VARENNES MILITARY CEMETERY
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.0545, Longitude: 2.52615
Location Information
Varennes is a village 11 kilometres from Albert and 18 kilometres from Amiens.
Take the D938 from Albert to Doullens. In Hedauville turn left on the D47E towards Varennes. 2 kilometres further on you will come to a crossroads in the village of Varennes where you should turn right. About 300 metres further, turn left following the CWGC sign, and the Cemetery will be found about 500 metres further on the right.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemetery is possible via a 50 metre long grassed pathway, which leads from an area beside the neighbouring communal cemetery where a vehicle can be parked.
Historical Information
The cemetery was laid out by the 39th Casualty Clearing Station in August 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, but the first burials were made during August and September by more mobile divisional Field Ambulances. The 4th and 11th Casualty Clearing Stations then used the cemetery from October 1916, joined by the 47th from December 1916, but by May 1917 Varennes was deserted and remained so until the Germans launched their offensive in this quarter in April 1918. The cemetery was then extended by the 17th and 38th (Welsh) Divisions by the addition of plots II and III, and at the beginning of September 1918, the 3rd Canadian and 59th Casualty Clearing Stations arrived at Varennes.
The cemetery contains 1,220 burials of the First World War, two of which were brought in from Varennes Communal Cemetery in 1934.
Total Burials: 1,220.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,191, New Zealand 16, Canada 5, Australia 2, Russia 1. Total 1,219.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and John Reginald Truelove
771988 Gunner
George Caine
317th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
7th September 1918.
Plot IV. A. 60.
Son of George and Isabella, born at North Shields, Tyneside
Picture courtesy of Cameron R. Crawford, great nephew of this soldier
George Caine
317th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
7th September 1918.
Plot IV. A. 60.
Son of George and Isabella, born at North Shields, Tyneside
Picture courtesy of Cameron R. Crawford, great nephew of this soldier
14923 Private
Richard Arthur Pilkington
17th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
15th June 1918.
Plot III. G. 16.
Richard Arthur Pilkington
17th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
15th June 1918.
Plot III. G. 16.
Second Lieutenant
Robert Bramwell Sayer
11th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
19th February 1917, aged 30.
Plot I. D. 50.
Son of Robert W. and Hannah M. Sayer, of "The Tors," Maidstone Rd., Chatham. Congregational Minister.
Picture courtesy of Roger Sayer, great, great nephew
Robert Bramwell Sayer
11th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
19th February 1917, aged 30.
Plot I. D. 50.
Son of Robert W. and Hannah M. Sayer, of "The Tors," Maidstone Rd., Chatham. Congregational Minister.
Picture courtesy of Roger Sayer, great, great nephew
21126 Private
William Robert Williams (Sitting)
1st Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
22nd January 1917, aged 30.
Plot I. F. 75.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Williams, of Tan-Y-Ffynnon, Cwm-Y-Glo, Carnarvonshire.
Information below and picture provided by Nia Wyn Jones -great grandaughter of William Robert Williams
He was a widower when he left for war, so when he died from his injuries, my grandmother, Elizabeth Williams (later Jones, was left an orphan (aged 6 years). The soldier standing is not known.
Click on image to enlarge
William Robert Williams (Sitting)
1st Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
22nd January 1917, aged 30.
Plot I. F. 75.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Williams, of Tan-Y-Ffynnon, Cwm-Y-Glo, Carnarvonshire.
Information below and picture provided by Nia Wyn Jones -great grandaughter of William Robert Williams
He was a widower when he left for war, so when he died from his injuries, my grandmother, Elizabeth Williams (later Jones, was left an orphan (aged 6 years). The soldier standing is not known.
Click on image to enlarge
