TANCREZ FARM
CEMETERY
Comines-Warneton
Hainaut
Belgium
GENERAL DIRECTIONS: The cemetery can be found by taking the N365 from Ieper towards Armentieres, upon reaching the village of Ploegsteert, continue for a further 2km and turn left onto Witteweg (Chemin de la Blanche), then take the first right and continue past Motor Car Corner Cemetery. At the end of this road, the road turns left towards Touquet. The cemetery is 500m along this road (Rue du Touquet) on the left.
The commune of Ploegsteert contains a large amount of British War Cemeteries, it remained in British hands during the greater part of the war, although both it, and the cemeteries were in German hands from 10th April to 29th September 1918. This cemetery stands behind a re-built farmhouse, which was used as an Aid Post during the war; it was started in December 1914 and continually used by fighting units and Field Ambulances until March 1918.
CASUALTY DETAILS: UK 307; Australia 19; New Zealand 3; South Africa 4; Germany 2; Total Burials: 335
 Picture courtesy of Ralph Davidson of Milnrow, Rochdale. |
Private Charles UMBERS 2nd Bn. Border Regiment Killed in Action: 28/10/1916 Service No: 27284 (previously 35460 Manchester Regiment) Grave/Memorial Reference: II. A. 6.
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From Ralph Davidson Of Milnrow,
Rochdale: He was my Mothers Uncle Charlie and when he went to war (called up) he gave my Nan a sixpence and told her to share it with the children, as he said he wasn't coming back. He was as blind as a bat and couldn't see the end of his rifle, he asked if he could serve in the Pay Corps due to his bad eyesight but was thought to be "dodging the column" but as my Nan said to my Mother " the Government killed him by sticking a rifle in his hands". He was killed when a trench mortar shell landed in his trench killing him and two other soldiers and they are all buried side by side in Tancrez Farm. Prior to the war he worked in a pawnbrokers shop. He enlisted in Ashton-under-Lyne and lived in Miles Platting, Manchester. He is commemorated in the Book of Remembrance in Carlisle Cathedral. |
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