VILLERS STATION CEMETERY
Villers-au-Bois
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.38454, Longitude: 2.65554
Location Information
Villers-au-Bois is a village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, 11 kilometres north-west of Arras. The Cemetery is about 2 kilometres north-west of the village along a track from the Villers-au-Bois to Servins road (D65).
Historical Information
This cemetery was begun by the French but was used by Commonwealth divisions and field ambulances from the time they took over this part of the front in July 1916 until September 1918. It is associated particularly with the Canadian Corps whose headquarters were nearby and many of the graves in Plots V to X date from April 1917 and the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
After the Armistice, a few graves were brought in from isolated positions in the neighbourhood and in June 1923, the French graves were removed, the great majority to Notre Dame-de-Lorette French National Cemetery.
Villers Station Cemetery now contains 1,208 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 32 German war graves.
Total Burials: 1,240.
Commonwealth Identified Casualties: Canada 1,001, United Kingdom 176, South Africa 20. Total 1,203.
Other Casualties: Germany 32.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and Arthur James Scott Hutton
1009632 Private
Damien Alary
46th Bn. Canadian Infantry, (Saskatchewan Regiment)
21st August 1917, aged 21.
Plot IX. F. 16.
Son of Omer and Praxede Alary, of Jasmin, Saskatchewan.
He enlisted in Manitoba on Feb. 19, 1916 with the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force, 19th Reserve. He arrived in England April 4, 1917 on the S.S. Northland and taken on strength the following day. He served with the 46th Battalion from June 6, 1917 to his death in action on August 8, 1917, Pas-de-Calais, France.
Picture courtesy of great niece, Janet Adey
Damien Alary
46th Bn. Canadian Infantry, (Saskatchewan Regiment)
21st August 1917, aged 21.
Plot IX. F. 16.
Son of Omer and Praxede Alary, of Jasmin, Saskatchewan.
He enlisted in Manitoba on Feb. 19, 1916 with the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force, 19th Reserve. He arrived in England April 4, 1917 on the S.S. Northland and taken on strength the following day. He served with the 46th Battalion from June 6, 1917 to his death in action on August 8, 1917, Pas-de-Calais, France.
Picture courtesy of great niece, Janet Adey
Lieutenant
Lancelot Edgar Ashcroft
54th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 20.
Plot VIII. A. 10.
Son of Albert Edward and Emmeline Lucy Ashcroft, of Vernon, British Columbia.
Lancelot Edgar Ashcroft
54th Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th April 1917, aged 20.
Plot VIII. A. 10.
Son of Albert Edward and Emmeline Lucy Ashcroft, of Vernon, British Columbia.
Lieutenant
B. W. Bailey
72nd Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th February 1918.
Plot XI. B. 4.
B. W. Bailey
72nd Bn. Canadian Infantry
9th February 1918.
Plot XI. B. 4.
775009 Private
Ernest Charles Bunce
38th Bn. Canadian Infantry
4th April 1917, aged 37.
Plot VI. J. 7.
Son of Elijah and Mary Bunce. Father of Albert (William) Elbert Bunce, Dorothy Ethel Bunce (Little-Stevens), and Frederick William Bunce.
Born in England, lived in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Picture courtesy of Ann Bunce (Jones), granddaughter of Ernest's son, Frederick.
Ernest Charles Bunce
38th Bn. Canadian Infantry
4th April 1917, aged 37.
Plot VI. J. 7.
Son of Elijah and Mary Bunce. Father of Albert (William) Elbert Bunce, Dorothy Ethel Bunce (Little-Stevens), and Frederick William Bunce.
Born in England, lived in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Picture courtesy of Ann Bunce (Jones), granddaughter of Ernest's son, Frederick.
472029 Private
James Craik
"A" Coy. 72nd Bn. Canadian Infantry, (British Columbia Regiment)
10th April 1917, aged 27.
Plot VII. J. 4.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Craik, of 329, Avenue Rd. South, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Killed at Vimy Ridge, he was my mothers brother. We still have everything that was sent home after his death including the last letter he wrote to his mother while waiting to deploy a few days before his death
Courtesy of Pat Schile
James Craik
"A" Coy. 72nd Bn. Canadian Infantry, (British Columbia Regiment)
10th April 1917, aged 27.
Plot VII. J. 4.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Craik, of 329, Avenue Rd. South, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Killed at Vimy Ridge, he was my mothers brother. We still have everything that was sent home after his death including the last letter he wrote to his mother while waiting to deploy a few days before his death
Courtesy of Pat Schile
Captain
H. E. R. Hamilton
3rd Bn. Canadian Railway Troops
19th May 1917.
Plot X. B. 2
H. E. R. Hamilton
3rd Bn. Canadian Railway Troops
19th May 1917.
Plot X. B. 2
911406 Private
John Edward Lees
46th Bn. Canadian Infantry, (Saskatchewen Regiment)
3rd May 1917, aged 21.
Plot V. F. 11.
Born in Southport, Lancashire, England, on November 5, 1895, John moved to Canada at age sixteen with an elder brother and sister. He took teachers' training at Camrose Normal in Alberta and taught for a short time before joining the 196 Battalion C. E. F. on April 7, 1916. Although he was studious when necessary, he was also known to have a keen sense of humour. Under his pen, everyday happenings became cartoons. He enjoyed hunting, swimming and hiking in the great outdoors. What a shame he wasn't able to come home to share his many talents and zest for life.
Picture courtesy of niece, Jane Gray
John Edward Lees
46th Bn. Canadian Infantry, (Saskatchewen Regiment)
3rd May 1917, aged 21.
Plot V. F. 11.
Born in Southport, Lancashire, England, on November 5, 1895, John moved to Canada at age sixteen with an elder brother and sister. He took teachers' training at Camrose Normal in Alberta and taught for a short time before joining the 196 Battalion C. E. F. on April 7, 1916. Although he was studious when necessary, he was also known to have a keen sense of humour. Under his pen, everyday happenings became cartoons. He enjoyed hunting, swimming and hiking in the great outdoors. What a shame he wasn't able to come home to share his many talents and zest for life.
Picture courtesy of niece, Jane Gray
Major
Frederick Travers Lucas
54th Bn. Canadian Infantry
1st March 1917, aged 34.
Plot VI. E. 2.
Frederick Travers Lucas
54th Bn. Canadian Infantry
1st March 1917, aged 34.
Plot VI. E. 2.
Major
Anthony Larelle McHugh
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
19th May 1917, aged 53.
Plot X. B. 1.
Son of Peter and Margaret Larelle McHugh.
Anthony Larelle McHugh
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
19th May 1917, aged 53.
Plot X. B. 1.
Son of Peter and Margaret Larelle McHugh.
292182 Private
Frederick Augusted Peterson
46th Bn. Canadian Infantry
Killed 4 May, 1917 at La Coulotte railway cutting by enemy shell fire while serving with the 46th Battalion.
Plot V. H. 1.
Born 1 November, 1889, Londonderry, Ireland. Parents Matilda and Andrew Peterson.
Brother of Mary Ann, Alexander (my grandfather who also served with the CEF), the late Amelia and Matilda. Attested 20 January, 1916 at Hartney, Manitoba with the 222nd Overseas Battalion.
Remembered by Jim Dobie (Great Nephew), Port Hope, Ontario, Canada.
Picture and information courtesy of Jim Dobie.
Frederick Augusted Peterson
46th Bn. Canadian Infantry
Killed 4 May, 1917 at La Coulotte railway cutting by enemy shell fire while serving with the 46th Battalion.
Plot V. H. 1.
Born 1 November, 1889, Londonderry, Ireland. Parents Matilda and Andrew Peterson.
Brother of Mary Ann, Alexander (my grandfather who also served with the CEF), the late Amelia and Matilda. Attested 20 January, 1916 at Hartney, Manitoba with the 222nd Overseas Battalion.
Remembered by Jim Dobie (Great Nephew), Port Hope, Ontario, Canada.
Picture and information courtesy of Jim Dobie.
Captain
Edwin Sinton M. C.
Royal Field Artillery, attd. 4th Light Railway Operating Coy. Royal Engineers
21st August 1918, aged 35.
Plot XI. C. 19.
Husband of Mabel A. Sinton, of 54, St. Saviour's Rd., St. Leonards, Sussex.
Edwin Sinton M. C.
Royal Field Artillery, attd. 4th Light Railway Operating Coy. Royal Engineers
21st August 1918, aged 35.
Plot XI. C. 19.
Husband of Mabel A. Sinton, of 54, St. Saviour's Rd., St. Leonards, Sussex.
458270 Private
Michael Slattery M. M.
87th Bn. Canadian Infantry, (Manitoba Regiment)
14th August 1917, aged 20.
Plot VIII. F. 1.
Son of Mrs. L. Slattery, of 437, Magdalen St., Point St. Charles, Montreal, and the late Patrick Slattery. Brother of Lieutenant Edward Slattery, Killed 1918 and buried at Valley Cemetery, Vis-en-Artois.
Picture courtesy of niece, Geraldine Slattery-Ellis
Michael Slattery M. M.
87th Bn. Canadian Infantry, (Manitoba Regiment)
14th August 1917, aged 20.
Plot VIII. F. 1.
Son of Mrs. L. Slattery, of 437, Magdalen St., Point St. Charles, Montreal, and the late Patrick Slattery. Brother of Lieutenant Edward Slattery, Killed 1918 and buried at Valley Cemetery, Vis-en-Artois.
Picture courtesy of niece, Geraldine Slattery-Ellis
Lieutenant
Norman Eden Walker (Known as Eden)
124th Bn. Canadian Pioneers
13th April 1917, aged 20.
Plot VII. J. 33.
Son of Charles and Violet L. Walker, of 59, Oriole Rd., Toronto, Canada.
Burial Service was held at 2:30 p.m., VILLERS STATION CEMETERY, VILLERS-AU-BOIS, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference VII. J. 33.
Grave was visited by P.C. Gunyon on 16th March 2001. The gravestone reads, "Lieut. N.E. Walker, Canadian Pioneers, 13th April 1917, age 20. FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH".
Extract from letters to his mother by Eden's cousin and fellow officer of the 124th Bn. C.E.F. Philip Edward Williams
"I wrote you a letter yesterday but since that I got the awful news that Eden had been killed...When I was up there I met a Lt. Wood who was slightly wounded by the same shell that killed poor Eden so I got the exact story. Wood had been laying out Eden's party to clean out a trench and was returning along the top of the trench with another Engineer officer towards the front line to look over another job when a whizz-bang (small H. Velocity shell) hit near them. He took no notice of it but went on and another hit a little bit closer. He then spoke to the other officer and they got down into the trench where they found Eden, Watson and an officer of another unit. He stayed there and the other officer went on. Several more shells came over so they got down as low as possible but one struck the side of the trench killing Eden instantly and wounding the other three. This was the last shell fired. He was only slightly wounded while the officer of the other unit died the next day. These are the exact details. I will certainly send a flower from Eden's grave next chance I get to go up to the cemetery. Mrs. Moore tells me that Eden's death hit the Walkers very hard. It is a pity that he was killed. He was so much loved by all his relations.
Picture courtesy of Philip Gunyon, 3rd cousin.
Norman Eden Walker (Known as Eden)
124th Bn. Canadian Pioneers
13th April 1917, aged 20.
Plot VII. J. 33.
Son of Charles and Violet L. Walker, of 59, Oriole Rd., Toronto, Canada.
Burial Service was held at 2:30 p.m., VILLERS STATION CEMETERY, VILLERS-AU-BOIS, Pas de Calais, France. Grave reference VII. J. 33.
Grave was visited by P.C. Gunyon on 16th March 2001. The gravestone reads, "Lieut. N.E. Walker, Canadian Pioneers, 13th April 1917, age 20. FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH".
Extract from letters to his mother by Eden's cousin and fellow officer of the 124th Bn. C.E.F. Philip Edward Williams
"I wrote you a letter yesterday but since that I got the awful news that Eden had been killed...When I was up there I met a Lt. Wood who was slightly wounded by the same shell that killed poor Eden so I got the exact story. Wood had been laying out Eden's party to clean out a trench and was returning along the top of the trench with another Engineer officer towards the front line to look over another job when a whizz-bang (small H. Velocity shell) hit near them. He took no notice of it but went on and another hit a little bit closer. He then spoke to the other officer and they got down into the trench where they found Eden, Watson and an officer of another unit. He stayed there and the other officer went on. Several more shells came over so they got down as low as possible but one struck the side of the trench killing Eden instantly and wounding the other three. This was the last shell fired. He was only slightly wounded while the officer of the other unit died the next day. These are the exact details. I will certainly send a flower from Eden's grave next chance I get to go up to the cemetery. Mrs. Moore tells me that Eden's death hit the Walkers very hard. It is a pity that he was killed. He was so much loved by all his relations.
Picture courtesy of Philip Gunyon, 3rd cousin.
Shot at Dawn
203313 Private Frank Bateman, 1st/4th Yorks & Lancs Regiment, executed for desertion 10th September 1918, aged 28. Plot 12. C. 4. Son of Mr. C. Bateman, of 3, Kilton St., Sheffield. A volunteer, whose battalion served at Ypres, he was transferred in 1916 to the Somme, where he was wounded. Following recovery,& now in 1917, Bateman went absent,for which he received a sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended. He was later sent to England suffering from a self-inficted wound, & in 1918 deserted from the battalion to which he had been returned. A sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, suspended, resulted; but in July 1918,Bateman again went absent when his battalion was taking turns manning the trenches. Following his execution on September 10, his relatives were informed that he had ‘died on service’. (Putkowski, pp.25-27)
454482 Private Harold George Carter, 73rd Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 20th April 1917, aged 21. Plot 10. A. 7. Son of George H. and Milly Carter, of 143, Cumberland St., Toronto, Ontario. He enlisted in March 1915, reaching England early in 1916. On the Western Front Carter deserted, for which a suspended sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment was imposed, but a while later he repeated the offence. (Putkowski, p 170)
227098 Private E. Fairburn, 18th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 2nd March 1918, aged 23. Plot 11. B. 23. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Fairburn, of 11, Maple St., St. Catherine's, Ontario.
718566 Private Stephen McD. Fowles, 44th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 19th June 1918. Plot 13. B.1. A volunteer, he was serving under a suspended sentence of death for desertion when he repeated the offence. (Putkowski,p.246)
203313 Private Frank Bateman, 1st/4th Yorks & Lancs Regiment, executed for desertion 10th September 1918, aged 28. Plot 12. C. 4. Son of Mr. C. Bateman, of 3, Kilton St., Sheffield. A volunteer, whose battalion served at Ypres, he was transferred in 1916 to the Somme, where he was wounded. Following recovery,& now in 1917, Bateman went absent,for which he received a sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended. He was later sent to England suffering from a self-inficted wound, & in 1918 deserted from the battalion to which he had been returned. A sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, suspended, resulted; but in July 1918,Bateman again went absent when his battalion was taking turns manning the trenches. Following his execution on September 10, his relatives were informed that he had ‘died on service’. (Putkowski, pp.25-27)
454482 Private Harold George Carter, 73rd Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 20th April 1917, aged 21. Plot 10. A. 7. Son of George H. and Milly Carter, of 143, Cumberland St., Toronto, Ontario. He enlisted in March 1915, reaching England early in 1916. On the Western Front Carter deserted, for which a suspended sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment was imposed, but a while later he repeated the offence. (Putkowski, p 170)
227098 Private E. Fairburn, 18th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 2nd March 1918, aged 23. Plot 11. B. 23. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Fairburn, of 11, Maple St., St. Catherine's, Ontario.
718566 Private Stephen McD. Fowles, 44th Bn. Canadian Expeditionary Force, executed for desertion 19th June 1918. Plot 13. B.1. A volunteer, he was serving under a suspended sentence of death for desertion when he repeated the offence. (Putkowski,p.246)
