ROMERIES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Romeries
Nord
France
General Directions: Romeries is a village approximately 16 kilometres south of Valenciennes and 4 kilometres north-east of Solemes. The Communal Cemetery is on the west side of the village on the north side of the road to Solemes.
Part of the II Corps retired through this area during the Retreat from Mons in August 1914, and in October 1918, Commonwealth forces returned during the Advance to Victory. Briastre was captured on 10 October 1918, Belle Vue Farm on 20 October, Romeries itself and Beaudignies on 23 October and Englefontaine on 26 October. The Battle of the Sambre, the last great action of the war, carried the front forward into Belgium and ended with the Armistice. Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension is one of the burial grounds of those who died between these dates. The original extension is Plot I, made by the 3rd and New Zealand Divisions, and containing 128 graves. The remaining plots were made after the Armistice when graves were brought in from small cemeteries and isolated positions on the battlefield, including (in Plot X) a few graves of 25 August 1914.
Victoria Cross: Corporal John McNamara, VC, 9th Bn. East Surrey Regiment, died 16/10/1918, plot IV. D. 17.
Shot at Dawn: Private E. Jackson, 24th Bn. Royal Fusiliers, executed for desertion 07/11/1918, plot 4. C. 20.
Casualty Details: UK 719, Canada 1, New Zealand 112, Total Burials: 832
|
Picture courtesy of John Garlington |
23/233 Corporal Alexander MacLachlan 1st Battalion, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade Killed in action 04/11/1918, aged 28. Son of Emily Keighley (formerly MacLachlan), of Alston Hall Villa, Grimsargh, Preston, England, and the late John MacLachlan. Plot IX. A. 19.
Emigrated to New Zealand some years before the War. Prevented from enlisting by a work agreement, he joined up in May 1915. On Christmas Day 1915 he was in action against Turkish-led Arabs in Egypt. Took part in the Somme offensive in France in 1916 and went over the top when tanks were first used. June 1917 was hit by shrapnel at Battle of Messines and returned to England and revisited the College. He was killed in almost the last offensive of the War. His officer wrote in a letter, “(He) was the most popular and capable NCO in “A” Company. I had reason to bless his cheerful disposition.” Originally buried “…in a little triangular copse alongside the railway line just south of Le Quesnoy…” Officer’s letter. ) |
Latest additions to the site | Belgian Cemetery Index | French Cemetery Index
Other Cemeteries and Memorials around the world | British Cemeteries and Memorials | 1939-1945 Cemetery Index
Cemeteries with Victoria Cross burials | Cemeteries with "Shot at Dawn" burials | Regimental Badge Archive | Roll of Honour
Information on how to submit a photograph or image to the site | Book Reviews | About Us and our task | Links
Contact Us (We always reply) | Site Map | Miscellaneous articles