Thomas Robert Robinson
4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish)
29th January 1916.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out."
8412 Lance Corporal
Charles Wilfred Upton
10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars
16th January 1916, aged 21.
Row D. 4.
Son of Alfred and Alice Maude Upton, of Sheffield.
His headstone bears the inscription "Rest In Peace Till We Meet Again"
Charles Wilfred Upton
10th (Prince of Wales's Own Royal) Hussars
16th January 1916, aged 21.
Row D. 4.
Son of Alfred and Alice Maude Upton, of Sheffield.
His headstone bears the inscription "Rest In Peace Till We Meet Again"
British attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, 13th October, 1915, by the North Midland (T. F) 46th Division who captured trenches behind the Vermelles-Hulloch Road and the main trench of the Redoubt (Loos). The Photograph shows a cloud of smoke and gas in the centre and on the left; bursting shells in the centre and on the right; British trenches and approaches can be traced by the chalk which has been excavated; Fosse centre; the Redoubt is this side of Fosse 8. © IWM (Q 29002)
Image above © Werner Van Caneghem
Aerial Photograph of the Hohenzollern Redoubt.
Wounded British troops returning through Vermelles after the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, 13th October, 1915. © IWM (Q 29005)
