St. Sever Cemetery Extension
Roll of Honour
M - Z
Dedications
19785 Private Richard Henry Spake, 2nd Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment, 11th April 1917. Son of Henry William and Florence Mary Spake of 16 Poole Rd Itchen Southampton Hampshire.
Remembered with honour by Gerri Thompson
50153 Private William Edward Wells, 11th Bn. Essex Regiment, 30th October 1918, aged 24. Son of Harold Hickton Wells and Sarah Jane Wells, of Pleasley, Mansfield; husband of Mary Wells, of 15, Sherwood St., Warsop, Mansfield, Notts and father of William Edward, born a month before his father's death.
Remembered with love by the Wells family, Nottinghamshire
7518045 Sergeant
Alfred Richard Mills
13 General Hospital. Royal Army Medical Corps
5th June 1940, aged 25.
Plot Block "S". Plot 4. Row O. Grave 26.
Son of Mrs. E. B. Mills, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire; husband of Florence Louise Mills, of Anchonsholme, Blackpool, Lancashire.
His headstone bears the inscription "No Day Dawns, No Night Returns But We Remember Thee"
Alfred Richard Mills
13 General Hospital. Royal Army Medical Corps
5th June 1940, aged 25.
Plot Block "S". Plot 4. Row O. Grave 26.
Son of Mrs. E. B. Mills, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire; husband of Florence Louise Mills, of Anchonsholme, Blackpool, Lancashire.
His headstone bears the inscription "No Day Dawns, No Night Returns But We Remember Thee"
36687 Corporal
Joe E. Peters D. C. M.
8th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
5th November 1918, aged 29.
Plot S. III. H. 27.
Joe Peters was born in 1887 at Cammers Green, Berrow, and pre-war worked as a carpenter making carts and building houses, he built his own house at Cammers Green and a relative still lives in the property making carts in Birtsmorton, Worcs. He was married to Ellen on 2nd November, 1909 and they ran the Post Office, which was located at his house. He joined the Worcestershire Regiment before war broke out and originally travelled to France as part of the 7th Bn. He was later transferred to the 8th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment as part of a draft of 80 men, this happened sometime before December 1917. By 1918 he was serving in “D” Company, 8/Royal Berks. when the German offensive started on 21 March. The unit were at La Guingette Farm, 6 miles south of La Quentin when he earned his DCM. The citation [published LG 3 Sept. 1918] reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He volunteered to accompany an officer over the top of the trench to tackle an enemy sniper who was doing much execution amongst our men. Under heavy fire he rushed the sniper and took him back to the trench”.
The Battalion War Diary amplifies this:
12 March. Bn. takes over front line trenches, B and C Companies in the front line, A Company along the St. Quentin Road, and D Company in the Quarry.
20 March. Notice of impending attack received during the evening.
21 March. The enemy put down a heavy barrage which included much gas shelling. All communications were destroyed almost immediately. At 11.00 the enemy advanced in a thick line to attack the trench west of Bn. HQ. Owing to the mist they were able to reach 50 yards from our trench, but were then shot down almost to a man. One sniper, in a shell hole about 50 yards in front, was particularly active. Lieut. N. Williams, having located him, climbed over the parapet, accompanied by his servant 36678 Pte. J.E. Peters, rushed him with the bayonet and took him prisoner. When returning to the trench this Officer was killed. By this great act of gallantry he undoubtedly saved many lives. About this time the mist began to lift and the leading enemy troops were seen advancing towards la Fontaine. The remainder of the battalion was ordered to withdraw down Seine alley, towards the Battle Zone.
26 July L.-Cpl. J. E. Peters, “C” Company, who was awarded the DCM in May, was presented with the medal ribbon by the Corps Commander.
He was not destined to survive the war, however, as he was wounded on 23 October, serving with “C” Company. The battalion had assembled for an attack in the railway cutting north of the Halt near Le Cateau: Cpl. Peters was amongst the many such casualties from enemy artillery fire during the assembly. [source: Battalion War Diary] He died of his wounds 13 days later, and was buried in St. Sever Extension in Plot III, Row H, Grave 27.
His widow remarried in 1921.
Picture and text courtesy of Philip Wadley, grandson of this soldier
Joe E. Peters D. C. M.
8th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment
5th November 1918, aged 29.
Plot S. III. H. 27.
Joe Peters was born in 1887 at Cammers Green, Berrow, and pre-war worked as a carpenter making carts and building houses, he built his own house at Cammers Green and a relative still lives in the property making carts in Birtsmorton, Worcs. He was married to Ellen on 2nd November, 1909 and they ran the Post Office, which was located at his house. He joined the Worcestershire Regiment before war broke out and originally travelled to France as part of the 7th Bn. He was later transferred to the 8th Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment as part of a draft of 80 men, this happened sometime before December 1917. By 1918 he was serving in “D” Company, 8/Royal Berks. when the German offensive started on 21 March. The unit were at La Guingette Farm, 6 miles south of La Quentin when he earned his DCM. The citation [published LG 3 Sept. 1918] reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He volunteered to accompany an officer over the top of the trench to tackle an enemy sniper who was doing much execution amongst our men. Under heavy fire he rushed the sniper and took him back to the trench”.
The Battalion War Diary amplifies this:
12 March. Bn. takes over front line trenches, B and C Companies in the front line, A Company along the St. Quentin Road, and D Company in the Quarry.
20 March. Notice of impending attack received during the evening.
21 March. The enemy put down a heavy barrage which included much gas shelling. All communications were destroyed almost immediately. At 11.00 the enemy advanced in a thick line to attack the trench west of Bn. HQ. Owing to the mist they were able to reach 50 yards from our trench, but were then shot down almost to a man. One sniper, in a shell hole about 50 yards in front, was particularly active. Lieut. N. Williams, having located him, climbed over the parapet, accompanied by his servant 36678 Pte. J.E. Peters, rushed him with the bayonet and took him prisoner. When returning to the trench this Officer was killed. By this great act of gallantry he undoubtedly saved many lives. About this time the mist began to lift and the leading enemy troops were seen advancing towards la Fontaine. The remainder of the battalion was ordered to withdraw down Seine alley, towards the Battle Zone.
26 July L.-Cpl. J. E. Peters, “C” Company, who was awarded the DCM in May, was presented with the medal ribbon by the Corps Commander.
He was not destined to survive the war, however, as he was wounded on 23 October, serving with “C” Company. The battalion had assembled for an attack in the railway cutting north of the Halt near Le Cateau: Cpl. Peters was amongst the many such casualties from enemy artillery fire during the assembly. [source: Battalion War Diary] He died of his wounds 13 days later, and was buried in St. Sever Extension in Plot III, Row H, Grave 27.
His widow remarried in 1921.
Picture and text courtesy of Philip Wadley, grandson of this soldier
761213 Corporal
Thomas Harry Pottage
"C" Battery, 317th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
19th March 1918, aged 22.
Plot P. VI. D. 2B.
Tom was born in Scarborough at 6 Wrea Lane during 1895 (baptised at St Mary’s Parish Church on 17 October], and was the eldest of seven children belonging to Clara and John Pottage, a well-known Scarborough cab driver who, by 1918, resided in the town at 59 Seaton Terrace, Hibernia Street.
A former pupil of St Mary’s Parish, and Friarage Board Schools, at the outbreak of war Tom was working in the Gladstone Lane warehouse of local drapers, John Tonks & Sons, whose store was located in Scarborough at 104-105 Westborough. Also a part-time gunner in the Scarborough-based (St John’s Road Barracks) Territorial 2 (Northumbrian) Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery, Tom was mobilised for war along with the remainder of Britain’s armed forces during August 1914. However, being aged only 18 by this time Tom was considered too young for Foreign Service and was transferred during September 1914 to the newly-formed 2/3 (Northumbrian) Brigade of artillery, which was subsequently attached for coastal defence duties, to the 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division.
Pottage remained with this unit, serving in the north-east of England, until July 1916 when the division’s four artillery batteries were transferred to the newly-designated 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, which by this time had seen much bitter fighting in the Gallipoli campaign and on the Western Front. Tom had become a veteran of all of the RND’s operations since his ‘baptism of fire’ during the gruesome operations on the Ancre (Somme) during the winter of 1916.
‘News was received on Saturday that Gunner Thomas Pottage R.F.A., 59, Seaton Terrace, has died on the 19th March from the effects of gas. He was single and prior to joining up worked for Messrs. Tonks and Sons. His father Sergeant John Pottage, A.V.C. is serving in France’.
Shortly after Pottage’s demise, his remains, and those of many more dead gas casualties, were transported to the Hospital’s burial ground known as St Sever Cemetery Extension, located some 3 kilometres to the south of Rouen.
Tom’s final resting place is located in Section P 4, D, Grave 25.
Image and additional text kindly provided by Richard James Percy (Nephew)
Thomas Harry Pottage
"C" Battery, 317th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
19th March 1918, aged 22.
Plot P. VI. D. 2B.
Tom was born in Scarborough at 6 Wrea Lane during 1895 (baptised at St Mary’s Parish Church on 17 October], and was the eldest of seven children belonging to Clara and John Pottage, a well-known Scarborough cab driver who, by 1918, resided in the town at 59 Seaton Terrace, Hibernia Street.
A former pupil of St Mary’s Parish, and Friarage Board Schools, at the outbreak of war Tom was working in the Gladstone Lane warehouse of local drapers, John Tonks & Sons, whose store was located in Scarborough at 104-105 Westborough. Also a part-time gunner in the Scarborough-based (St John’s Road Barracks) Territorial 2 (Northumbrian) Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery, Tom was mobilised for war along with the remainder of Britain’s armed forces during August 1914. However, being aged only 18 by this time Tom was considered too young for Foreign Service and was transferred during September 1914 to the newly-formed 2/3 (Northumbrian) Brigade of artillery, which was subsequently attached for coastal defence duties, to the 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division.
Pottage remained with this unit, serving in the north-east of England, until July 1916 when the division’s four artillery batteries were transferred to the newly-designated 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, which by this time had seen much bitter fighting in the Gallipoli campaign and on the Western Front. Tom had become a veteran of all of the RND’s operations since his ‘baptism of fire’ during the gruesome operations on the Ancre (Somme) during the winter of 1916.
‘News was received on Saturday that Gunner Thomas Pottage R.F.A., 59, Seaton Terrace, has died on the 19th March from the effects of gas. He was single and prior to joining up worked for Messrs. Tonks and Sons. His father Sergeant John Pottage, A.V.C. is serving in France’.
Shortly after Pottage’s demise, his remains, and those of many more dead gas casualties, were transported to the Hospital’s burial ground known as St Sever Cemetery Extension, located some 3 kilometres to the south of Rouen.
Tom’s final resting place is located in Section P 4, D, Grave 25.
Image and additional text kindly provided by Richard James Percy (Nephew)
L/12772 Squadron Serjeant Major
Charles Augustus Rowland, D. C. M.
"A" Sqdn. 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers
16th August 1918, aged 41.
Plot R. II. I. 20.
Son of John and Eliza Rowland, of 106, Washwood Heath Rd., Saltley, Birmingham. Native of Gloucester.
His headstone bears the inscription "God Be With You Till We Meet Again"
Picture courtesy of his great nephew, Brian Rowland
Charles Augustus Rowland, D. C. M.
"A" Sqdn. 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers
16th August 1918, aged 41.
Plot R. II. I. 20.
Son of John and Eliza Rowland, of 106, Washwood Heath Rd., Saltley, Birmingham. Native of Gloucester.
His headstone bears the inscription "God Be With You Till We Meet Again"
Picture courtesy of his great nephew, Brian Rowland
11328 Lance Corporal
George Saxby
1st Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Formerly 4014, 17th Lancers.
Died of wounds 8th November 1916, received 3rd/4th November 1916.
Plot O. I. H. 4.
George Saxby
1st Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Formerly 4014, 17th Lancers.
Died of wounds 8th November 1916, received 3rd/4th November 1916.
Plot O. I. H. 4.
163257 Sergeant
Joseph Smith
75th Bn. Canadian Infantry. (Central Ontario Regiment)
Died of wounds 2nd December 1916, aged 26
Plot O. III. K. 2
Son of Joseph H. and Marie Louise L'Amy Smith; husband of Laura Dorothy Smith, of 259, Macpherson Avenue, Toronto.
His grandson Jesse T. Smith adds:
He was a Sergeant with the 75th Battalion (Jolly 75th), #163257. He was born January 11th, 1890 in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. He moved to Canada in 1911, Married Laura Smith and had a son (my Grandfather) in 1914. He was severely wounded on November 18th 1916 during an attack on Desire Trench. He was moved to the No. 1 Australian General Hospital in Rouen where he died of his wounds December 2nd, 1916.
Joseph Smith
75th Bn. Canadian Infantry. (Central Ontario Regiment)
Died of wounds 2nd December 1916, aged 26
Plot O. III. K. 2
Son of Joseph H. and Marie Louise L'Amy Smith; husband of Laura Dorothy Smith, of 259, Macpherson Avenue, Toronto.
His grandson Jesse T. Smith adds:
He was a Sergeant with the 75th Battalion (Jolly 75th), #163257. He was born January 11th, 1890 in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands. He moved to Canada in 1911, Married Laura Smith and had a son (my Grandfather) in 1914. He was severely wounded on November 18th 1916 during an attack on Desire Trench. He was moved to the No. 1 Australian General Hospital in Rouen where he died of his wounds December 2nd, 1916.
156635 Gunner
William James Spalding
69th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.
11th November 1918, aged 26.
Plot S. II. GG. 3.
Son of Richard and Louisa Spalding, of 62, Richmond Park Rd., Kingston-on-Thames.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gone But Not Forgotten"
Picture Courtesy of Mike Spalding, great nephew of this soldier.
William James Spalding
69th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.
11th November 1918, aged 26.
Plot S. II. GG. 3.
Son of Richard and Louisa Spalding, of 62, Richmond Park Rd., Kingston-on-Thames.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gone But Not Forgotten"
Picture Courtesy of Mike Spalding, great nephew of this soldier.
240836 Corporal
Thomas Emanuel Spencer
2nd/5th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
4th April 1918.
Plot P. VII. N. 10B.
Thomas Emanuel Spencer
2nd/5th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
4th April 1918.
Plot P. VII. N. 10B.
M/282875 Private
T. J. Stocker
1st Div. Mechanical Transport Coy. Royal Army Service Corps
3rd December 1918.
Plot S. II. HH. 6.
T. J. Stocker
1st Div. Mechanical Transport Coy. Royal Army Service Corps
3rd December 1918.
Plot S. II. HH. 6.
M/274439 Private
David Storrar
Army Service Corps attached to 123rd Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
15th November 1918, aged 29.
Plot S. III. HH. 11.
Son of the late Smart Storrar and of Christina Storrar, of 1, Lorne Place, Leith, Edinburgh.
His headstone bears the inscription "How Sad It Was To Part With Him Without One Farewell Word"
Picture courtesy of Douglas Hollinsworth
David Storrar
Army Service Corps attached to 123rd Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
15th November 1918, aged 29.
Plot S. III. HH. 11.
Son of the late Smart Storrar and of Christina Storrar, of 1, Lorne Place, Leith, Edinburgh.
His headstone bears the inscription "How Sad It Was To Part With Him Without One Farewell Word"
Picture courtesy of Douglas Hollinsworth
E/254453 Private
Ernest George Summers
Army Service Corps. (Canteens)
12th December 1916, aged 29.
Plot O. III. P. 6.
Left a widow, Ada and son Eric Ernest Garner Summers
Not Forgotten. Picture courtesy of grandson Vivian Summers
Ernest George Summers
Army Service Corps. (Canteens)
12th December 1916, aged 29.
Plot O. III. P. 6.
Left a widow, Ada and son Eric Ernest Garner Summers
Not Forgotten. Picture courtesy of grandson Vivian Summers
51954 Gunner
Edward James Townsend
"A" Bty. 298th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
22nd April 1918, aged 21.
Plot P. IX. B. 7A.
In Memory of Gunner Edward James Townsend Much loved Son of Thomas & Charlotte Townsend. He worked for the Railways before volunteering for the Army in 1914, joining the Medical Corps he later transferred to the Royal Artillery as he said he found it difficult recovering parts of his Comrades & would sooner shoot the Enemy. After being gassed in 1917 he was sent to home to recover, he wasn't obliged to go back but insisted he felt it was his duty to to fight for his Family (1 Brother & 8 Sisters) and his Country. He was gassed again in 1918 this was to be the last time. He lay dying of his wounds for six days in St Louis, U.S.A., Hospital, France and spent his 21st birthday there. My Grandmother never managed to visit his Grave but I his niece have been lucky enough to have managed to visit several times. We are eternally grateful for the Great Sacrifice he & his comrades made. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for their hard work in keeping the Cemetery immaculate.
We loved him in life, he is dear to us still, Although we must bend to God's Holy will. The loss is great and the grief hard to bear, But angels in Heaven will attend him with care.
WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THEM
Courtesy of his niece Valerie Phillips
Edward James Townsend
"A" Bty. 298th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
22nd April 1918, aged 21.
Plot P. IX. B. 7A.
In Memory of Gunner Edward James Townsend Much loved Son of Thomas & Charlotte Townsend. He worked for the Railways before volunteering for the Army in 1914, joining the Medical Corps he later transferred to the Royal Artillery as he said he found it difficult recovering parts of his Comrades & would sooner shoot the Enemy. After being gassed in 1917 he was sent to home to recover, he wasn't obliged to go back but insisted he felt it was his duty to to fight for his Family (1 Brother & 8 Sisters) and his Country. He was gassed again in 1918 this was to be the last time. He lay dying of his wounds for six days in St Louis, U.S.A., Hospital, France and spent his 21st birthday there. My Grandmother never managed to visit his Grave but I his niece have been lucky enough to have managed to visit several times. We are eternally grateful for the Great Sacrifice he & his comrades made. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for their hard work in keeping the Cemetery immaculate.
We loved him in life, he is dear to us still, Although we must bend to God's Holy will. The loss is great and the grief hard to bear, But angels in Heaven will attend him with care.
WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THEM
Courtesy of his niece Valerie Phillips
25743 Private
Francis William Veal
1st Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
29th January 1917, aged 30.
Plot O. IV. F. 5
Son of William and Constance Veal, of Bath; husband of Alice Mary Veal, of 58, Vicarage Rd., Harborne, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Am My Beloved's For Love Is Strong As Death"
Francis William Veal
1st Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
29th January 1917, aged 30.
Plot O. IV. F. 5
Son of William and Constance Veal, of Bath; husband of Alice Mary Veal, of 58, Vicarage Rd., Harborne, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the inscription "I Am My Beloved's For Love Is Strong As Death"
13365 Private
Leslie Thomas Ward
12th Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps
12th March 1917, aged 27.
Plot O. VI. K. 4.
Son of John Henry and Mary Jane Ward, of 25, Victoria St., Coburg, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Our Dear Leslie So Dearly Loved So Sadly Missed. Peace Perfect Peace"
Picture courtesy of Paul Sumner
Leslie Thomas Ward
12th Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps
12th March 1917, aged 27.
Plot O. VI. K. 4.
Son of John Henry and Mary Jane Ward, of 25, Victoria St., Coburg, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Our Dear Leslie So Dearly Loved So Sadly Missed. Peace Perfect Peace"
Picture courtesy of Paul Sumner
2704 Private
John Henry Hector Wilson
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
9th December 1917, aged 20.
Plot P. V. O. 12A
Son of George Hector and Rosa C. M. Wilson, of 8, Marli St., Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies. He was born 18 Jan 1897. His name appears on the War Memorial in Port-of-Spain.
His headstone bears the inscription "At Rest"
Picture courtesy of nephew, Alan Wilson
John Henry Hector Wilson
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
9th December 1917, aged 20.
Plot P. V. O. 12A
Son of George Hector and Rosa C. M. Wilson, of 8, Marli St., Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies. He was born 18 Jan 1897. His name appears on the War Memorial in Port-of-Spain.
His headstone bears the inscription "At Rest"
Picture courtesy of nephew, Alan Wilson
