SANDPITS BRITISH CEMETERY
Fouquereuil
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.51575, Longitude: 2.58528
© Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
Fouquereuil is a small village in the Department of the Pas- de-Calais between Bethune and Bruay la Buissiere. Leave the village on the D181 heading towards Gosnay. 1.5 kilometres from the church turn right onto Rue des Potieres. After 200 metres turn left and pass under the Motorway. Sandpits cemetery is 400 metres from the Motorway bridge slightly to the north, on the edge of a woodland.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible via a signposted long grassed path to the service entrance of the cemetery.
Historical Information
The cemetery was begun by XIII Corps at the outset of the German advance in April 1918, and continued to be used by them until September 1918.
There are now 394 First World War burials in the cemetery.
Casualty Details: UK 393, India 1, Total Burials: 394.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and George Hartley Goldsmith
Dedications
186666 Sapper James Fern, 529th (East Riding) Coy. Royal Engineers, 17th June 1918, aged 31. Son of Mary and the late Michael Fern, of 39, Belville St., Greenock.
Remembered by great nieces Norma Wade and Eleanor Mahon
51276 Private
Thomas Borrowman
2nd Bn. Royal Scots
27th June 1918, aged 18.
Plot II. L. 2.
Son of Robert and Marion Borrowman, of Torphichen, Bathgate, West Lothian.
His headstone bears the inscription: "We'll Meet Again Some Day, Some Happier Day. Good-Bye."
Thomas Borrowman
2nd Bn. Royal Scots
27th June 1918, aged 18.
Plot II. L. 2.
Son of Robert and Marion Borrowman, of Torphichen, Bathgate, West Lothian.
His headstone bears the inscription: "We'll Meet Again Some Day, Some Happier Day. Good-Bye."
42667 Corporal
Arthur Edward Bradford
8th Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
20th August 1918, aged 21.
Plot IV. D. 5.
Son of James Clarkston Bradford and Martha Bradford, of Barkston Le Willows, Lincs.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Dear To Memory, No Words Can Tell Are The Thoughts Of Him We Loved So Well."
Arthur Edward Bradford
8th Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment
20th August 1918, aged 21.
Plot IV. D. 5.
Son of James Clarkston Bradford and Martha Bradford, of Barkston Le Willows, Lincs.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Dear To Memory, No Words Can Tell Are The Thoughts Of Him We Loved So Well."
42013 Private
William Brickles
2nd Bn. Suffolk Regiment
13th May 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. H. 3.
Husband of Joanna Brickles, 5, Marsh St., Newport, Middlesbrough.
Picture courtesy of Judith Marshall - his sister Elsie Eleanor Simpson was my grandmother, and I so wish I had been able to trace him for her. She died aged 102 in Middlesbrough.
William Brickles
2nd Bn. Suffolk Regiment
13th May 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. H. 3.
Husband of Joanna Brickles, 5, Marsh St., Newport, Middlesbrough.
Picture courtesy of Judith Marshall - his sister Elsie Eleanor Simpson was my grandmother, and I so wish I had been able to trace him for her. She died aged 102 in Middlesbrough.
Lieutenant
Guy Biddulph Burridge, M. C.
45th Bty. 42nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery
4th May 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. F. 1.
Son of Charles H. and Margaret H. B. Burridge, of 24, Addison Mansions, Kensington, London.
His headstone bears the inscription: "The Eternal God Is Thy Refuge And Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms Deut. 33-27."
Guy Biddulph Burridge, M. C.
45th Bty. 42nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery
4th May 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. F. 1.
Son of Charles H. and Margaret H. B. Burridge, of 24, Addison Mansions, Kensington, London.
His headstone bears the inscription: "The Eternal God Is Thy Refuge And Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms Deut. 33-27."
Major
Charles Edward Evans
82nd Field Coy. Royal Engineers
6th August 1918, aged 26.
Plot III. H. 6.
Son of Major E. B. Evans (late R.A.) and his wife Emily Mary Evans, of Norwich; husband of B. F. D. Evans, of 23, Conduit Rd., Bedford.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Loyaute Passe Partout."
Charles Edward Evans
82nd Field Coy. Royal Engineers
6th August 1918, aged 26.
Plot III. H. 6.
Son of Major E. B. Evans (late R.A.) and his wife Emily Mary Evans, of Norwich; husband of B. F. D. Evans, of 23, Conduit Rd., Bedford.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Loyaute Passe Partout."
38568 Private
Edward T. Griffiths
7th Bn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
30th May 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. M. 11.
Son of Samuel and Mary Ann Griffiths, of Queen's Ferry, nr. Chester.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Ted" The Dearly Beloved Son Of S. & M.A. Griffiths Queensferry, Chester."
Edward T. Griffiths
7th Bn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
30th May 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. M. 11.
Son of Samuel and Mary Ann Griffiths, of Queen's Ferry, nr. Chester.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Ted" The Dearly Beloved Son Of S. & M.A. Griffiths Queensferry, Chester."
75431 Private
William Henry Harbird
4th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
13th May 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. J. 2.
Son of William Henry and Annie C. Harbird, of Hanwell, Middx.
His headstone bears the inscription: "He Gave His Love To His Home, His Life To His Country, His Soul To God."
William Henry Harbird
4th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
13th May 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. J. 2.
Son of William Henry and Annie C. Harbird, of Hanwell, Middx.
His headstone bears the inscription: "He Gave His Love To His Home, His Life To His Country, His Soul To God."
105426 Private
Andrew Jackson
13th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
19th May 1918, aged 18.
Plot I. J. 8.
Son of John G. and Lily Jackson. of Barrow-in-Furness.
His headstone bears the inscription: "He Laid His Richest Gift On The Altar Of Duty; His Life."
Andrew Jackson
13th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
19th May 1918, aged 18.
Plot I. J. 8.
Son of John G. and Lily Jackson. of Barrow-in-Furness.
His headstone bears the inscription: "He Laid His Richest Gift On The Altar Of Duty; His Life."
37036 Private
Arthur Frederick Mann
1st Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
15th June 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. H. 8.
Son of Frederick and Maria Mann, of Sedgeford, Norfolk.
Arthur Frederick Mann
1st Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
15th June 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. H. 8.
Son of Frederick and Maria Mann, of Sedgeford, Norfolk.
41739 Private
James McCourt
1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
3rd August 1918, aged 19.
Plot III. G. 2.
Son of Joseph and Mary Ann McCourt, of 102, Cambesnettar St., Wishaw, Lanarkshire. Native of Ayrshire. By trade a Hairdresser.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Jesus Mercy, Mary Help, RIP."
James McCourt
1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
3rd August 1918, aged 19.
Plot III. G. 2.
Son of Joseph and Mary Ann McCourt, of 102, Cambesnettar St., Wishaw, Lanarkshire. Native of Ayrshire. By trade a Hairdresser.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Jesus Mercy, Mary Help, RIP."
12528 Private
Charles Murphy
9th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
17th August 1918.
Plot IV. C. 9.
Charles Murphy
9th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
17th August 1918.
Plot IV. C. 9.
28439 Corporal
Arthur Newton
7th Bn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
6th July 1918, aged 30.
Plot II. M. 7.
Son of John and Emma Newton, of Barnton, Northwich, Cheshire.
His headstone bears the inscription: "He Will Rise Again In Glorious Splendour."
Arthur Newton
7th Bn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
6th July 1918, aged 30.
Plot II. M. 7.
Son of John and Emma Newton, of Barnton, Northwich, Cheshire.
His headstone bears the inscription: "He Will Rise Again In Glorious Splendour."
239112 Private
Philip Sant
1st/4th Bn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
16th August 1918, aged 26.
Plot IV. C. 8.
Son of William and Ann Sant, of 9, Pepper St., Middlewich, Cheshire; husband of Alice Sant, of New Farm, Tetton Bridge, nr. Middlewich, Cheshire.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Thy Way Not Mine O Lord. Never Forgotten By His Loving Wife."
Philip Sant
1st/4th Bn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
16th August 1918, aged 26.
Plot IV. C. 8.
Son of William and Ann Sant, of 9, Pepper St., Middlewich, Cheshire; husband of Alice Sant, of New Farm, Tetton Bridge, nr. Middlewich, Cheshire.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Thy Way Not Mine O Lord. Never Forgotten By His Loving Wife."
212162 Sapper
Thomas William Wilson
438th Field Coy. Royal Engineers
1st June 1918, aged 36.
Plot II. B. 1.
Son of William Wilson, of Deene, Peterborough; husband of M. K. Wilson, of 1, East View Terrace, Winthorpe, Skegness,.
Thomas William Wilson
438th Field Coy. Royal Engineers
1st June 1918, aged 36.
Plot II. B. 1.
Son of William Wilson, of Deene, Peterborough; husband of M. K. Wilson, of 1, East View Terrace, Winthorpe, Skegness,.
28305 Private
Harry Woodward
1st/4th Bn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
10th August 1918, aged 27.
Plot IV. B. 9.
Husband of Florence Woodward, of 45, Gosford St., Dingle, Liverpool.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Until The Day Dawns And The Shadows Flee Away."
Harry Woodward
1st/4th Bn. King's Shropshire Light Infantry
10th August 1918, aged 27.
Plot IV. B. 9.
Husband of Florence Woodward, of 45, Gosford St., Dingle, Liverpool.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Until The Day Dawns And The Shadows Flee Away."
Shot at Dawn
15161 Private Patrick Murphy, 47th Bn. Machine Gun Corps, executed for desertion 12th September 1918, plot 4. E. 5. He had served for most of the war, but it seems he was convicted of desertion on 3 separate occasions. Murphy went to his execution, the RC Padre reported, ’wonderfully calm & resigned’. (Putkowski,pp.258-259)
15161 Private Patrick Murphy, 47th Bn. Machine Gun Corps, executed for desertion 12th September 1918, plot 4. E. 5. He had served for most of the war, but it seems he was convicted of desertion on 3 separate occasions. Murphy went to his execution, the RC Padre reported, ’wonderfully calm & resigned’. (Putkowski,pp.258-259)
King George V with Major-General Havelock Hudson (commanding 8th Division) walking through the streets of Fouquereuil, where the King was cheered by men of the 25th Infantry Brigade, 11th August 1916. IWM (Q 957)
