VALLEY CEMETERY
Vis-en-Artois
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.23798, Longitude: 2.93079
Location Information
Valley Cemetery lies south of Vis-en-Artois, some 12 kilometres south-east of Arras on the D939 road. From Vis-en-Artois take the D9 towards Cherisy for 1.5 kilometres, then take a track towards the cemetery on your left.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access is possible with some difficulty.
Historical Information
The cemetery was begun on 31 August 1918 with the burial of 31 officers and men of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion, who had died the previous day in the capture of Orix Trench, in the big grave in Row A, now numbered 8-11. Ten further burials were made in Row A during the early part of September and in 1924-25, Rows B and C were added when graves were brought in from the battlefields and from Thilloy German Cemetery (this was about 900 metres North of Ligny-Thilloy village, close to the Albert-Bapaume road. It was a Dressing Station cemetery, which contained the graves of four Australian soldiers, three from the United Kingdom, and about 300 Germans).
Valley Cemetery now contains 69 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 19 of the burials are unidentified and there is a special memorial to one casualty buried in Thilloy German Cemetery, whose grave could not be found on concentration.
Total Burials: 69.
Identified Casualties: Canada 37, United KIngdom 8, Australia 5. Total 50.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 17, Australia 2. Total 19.
The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.
237647 Private
Harry John Barrett
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry. (Central Ontario Regiment)
30th August 1918, aged 18.
Row A. 10.
Son of William and Ellen Barrett, of 38, Bastedo Avenue, Toronto. Native of Peterborough, England.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Richard Barrett
Harry John Barrett
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry. (Central Ontario Regiment)
30th August 1918, aged 18.
Row A. 10.
Son of William and Ellen Barrett, of 38, Bastedo Avenue, Toronto. Native of Peterborough, England.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Richard Barrett
276 Private
Royston (Roy) Bolton
26th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th July 1916, aged 22.
Row C. 13.
Son of Frank and Grace Ainslie Bolton, of Broadwater, New South Wales.
Died as a Prisoner of War
His headstone bears the inscription "His Country Called Him He Answered"
Picture courtesy of Roy's nieces, Anne Burcher and Erica Lynne McPherson
Royston (Roy) Bolton
26th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th July 1916, aged 22.
Row C. 13.
Son of Frank and Grace Ainslie Bolton, of Broadwater, New South Wales.
Died as a Prisoner of War
His headstone bears the inscription "His Country Called Him He Answered"
Picture courtesy of Roy's nieces, Anne Burcher and Erica Lynne McPherson
171593 Private
Alfred James Brent
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
Alfred James Brent
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
Captain
Norman Victor Cliff, M. C. & Bar.
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918, aged 25.
Row A. 10.
Son of Capt. G. J. Cliff, of 201, Parkside Drive, Toronto. Enlisted Aug., 1914, reached France Feb., 1915. Previously wounded in 1917. Office Manager of the Toronto Salt Works.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
Norman Victor Cliff, M. C. & Bar.
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918, aged 25.
Row A. 10.
Son of Capt. G. J. Cliff, of 201, Parkside Drive, Toronto. Enlisted Aug., 1914, reached France Feb., 1915. Previously wounded in 1917. Office Manager of the Toronto Salt Works.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This That A Man Lay Down His Life For His Friends"
237720 Private
William Collins
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
William Collins
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
669869 Private
Henry Dearden
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
Henry Dearden
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
799453 Private
David Dickson
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
David Dickson
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
Lieutenant
Burnett Grosvenor
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918, aged 26.
Row A. 10.
Son of Mary B. Grosvenor, of 33, Reedswood Rd., Birchills, Walsall, England, and the late John Grosvenor.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Was A Good Son And Devoted To This Mother"
Burnett Grosvenor
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918, aged 26.
Row A. 10.
Son of Mary B. Grosvenor, of 33, Reedswood Rd., Birchills, Walsall, England, and the late John Grosvenor.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Was A Good Son And Devoted To This Mother"
916797 Private
Frank Arthur Edward Heming
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
Frank Arthur Edward Heming
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
1766 Sergeant
Harry Melville Jackson
13th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
15th August 1916, aged 23.
Row C. 14.
Son of Joseph and Annie Blanche Jackson, of Ellalong Rd., Neutral Bay, New South Wales. Native of Glebe, New South Wales.
A heavily embellished studio portrait of 1766 Sergeant Harry Melville Jackson, 13th Battalion, of Petersham, NSW. A builder's clerk prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 4th Reinforcements on HMAT Shropshire (A9) on 17 March 1915. He died of wounds whilst a prisoner of the Germans on 15 August 1916. The central image has been painted around with blue drapery and a yellow frame. A figurative wreath lies underneath the image. His mother states on his Roll of Honour circular that he had previous military experience at the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery at Fort Scratchley, but he had served under the name of Ernest Mayhew.
Harry Melville Jackson
13th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
15th August 1916, aged 23.
Row C. 14.
Son of Joseph and Annie Blanche Jackson, of Ellalong Rd., Neutral Bay, New South Wales. Native of Glebe, New South Wales.
A heavily embellished studio portrait of 1766 Sergeant Harry Melville Jackson, 13th Battalion, of Petersham, NSW. A builder's clerk prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 4th Reinforcements on HMAT Shropshire (A9) on 17 March 1915. He died of wounds whilst a prisoner of the Germans on 15 August 1916. The central image has been painted around with blue drapery and a yellow frame. A figurative wreath lies underneath the image. His mother states on his Roll of Honour circular that he had previous military experience at the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery at Fort Scratchley, but he had served under the name of Ernest Mayhew.
1024421 Private
William Campbell Andrew Lyon
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
William Campbell Andrew Lyon
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
138633 Corporal
Frederick Marsh, D. C. M.
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
31st August 1918.
Row A. 10.
Son of Rebecca Marsh, of Wellingborough, England; husband of Margaret Marsh, of 40, Branston Rd., Fairbanks. Toronto.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man To Lay Down His Life For Others"
Frederick Marsh, D. C. M.
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
31st August 1918.
Row A. 10.
Son of Rebecca Marsh, of Wellingborough, England; husband of Margaret Marsh, of 40, Branston Rd., Fairbanks. Toronto.
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man To Lay Down His Life For Others"
335081 Gunner
Percy McKechnie
52nd Battery, 10th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery
8th September 1918, aged 19.
Row A. 1.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Dugald McKechnie, of Durham, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gone But Not Forgotten"
Percy McKechnie
52nd Battery, 10th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery
8th September 1918, aged 19.
Row A. 1.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Dugald McKechnie, of Durham, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription "Gone But Not Forgotten"
803227 Lance Corporal
Donald John McLarty
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
Donald John McLarty
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918.
Row A. 10.
55261 Sergeant
Samuel Newell, M. M. & Bar
"A" Company, 19th Bn. Canadian Infantry
27th August 1918, aged 25.
Row A. 10.
Son of William and Mary Jane Newell, of 29, Redwood Avenue, Toronto. Native of Burnt Head, Conception Bay, Newfoundland.
His headstone bears the inscription "With Jesus His Saviour"
Samuel Newell, M. M. & Bar
"A" Company, 19th Bn. Canadian Infantry
27th August 1918, aged 25.
Row A. 10.
Son of William and Mary Jane Newell, of 29, Redwood Avenue, Toronto. Native of Burnt Head, Conception Bay, Newfoundland.
His headstone bears the inscription "With Jesus His Saviour"
3032088 Private
William Augustus O'Donohoe
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918, aged 27.
Row A. 10.
Son of James O'Donohoe, of 268, Greenwood Avenue, Toronto.
William Augustus O'Donohoe
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918, aged 27.
Row A. 10.
Son of James O'Donohoe, of 268, Greenwood Avenue, Toronto.
172379 Company Sergeant Major
George Rodger, M. M. & Bar
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918, aged 26.
Row A. 10.
Son of George and Jane Rodger, of "Barjovah," Union Rd., Broxburn, Scotland. Born at Cupar, Fife. Enlisted 1915.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Gave His All From Loved Ones Far Away"
This photograph shows George Rodger Military Medal (MM & Bar) (right) with his father, also George Rodger, and his younger brother James Rodger. George won the Military Medal in August 1917 and bar in November 1917. James survived the war and joined the War Graves Commission.
Click on above image to enlarge
George Rodger, M. M. & Bar
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918, aged 26.
Row A. 10.
Son of George and Jane Rodger, of "Barjovah," Union Rd., Broxburn, Scotland. Born at Cupar, Fife. Enlisted 1915.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Gave His All From Loved Ones Far Away"
This photograph shows George Rodger Military Medal (MM & Bar) (right) with his father, also George Rodger, and his younger brother James Rodger. George won the Military Medal in August 1917 and bar in November 1917. James survived the war and joined the War Graves Commission.
Click on above image to enlarge
Lieutenant
Edward Slattery D. C. M., M. M. and 2 Bars
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)
30th August 1918, aged 23.
Row A. 10.
Son of Patrick and Elizabeth Barker Slattery, of 437, Magdalen St., Point St. Charles, Montreal. Native of Newfoundland. Brother of Michael Slattery, Killed 1917 and buried at Villers Station Cemetery
His headstone bears the inscription "He Answered The Call"
Picture courtesy of niece, Geraldine Slattery-Ellis
Edward Slattery D. C. M., M. M. and 2 Bars
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)
30th August 1918, aged 23.
Row A. 10.
Son of Patrick and Elizabeth Barker Slattery, of 437, Magdalen St., Point St. Charles, Montreal. Native of Newfoundland. Brother of Michael Slattery, Killed 1917 and buried at Villers Station Cemetery
His headstone bears the inscription "He Answered The Call"
Picture courtesy of niece, Geraldine Slattery-Ellis
193374 Private
John Sydney Smith
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918, aged 24.
Row A. 10.
Son of Edward and Agnes E. Sydney-Smith, of 131, Douglas St., Stratford, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription "Christ's Faithful Soldier And Servant Unto His Life's End"
John Sydney Smith
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
30th August 1918, aged 24.
Row A. 10.
Son of Edward and Agnes E. Sydney-Smith, of 131, Douglas St., Stratford, Ontario.
His headstone bears the inscription "Christ's Faithful Soldier And Servant Unto His Life's End"
1075053 Gunner
Percy N. Wigmore
13th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery
4th September 1918, aged 25.
Row A. 2.
Son of James and Lillie Wigmore, of 270, Arlington Avenue, Ottawa.
His headstone bears the inscription "Your Memory Hallowed In The Land You Loved"
Click on image to enlarge
Percy N. Wigmore
13th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery
4th September 1918, aged 25.
Row A. 2.
Son of James and Lillie Wigmore, of 270, Arlington Avenue, Ottawa.
His headstone bears the inscription "Your Memory Hallowed In The Land You Loved"
Click on image to enlarge
Cavalry: When the stalemate on the Western Front finally ended in 1918, the Allied cavalry resumed the offensive, pursuing and attacking the retreating German forces. Canadian cavalry are shown passing through newly captured country near Cherisy. © IWM CO 3230
British soldier taking up screw pickets for wiring. Heninel, 23 October 1917. © IWM (Q 6135)
