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Yorkshire
Regiment War Graves, - Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery (France, Nord) |
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Fifteen
Ravine British Cemetery,Villers-Plouich (1)
Photo : Commonwealth
War Graves Commission
"Fifteen Ravine" was the name given by the Army to the shallow ravine, once bordered by fifteen trees, which ran at right angles to the railway about 800 metres south of the village of Villers-Plouich, but the cemetery is in fact in "Farm Ravine," on the east side of the railway line, nearer to the village.
The cemetery, sometimes called Farm Ravine Cemetery, was begun by the 17th Welsh Regiment in April 1917, a few days after the capture of the ravine by the 12th South Wales Borderers. It continued in use during the Battle of Cambrai (November 1917) and until March 1918, when the ravine formed the boundary between the Third and Fifth Armies. On 22 March, the second day of the great German offensive, the ground passed into their hands after severe fighting, and it was not regained until the end of the following September.
In March 1918, the cemetery contained 107 graves (now Plot I), but it was greatly enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields south-west of Cambrai and other cemeteries.
Fifteen Ravine Cemetery now contains 1,264 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 740 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 44 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate ten men of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, buried in Argyle Road Cemetery, Beaucamp, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire.
Amongst the graves are those for 5 soldiers who served with the Yorkshire Regiment.
We are very grateful to Chris Weekes (<weebex12@hotmail.com>) for photographs of the cemetery and headstones.
Click on the thumbnail image of a headstone for a larger version of the photo which opens in a new window.
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Private Arthur Chaleron. 23498. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Maria Chaleron, of 35, Fitzroy St., Fitzroy Square, London. Killed 28 April 1917. Aged 21. Born Middlesex, Enlisted St. Pancras (London). |
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Private George Stephen Gilbert,
23299. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 29 April 1917. Born Gidney (Lancs), Enlisted Howden, Resided Eastrington (Brough). |
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Private Frank Harker, 27360. 14th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, formerly 2612 the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 27 September 1918. Born Skelton (Yorks), Enlisted North Skelton. |
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Private John Vout. 23297. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Harry William Vout, of Caston Rd. Griston, Thetford, Norfolk. Killed 30 April 1917. Aged 34. Born Shipdham (Norfolk), Enlisted Kiverton Park, Resided Wales (Near Sheffield). "THE LORD GAVE
AND THE LORD HATH TAKEN AWAY" |
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Private Fenton Walsh. 45537. 19th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, formerly 23809 the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 21 April 1917. Born Dublin, Enlisted Bradford (Yorks). |
Fifteen
Ravine British Cemetery,Villers-Plouich (2)
Photo : Chris Weekes (<weebex12@hotmail.com>)
Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery,Villers-Plouich (3)
Photo : Chris Weekes (<weebex12@hotmail.com>)