ST. VAAST POST MILITARY CEMETERY
Richebourg-L'Avoue
Pas de Calais
France
General Directions: The cemetery lies near the village of Richebourg-l'Avoue which is 9 kilometres north-east of Bethune. From Bethune follow the D.171 toward Armentieres and progress onto the D.166 proceeding into the outskirts of Richebourg. Take a left turning into Rue des Charbonniers for approximately 2 kilometres and the cemetery is on the right hand side.
Richebourg-L'Avoue village remained in British hands from the Autumn of 1914 to the 9th April, 1918, though the front line was within 1.6 kilometres of it. It was recovered in September, 1918. The strong point from which the cemetery was named was in turn named from the hamlet of St. Vaast, between the village of Richebourg-St. Vaast and Goix-Barbee. It stands in an old orchard between two farm buildings, where a trench tramway had its terminus and a Dressing Station was established. It was begun in May, 1915, at the time of the Battle of Festubert, and used by fighting units and Field Ambulances until July, 1917. In April and May, 1918, the Germans buried 90 of their men at the South-East end, and in September and October, 1918, 18 further British dead were buried in Plot V. Eleven Portuguese soldiers buried here in May-July, 1917, have been removed to the Portuguese Military Cemetery.
Shot at Dawn: Private E. Beaumont, 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regiment, executed for desertion 24/06/1915, plot 1. G. 1.
Casualty Details: UK 744, India 55, Germany 91, Total Burials: 890
|
Private S/5040 James M. Borland 2nd Bn. The Black Watch KIA 11/07/1915. aged 23 Husband of Marion Borland, of 47, Johnstone St., Airdrie. Plot I. C. 10
Image courtesy of Joe O'Raw and William Kilgour |
3/256 Company Quartermaster Serjeant Simon Merritt 6th Bn. Wiltshire Regiment 25/12/1915, aged 44. Son of Thomas Merritt, of Bishop's Cannings, Devizes; husband of Matilda J. Willis (formerly Merritt). Plot II. J. A.
Picture courtesy of his Granddaughter Sylvia Merritt
|
|
5759 Private Myles Sweeney 7th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment 06/04/1916. Plot III. B. 4
Picture courtesy of Craig Simpson, great grand nephew |
Captain Cyril Holland 13th Bde. Meerut Division Royal Field Artillery 09/05/1915, aged 29. Plot I. A. 1. Son of Oscar Wilde and Constance Lloyd. Dedicated by the Granddaughter of a woman who loved him dearly. "To a wonderfully brave man who sacrificed nine years of seniority to fight here and died redeeming his families name."
|
