DARTMOOR CEMETERY
Becordel-Becourt
Somme
France
General Directions: Becordel-Becourt is a village about 2.5 kilometres south-east of Albert. From the D938 (Albert-Peronne) take the road C2 (Becourt-Becordel). The Cemetery is immediately north of the village on the road to Becourt opposite the Communal Cemetery.
Dartmoor Cemetery was begun (as Becordel-Becourt Military Cemetery) in August 1915 and was used by the battalions holding that part of the line; its name was changed in May 1916 at the request of the 8th and 9th Battalions of the Devonshire Regiment. In September 1916, the XV Corps Main Dressing Station was established in the neighbourhood, but throughout 1917, the cemetery was scarcely used. It passed into German hands on 26 March 1918, but was retaken on 24 August by the 12th Division. There are five burials of August 1918, in Plot II, Row E. In adjoining graves in Plot I. A. 35/36, are buried a father and son (family name Lee), who served in the same artillery battery, and were killed in action on the same day.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens & George Hartley Goldsmith
Victoria Cross: 12639 Private James Miller, VC, 7th Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), died of wounds 30/07/1916. Plot I. C. 64.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 29740, dated 8th Sept., 1916, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery. His Battalion was consolidating a position after its capture by assault. Private Miller was ordered to take an important message under heavy shell and rifle fire and to bring back a reply at all costs. He was compelled to cross the open, and on leaving the trench was shot almost immediately in the back, the bullet coming out through his abdomen. In spite of this, with heroic courage and self-sacrifice, he compressed with his hand the gaping wound in his abdomen, delivered his message, staggered back with the answer and fell at the feet of the officer to whom he delivered it. He gave his life with a supreme devotion to duty."
Shot at Dawn: Private J. J. Sweeney, 1st Bn. Otago Regiment (N. Z. E. F), executed for desertion 02/10/1916. Plot 2. B. 1.
The mass pardon of 306 British Empire soldiers executed for certain offences during the Great War was enacted in section 359 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, which came into effect on royal assent on 8 November 2006.
Casualty Details: UK 633, Canada 4, Australia 71, New Zealand 59, India 1, Total Burials: 768
Gunner 68517
Alfred Waterman
"C" Battery, 46th Bde.
Royal Field Artillery
17/09/1916
Plot II. A. 83.
He enlisted in January 1915, trained in Leeds and later was to join C Battery, he was married to Nellie in Southend, Essex, sometime in June 1915 - sent to France in October 1915, he died of wounds on Sunday 17/09/1916.
Picture courtesy of Barry Waterman, great nephew
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