VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Pas De Calais
France
Roll of Honour
Listed by Surname
Location Information
Vis-en-Artois and Haucourt are villages on the straight main road from Arras to Cambrai about 10 kilometres south-east of Arras.
The Memorial is the back drop to the Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, which is west of Haucourt on the north side of the main road.
Visiting Information
The Panel Numbers quoted at the end of each entry relate to the panels dedicated to the Regiment served with. In some instances where a casualty is recorded as attached to another Regiment, his name may alternatively appear within their Regimental Panels. Please refer to the on-site Memorial Register Introduction to determine the alternative panel numbers if you do not find the name within the quoted Panels.
Historical Information
This Memorial bears the names of over 9,000 men who fell in the period from 8 August 1918 to the date of the Armistice in the Advance to Victory in Picardy and Artois, between the Somme and Loos, and who have no known grave. They belonged to the forces of Great Britain and Ireland and South Africa; the Canadian, Australian and New Zealand forces being commemorated on other memorials to the missing.
The Memorial consists of a screen wall in three parts. The middle part of the screen wall is concave and carries stone panels on which names are carved. It is 26 feet high flanked by pylons 70 feet high. The Stone of Remembrance stands exactly between the pylons and behind it, in the middle of the screen, is a group in relief representing St George and the Dragon. The flanking parts of the screen wall are also curved and carry stone panels carved with names. Each of them forms the back of a roofed colonnade; and at the far end of each is a small building.
The memorial was designed by J.R. Truelove, with sculpture by Ernest Gillick. It was unveiled by the Rt. Hon. Thomas Shaw on 4 August 1930.
Commemorated on the Memorial: United Kingdom 9,806, South Africa 16. Total 9,822.
Dedications
353878 Private George Jackson, 7th Bn. London Regiment, died 8th September 1918, aged 25. Panel 10 of the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. Son of Edward and Mary Jackson of Brockley, London Husband of Ada Lucy Goodair (formerly Jackson) of Brockley, London.
In loving memory of George Jackson. Remembered by Janet Henson-Webb (Great Niece)
354126 Lance Corporal Albert Tilley, 7th Bn. London Regiment, died 9th August 1918, aged 22. Son of William and Alice Tilley of 27 Stanley Buildings, Pancras Road, Kings Cross, London.
Remembered with honour
58062 Corporal Allan Leonard Lewis, V. C.
6th Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment, 21st September 1918, aged 23. Panel 7.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. George Lewis, of Wyeside, Whitney-on-Wye, Herefordshire.
Citation: An extract from the "London Gazette," dated 28th Jan., 1919, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery at Ronssoy on the 18th September, 1918, when in command of a section on the right of an attacking line held up by intense machine gun fire. L./Cpl. Lewis observing that two enemy machine guns were enfilading the line, crawled forward singlehanded, and successfully bombed the guns, and by rifle fire later caused the whole team to surrender, thereby enabling the line to advance. On 21st September, 1918, he again displayed great powers of command, and, having rushed his company through the enemy barrage, was killed whilst getting his men under cover from heavy machine gun fire. Throughout he showed a splendid disregard of danger, and his leadership at a critical period was beyond all praise."
6th Bn. Northamptonshire Regiment, 21st September 1918, aged 23. Panel 7.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. George Lewis, of Wyeside, Whitney-on-Wye, Herefordshire.
Citation: An extract from the "London Gazette," dated 28th Jan., 1919, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery at Ronssoy on the 18th September, 1918, when in command of a section on the right of an attacking line held up by intense machine gun fire. L./Cpl. Lewis observing that two enemy machine guns were enfilading the line, crawled forward singlehanded, and successfully bombed the guns, and by rifle fire later caused the whole team to surrender, thereby enabling the line to advance. On 21st September, 1918, he again displayed great powers of command, and, having rushed his company through the enemy barrage, was killed whilst getting his men under cover from heavy machine gun fire. Throughout he showed a splendid disregard of danger, and his leadership at a critical period was beyond all praise."
Wales Z/424 Chief Petty Officer George Prowse, V. C., D. C. M.
Drake Bn. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. R. N. Division. 27th September 1918, aged 32. Panel 1 and 2.
Son of John Prowse; husband of Sarah Prowse, of 65, Pentre-Treharne Rd., Landore, Swansea.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 29th Oct., 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, during an advance, a portion of his company became disorganised by heavy machine gun fire from an enemy strong point. Collecting what men were available he led them with great coolness and bravery against this strong point, capturing it together with twenty-three prisoners and five machine guns. Later, he took a patrol forward in face of much enemy opposition, and established it on important high ground. On another occasion he displayed great heroism by attacking single-handed an ammunition limber which was trying to recover ammunition, killing three men who accompanied it and capturing the limber. Two days later he rendered valuable services when covering the advance of his company with a Lewis gun section, and located later on two machine gun positions in a concrete emplacement, which were holding up the advance of the battalion on the right. With complete disregard of personal danger he rushed forward with a small party and attacked and captured these posts, killing six enemy and taking thirteen prisoners and two machine guns. He was the only survivor of the gallant party, but by this daring and heroic action he enabled the battalion on the right to push forward without further machine gun fire from the village. Throughout the whole operations his magnificent example and leadership were an inspiration to all, and his courage was superb."
Drake Bn. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. R. N. Division. 27th September 1918, aged 32. Panel 1 and 2.
Son of John Prowse; husband of Sarah Prowse, of 65, Pentre-Treharne Rd., Landore, Swansea.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 29th Oct., 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, during an advance, a portion of his company became disorganised by heavy machine gun fire from an enemy strong point. Collecting what men were available he led them with great coolness and bravery against this strong point, capturing it together with twenty-three prisoners and five machine guns. Later, he took a patrol forward in face of much enemy opposition, and established it on important high ground. On another occasion he displayed great heroism by attacking single-handed an ammunition limber which was trying to recover ammunition, killing three men who accompanied it and capturing the limber. Two days later he rendered valuable services when covering the advance of his company with a Lewis gun section, and located later on two machine gun positions in a concrete emplacement, which were holding up the advance of the battalion on the right. With complete disregard of personal danger he rushed forward with a small party and attacked and captured these posts, killing six enemy and taking thirteen prisoners and two machine guns. He was the only survivor of the gallant party, but by this daring and heroic action he enabled the battalion on the right to push forward without further machine gun fire from the village. Throughout the whole operations his magnificent example and leadership were an inspiration to all, and his courage was superb."
20695 Serjeant Frederick Charles Riggs, V. C., M. M.
6th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment, 1st October 1918, aged 29. Panel 9.
Adopted Son of Elizabeth Burgum, of 39, Capstone Rd., Bournemouth.
Citation: An extract form "The London Gazette," dated 3rd Jan., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the morning of 1st Oct., 1918, near Epinoy, when, having led his platoon through strong uncut wire under severe fire, he continued straight on, and although losing heavily from flanking fire, succeeded in reaching his objective, where he rushed and captured a machine gun. He later handled two captured guns with great effect, and caused the surrender of fifty enemy. Subsequently, when the enemy again advanced in force, Serjt. Riggs cheerfully encouraged his men to resist, and whilst exhorting his men to fight on to the last, this very gallant soldier was killed."
6th Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment, 1st October 1918, aged 29. Panel 9.
Adopted Son of Elizabeth Burgum, of 39, Capstone Rd., Bournemouth.
Citation: An extract form "The London Gazette," dated 3rd Jan., 1919, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice on the morning of 1st Oct., 1918, near Epinoy, when, having led his platoon through strong uncut wire under severe fire, he continued straight on, and although losing heavily from flanking fire, succeeded in reaching his objective, where he rushed and captured a machine gun. He later handled two captured guns with great effect, and caused the surrender of fifty enemy. Subsequently, when the enemy again advanced in force, Serjt. Riggs cheerfully encouraged his men to resist, and whilst exhorting his men to fight on to the last, this very gallant soldier was killed."
Shot at Dawn
G/18469 Private Frederick Charles Butcher, 7th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), executed for desertion 27th August 1918, aged 23. Panel 3. Son of Mrs. E. Butcher, of 24A, Park St., Folkestone. He had enlisted in October 1915 before serving on the Western Front. From a newspaper report written by a RAMC doctor (which appears to relate to Butcher) it seems that he had been wounded, but soon returned to his unit. One night he point-blank refused to go out with a raiding-party. At trial he made no excuse;promised that it would not happen again; & was given a chance in the light of his excellent record over 3 years of service. However a week later, it did occur again (seemingly his offence was one of Cowardice), & he was sentenced to death — & it was reported took his execution very bravely. The official notification to his mother of her son’s death covered up the true cause — which resulted in the issue of a muncicipal Certificate of Glory, & the inclusion of Butcher’s name on the local War Memorial. (Putkowski,pp.255-257)
G/18469 Private Frederick Charles Butcher, 7th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), executed for desertion 27th August 1918, aged 23. Panel 3. Son of Mrs. E. Butcher, of 24A, Park St., Folkestone. He had enlisted in October 1915 before serving on the Western Front. From a newspaper report written by a RAMC doctor (which appears to relate to Butcher) it seems that he had been wounded, but soon returned to his unit. One night he point-blank refused to go out with a raiding-party. At trial he made no excuse;promised that it would not happen again; & was given a chance in the light of his excellent record over 3 years of service. However a week later, it did occur again (seemingly his offence was one of Cowardice), & he was sentenced to death — & it was reported took his execution very bravely. The official notification to his mother of her son’s death covered up the true cause — which resulted in the issue of a muncicipal Certificate of Glory, & the inclusion of Butcher’s name on the local War Memorial. (Putkowski,pp.255-257)