Puchevillers
Location
Puchevillers is a village on the D11 about 19 kilometres north-east of Amiens. The British Cemetery is a little west of the village. The first Commonwealth War Graves Commission signpost is situated by the church in the village.
Historical Information
In June 1916, just before the opening of the Battles of the Somme, the 3rd and 44th Casualty Clearing Stations came to Puchevillers.
Plots I to V, and almost the whole of Plot VI were made by those hospitals before the end of March 1917. For the next two months the 2nd/1st South Midland Casualty Clearing Station used the cemetery.
Plot VII contains for the most part the graves of men who died in the German advance in 1918, many of whom were buried by the 49th Clearing Station in March 1918, or by the 48th Labour Group in August.
Puchevillers British Cemetery contains 1,763 First World War burials.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Private Francis Anderson 17320
9th Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers
Died on 3rd July 1916 aged 36
Son of Richard and Isabella Anderson, of Cornacrew, Markethill, Co. Armagh
Grave: I 13 50
Lance Corporal H Elliott 14158
9th Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers
Died on 4th July 1916 aged 22
Son of Henry and Susan Elliott, of Lisanally Lane, Armagh
Grave: I B 34
Second Lieutenant Charles Close
10th Bn Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Died on 14th November 1916 aged 32
Son of James and Catherine Close, of Limerick
Grave: III B 6
Lieutenant Francis Cameron
7th Bn Cameron Highlanders
Died on 19th August 1916 aged 19
Son of Sir Edward and Lady Cameron, of 31 South Eaton Place, Belgravia, London
Pro rege et patria
A sunbeam lifted higher
Grave: I C 63
Sergeant William McEwan 452476
2nd Bn Canadian Infantry
Eastern Ontario Regiment
Died on 15th September 1916 aged 27
Son of the late John and Jane McEwan
Husband of Margaret McEwan, of Arkeen Villa, Newcastle, Co. Down, Ireland
Late of Kilwinning, Ayrshire, Scotland
No longer does
The helmet press thy brow
Oft weary with its
Surging thoughts of battle
Grave: III D 2
Second Lieutenant Herbert Crowle
10th Bn Australian Infantry
Died on 25th August 1916 aged 32
Son of Charles and Matilda Crowle
Husband of Beatrice Crowle, of Bevington Rd, Glen Osmond, Adelaide, South Australia
Native of North Carlton, Melbourne
Also served Gallipoli Campaign 1915
Wounded Mouquet Farm Pozières,
20th August 1916
Erected in loving memory by
his wife and brother
October 1919
Grave: III A 11
Lieutenant Colonel Harry Connell
Royal Army Medical Corps
Died on 16th November 1916 aged 40
Son of Joseph and Ellen Connell
Grave: III A 24
This cemetery is noted for the number of young soldiers who lie amongst the rows.
Private Victor Apps 22804
6th Bn Border Regiment
Died on 29th September 1916 aged 16
Son of Mary and Albert Apps, of Epsom, Surrey
Gone
But never to be forgotten
By his loving mother
Brother and sisters
Grave: IV E 30
Lance Corporal James Skinn 2224
1/5th Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Died on 3rd July 1916 aged 17
Son of John and Ada Skinn, of Goole, Yorks
Grave: I B 4
Private Alfred Wilsdon 21279
10th Bn Gloucestershire Regiment
Died on 23rd July 1916 aged 17
Son of Joseph and Ellen Wilsdon, of Bourton-on-the-Water, Glos
Grave: II A 13
Two boys from 10th Bn Gloucestershire Regiment
Private Walter Shepherd 25196
10th Bn Gloucestershire Regiment
Died on 23rd July 1916 aged 17
Son of Mr and Mrs Shepherd, of Reformatory Rd, Two Mile Hill, Kingswood, Bristol
Grave: I F 55
Lance Corporal H Howard 17233
8th Bn Duke of Wellington's
West Riding Regiment
Died on 17th September 1916 aged 17
Son of James and Helen Howard, of London
Grave: IV D 3
Private Wilfred Bentley 5943
1/5th Bn West Yorkshire Regiment
Prince of Wales's Own
Died on 29th September 1916 aged 17
Son of Emma and the late George Bentley, of Hartlepool
My beloved son
In whom I am well pleased
E G H Bentley
Hartlepool
Grave: IV E 44
Private Stephen Cuthbert 20651
15th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers
Died on 30 September 1916 aged 17
Son of William and Catherine Cuthbert, of Monkwearmouth, Sunderland
Grave: V B 26
Gunner Arthur Smith 121987
106th Siege Bty Bn Royal Garrison Artillery
Died on 25th October 1916 aged 17
Son of Herbert and Rosannah Smith, of 4 Herston Cross, Swanage, Dorset
He gave his dear life
for England
Never shall
His memory fade
Grave: V E 11
There are two other young lads here that I missed:
Private Albert Bowl, aged 16, Grave: I D 31
Private Charles Foakes, aged 17, Grave: I E 45