Hello Pierre,
Since my last message on this page 4 November 2009, I have since found a photo of my Grandfather VOGAN ALLAN DIXON JOSHUA
New Zealand Driver 9/1995 New Zealand Army Service Corps 29/10/1918 II. E. 11 buried at the Awoingt British Cemetery. I would very much like to share this picture with you and all your viewers. Can you please email me an address to send it to? Also has anyone been able to obtain a photo of the grave as yet? As I would very much love to have a copy of it if possible. Many thanks for the work you and your team put into this website.
Fran

ANZAC Day, 25 April. Lest We Forget. Remembering my great grandfather, 5/563 Captain William Charles Page, NZ Army, died of injuries, 27 May 1918 .Not on this site as he died in Brockenhurst,England. Also, Gunner Eric Greenhough, NZ Field Artillery, died of wounds 26 September 1918, Boisleux-St-Marc, Pas De Calais. I am lucky to own a photo album containing photographs sent back to NZ by both of these chaps and others, including the one of Eric on this site.

Tomorrow is ANZAC day. A day for honoring those who lost their lives in battle. Great Uncle Alfie and Great Uncle Stan.. We are so proud of you for what you have done. RIP both of you. All my love,
Lisa
xx

ROBERT HARROP, Canadian infantry, Central Ontario Regiment, a wonderful uncle, dedicated to preserving high values, always remembered. His name also appears on the Harrop family monument in Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada so that his sacrifices will never be forgotten. From a niece, Nancy Hull.

Corporal Thomas Connelly, Cameronian Scottish Rifles #11829
died September 21, 1915, 19 years old

To my great-great uncle Tom,
If I can feed one hungry child, if I can stop one racial slur, if I can give compassion to the suffering, if I can share with those in need, if I can vote against the politicians whose power is of money, war and hate, if I can see past my ego, if I can thank the universe for all that is mine for learning and evolving, if I can respect, it will be in gratitude to you.
Your sister Jane's granddaughter, Suzan.

Know you are not forgotten.

Thank you Pierre.

RIP Pte Harris Cassonman, Dorsetshire Regiment

KIA 21st April 1915

In memory of my uncle WILLIAM WALFORD

This report appeared in his local newspaper, The Wigan Observer, May 1917.
TWO BROTHERS WHO ENLISTED WHEN WAR BROKE OUT
One dies of wounds, the other in hospital.

Mrs. G Walford of 252, Woodhouse Lane Wigan, has received official news that her son, Pte William Walford, of the Border Regiment has died in a field hospital from shell wounds in the arm, face and legs, received in action. The deceased soldier, who was 27 years old, and unmarried, enlisted at the outbreak of the war, prior to which he worked as a drawer at The Langtree Pit of the Wigan Coal and Iron Co. and resided with his mother at the address given. He had had much experience of actual warfare during the two and a half years he had been with the colours, having taken part in the fighting at the Dardanelles and also in France.
His elder brother, Pte Alfred Walford of the Royal Field Artillery, who also enlisted as soon as the war broke out is at present in hospital in this country, having been invalided home with trench fever. Pte Walford who is 29 years old, and also unmarried, resided, like the deceased with his mother, before joining the colours was a drawer at the Abram Collieries.

In memory of my uncle Private John William Martin killed 21/10/1916 aged 18 yrs. He died at Thiepval on the Somme.

In memory of my grandfather Sgt William Wright Royal Scots Fusiliers who was wounded in the neck at The battle of Loos , Hill 70 , first assualt on 25th September 1915 and his only brother ( they were orphans ) Private Robert Wright, Royal Scots Fusiliers who was killed on the second assault on Hill 70 on the 26th September 1915. It was said that he was told his brother Willie had been killed and he rushed towards the german machine guns when he went over the top.
The Battle of Loos is known as The Scotsmans Battle due to the many Scots that were employed in it . Yours Aye

Peter very kindly added a link to a memorial site about my great uncle. If anyone is at all interested I've written a book and self published it at http://www.lulu.com/shop/andrew-mark-rudall/neat-little-rows/paperback/prod uct-20035288.html It contains many excerpts from my relative Harry written to his wife from the trenches. He was there in the beginning serving with the Grenadier Guards. I thought I would mention it here.
Kind regards
Andy

Edwin Mathew Pettler was the son of my great uncle Charles. Charles was a Methodist minister. They lived ( at sign) Middleton-on Teesdale in Yorkshire England.
We are not sure why he was serving with the Saskatchewan Regiment.
Perhaps you can enlighten us?
Today on the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge we remember him with pride.
Thank you for this web-site.

William Chappell was born in 1896 in Batley Yorkshire, son of Hannah Maria and Arthur Chappell.  The Chappells' lived in Ossett, near Wakefield with William, known as Wallie, his brother Joe (b1894), sister Mary (b1905) and his cousin Bertram Allsopp (b1892), adopted son of the Chappells.  By 1911, the Chappell household also includes Arthur's mother Mary Chappell, 75.  Ossett was principally a cloth making town, but also employed many in the local coal mines around Wakefield.  Arthur was a Stationary Engineer and had married Hannah Maria c1892.  Wallie's brother, Joe, was an apprentice blacksmith, and Bertram was a Mill Worker/Rag Maker, whilst Wallie and his sister Mary were at school in 1911.  

Wallie joined the Church Lads Brigade sometime around 1909 at the age of 13, and the boys were disciplined in riffle drills and various military style exercises. In 1911 the small movement became recognised by the War Office as part of the Territorial Cadet Force and when the call to arms came in the summer of 1914 they formed the 16th (Service) Battalion (Church Lads Brigade) of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps under Field Marshal Lord Grenfell at Denham in Buckinghamshire.  In early September 1914 the 18-year-old Wallie Chappell left his family and travelled first to London's King Cross, and then to Denham. Wallie writes to his mother as soon as he arrives in Denham, on a postcard he bought at the Swan Hotel on the Village Road:  

"Dear Mother, Arrived London 2pm.  Came straight here.  Cant say where or what we shall do.  This place Denham is near Webridge.  Dont worry shall be all right.  Dont know my address yet.  Love from Wallie."  He adds one more line: "Am in this hotel on the photo while writing".   

Wallie spent the next six months in Denham undertaking training and guard duties at local bridges and reservoirs, and two further months in Rayleigh, Essex. In June 1915 the Lads moved to Clipstone Camp in Mansfield and attach to the 100th Brigade in 33rd Division and that summer on to Perham Down, a village near Salisbury Plain, and Andover. In November the Division received a warning order to prepare to sail for France, and the Brigade moved by train to Southampton with a total contingent of 30 officers and 994 other ranks, 64 horses and mules, 19 vehicles and 9 bicycles.  Wallie and the 16th Battalion (Church Lads Brigade) of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps ended their journey into war with a night Channel crossing and landed on 17th November in the Haute-Normandie region of France at Le Havre.  

The following is an account from records of the 16th Battalion: 
 From the Le Havre, the battalion moves first by train via Abbeville to Thienne on 19th November and then after a few days in Boesegham it marches on to Annezin by the 30th November. Various course and training continue while different parts of the battalion are giving some trench familiarisation in rotation.  Others are attached to the 180th Tunnelling Company RE as working parties for mining activities. They move to St.Hilaire on the 12th December, where they remain until the 28th December.  Christmas day 1915, passes without any special note and 28th/29th December they move to billets in Bethune. The Battalion gets the bath house on New Year's day, but there is no clean kit available. On 2nd January 1916, the first Sunday of the New Year, the battalion moves into the firing line for eight days in trenches near Bethune. The battalion's position comes under an intense bombardment that lasts for hours. As the firing and shelling dies down, the damage has to be repaired. This work, together with digging out the buried men, goes for the next few days while the enemy continue to snipe, shell and machine gun.  The battalion is relieved on the 10th January.  Their losses for that first Sunday alone were 9 killed and 27 wounded.  

It was at, or shortly after, this battle in Bethune that William 'Wallie' Chappell was wounded and died of his injuries.  He was burried on 31 January 1916 in Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais, and a headstone marks his burial.  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record his passing: "Chappell, W. Age 20. Son of Arthur and Hannah Maria Chappell of 6 Groudle Place, Broadowler Lane, Ossett Wakefield."  

In memory of my uncle, Ralph Burton Tuttle, North Nova Scotia Highlanders. Died on D Day, 1944 at the age of 28. I am too young to have met him, but often wondered what he was like. He was very sadly missed especially by his sister Marion, who spoke of him often and fondly.

The story goes that 2 days before he was drafted, Ralph's dad Burton gave him $100 with a plan to catch a train west to stay with his aunt in Chilliwack and 'make his fortune'. He never made it.

Thanks for maintaining this site. RIP Uncle Ralph.

Tham
Nks for the site, I am looking for my great great grandfathers grave, found it Drive light horse 5th deivision AIF. Edward Thomas Shaw

To my Great Uncle Sgt. Calvin Warren Dahl and the crew of Lancaster I W4257 DX, rest in peace. You are not forgotten. Calvin's surviving family member are forever grateful for the care and attention given to the graves of these brave young men.

To the memory of Charles Geoffrey Polkey kia 25 May 1944 Gisors France. I visited your grave 2009. Rest in peace cousin.

Thankyou for providing this site, it is important we continue to remember our fallen. My grandfather was 6822 Francis Edgar Keast 25th Btln AIF was KIA 10/06/1918. He has no known grave however from my research of his military records, it leads me to beleave he is buried in one of the 10 graves of unknown servicemen located at the BEACON CEMETERY, Sailly-Laurette of that date. I had the privelidge to visit this cemetery in 2009 with Cobber Battlefield Tours.

So pleased to have found the grave of my Great Great Grandfather Pte Benjamin Blake died 01 June 1918. Hoping to find out how he died in the future.

To the memory of my recently discovered relative Lance Corporal Arthur Holker Boult, killed in action on 5 August 1917 at the age of only 19 and buried at Torreken. I was born on the 40th anniversary of his death. Rest in peace cousin.

Dear Pierre,

I have tears in my eyes after finding that my Great, Great, Uncle Harold Percy Thorndyke is listed in Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre. I have found visiting your website an incredibly emotional experience - you and your team are to be thanked for your dedication and hard work. I lived in France and Holland as a child/teenager, visited many cemetries and each time I was most moved at the enormity of human loss. I will visit Ste Marie Cemetery and with your kind help will find Harold's grave one day. Thank you.

I am looking for a photo of my husband's great uncle Elmer Youngberg's grave. He is buried in Valenciennes St. Roch and the plot is 11 A.24 I would greatly appreciate any help you can give us, we would like to add this picture in the family genealogy research I am doing. thank you so very much.

Patricia

My uncle L/Cpl Peter Paul McLoughlin WRF is buried in Le Grande Luce cemetary in France. I was always told he was killed at Dunkirk but due to the location of his grave, was, I presume, killed when serving as part of the BEF near the cemetry where he lies? Would this be the case or is it possible for me to get more detail as to his fate and the particular circumstances leading to his unfortunate death?

I wish to pay my respects to my relative Flying Officer Wilfred George Peacock of the RCAF who was killed September 1944 at age 22 . He was a good Farmer from Everett , Ontario, Canada born in 1922 and his Mother never got over the death of this her son all her life my Mother Kathleen (Latimer) Hamilton told me who was also from Everett , Ontario, Canada born in 1930 . I do not know if he was in a Halifax Bomber or a Lancaster Bomber when he was killed ? His Offical Number is J/18009 Unith 405 Squadron , Royal Canadian Air Force . He is buried with fellow Crew Member Wing Commander Palmer at Calais Canadian War Cemetery , Leubringhen . Thank You From James William Hamilton , 79 Toledo Road , Etobicoke , West Toronto, Ontario, Canada .

Thank you for helping me to find the resting place of my cousin 1294775 Sgt. Joseph Edwin Jones. What a wonderful job you have done with this site. Thank you again.

Pierre, Thank you for maintaining this site. Your efforts are very much apreciated by us all.
We were saddened to read of the recent coach crash in Switzerland and the loss of some many young Belgian lives.
Kind regards
Tim Prestage and family.

I would like to thankyou on behalf of my mother and her sisters.For remembering,their uncle.Private J G Cameron.Buried at hospital farm cemetery.

Thank you for your remembering my Uncle Ronald A. Forrest KIA 8/3/1944 who was a member of the RAF 619 squardon. My father was from Liverpool England and had 6 brothers who served in WW2. My father and his brother Albert were in the American army. (Albert my namesake was KIA in Leyte) and my father landed in Normandy on D-day with the Americans. All the others served ith the British forces In Africa and the RAF. I myself fought in Viet Nam in 1969. Let us never forget the price of freedom

My Father 14002827 Private Arthur Wood was wounded at Wavreille in the Ardennes 3rd January 1945. Looking for fallen comrades of his from the 7th (L.I) Battalion Parachute Regiment.
Excellent site, keep up the amazing work
All the very best
Geoff

In memory of Sydney Dennett Batchelor , the father of my uncle Sydney Batchelor junior . His father died on March 9th 1917 , before his own birth and I have his death plaque and medals and citation from George 5th.

In loving memory of Harold Vizard Carey, my great-uncle, who died of wounds received near Arras on 18/04/1917, age 21. He is buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetary, Saulty, France.

When he died, his belongings were sent back to his relatives in England. These included a photo of my father aged 6 mths, with the words 'To dear uncle Harold from your little nephew Frankie' written on the back. The photo came home with Harold's blood stains on it.

This photo became my father's most treasured possession and later he was able to visit the cemetary. Later, I was able to visit it too and was impressed by how well-kept it was. The photo, complete with faded blood stains, is now something that I treasure and am very proud to own.

In Memory of
MIDDLETON ALLAN JOHN
Canadian Flying Officer (Nav.) Royal Canadian Air Force 405 Sqdn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 10/08/1943 Service No: J/14502 5/62
_______________________
Your family members from Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada have been invited to come to Belguim in September to see your grave Allan. I can remember your Mother Maude, telling me when I was a girl how you died in the war and never came home to her. She spoke fondly of you all her life.

In loving memory of
Pte George Ernest Sampson..... KIA 2nd Battle for Bullecourt
10th May 1917
Killed by a German shell , defending the Hindenburg Line.
Burried that night by his mates.
Resting forever ..Tilloy Les Mofflianes Cemetery France.
so sadly missed by your family, remembered always.
see you soon.
Thankyou for your courage and sacrifice .
For me..... and dad .

In memory of 2nd Lieutenant Algernon Haden Blacklock of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, died 21-10-1914 aged 19 and buried at Le Trou Aid Post Cemetary.
From Banbury, Oxon, he was an officer of my Grandfather. Does anyone have any info about this young land?

In loving memory of my Great Grandfather - HINKLEY PERCY WILLIAM
United Kingdom Sapper Royal Engineers 1st Inland Waterways and Docks Age: 35 Date of Death: 08/02/1918 Service No: 202563 A.21.

Percy was killed by friendly fire while stationed at his barracks, by a sentry who went AWOL from his designated post for a brew. He dropped his rifle with the safety catch set to "off" and discharged a round. This subsequently left his barrack building, entering the adjacent hut where Percy and a pal were stood talking, whereby it immediately killed poor Percy outright and richoched badly wounding his chum. What a waste. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice and may you rest in peace.

In Memory of my Great Grandfather 7965 Corporal Peter McCann RFA.
Born in Edinburgh 1880.
Killed in Action 11th August 1917

Rest in Peace

x

BROWNLIE W
United Kingdom Able Seaman Clyde Z/1911 Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve 13/11/1916 Sp. Mem. 5.
William was my great grandfather's brother. Hope to visit the cemetary before I'm in one myself.

In memory of my Great, Great Uncle Lance Corporal Ernest Lee 235758
From Worthen, Shropshire
Died in action 26th August 1918 aged 28

In memory of a 'long lost' soldier and relative who lost his life in the service of his country on 21st August 1918 in Locre and who now rests with friends in Wytschaete military cemetery in Belgium.
Adam Williamson, i have found you and your brother John and you will not be forgotten. RIP brave soul.

In memory of my husband's 3 great uncles - Leonard George Aldridge 8th Btn Bedfordshire Regt died of gunshot wounds 23 Apr 1917, buried Etaples Cemetery; Thomas Clark Aldridge 13 Btn Welsh Regiment died of shell wounds 8 Sept 1917, buried Bard Cemetery; Cyril Wilfred Aldridge Northamptonshire Regt died 2 Nov 1917 in Palestine, buried in Gaza cemetery

Would love any squad photos of my brother REGINALD CHARLES HERBERT BUNN..He was training at Sandoen park,Catterham,Pirbright,
and also with BEF in France 1940
My email address is:- bunn( at sign)midwest.com.au

I visited to see if I could find the grave site of my brother.
REGINALD CHARLES HERBERT BUNN Coldstream Gdsm. 5111343
killed 13.5.1940 near the Dyle. Also if pictures or photos were
available. I have scouted the net for 2 years to no avail. He was with
the 1st Batt. Coldstreams.

hello piere i hope all is well with you and your family .
it is 7 years since you sent me a photograph of my relatives resting place
ie mathew asselbrough, i have been contacted by more family members since the photo was put on line so i have been busy with my family tree.
Your work has brought great comfort to so many families, we greatly appreciate it
best wishes

The plane of your uncle George Leslie Carr, Vickers Wellington fell in my village ( Grand-Hallet) on August 28th, 1942. I possess some documentation on this event.
Indeed to you.

Poster un message à Linda Guy(Royaume-Uni).
L'avion de votre oncle George Leslie Carr, un Vickers Wellington est tombé dans mon village (Grand-Hallet) le 28 août 1942.
Je possède de la documentation sur cet évènement.

Bien à vous

My great uncle is buried at Vichte Cemetery in Belgium. His name was PARTON W G
United Kingdom Private Lancashire Fusiliers 17th Bn. Age: 20 Date of Death: 27/10/1918 Service No: 282460 II.C.6.
A couple of years ago my father and I were lucky enough to visit his grave, a very touching moment as we were the first relatives that had been able to visit. I have since found some photos sent to my Great Grandmother showing what looks like a service at the Vichte site. One of my relatives has also told me that he doesn't think that Vichte was the original burial site for my great uncle. He is of the opinion that he was originally buried elsewhere and that his body was then transferred to Vichte at a later date. Could anyone shed any light on this please?

my father-in-law was killed in france on the 4th june 1940 just 5 days before his twin boys first birthday. there has not been any photographs of him for my husband to view. would his battalion have any on record it was the 4th battalion seaforth highlanders

Ive been researching my family tree and have managed to trace it back to HENRY GWATKIN who i have found on your site after finding the details of his military details on an ancestery site....seeing his name in your records and knowing where he is has filled me with both pride and sadness..i hope that i will be able to visit his memorial soon and give thanks to him and all his fallen comrades, Regards.. Tracey Gwatkin

Thank you so much for posting the grave and picture of my Great Grandfather William Mountain, it certainly took my breath away when I saw them together. I am hoping to visit his grave at some point this year and I am truly thankful for everything you have done xx

My Grandfather's brother Leonard Francis Golding is buried in the Noeux-Les-Mines Cemetery in the Pas de Calais. He served in the 8th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, and was killed on 28th May 1916, aged 20. His Death Plaque was on the wall at a relative's house, and was sold recently - a great shame! Now that I have discovered where he is buried, my ambition is to visit his grave. In the meantime I will try to contact anybody who could take a photograph of his grave and send it to me. I do have one photograph of him in uniform. Thankyou

I visited my fathers grave in 2007 in Miannay Church Yard and it was a very emotional experience,and seeing it again on your web site brought it all back. I was 18 months old when he was killed so I have no memories to recall of him other than photographs.
Thank you sincerely