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Yorkshire
Regiment War Graves, - Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension (France, Nord) |
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Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension (1)
Photo : Chris Cosgrove.
Estaires town was occupied by French cavalry on the 15 October 1914, and passed at once into British hands. On the 10 April 1918 it was captured by the enemy, after an obstinate defence by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division; and it was finally retaken by British troops at the beginning of September 1918.
The town was a Field Ambulance centre as early as November 1914, and later the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station was posted in it. It was later "adopted" by the County Borough of Plymouth.
Estaires Communal Cemetery was used for British burials from the early days of November 1914 to June 1917, and two burials of September 1918 are in Plot II, Row P. Estaires Communal Cemetery Extension was used from April 1917 to April 1918, and again in September-November 1918. The Plots are numbered IV and V, in continuation of the numbering for the Communal Cemetery.
The Portuguese graves of June-August 1917 and two French graves were removed after the Armistice. A German Plot of 63 graves, made on the North side during the enemy occupation in 1918, has been removed.
There are a total of 875 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918 war here, 63 of which are unidentified. There are 9 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-45 War, killed during the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force to Dunkirk at the end of May 1940. There are also 14 Non Commonwealth burials in C.W.G.C. care.
Amongst the graves are those for four soldiers who served with the Yorkshire Regiment, and also that of Brigadier General Sir John Gough, VC.
We are extremely grateful to Chris Cosgrove (<trainscpc@aol.com>) who has generously provided the photographs on this page.
Click on thumbnail image of a headstone for a larger version of the photo which opens in a new window.
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Private Denis Kelly. 8104. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 14 March 1915. Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough. "THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT" "KNOWN TO BE BURIED IN THIS CEMETERY" |
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Private Robert William Lynas.
3/7504. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 14 March 1915. Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough. |
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Private John William Stirling.
203171. 1st/4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, formerly 5186 the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 12 June 1917. Born Consett (Durham), Enlisted Middlesbrough. |
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Private John R Wilson. 203510.
1st/4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, formerly 2996 the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Thomas and Martha Wilson, of Fraisthorpe, Carnaby, Bridgton, Yorks. Killed 12 June 1917. Aged 26. Enlisted Bridlington (Yorks). "BE YE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH AND I WILL GIVE YOU A CROWN OF LIFE" |
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Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension (2)
Photo : Chris Cosgrove.
The
grave of Brigadier General Sir John Gough, VC (left), - detail from the photo
above.
Photo : Chris Cosgrove.
Brigadier General Sir John Edmond Gough, V C, K C B, C M
G. A.D.C. to H.M. The King. Chief of Staff, First Army late Rifle Brigade.
Son of Gen. Sir Charles Gough, V.C., G.C.B.; husband of Lady Gough, of 4,
Upper Harley St., Regent's Park, London. Died 22 February 1915, Aged 43.
V.C. won Somaliland, 1903. An extract from the London Gazette dated 15th January
1904 records the following: "During the action at Daratoleh, on 22nd
April last, Major Gough assisted Captains Walker and Rolland in carrying back
the late Captain Bruce (who had been mortally wounded) and preventing that
Officer from falling into the hands of the enemy. Captains Walker and Rolland
have already been awarded the Victoria Cross for their gallantry on this occasion,
but Major Gough (who was in command of the column) made no mention of his
own conduct, which has only recently been brought to notice."
He was mortally wounded by a sniper whilst visiting the 2nd Rifle Brigade
at Fauguissart.