VILLERS-FAUCON COMMUNAL CEMETERY
​ ​​​
Somme

​France

GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 49.97941, Longitude: 3.10009

​Location Information

Villers-Faucon is a village about 12 kilometres north-east of Peronne. The Cemetery is situated north of the village on the road to Guyencourt-Saulcourt.


Historical Information

Villers-Faucon was captured by the 5th Cavalry Division on 27 March 1917, lost on 22 March 1918, and retaken by the III Corps on 7 September 1918.

The Commonwealth graves in the COMMUNAL CEMETERY are those of soldiers who died in February-August 1917, or (in the case of two who are buried in Row B) in September 1918. They were made by the cavalry, the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division, and other fighting troops.

The communal cemetery contains 227 First World War burials, five of them unidentified, and 91 German graves.

Total Burials: 318.

Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 222, Germany 80. Total 302.

Unidentified Casualties: Germany 11, Commonwealth 5. Total 16.

The adjoining EXTENSION was begun in April 1917 and used until March 1918. It was then used by the Germans, and Commonwealth burials were resumed in September and October 1918. Further Commonwealth graves were brought in after the Armistice from a wide area round Villers-Faucon.

The extension contains 459 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 144 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to six casualties believed to be buried among them. The extension also contains 66 German graves.

Total Burials: 525.

Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 297, Germany 33, India 10, Australia 7, New Zealand 1. Total 348.

Unidentified Casualties: Commonwealth 144, Germany 33. Total 177.

The Commonwealth plots were designed by Sir Herbert Baker and Arthur James Scott Hutton

Second Lieutenant John Spencer Dunville, V. C.
1st (Royal) Dragoons.
Died of wounds on 26th June 1917 aged 21,
Row A. 21. 

Son of John and Violet Dunville, of Redburn, Holywood, Co. Down.

​His headstone bears the inscription "Peace Perfect Peace"

Citation

An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30215, dated 31st July, 1917, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery. When in charge of a party consisting of Scouts and Royal Engineers engaged in the demolition of the enemy's wire, this officer displayed great gallantry and disregard of all personal danger. In order to ensure the absolute success of the work entrusted to him, 2nd Lt. Dunville placed himself between the N.C.O. of the Royal Engineers and the enemy's fire, and thus protected, this N.C.O. was enabled to complete a work of great importance. 2nd Lt. Dunville, although severely wounded, continued to direct his men in the wire-cutting and general operations until the raid was successfully completed, thereby setting a magnificent example of courage, determination and devotion to duty, to all ranks under his command. This gallant officer has since succumbed to his wounds."

Headstone

Picture © Johan Pauwels

Second Lieutenant Hardy Falconer Parsons, V. C. 
1st/2nd, attached 14th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment. Died of wounds 21st August 1917 aged 20.
Row A. 16. 

Son of the Rev. and Mrs. J. Ash Parsons, of Leysian Mission, City Rd., London. Educated at Kingswood School, Bath. Medical Student at Bristol University, preparing for Medical Missionary Work.

His headstone bears the inscription "Son Of Rev. & Mrs. Ash Parsons To Live Was Christ To Die, Gain"


Citation

​ An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 17th Oct., 1917, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery during a night attack by a strong party of the enemy on a bombing post held by his command. The bombers holding the block were forced back, but Second Lieutenant Parsons remained at his post, and, single-handed, and although severely scorched and burnt by liquid fire, he continued to hold up the enemy with bombs until severely wounded. This very gallant act of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty undoubtedly delayed the enemy long enough to allow of the organisation of a bombing party, which succeeded in driving back the enemy before they could enter any portion of the trenches. The gallant officer succumbed to his wounds."

Headstone

(Picture © Johan Pauwels)

Images in this gallery © Johan Pauwels

256050 Private
Reginald Dormer
Leicestershire Yeomanry
22nd June 1917, aged 21.
Row C. 30.

Son of John and Ruth Dormer, of Main St., Rothley, Leicester.

His headstone bears the inscription "There Is A Link Death Cannot Sever Love And Remembrance Live For Ever"

---

41244 Private
George Fisher
19th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
28th August 1917.
Row E. 5.

Husband of Mrs. E. Fisher, of Sandy Bank Terrace, Pannal, Harrogate.

---

255519 Private
Alfred William Green
Leicestershire Yeomanry
22nd June 1917, aged 22.
Row C. 36.

Son of Annie Green, of 33, Clarence St., Loughborough, and the late George Green. Born at Lichfield, Staffs.

His headstone bears the inscription "Those That Seek Me Early Shall Find Me Prov. VIII. 17"

---

Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos

Brigadier General
Vincent Alexander Ormsby, Companion of the Bath, Mentioned four times in Despatches
Commanding 127th Infantry Brigade, General Staff and late 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles
1st May 1917, aged 51.
Row D. 41.

Son of Capt. G. F. Ormsby (late Queen's Bays), and Mrs. Ormsby; husband of Agnes Ormsby, of 16, Glazbury Rd., West Kensington, London.


His headstone bears the inscription "The Eternal God Is Thy Refuge And Underneath Are The Everlasting Arms"​

---

17/477 Serjeant
Elliott Sheard
"Y" Company, 13th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
19th August 1917, aged 27.
Row D. 19.

Third son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sheard. Born at Pudsey, Leeds. One of three brothers who served.

His headstone bears the inscription "True Till Death"

---

Lieutenant
Frank Blamphin Tipping
59th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Garrison Artillery
19th August 1917, aged 21.
Row A. 18.

Son of Robert and Caroline M. N. Tipping, of Lathbury Cottage, Nantwich Rd., Crewe.

His headstone bears the inscription "Of Crewe The Music Of His Life Is Nowise Stilled Our Ears No Longer Hear It"

---

NEARBY CWGC CEMETERIES & MEMORIALS
​

villers-faucon communal cemetery extension

ste.emilie valley cemetery

saulcourt churchyard extension