Yorkshire Regiment War Graves
Yorkshire Regiment War Graves, -
Boulogne Eastern Cemetery (Pas de Calais, France)
Yorkshire Regiment War Graves
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Boulogne Eastern Cemetery (1) Boulogne Eastern Cemetery (1)
Photo : Chris Weekes (<weebex12@hotmail.com>)

Boulogne, was one of the three base ports most extensively used by the Commonwealth armies on the Western Front throughout the First World War. It was closed and cleared on the 27 August 1914 when the Allies were forced to fall back ahead of the German advance, but was opened again in October and from that month to the end of the war, Boulogne and Wimereux formed one of the chief hospital areas.

Until June 1918, the dead from the hospitals at Boulogne itself were buried in the Cimetiere de L'Est, one of the town cemeteries, the Commonwealth graves forming a long, narrow strip along the right hand edge of the cemetery. In the spring of 1918, it was found that space was running short in the Eastern Cemetery in spite of repeated extensions to the south, and the site of the new cemetery at Terlincthun was chosen.

During the Second World War, hospitals were again posted to Boulogne for a short time in May 1940. The town was taken by the Germans at the end of that month and remained in their hands until recaptured by the Canadians on 22 September 1944.

Boulogne Eastern Cemetery contains 5,577 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 224 from the Second World War.

Unusually, the headstones are laid flat in this cemetery. This is due to the sandy soil.

59 soldiers who served in the Yorkshire Regiment are buried in this cemetery.

We are very grateful to Chris Weekes (<weebex12@hotmail.com>) for having taken the photos of the cemetery and the Yorkshire Regiment headstones.

Private John George Ball. 1315.
   Private John George Ball. 1315.
1st/4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of John Edward and Margaret Ball, of 16, Cumberland Rd., Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. Died 7 May 1915. Aged 21.
Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.


"BETTER LOVE
HATH NO MAN THAN THIS
HE DIED FOR US ALL"
Private Ralph Barkess. 12696.
  Private Ralph Barkess. 12696.
9th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Ralph and Eliza Barkess, of 6, Bowlby St., Houghton-le-Spring, Co. Durham. Killed 7 July 1916. Aged 27.
Born Sleetburn (Durham), Enlisted Houghton, Resided Houghton-le-Spring.

"ONE OF THE UNRETURNED
ONE OF THE BEST
MAY GOD GRANT HIM
ETERNAL REST."
C Q M S Frederick Arthur Barr, 100.
  C Q M S Frederick Arthur Barr, 100.
1st / 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Native of Seamer, Farm, Yorks. Son of Hannah Appleton, of Newby, Nunthorpe, Yorks. Served in the South African Campaign. Killed 25 April 1915. Aged 43.
Born Seamer (Stokesley, Yorks), Enlisted Stokesley, Resided Newby
Private Albert Barry, 3020.
  Private Albert Barry, 3020.
4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died of wounds 14 May 1915.
Born Bishop Middleham (Durham), Enlisted Northallerton, Resided Oakhill-in-Bath
Private Sidney Best. 1785.
   Private Sidney Best. 1785.
1st/4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Matthew and Mary Best, of Welbury, Northallerton. Joined the Territorial Force in 1913. Killed 3 May 1915, aged 19.
Born Welbury, Enlisted Catterick, Resided Darlington.

"SON OF
MATTHEW AND MARY BEST
BORN AT WELBURY 1895
LOVED BY ALL"
Private Harry Betts. 2004.
   Private Harry Betts. 2004.
5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of the late George and Annie Betts; husband of Gertrude Betts, of 4, Mill Yard, Mill St., Victoria Rd., Scarborough. Died 1 May 1915. Aged 31.
Born Scarborough, Enlisted Scarborough.

"EVER LOVED BY
HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN"
Lance Corporal Arthur Binner. 8210.
  Lance Corporal Arthur Binner. 8210.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 9 November 1914.
Born Leeds, Enlisted Bradford.
.
Private Edward Blamires. 7214.
  Private Edward Blamires. 7214.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Andrew and Martha Blamires, of Bradford, Yorks. Killed 13 March 1915. Aged 31.
Born Bradford, Enlisted Bradford.
Private Bertram Bland, 12498.
  Private Bertram Bland, 12498.
7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 20 June 1916.
Born South Bank (Yorks), Enlisted South Bank.
Private Frederick Branch. 42819.
  Private Frederick Branch. 42819.
12th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 160619 R F A. Son of George Branch, of 49, North Rd., Blackweir, Cardiff. Killed 16 May 1918.
Enlisted Cardiff, Resided Blackweir (Cardiff).
Company Quartermaster Sergeant Charles Burini, 7510.
   Company Quartermaster Sergeant Charles Burini, 7510.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Lewis and Maria Burini, of Scorton, Darlington. Native of Malton, Yorks. Died 20 March 1915. Aged 23.
Born Malton, Enlisted Richmond (Yorks), Resided Scorton (Darlington).

Shown on his headstone as "Col Serjt", - should be "C Q M S"
Private William C Carr. 1434.
  Private William C Carr. 1434.
5th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 7 April 1916.
Born Kennythorpe (Malton), Enlisted Sandhutton, Resided Kennythorpe.
Serjeant Ronald Cartwright. 17943.
  Serjeant Ronald Cartwright. 17943.
9th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Ebenezer and Emily Florence Cartwright, of Ely Villa, Arundel Rd., Kemp Town, Brighton. Born at Nottingham. Killed 9 January 1916. Aged 32.
Born Nottingham, Enlisted Nottingham, Resided Brighton.
Private Harry Cotton. 29990.
  Private Harry Cotton. 29990.
1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 17225 Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Elizabeth Cotton, of 34 Oak St., Middlesbrough, and the late Harry Cotton. Died 28 April 1918. Aged 25.
Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.

"LOVINGLY REMEMBERED BY
HIS DEAR MOTHER
SISTER AND BROTHERS"

Photo : International Wargraves Photography Project of the Find a Grave website
Private John William Coulson. 1914.
  Private John William Coulson. 1914.
5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 30 April 1915.
Born Scarborough, Enlisted Scarborough, Resided West Hartlepool.
Corporal Walter Darley. 7039.
  Corporal Walter Darley. 7039.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Maria Hodgson (formerly Darley), of 89, New Row, Old Malton, Yorks. Killed 27 October 1914. Aged 33.
Born Huttons Ambo (Malton), Enlisted Malton, Resided Huttons Ambo.

"BORN JULY 5TH 1881
HUTTONS AMBO, YORKSHIRE
REST IN PEACE
FROM HIS LOVING MOTHER"
Private John Durkin. 11076
   Private John Durkin. 11076.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of John and Catharine Durkin, of 11, Third St., Wheatley Hill, Co. Durham. Killed 11 July 1916. Aged 26.
Born Spennymoor, Enlisted Wheatley Hill.
Private George Wilfred Featherstone, 3374.
  Private George Wilfred Featherstone, 3374.
1st / 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed on 25 March 1916.
Enlisted Helmsley, Resided Pockley Nawton.
Private Percival Barker Garner, 1821.
  Private Percival Barker Garner, 1821.
1st/5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Albert Edward and Betsy Garner, of Market St., Kirbymoorside, Yorks. Killed on 1 May 1916. Aged 26.
Born Nawton (Kirbymoorside), Enlisted Kirbymoorside (Yorks).
Private Arthur Gibbin. 3241.
   Private Arthur Gibbin. 3241.
4th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of William and Mary Gibbin, of 3, South View, Warrenby, Redcar, Yorks. Killed 15 June 1916. Aged 19.
Born Redcar, Enlisted Warrenby.
Private Charles Gillard, 11782.
   Private Charles Gillard, 11782.
7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Brother of James Gillard, of Old Bank Head, Eston, Yorks. Killed 12 July 1916. Aged 31.
Born Barnby Moor (Yorks), Enlisted Middlesbrough, Resided Eston (S O).

"SLEEP ON DEAR BROTHER
ONE OF THE BEST
GRANT HIM, O LORD,
ETERNAL REST."
Serjeant James Hardisty, MM, 14787.
   Serjeant James Hardisty, MM, 14787.
13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of John and Sarah Hardisty, of York. Killed 29 April 1918. Aged 34.
Born York, Enlisted York.
Private William Henry Harris. 32977.
  Private William Henry Harris. 32977.
2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 15 August 1917. Aged 19.
Born Scarborough, Enlisted Scarborough.
Private John Hawkesworth, 7595.
   Private John Hawkesworth, 7595.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 16 March 1915.
Born Mirfield (Yorks), Enlisted Bradford, Resided Gomersal (Leeds).
Private George Higginbottom, 17842.
   Private George Higginbottom, 17842.
7th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 9 April 1916.
Born Leeds, Enlisted Leeds.
Private Thomas Henry Hooley, 35449.
  Private Thomas Henry Hooley, 35449.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 3/26813 69th T R BattnT R Battn. Son of James and Henrietta Hooley, of 17, Platt St., Cheadle, Cheshire. Killed 4 May 1918. Aged 18.
Born Cheadle (Ches), Enlisted Stockport, Resided Cheadle.


"TOO DEARLY LOVED
TO BE FORGOTTEN"
Private James Jackson, 2975.
   Private James Jackson, 2975.
5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Thomas and Ellen Jackson, of Melsonby, Darlington. Killed 4 May 1915. Aged 18.
Enlisted Darlington, Resided Greta Bridge.
Private Enoch Jagger. 6709.
  Private Enoch Jagger. 6709.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 16 March 1915.
Born Bradford, Enlisted Halifax, Resided Keighley.
Private Reece Price Jarman. 41651.
  Private Reece Price Jarman. 41651.
13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 160668 R F A. Son of Rees and Margaret Jarman, of 6, Cross Thomas St., Merthyr Tydfil; husband of Elizabeth Jarman, of 4, Vaughan's Court, Tramroad Side, Merthyr Tydfil, Glam. Killed 3 April 1918. Aged 31.
Born Merthyr Town (Glam), Enlisted Merthyr.

"HE LAID HIS HIGHEST GIFT
ON THE ALTER OF DUTY
HIS LIFE"


(Note : The inscription on the headstone, above, is as inscribed.)
Private Clifford Kerry, 8085.
 
Private Clifford Kerry, 8085.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of John and Louisa Kerry, of 94, Sherwin St., Derby. Killed 1 November 1914. Aged 27.
Born Derby, Enlisted Richmond, Resided Derby.



"TO MEMORY EVER DEAR"
Private James Lee. 7051.
  Private James Lee. 7051.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 29 October 1914.
Born Brightside (Yorks), Enlisted Sheffield.
Private Charles Loakes. 35204.
  Private Charles Loakes. 35204.
5th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 35397 9th T R Battn. Son of James and Elizabeth Loakes, of 3, Collins St., Wellingborough Rd., Northampton. Killed 16 April 1918. Aged 18.
Born Northampton, Enlisted Northampton.

"EVER LOVING MEMORY
FROM FATHER, MOTHER,
BROTHERS & SISTERS"
Private James William Manton. 7653.
  Private James William Manton. 7653.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of James and Hannah Manton, of Bradford, Yorks. Killed 15 March 1915. Aged 33.
Born Bradford, Enlisted Bradford.

"IN EVER LOVING MEMORY
FROM YOUR EVER LOVING WIFE
MAGGIE"
Private Lewis Maynard. 7518.
  Private Lewis Maynard. 7518.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 15 March 1915.
Born Bradford, Enlisted Bradford, Resided Girlington.
Private John McAtee, 10301.
   Private John McAtee, 10301.
2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Peter and Sarah McAtee, of Stockton-on-Tees. Killed on 18 March 1915. Aged 20.
Born Stockton, Enlisted Middlesbrough, Resided Stockton.

"LINKS OF STILL
MAY RUST AND SEVER
BUT LINKS OF LOVE
WILL LAST FOR EVER"

This headstone bears two "typos";-
1. The name should be "McAtee" and not "McAtel"
and
2. "Still" instead of "Steel"

Maybe John McAtee's relatives had bad hand-writing.
Private Kenneth Malcolm McClure. 35284.
   Private Kenneth Malcolm McClure. 35284.
5th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 35255 9th T R Battn. Son of William and Agnes McClure, of "The Pear Tree," Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middx. Killed 19 April 1918. Aged 18.
Born Hessle (Yorks), Enlisted Uxbridge, Resided Gould's Green (Hillingdon).

"WHEN I AWAKE
WITH THY LIKENESS
I SHALL BE SATISFIED"
Private John Harwood Middleton. 30069.
   Private John Harwood Middleton. 30069.
1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 43589 the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Martha Middleton, of 4 Court, 2 House, South St., Park, Sheffield. Killed 30 April 1918. Aged 19.
Born Sheffield, Enlisted Sheffield.
Private Michael Miles. 10244.
 
Private Michael Miles. 10244.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Michael and Ellen Miles, of Hoxne, Eye, Suffolk. Killed 3 November 1914. Aged 22.
Born Hoxne Eye (Suffolk), Enlisted Richmond (Yorks), Resided Hoxne Eye.



"UNTIL THE DAY BREAK
AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY"
Private Herbert Mobbs. 235313.
   Private Herbert Mobbs. 235313.
20th Battalion The King's (Liverpool Regiment), formerly 4822 the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 13 August 1917.
Born Norwich (Norfolk), Enlisted Norwich, Resided Norwich.
Private John James Mulheron. 26903.
  Private John James Mulheron. 26903.
10th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, formerly 26306 the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of James and Mary Mulheron, of 30, Lower Bennett St., Londonderry. Late Student Marlboro' Training College, Dublin. School Assistant, St. Mary's N.S., Stockton-on-Tees. Killed 22 November 1916. Aged 23.
Born Glasgow, Enlisted Stockton-on-Tees, Resided Londonderry.

"SHELTERED IN
THY SACRED HEART
DEAR JESUS MAY HE REST
JESUS MERCY"
  Private John Pearson, 20725.
7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 10 July 1916.
Born Pickering, Enlisted Malton, Resided Pickering.

"THE BELOVED SON OF JOHN
& SARAH ELIZABETH PEARSON
12, WESTGATE, PICKERING
BORN MARCH 15, 1896"
Private John Perry. 10402.
   Private John Perry. 10402.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 24 June 1915.
Born Leeds, Enlisted Leeds.
Private John George Pickering, 12783.
  Private John George Pickering, 12783.
8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of George Pickering, of 11, Guisbro St., Eston, Yorks. Killed 16 July 1916.
Born Eston (Yorks), Enlisted Middlesbrough, Resided Eston.


"THY WILL BE DONE"
Private James William Ponsford. 23642.
  Private James William Ponsford. 23642.
9th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 12 June 1917.
Born St. Pancras (Middlesex), Enlisted St. Pancras, Resided Somertown.
Private John Reed. 2279.
   Private John Reed. 2279.
5th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Edwin and Mary Reed, of Bridlington Rd., Nafferton, Driffield. Killed 4 May 1915. Aged 22.
Born Bridlington, Enlisted Bridlington.
Private Ernest Ritchie, 13303.
  Private Ernest Ritchie, 13303.
8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Hugh and Deborah Ritchie, of Ernie Ville, Herrington Burn, Fence Houses, Co. Durham. Killed 16 July 1916. Aged 30.
Born Houghton-le-Spring, Enlisted Shiney Row, Resided Sunderland.

"TILL WE MEET AGAIN
WHERE PARTING IS NO MORE"
Drummer John William Rogers. 1238.
   Drummer John William Rogers. 1238.
4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Annie Rogers, of "Belle Vue," Cockermouth, and the late William Rogers. Native of Middlesbrough. Died 29 April 1915.
Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.
Private Charles Southern. 241262.
   Private Charles Southern. 241262.
5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of G. W. and Georgina Southern, of Middlesborough. Died 23 April 1917. Aged 19.
Enlisted Middlesbrough.

"STILL TO MEMORY DEAR"
  Private Anthony Spencer. 41056.
12th battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 56815 Sherwood Foresters. Son of Anthony and Alice Spencer, of Yew Tree House, Bank Rd., Matlock. Native of Wensley, Matlock. Killed 12 April 1918. Aged 34.
Born Wensley (Derbyshire), Enlisted Matlock, Resided Wensley (Derbyshire)
Private John Tarleton. 7605.
  Private John Tarleton. 7605.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Brother-in-law of Mr. E. Jolly, of 29, Wilberforce St., Laisterdyke, Bradford. Killed 3 November 1914.
Born Bradford, Enlisted Bradford.
Private Thomas William Taylor. 6479.
  Private Thomas William Taylor. 6479.
2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Husband of Bertha Taylor, of 9, Bank Side, Todmorden. Killed 28 March 1915. Aged 25.
Born Bradford, Enlisted Strensall (Yorks), Resided Todmorden.

"AT REST"
Private George William Thirkell. 15921.
   Private George William Thirkell. 15921.
9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Thomas William and Gertrude Thirkell. Died 9 October 1917. Aged 21.
Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.


(Note : Incorrect spelling of surname on the headstone)
Private James William Watson, 24371.
   Private James William Watson, 24371.
9th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Godfrey and Elizabeth Ann Watson, of 6, Carlton Terrace, Yarm-on-Tees, Yorks. Died 24 February 1917. Aged 20
Born Galphy (Yorks), Enlisted Stockton-on-Tees, Resided Yarm.

"HE WENT TO WAR
FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE
AND DIED THAT LOVE MIGHT LIVE"
L/Cpl William Webster, 1314.
  L/Cpl William Webster, 1314.
1st/5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 22 February 1916.
Born Thornton-le-Dale (Yorks), Enlisted Sledmere, Resided Stamford Bridge (Yorks).



The family words on the headstone above L/Cpl Webster's headstone are included, as it is felt that they are very appropriate.
Lieutenant Anthony Reginald Welsh.
  Lieutenant Anthony Reginald Welsh.
4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of William and Florence Elvira Welsh, of Owslebury House, Winchester. Born Altrincham, Cheshire. Died 19 February 1916. Aged 32.

"SANS PEUR. ET SANS REPROCHE"
Private Herbert Haydn Wilmot. 47903.
  Private Herbert Haydn Wilmot. 47903.
12th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 223047 R E. Son of Mary Ann Wilmot, of 39, Highbury Avenue, Bulwell, Nottingham, and the late Curtis Wilmot. Killed 14 April 1918. Aged 26.
Born Nottingham, Enlisted Nottingham.

"HE GAVE HIS LIFE
FOR HIS FRIENDS
FROM MOTHER
SISTERS AND BROTHER"
Private Reginald Wilson. 20930.
  Private Reginald Wilson. 20930.
12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of James and Kate Wilson, of 48, Orwell St., Middlesbrough. Died 23 November 1916. Aged 20.
Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.

"DEARER TO MEMORY
THAN WORDS CAN TELL
ARE OUR THOUGHTS OF HIM
WE LOVED SO WELL"
Private Joseph Woods. 10874.
   Private Joseph Woods. 10874.
6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of John and Annie Woods, of 61, Cunningham St., Middlesbrough. Died 17 September 1916.Aged 34.
Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.

"A YOUNG LIFE NOBLY ENDED
R.I.P. "
Lance Serjeant John Wright. 12232.
   Lance Serjeant John Wright. 12232.
8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Husband of A. M. Wright, of 10, Bradstone New Rd., Folkestone. Killed 10 June 1917. Aged 33.
Born Marske-by-the-Sea (Yorks), Enlisted Richmond (Yorks), Resided Marske.

Boulogne Eastern Cemetery (2) Boulogne Eastern Cemetery (2)
Photo : Chris Weekes (<weebex12@hotmail.com>)

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