Desplanque Farm Cemetery
Location
La Chapelle-d’Armentières is a village 1.5 kilometres to the west of Armentières, a large town in the north of France.
From the Marie in La Chapelle d’Armentières turn left onto the main road and continue to the roundabout. Turn right towards the motorway and after a kilometre turn into the farmyard and pass through the archway where the cemetery will be found on the left.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 50.662466 | 2.896507 | Map |
Historical Information
The village of La Chapelle-d’Armentières was in British hands from October 1914 until the fall of Armentières on the 10th April 1918, and it was retaken in the following October. During the British occupation it was very close to the front line, and the cemeteries which it contains are those made by fighting units and Field Ambulances in the earlier days of trench warfare.
Desplanque Farm Cemetery stands behind a farm, now rebuilt, which was used at first as a dressing station and later as an observation post. It was begun in October 1914 by units of the 6th Division, and used until June 1916.
There are now over 50, 1914-1918 war casualties buried in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.
The cemetery covers an area of 473 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall.
Somebody has been visiting Australians
Private Frank Arthurs 8433
2nd Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Died on 21st August 1915 aged 24
Son of Alice and the late Percy Arthurs
of 66, Longridge Rd., Earl’s Court, London
Grave: C 14
Private James Shields 17448
2nd Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers
Died on 8th September 1915 aged 27
Son of Thomas and Annie Shields
of Crossmaglen, Co. Armagh
Grave: D 2
Private Charles Devall 17451
2nd Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers
Died on 13th September 1915
Grave: D 4
Lance Corporal Cecil Lewis 2187
27th Bn Australian Infantry
Died on 6th June 1916 aged 20
Son of Christopher and Hannah Lewis
of Erskine St., Goodwood Park, South Australia
Grave: B 3