HEILLY STATION CEMETERY
The village was originally built around a magnificent chateau owned by members of the French aristocracy with Royal connections. It was destroyed in the French Revolution in 1847 and only a part of the southeast wing remained. Now that stands in ruins. Parts of the vast ramparts still remain and some remains of the outbuildings can still be found in the village.
XV Corps had their Headquarters here but exactly where is not known. Just outside the village over the railway line is Heilly Station Cemetery which actually stands within the communal boundary of Mericourt L’Abbé. It was the site of a casualty clearing station which was started in April 1916. It was exceptionally busy during those early days of July 1916 so much so that as the men died, so they were buried three to a grave in many cases, there being no time to dig all the graves. The ambulance trains plied their trade from the nearby railway line.
In the colonnades are engraved the cap badges of all the Regiments represented here, there being no space on the gravestones. Many of the wounded from the action described in this book were brought here. Just over the railway line going back towards the village turn left into an area signposted Étangs Fédéreux. Here will be found a beautiful recreation area in which it is possible to walk and picnic but patronised mainly by local fishermen who fish the waters of the beautiful lakes to be found there and possibly also utilised by the many troops who were billeted or bivouacked in the village.
MORLANCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY NUMBER ONE
This cemetery is situated amongst pleasant meadow land to the west of the village. It can only be approached on foot, a pleasant walk of some 500 metres through a small gate on the left that it is easy to miss, off the single track approach road. Among the graves are some of those wounded in the battles described and were brought back to Morlancourt and includes that of Lieutenant-Colonel O S Flower, commanding officer of the 13th Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
GORDON DUMP CEMETERY
It is a walk of about 200 metres to reach this cemetery which is situated on the Ovillers - Contalmaison road about one kilometre from Ovillers and signposted to the right. It contains the graves of some of the men from the regiments fighting in Pearl Alley and the Quadrangle. They include Captain J H Betts, MC of the Manchesters and Captain J A Benjamin of the 9th Duke of Wellingtons. Also in this cemetery is the grave of Second-Lieutenant D S Bell who won the Victoria Cross attacking a machine gun post at Horseshoe Trench near Contalmaison. In the plot immediately to the left of the entrance gate are some graves of men of the 8th South Staffordshire Regiment.
THE THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
The Thiepval Memorial commemorates those who fought in the Battle of the Somme and have no known grave. Stands high on the ridge and is a landmark which can be seen from many distant vantage points. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and was dedicated in July 1932 by the Prince of Wales. There are over 73,000 names on the memorial and many names of those killed in the battles described in this book are recorded here. Behind the memorial as you approach from the main entrance is a cemetery laid out with French graves on the left and British graves on the right which was created to symbolise the fraternity between the two nations. The registers are kept in bronze safes at either side of the steps leading up to the altar. In case of difficulty call at the work base at the left of the entrance and ask for Mr Paul Price, the Thiepval Area Supervisor or telephone the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Office at Beaurains 0321710324.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND MEN INCLUDED IN THIS GUIDE
Throughout the book the names of some of the men involved in the action have been included. Where it has been possible to trace an outcome, these names have been listed below in chronological order as they appear in the book and in those cases where this has resulted in the existence of a grave or a name on a memorial, it is hoped that this will be helpful and interesting to the reader in making their visits.
Captain G S Dickinson, 7th Lincolnshire Regiment, killed in action 2.7.16 was buried at Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt.
Second Lieutenant W Turney, 8th South Staffordshire Regiment, was subsequently killed in action 10.7.16 and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Lieutenant B L Kimber, 7th Lincolnshire Regiment, subsequently killed in action 10.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Lieutenant T C Barrett, 7th Lincolnshire Regiment, died of wounds 4.7.16 was buried at Mericourt L’Abbé Communal Cemetery Extension. Lieutenant P A H Thornilley, 21st Manchester Regiment, was subsequently promoted to Captain and won the Military Cross. He was killed in action on 11.1.17 and was buried in Beaumont-Hamel British Cemetery.
Lieutenant I W Usher, 2nd Royal Irish Regiment, killed in action 4.7.16 and was buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery.
Second Lieutenant F Kerr, 2nd Royal Irish Regiment, killed in action 4.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Captain T L Crosse, 7th Border Regiment, killed in action 3.7.16 was buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery.
Second Lieutenant H H Crompton, 7th Border Regiment, killed in action 3.7.16 was buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery.
Brigadier-General R B Fell, commanding 51 Brigade was relieved by Brigadier-General G F Trotter on 6 July. According to Trotter, Brigadier-General Fell only knew of his relief when he (Trotter) arrived to take over. Lieutenant J Dadd, 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers, a friend of Siegfried Sassoon and Robert Graves was severely wounded. He also spent some time in a mental institution before recovering.
Captain P J G Ralph 2nd Royal Irish Regiment, was subsequently killed in action 6.8.17 and buried at Brandhoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. Captain R W P Bell, 2nd Royal Irish Regiment, killed in action 5.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. Second Lieutenant G J D White, 2nd Royal Irish Regiment, killed in action 5.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Second Lieutenant F Drummond, 9th Northumberland Fusiliers, killed in action 5.7.16 and buried in Gordon Dump Military Cemetery near La Boisselle.
Major J S Allen, 9th Northumberland Fusiliers, was awarded the Military Cross as a result of this action and was subsequently killed in action on 11.4.18 and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium. Company-Sergeant-Major F Green DCM, 9th Duke of Wellingtons Regiment, killed in action 7.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Captain A J Benjamin, 9th Duke of Wellingtons Regiment, killed in action 7.7.16 is buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery
Lieutenant L D Stanbury, 52 Brigade Machine Gun Corps, killed in action 7. 7. 16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Lieutenant L Holroyd, 7th East Yorkshire Regiment, subsequently wounded and died on 12. 9. 16 while awaiting embarkation to England and was buried at Etretat near Boulougne.
Lieutenant R P Albertanson, 6th Dorset Regiment, was awarded the Military Cross as a result of this action.
Second Lieutenant J K Michell, 52 Brigade Machine Gun Corps, was awarded the Military Cross for leading the search for Lieutenant Stanbury.
Private H Cocks, 52 Brigade Machine Gun Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal as a result of this action.
Major J R Angus, was later promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, transferred to the 11th South Wales Borderers and was drowned on 17th September 1917 and is buried in Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension, France.
Captain J L Williams, 16th Welsh Regiment, died of wounds 12.7.16 and is buried at Corbie Communal Cemetery.
Company Sergeant Major R Thomas, 16th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 7.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Lieutenant A Tregaskis, 16th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 7.7.16 is buried in Flat Iron Copse Cemetery.
Lieutenant L Tregaskis, 16th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 7.7.16 is buried in Flat Iron Copse Cemetery.
Private C Morgan, 16th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 7.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Private H J Morgan, 16th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 7.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Private A T Oliver, 16th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 7.7.16 is buried in Flat Iron Copse Cemetery
Private E Oliver, 16th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 10.7.16 is buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery
Lieutenant T Pryce-Hamer, 11th South Wales Borderers, killed in action 7.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme
Lieutenant-Colonel S J Wilkinson, commanding officer of the 10th South Wales Borderers, died of wounds 7.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme
Sergeant E Taylor, 52 Brigade Machine Gun Corps, killed in action 6.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Private E W Gibbs, 52 Brigade Machine Gun Corps, killed in action 6.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Private W Gibson, Northumberland Fusiliers attached to 52 Brigade Machine Gun Corps, killed in action 6.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Lieutenant-Colonel R J W Carden, 17th Lancers commanding the 16th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, killed in action 10.7.16 was buried at Carnoy Military Cemetery.
Major R H Mills, 14th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, killed in action 10.7.16 was buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery
Captain J Glynn Jones, 14th Royal Welsh Fusiliers was awarded the Military Cross for his work in evacuating the wounded.
Captain L P Godfrey, 14th Welsh Regiment died of wounds 23.8.17 and was buried at Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Proven, Belgium.
Lieutenant F J Hawkins, 14th Welsh Regiment was awarded the Military Cross as a result of this action.
Major G D’A Edwardes, lst Dragoon Guards, commanding the 13th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 10.7.16 and was buried at Dantzig Alley British Military Cemetery.
Second Lieutenant H B Cowie, 10th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 10.7.16 and was buried at Dantzig Alley British Military Cemetery.
Second Lieutenant H H T Rees, 16th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, killed in action 10.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Major L E Bond, 13th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 10.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Second Lieutenant T P Purdie, 13th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 10.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Second Lieutenant G D M Crossman, 13th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 10.7.16 is buried in Flat Iron Copse Cemetery.
Lieutenant-Colonel O S Flower, commanding the 13th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, died of wounds 12.7.16 was buried in Morlancourt British Cemetery No 1.
Major P Anthony, 15th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, killed in action 10.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Lieutenant J Evans, 15th Welsh Regiment, was awarded the Military Cross as a result of this action.
Second Lieutenant W S A Clarke, 6th Dorset Regiment, killed in action 10.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Lieutenant R B Cracroft, 7th East Yorkshire Regiment, killed in action 10.7.16 and is buried in Flat Iron Copse Cemetery.
Captain T Heathcock, 7th East Yorkshire Regiment, killed in action 10.7.16 is believed to have been buried in Flat Iron Copse Cemetery.
Second Lieutenant W H Cullen, 113th Brigade Machine Gun Company, killed in action 11.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Second Lieutenant A Rosser, 14th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 10.7.16 is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Lieutenant D Yorke, 14th Welsh Regiment, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order as a result of this action.
Major D Hughes Onslow, 6th Dorset Regiment, killed in action 10.7.16 was buried in Meaulte Military Cemetery.
Private S Hicks, 6th Dorset Regiment, was awarded the Military Medal as a result of this action. He was killed in action 30.3.18. and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing
Lance Corporal W Routliffe, 6th Dorset Regiment, was awarded the Military Medal as a result of this action.
Captain G O’Hanlon, 6th Dorset Regiment, was awarded the Military Cross for his part in this action.
Lieutenant G L Davidson, 6th Dorset Regiment, died of wounds 11.7.16 and was posthumously awarded the Military Cross. He was buried at Heilly Station Cemetery.
Captain L A P Harris, 16th Welsh Regiment, killed in action 11.7.16. is buried in Dantzig Alley Cemetery.
Captain E D Job, Artist’s Rifles attached to 114th Brigade Machine Gun Corps, killed in action 11.7.16 is buried in Flat Iron Copse Cemetery.