SANDERS KEEP MILITARY CEMETERY
Graincourt-Les-Havrincourt
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.13224, Longitude: 3.08809
Location Information
Graincourt-les-Havrincourt is a village 10 kilometres south west of Cambrai.
Sanders Keep Military Cemetery is signposted at the intersection of the main road from Bapaume to Cambrai (N30) and the Marquion Havrincourt road (D15). 2 kilometres south of the N30 on the D15 towards Havrincourt the Cemetery is signposted to the left where it can be found at the end of a single track leading towards Graincourt.
Historical Information
"Sanders Keep" was a German fortification 2 kilometres South-West of the village, between the Hermies and Havrincourt roads. It was stormed by the Scots Guards on the 27th September 1918, and after the fight the British and German dead were buried on the battlefield by the Guards Division Burial Officer.
There are now nearly 150, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.
The cemetery covers an area of 755 square metres and is enclosed by a stone rubble wall.
Casualty Details: UK 142, Total Burials: 142.
Graincourt-les-Havrincourt is a village 10 kilometres south west of Cambrai.
Sanders Keep Military Cemetery is signposted at the intersection of the main road from Bapaume to Cambrai (N30) and the Marquion Havrincourt road (D15). 2 kilometres south of the N30 on the D15 towards Havrincourt the Cemetery is signposted to the left where it can be found at the end of a single track leading towards Graincourt.
Historical Information
"Sanders Keep" was a German fortification 2 kilometres South-West of the village, between the Hermies and Havrincourt roads. It was stormed by the Scots Guards on the 27th September 1918, and after the fight the British and German dead were buried on the battlefield by the Guards Division Burial Officer.
There are now nearly 150, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.
The cemetery covers an area of 755 square metres and is enclosed by a stone rubble wall.
Casualty Details: UK 142, Total Burials: 142.
20810 Lance Corporal Thomas Norman Jackson, V. C.
1st Bn. Coldstream Guards, killed in action 27th September 1918 aged 21. Plot II. D. 4.
Son of Thomas Edwin and Emma Jackson, of 3, Market St., Swinton, Rotherham.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 31034, dated 26th Nov., 1918, records the following.-"For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice in the attack across the Canal Du Nord, near Graincourt. On the morning of the 27th September, 1918, Lce. Cpl. Jackson was the first to volunteer to follow Capt. C. H. Frisby, Coldstream Guards, across the Canal du Nord in his rush against an enemy machine-gun post, with two comrades he followed his officer across the Canal, rushed the post, captured the two machine-guns, and so enabled the companies to advance. Later in the morning, Lce. Cpl. Jackson was the first to jump into a German trench which his platoon had to clear, and after doing further excellent work he was unfortunately killed. Throughout the whole day until he was killed this young N.C.O. showed the greatest valour and devotion to duty and set an inspiring example to all."
1st Bn. Coldstream Guards, killed in action 27th September 1918 aged 21. Plot II. D. 4.
Son of Thomas Edwin and Emma Jackson, of 3, Market St., Swinton, Rotherham.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 31034, dated 26th Nov., 1918, records the following.-"For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice in the attack across the Canal Du Nord, near Graincourt. On the morning of the 27th September, 1918, Lce. Cpl. Jackson was the first to volunteer to follow Capt. C. H. Frisby, Coldstream Guards, across the Canal du Nord in his rush against an enemy machine-gun post, with two comrades he followed his officer across the Canal, rushed the post, captured the two machine-guns, and so enabled the companies to advance. Later in the morning, Lce. Cpl. Jackson was the first to jump into a German trench which his platoon had to clear, and after doing further excellent work he was unfortunately killed. Throughout the whole day until he was killed this young N.C.O. showed the greatest valour and devotion to duty and set an inspiring example to all."
Picture © Johan Pauwels.
INSCRIPTION.
FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO" S.LUKE 23.34
Men of the Machine Gun Corps filling their gun with water. Graincourt, 24 November 1917. © IWM (Q 6317)
17126 Guardsman
William Herbert Boot
1st Bn. Scots Guards
27th September 1918, aged 27.
Plot II. B. 3.
Son of Herbert and Emma Boot, of Windmill Lane, Belper, Derbyshire.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Missed By All."
William Herbert Boot
1st Bn. Scots Guards
27th September 1918, aged 27.
Plot II. B. 3.
Son of Herbert and Emma Boot, of Windmill Lane, Belper, Derbyshire.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Missed By All."
Second Lieutenant
Eustace George St. Clair Chance
2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards
27th September 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. A. 2.
Son of George Ferguson Chance and Mary Kathleen Chance, of 3, Durrant Rd., Bournemouth. Born at Clent Grove, Worcs. Left Eton for Household Brigade as Officer Cadet Bn. at Bushey, and joined Coldstream Guards at Windsor in Dec., 1917.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Thou Shalt Make Him Glad With The Joy Of Thy Countenance."
Eustace George St. Clair Chance
2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards
27th September 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. A. 2.
Son of George Ferguson Chance and Mary Kathleen Chance, of 3, Durrant Rd., Bournemouth. Born at Clent Grove, Worcs. Left Eton for Household Brigade as Officer Cadet Bn. at Bushey, and joined Coldstream Guards at Windsor in Dec., 1917.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Thou Shalt Make Him Glad With The Joy Of Thy Countenance."
Captain
William Herbert Gladstone, M.C.
1st Bn. Coldstream Guards
27th September 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. C. 1.
Son of Stephen Edward and Annie Crosthwaite Gladstone, of Manley Hall, Helsby, Cheshire. Born at Hawarden, Flints.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Of Manley Hall, Helsby, Cheshire Blessed Are The Pure In Heart."
William Herbert Gladstone, M.C.
1st Bn. Coldstream Guards
27th September 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. C. 1.
Son of Stephen Edward and Annie Crosthwaite Gladstone, of Manley Hall, Helsby, Cheshire. Born at Hawarden, Flints.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Of Manley Hall, Helsby, Cheshire Blessed Are The Pure In Heart."
Lieutenant
Alfred Ashurst Morris
1st Bn. Grenadier Guards
27th September 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. C. 2.
Son of Capt. Alfred Morris, of 4, Cadogan Square, London.
Alfred Ashurst Morris
1st Bn. Grenadier Guards
27th September 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. C. 2.
Son of Capt. Alfred Morris, of 4, Cadogan Square, London.
26844 Guardsman
George Pollard
1st Bn. Grenadier Guards
27th September 1918, aged 26.
Plot III. C. 10.
Son of George and Millicent Pollard, of Jessamine Cottage, Barrowden, Stamford.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Peace, Perfect Peace."
George Pollard
1st Bn. Grenadier Guards
27th September 1918, aged 26.
Plot III. C. 10.
Son of George and Millicent Pollard, of Jessamine Cottage, Barrowden, Stamford.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Peace, Perfect Peace."
23815 Private
William Martin Young
1st Bn. Grenadier Guards
27th September 1918.
Plot II. A. 6.
Son of Fanny and the late Edward Martin Young. Husband of Charlotte Fanny Young, and father of three children, Kathleen, William, and Jessie.
His headstone bears the inscription: "R. I. P."
The pictures above show the original grave marker and a card from the Director General of Grave Registration which accompanied the picture.
Pictures courtesy of Roger Hardingham grandson of this soldier and son of Kathleen Young.
William Martin Young
1st Bn. Grenadier Guards
27th September 1918.
Plot II. A. 6.
Son of Fanny and the late Edward Martin Young. Husband of Charlotte Fanny Young, and father of three children, Kathleen, William, and Jessie.
His headstone bears the inscription: "R. I. P."
The pictures above show the original grave marker and a card from the Director General of Grave Registration which accompanied the picture.
Pictures courtesy of Roger Hardingham grandson of this soldier and son of Kathleen Young.
A British Mark IV (Female) tank of 'G' Battalion, 40th Division passing the captured guns at Graincourt on its way to the attack at Bourlon Wood, 23 November 1917. © IWM Q 6336
Captured British tank (I36) being transported on a German railway waggon. The tank was recovered by the German 2nd Anti-Aircraft Company (Kompanie-Flak 2) between Anneux and Graincourt-les-Havrincourt on 12 December 1917. The tank was very likely abandonded by its crew during the Battle of Cambrai and recovered by the Germans after the battle. © IWM Q 88138
A tank of 'G' Battalion, Tank Corps, 40th Division, passing captured German field guns at Graincourt on its way to take part in the attack on Bourlon Wood, 23 November 1917. © IWM Q 6337
