Hermies British
Location
Hermies is a town in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais, approximately 3.5 kilometres south of the road from Bapaume to Cambrai, (N30). From the N30 take the D34 for 3.2 kilometres to its junction with the D5E where the first CWGC sign is situated. The Cemetery lies on the right side of the road 150 metres from the junction.
Historical Information
Hermies village was seized on the morning of the 9th April 1917, by a surprise attack of the 2nd and 3rd Australian Infantry Battalions.
Private Milo Whitehead 6096 |
Rifleman M Cunich 1039 |
Special Memorial B 3 |
Special Memorial B 4 |
It was held against the advancing Germans on the 22nd March 1918, by the 17th Division, but evacuated on the following day; and it was retaken in September 1918. It was later adopted, with Havrincourt, by the County Borough of Huddersfield.
The cemetery was made in April-December 1917, by fighting units and Field Ambulances.
There are now over 100, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified and a special memorial is erected to one soldier from the United Kingdom, who is believed to be one of them.
Eight graves in Rows A and B, identified as a whole but not individually, are marked by headstones bearing the additional words Buried near this spot.
The cemetery covers an area of 731 square metres and is enclosed by a low brick wall.
Brigadier General Roland Bradford VC MC
2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry
Commanding 186th Infantry Brigade
Died on 30th November 1917 aged 25
Son of George Bradford, of Darlington, Co. Durham
An extract from The London Gazette, dated the 24th November 1916, records the following:
For most conspicuous bravery and good leadership in attack, whereby he saved the situation on the right flank of his Brigade and of the Division. Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford's Battalion was in support. A leading Battalion having suffered very severe casualties, and the Commander wounded, its flank became dangerously exposed at close quarters to the enemy. Raked by machine-gun fire, the situation of the Battalion was critical.
At the request of the wounded Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford asked permission to command the exposed Battalion in addition to his own. Permission granted, he at once proceeded to the foremost lines. By his fearless energy under fire of all description, and his skillful leadership of the two Battalions, regardless of all danger, he succeeded in rallying the attack, captured and defended the objective, and so secured the flank.
Roland Bradford was the British Army's youngest general to rise by promotion - as opposed to via social or political means.
Grave: F 10
Rev George Ranking
Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class
Attached to IV Corps Heavy Artillery
Died on 20th November 1917 aged 46
Son of Harvey Ranking; husband of Violet Ranking, of Open Combe, Marley Heights, Haslemere, Surrey
Grave: F 3
On the opposite side of the road you will see Hermies Hill British Cemetery where you will find the grave of 2nd Lieutenant Frank Young VC.
Hermies Hill British Cemetery
Cambrai 1917