TANCREZ FARM CEMETERY
Hainaut
Belgium
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.70959, Longitude: 2.90192
Location Information
Tancrez Farm Cemetery is located 17 Kms south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Rijselseweg N365, which connects Ieper to Wijtschate and on to Armentières.
From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg.
2 Kms after the village of Ploegsteert lies the left hand turning onto Chemin de la Blanche (Witteweg).
The cemetery is located by taking the first right hand turning from the Witteweg, past Motor Car Cemetery. At the end of this road the road turns to the left towards Touquet. The cemetery is located 500 metres along this road (Rue du Touquet) on the left hand side of the road.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access is possible via the main entrance.
Historical Information
The commune of Ploegsteert remained under Allied occupation for much of the First World War, but was in German hands from 10 April to 29 September 1918.
Tancrez Farm Cemetery stands behind a rebuilt farm house which during the war housed an aid post. It was begun in December 1914 and was carried on by field ambulances and fighting units until March 1918.
The cemetery now contains 333 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War and 2 German War Graves.
Total Burials: 335.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 301, Australia 19, South Africa 4, New Zealand 3, Germany 1. Total 328.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 6, Germany 1. Total 7.
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden and William Harrison Cowlishaw
Images in gallery below © Werner Van Caneghem
422 Private
Frederick James Atkinson
43rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
5th April 1917, aged 20.
Plot II. F. 3.
Son of Daniel Henry and Hannah Frances Atkinson, of Angaston, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "For Ever With The Lord"
Mr. and Mrs, S. H. Atkinson, of Angaston, have been notified that their second son, Private Frederick James Atkinson, was killed in action in France on April 5. Private Atkinson was a dispatch runner. He enlisted in January, 1916, and went into camp on February 3. He sailed on June 9 and spent his 20th birthday in Albany. He arrived in England about July 23, and after training in England proceeded to France. He was of a quiet disposition and well liked.
Frederick James Atkinson
43rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
5th April 1917, aged 20.
Plot II. F. 3.
Son of Daniel Henry and Hannah Frances Atkinson, of Angaston, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "For Ever With The Lord"
Mr. and Mrs, S. H. Atkinson, of Angaston, have been notified that their second son, Private Frederick James Atkinson, was killed in action in France on April 5. Private Atkinson was a dispatch runner. He enlisted in January, 1916, and went into camp on February 3. He sailed on June 9 and spent his 20th birthday in Albany. He arrived in England about July 23, and after training in England proceeded to France. He was of a quiet disposition and well liked.
Captain
John Garrett Bussell
7th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
28th June 1915.
Plot I. B. 13.
Husband of Dorothea Bussell, of Seven Stars, Marlborough.
John Garrett Bussell
7th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
28th June 1915.
Plot I. B. 13.
Husband of Dorothea Bussell, of Seven Stars, Marlborough.
10/718 Corporal
Thomas Solly Crompton
1st Bn. Wellington Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
5th March 1917, aged 26.
Plot II. F. 1.
Thomas Solly Crompton was the son of Henry Jardine Crompton and Louisa Isabella Clara Crompton (nee Jennings), of 3 Mount Pleasant Road, Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand. Native of Omata, Taranaki. Killed in action, Battle of Messines.
Corporal Thomas S. Crompton, killed in action, was the son of Mrs. L. I. C. Crompton, of Queen's Avenue, Dominion Road, and was born at Omata, Taranaki, 26 years ago. His father, the late Mr. H. J. Crompton, was a volunteer in the early Taranaki wars, and his grandfather, the late Mr. W. M. Crompton, was the first editor of the Taranaki Herald, and also one of the first members of the General Assembly on the Constitution Act being brought into operation in 1853. Corporal Crompton was foreman to Messrs. Duncan and Davies, nurserymen, of New Plymouth. He was a volunteer before the days of the territorial system, and afterwards a sergeant of territorials. One of the first to enlist in New Plymouth, he was in the landing at Gallipoli, and he was slightly wounded on the peninsula in the following July.
Source: Auckland Weekly News (29 March 1917, p. 48).
Thomas Solly Crompton
1st Bn. Wellington Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
5th March 1917, aged 26.
Plot II. F. 1.
Thomas Solly Crompton was the son of Henry Jardine Crompton and Louisa Isabella Clara Crompton (nee Jennings), of 3 Mount Pleasant Road, Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand. Native of Omata, Taranaki. Killed in action, Battle of Messines.
Corporal Thomas S. Crompton, killed in action, was the son of Mrs. L. I. C. Crompton, of Queen's Avenue, Dominion Road, and was born at Omata, Taranaki, 26 years ago. His father, the late Mr. H. J. Crompton, was a volunteer in the early Taranaki wars, and his grandfather, the late Mr. W. M. Crompton, was the first editor of the Taranaki Herald, and also one of the first members of the General Assembly on the Constitution Act being brought into operation in 1853. Corporal Crompton was foreman to Messrs. Duncan and Davies, nurserymen, of New Plymouth. He was a volunteer before the days of the territorial system, and afterwards a sergeant of territorials. One of the first to enlist in New Plymouth, he was in the landing at Gallipoli, and he was slightly wounded on the peninsula in the following July.
Source: Auckland Weekly News (29 March 1917, p. 48).
10/1841 Private
John James Hayes
1st Bn. Weliington Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
5th March 1917, aged 37.
Plot II. F. 2.
Click on image to enlarge
Son of Rose Corrigan (formerly Hayes), and the late John Joseph Hayes.
John James Hayes
1st Bn. Weliington Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
5th March 1917, aged 37.
Plot II. F. 2.
Click on image to enlarge
Son of Rose Corrigan (formerly Hayes), and the late John Joseph Hayes.
2348 Private
Eric John Lipscomb
34th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
16th May 1917, aged 22.
Plot II. D. 13.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Has Fought The Good Fight He Has Finished His Course"
Headstone image in the gallery at the bottom of page
Eric was born on 24 September 1894, son of William & Jessie Lipscomb of Normanhurst, NSW. He was a Farmer & Soldier having enlisted at Gunnedah, 13th July 1916 and trained at Armidale and Maitland before later embarking from Sydney on 17 October 1916 on the 'Borda', calling in at Melbourne, Durban, Cape Town, and Freetown, Sierra Leone. He disembarked 9th January 1917 at Plymouth and moved to Durrington Camp, Lark Hill, Salisbury, Wiltshire.
He joined 34th Battalion, 3rd Division, AIF.; on 30th April 1917 and moved to the Armentieres sector of the front before he was killed in action only ten days after going into the line, he was 22. Eric's brother, Neville was killed five weeks later near Bullecourt.
Photograph and information courtesy of Adrian Lipscomb, nephew of this soldier
Eric John Lipscomb
34th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
16th May 1917, aged 22.
Plot II. D. 13.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Has Fought The Good Fight He Has Finished His Course"
Headstone image in the gallery at the bottom of page
Eric was born on 24 September 1894, son of William & Jessie Lipscomb of Normanhurst, NSW. He was a Farmer & Soldier having enlisted at Gunnedah, 13th July 1916 and trained at Armidale and Maitland before later embarking from Sydney on 17 October 1916 on the 'Borda', calling in at Melbourne, Durban, Cape Town, and Freetown, Sierra Leone. He disembarked 9th January 1917 at Plymouth and moved to Durrington Camp, Lark Hill, Salisbury, Wiltshire.
He joined 34th Battalion, 3rd Division, AIF.; on 30th April 1917 and moved to the Armentieres sector of the front before he was killed in action only ten days after going into the line, he was 22. Eric's brother, Neville was killed five weeks later near Bullecourt.
Photograph and information courtesy of Adrian Lipscomb, nephew of this soldier
Brigadier-General George Francis Milne at Le Touquet, near Frelinghien. "The two wagons blocked the road and you entered the communication trench showing just this side of them and went up to the front line. Our mine was started in the houses just off the photo to the right." October 1914. © The rights holder (IWM Q 56734)
Images in this gallery © Thierry Grier
Officers in the trenches. Left to right: Major J. D. Ingles, 2nd Battalion, Devonshires. Captain O. W. McSheehy, Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles. Sutton, Medical Officer of the 2nd Battalion, Devonshires, and 2nd Lieutenant J. B. Bolitho, 2nd Battalion, Devonshires. 23rd Brigade, 8th Division. At Le Touquet, 26th March 1915. © IWM (Q 51604)
1218 Sergeant
Douglas Laurie Page
34th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
17th May 1917, aged 21.
Plot II. G. 12.
Son of Thomas John and Lucy Page, of Fosterton Rd., Dungog, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Gave His Life For Humanity And Australia"
Brothers 1218 Corporal (Cpl) Douglas Laurie Page (left) and Lance-Sergeant (LSgt) 1210 Sgt Gregory Valentine Page (right), 34th Battalion, of Dungog, NSW. The brothers had enlisted together on 18 January 1916 and left Australia for England in May 1916 as Non Commissioned Officers, despite neither of them having any previous military experience. After arriving in France for service on the Western Front in November 1916, both men had officially been promoted to Sergeant (Sgt) by March 1917. Sgt Gregory Page was killed at Armentières on March 1917, aged 19, and is buried at Cité Bonjean Military Cemetery. Sgt Douglas Page was killed two months later by a German shell whilst in the line near Messines on 19 May 1917, aged 21.
Douglas Laurie Page
34th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
17th May 1917, aged 21.
Plot II. G. 12.
Son of Thomas John and Lucy Page, of Fosterton Rd., Dungog, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Gave His Life For Humanity And Australia"
Brothers 1218 Corporal (Cpl) Douglas Laurie Page (left) and Lance-Sergeant (LSgt) 1210 Sgt Gregory Valentine Page (right), 34th Battalion, of Dungog, NSW. The brothers had enlisted together on 18 January 1916 and left Australia for England in May 1916 as Non Commissioned Officers, despite neither of them having any previous military experience. After arriving in France for service on the Western Front in November 1916, both men had officially been promoted to Sergeant (Sgt) by March 1917. Sgt Gregory Page was killed at Armentières on March 1917, aged 19, and is buried at Cité Bonjean Military Cemetery. Sgt Douglas Page was killed two months later by a German shell whilst in the line near Messines on 19 May 1917, aged 21.
6/3485 Private
George Stuart
1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
24th September 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. J. 24.
Son of R. J. Stuart, of Otago, New Zealand.
George Stuart
1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
24th September 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. J. 24.
Son of R. J. Stuart, of Otago, New Zealand.
200578 Private
William Swift
"B" Company, 2nd/4th BN. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
9th June 1917, aged 28.
Plot II. H. 10.
Son of James and Elizabeth Swift, of Longridge; husband of Agnes Swift (nee Gornall), of 10, Victoria St., Longridge, Preston. Welter-weight Boxing champion of East Lancashire, 1908-1910.
His headstone bears the inscription "Ever Remembered"
Headstone image in the gallery at the bottom of page
A comrade was present when William was killed. He remembered the circumstances of his death. They were in a rest area behind the front line. William had received confirmation that he had been accepted for officer training in the UK. He had his travel documents with him and was ready to leave. Rather than departing immediately, he decided to go first for a farewell drink with his friends. En route to the bar, a single enemy artillery shell landed close to the group. William was killed instantly. He was the only fatality.
(This was recounted by the veteran (RAMC), also a resident of Longridge, around 1980).
William Swift
"B" Company, 2nd/4th BN. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
9th June 1917, aged 28.
Plot II. H. 10.
Son of James and Elizabeth Swift, of Longridge; husband of Agnes Swift (nee Gornall), of 10, Victoria St., Longridge, Preston. Welter-weight Boxing champion of East Lancashire, 1908-1910.
His headstone bears the inscription "Ever Remembered"
Headstone image in the gallery at the bottom of page
A comrade was present when William was killed. He remembered the circumstances of his death. They were in a rest area behind the front line. William had received confirmation that he had been accepted for officer training in the UK. He had his travel documents with him and was ready to leave. Rather than departing immediately, he decided to go first for a farewell drink with his friends. En route to the bar, a single enemy artillery shell landed close to the group. William was killed instantly. He was the only fatality.
(This was recounted by the veteran (RAMC), also a resident of Longridge, around 1980).
2380 Private
William H. Tudor
23rd Bn. Middlesex Regiment
7th July 1916.
Plot I. H. 20.
William H. Tudor
23rd Bn. Middlesex Regiment
7th July 1916.
Plot I. H. 20.
27284 Private
Charles Umbers
2nd Bn. Border Regiment (previously 35460 Manchester Regiment)
28th October 1916
Plot II. A. 6.
Headstone image in the gallery at the bottom of page
He was my Mothers Uncle Charlie and when he went to war (called up) he gave my Nan a sixpence and told her to share it with the children, as he said he wasn't coming back. He was as blind as a bat and couldn't see the end of his rifle, he asked if he could serve in the Pay Corps due to his bad eyesight but was thought to be "dodging the column" but as my Nan said to my Mother "the Government killed him by sticking a rifle in his hands".
He was killed when a trench mortar shell landed in his trench killing him and two other soldiers and they are all buried side by side in Tancrez Farm. Prior to the war he worked in a pawnbrokers shop. He enlisted in Ashton-under-Lyne and lived in Miles Platting, Manchester. He is commemorated in the Book of Remembrance in Carlisle Cathedral.
Picture courtesy of Ralph Davidson of Milnrow, Rochdale.
Charles Umbers
2nd Bn. Border Regiment (previously 35460 Manchester Regiment)
28th October 1916
Plot II. A. 6.
Headstone image in the gallery at the bottom of page
He was my Mothers Uncle Charlie and when he went to war (called up) he gave my Nan a sixpence and told her to share it with the children, as he said he wasn't coming back. He was as blind as a bat and couldn't see the end of his rifle, he asked if he could serve in the Pay Corps due to his bad eyesight but was thought to be "dodging the column" but as my Nan said to my Mother "the Government killed him by sticking a rifle in his hands".
He was killed when a trench mortar shell landed in his trench killing him and two other soldiers and they are all buried side by side in Tancrez Farm. Prior to the war he worked in a pawnbrokers shop. He enlisted in Ashton-under-Lyne and lived in Miles Platting, Manchester. He is commemorated in the Book of Remembrance in Carlisle Cathedral.
Picture courtesy of Ralph Davidson of Milnrow, Rochdale.
Lieutenant-Colonel C M Ross-Johnson commanding 14th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery in the front lint trenches with Major Jackson, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment near Le Touquet (Frelinghien) November 1914. The trenches in this neighbourhood were very close together. © The rights holder (IWM Q 56726)
Red Cross motor ambulance and water cart outside dressing station at Le Bizet on the France/Belgium border. © Q 103674
Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium. 26 December 1917. Men of the 22nd Battalion, laying down wire entanglements, behind the line at Ploegsteert Wood. Hill 63 is seen in the background. The men were living in hutments at Kortepyp Camp where Christmas Day was spent. The Battalion was in reserve and fatigue parties were sent forward daily by the light railway to Ploegsteert where wiring was carried out and extensive salvaging operations undertaken under the supervision of Major J. S. Dooley MC. The area was very quiet at this time and received only desultory shelling.
British troops taking up timber for a trench support through a communication trench at Ploegsteert, March 1917. © IWM Q 5092
