 |
Yorkshire
Regiment War Graves, - Rue-David Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix (France, Pas de Calais) |
|
Rue-David
Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix
Photo : Chris Cosgrove
"Rue-David" (or "Rue-des-Davids") is the local name of the road running between La Croix-Marechal and La Boutillerie. The cemetery was begun by the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers in December 1914 and closed to Commonwealth burials in December 1917. At the Armistice it comprised Rows A to F and part of G of the present Plot I and contained 220 graves. The cemetery was greatly enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in mainly from the neighbourhood of Aubers and Fromelles, including those of many of the 1st Middlesex who died at the end of October 1914, and of the 5th Australian and 61st (South Midland) Divisions who died in July 1916.
There are now 898 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War in the cemetery. 429 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to four casualties known to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate 11 casualties buried in Abbey Wall Cemetery, La Boutillerie, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire, and six men of the Indian forces. The cemetery also contains ten German graves.
Amongst the graves are those of six soldiers who served with the Yorkshire Regiment.
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.
 |
Private John Burt. 3/7126. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 27 January 1915. Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough. |
|
 |
Captain Arnold Fairbairns. 10th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Mentioned in Despatches. Son of W. H. and K. M. Fairbairns; husband of Ethel A. C. Fairbairns, of Windsmill, Enfield, Middx. Born at Harlesden, London. Killed 14 October 1918. Aged 37. "ST JOHN XV VERSE 13 PRO DEO ET PRO PATRIA" |
|
 |
Private Patrick Hearty. 7194. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 23 January 1915. Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough. |
|
 |
Private Albert George McNair.
10283. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mr. G. W. McNair, of 11, Welbury St., Dalston, London. Killed 19 January 1915. Born Hackney (London), Enlisted Stratford, Resided Dalston (London). |
|
 |
Private John Megginson. 3/7696. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Stephen and Margaret Megginson, of 83, Trafalgar Rd., Scarborough. Killed 28 February 1915. Aged 19. Born Scarborough, Enlisted Scarborough. "CHERISHED MEMORIES OF ONE SO DEAR ARE OFT RECALLED BY A SILENT TEAR" |
|
 |
Private Walter Taylor. 7830. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of the late John H Taylor, of Dale St., Chappell Hill, Huddersfield. Killed 29 March 1915. Aged 32. Born Huddersfield, Enlisted Huddersfield. |
|
The Cross of Sacrifice - Rue-David Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix
Photo : Chris Cosgrove