Hi, my name is Frances (nee Coughlan) and I found my grandfather's name, Thomas Coughlan, through the CWGC. Although he was only a private, I found out that he is written up in the book "Stand To": A Diary of the Trenches" and written up in the history of his battalion (only 1 of 20 privates ever recorded there). He is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery in a beautiful setting and his name inscribed there. Thank God we have such places of rememberence. My grandson (age 9) asked me about the WW1 only last evening and I was proud to be able to show him all the information on his great-grandfather. I will send a photo of him soon.

Hello my name is Carole Stewart (Nee Shorey). My Uncle Frederick George Shorey is buried in Charleroi. He died 26th Dec 1944. We visited his grave 7 years ago unfortunately the cemetary did not have anyone available to ask specific questions on the history for which we are trying to piece together his last movements following the successful take over of the caen bridges. we shall return to try and acquire more information, and we thank you for keeping a truly tranquil memorial.

Lance Corporal W.B. Eaton is my great uncle and was very excited to find him on here. A wonderful site....keep up the great work.

Abel Skinner was my fathers cousin who was killed in WW1 and is buried Warlencourt British Cemetery. We have traced were his Battalion was. These men are a credit to this country.

hi
my great uncle, william pass was killed in action on the 23 october 1918
he had been awarded a military medal
but i dont know what he got it for
is there any way i could find out,
any help would be appreciated
thank you
patricia.

My great uncle, Herbert Wardle, is buried at New Irish Farm near Ypres. He died on 31st July 1917. He was awarded the Military Medal for saving the lives of at least two of his comrades in "no man's land". However, the MM does not appear on his headstone. We have been in touch with Commonwealth War Graves Commission in respect of this and they have agreed to add MM when they next have to replace the headstone. We visited his grave in 2010 and it is in a lovely location.

charles (united kingdom)
i am related to
william pass who died on the 23 oct, 1918,
would love to be in touch with you but cant find how to email you.

hope you can reply to this message
thank you
patricia.

I have just learnt that the remains of my grandfather Gwilym Essex Saunders are to be found in Gouzaeucourt when I was always told that he was missing in action. Myself and my children Megan, Gareth and Rhys are his sole surviving lineage. Together with my partner Carol I have decided to make the pilgrimage this summer to visit his grave. His memory has long been held in honour by his family so this will be an emotional occasion. We will always be grateful for the memory of an honourable man who inspired those who came after him by his life and the ultimate sacrifice he made. LEST WE FORGET!

In loving memory of my father Sgt. F. G. Skeet (Freddie) who along with his crew, was killed on Feb.19/20th. 1944. He was a rear gunner on a Lancaster of 408 squadron RCAF, flying out of Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire. His resting place is at Choloy, France, where I visited in 2009 - a very moving experience.

Apart from the names of his comrades I have limited information on the Lancaster crew members. Should anyone have further details I would be happy to receive them. 3, Whyteway, The Street, Rumburgh, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 0PE.

Forever in my heart.

in november 2009 isent a email to yvan at the herbecourt british war cemetery in france regarding my uncle whom was killed 1/9/1918 i recieved an email from yvan stating that he had located my uncle's grave he also sent photos of the headstone for my family tree reference he said that he would place a rose on the grave i would like to thank him very much for the information on a return email and the time he spent at the grave site.
thanking you very much
graham adams. (melbourne australia)

I am delighted to find full details and photograph on your web-site of my father Spr Joseph Henry Blatchford at the St Charles De Percy War Cemetery. Two years ago we visited the beautifully maintained cemetery and will be returning in September.

In relation to Des Brady's message on CQMS John Treacy, I am having research done on John Treacy as i'm from Kilconnell as he was and may even be a relation. It's amazing that Des Brady has his medal. If you happen to read this message please post again as I will forward you a copy of the research.

I was shocked when I found my relative Chester Howard Hulsman on your site. I didn't even know he existed before this find. Thankyou.

Thank you for all the wonderful work you carry out for all our relations, please carry on, you are fantastic

went to war grave s in Forceville to see my grandads headstone was very moved by what i saw, the people who look after these places do a fantastic job, the place was very peacefull and found it hard to hold back the tears,

Remembering the early sacrifice of professional soldier, Charles John Walter Pimblett who fell at Mons on the 24th August 1914. Rest in peace with God.

re WILLIAM F CUTTING ROYAL NORFOLK REG buried at Millam re background, my grandfathers unit where part of the reguard protecting the approaches to Dunkirk when they ran into a ss deaths head unit , and after put up a strong resistance they ran out of everything so around a hundred surrendered having been given the option to surrender or make their escape as best they could back to Dunkirk by their own officer, from what we have found out by visiting Millam my grandfather must have been one of about twenty that tried to get back to Dunkirk as the rest where marched of by the ss and executed at a farm in or near Le PARADIS. The ss unfortunetley caught up with him and killed him just outside Millam not far from the river and we believe he was using this to navigate is way back to Dunkirk. I hope this gives you a bit more info as to why he was found their and just to say a big big thankyou for all your hard work looking after the grave. I do not have a web address as this my local library computer

Allen Jess (Canada)
Hello,

I am living in Barbatre on Noirmoutier island where I.C. Robbie is buried. I can help you if you want more information please contact me by e-mail: michel.cecili@hotmail.fr

In Memory of My Great Uncle, George Moncrieff

I had the pleasure of visiting my great uncle's grave in 2010 at Varennes. It was a moving and humbling experience. These brave young men are buried far from home, but in the most beautiful cemetery I have ever seen. Rows of roses, all different colours - the peace broken only by the sound of bees humming and the distant sound of a tractor in the fields.

Anderson, J.G. was my grandfather. His name was James Glennie Anderson. He was a piper and he died in the Battle of the Somme. My grandmother, Isabel Hedley Blair immigrated to Canada with my father, Ronald Watson and my Aunt Renee. We have a single picture of Grandpa in his dress kilt. Although we never knew him we have always loved him and are eternally grateful for his sacrifice and that of all our brave soldiers to this day.

Thanks to your wonderful website I have found the final resting place of my great uncle (John Dutchman -died 23/10/1916) - thank you

Another very good personal site.I recently came across a very distant cousin who perished in ww1. You have him listed as J A Stobbs. BURIED AT Hermonville Military Cemetery . His full name was James Atkinson Stobbs and he was 18 (joined up at 17 of course). He is the first relative that I have discovered perishing in either war. Such a waste.

Inimemory of my Uncle Lance Corporal James Dawson of the South Staffordshire Regiment. Killed 13/11/1916 age 24, buried in Serre Road No2 Cemetery. RIP

My grandmother's brother, Alexander Miller Budge, has a gravestone at Tyn Cot (XII.D.1). Your photos give me an idea of what the cemetry looks like. Thank you for your work.

Thank to your website I've had my first glimps of my great grandfathers grave in Lens Eastern Cemetery qin France

Dear Pierre and the team, Many thanks again for your help and considerable efforts in creating, maintaining and continuing with the invaluble work you do in recognising the sacrifice all these nations of young men made in defence of freedom, I shudder to think how I would deal with it, if one of my boys lay with them.

My Great Grandad Staff Sgt Saddler Francis Paul Phipps died of the flu in hospital in Le Havre. My nan never forgot him and in turn neither did we.We are so proud of him and his brother

Thank you so much.On the eve of ANZAC Day I finally found details of my great-uncle,Edward Delaney,the missing info of our family records.Killed in 1917,and we now know where he fought,and is buried.Records state 'aged 21',but he lied about his age,and was only 17,bless him.

i am so grateful to find your site today, ANZAC day, and to see the final resting place of my great grandfather Carrington John Westaway, killed in action 22.8.1918. may all these fathers and brothers and sons rest in peace. thank you for providing this service.

Hi Pierre
If you would provide an email contact I would like to forward an image of Frederick Matthew Martin 31674 Auckland Infantry died Messines June 1917.

Lest we forget, Anzac Day 2012

Thanks

THE EMAIL FOR KEITH MILLS BUNN IS
BUNN@MIDWEST.COM.AU
I WILL GLADLY PAY FOR PHOTOS OF MY BROTHER WHO WAS IN THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS. KILLED 13.5.1940
AT THE DYLE RIVER.

SQUAD PHOTOS, PLEASE. MY BROTHER REGINALD
CHARLES HERBERT BUNN WAS KILLED AT THE DYLE
RIVER WITH THE BEF IN FRANCE 13.5.1940. HE WAS
WITH THE 1st BATTALION OF THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS.HE DID TRAINING IN UK AT CATERHAM,PIRBRIGHT,SANDOWN PARK, AND WAS WITH THE GUARDS WHEN THE GERMSNS STARTED
THEIR PUSH ON THE 10.5.1940. I HAVE TROLLED
THE NET FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS HOPING FOR SOME
PHOTOS BUT TO NO AVAIL....PLEASE HELP.
kEITH BUNN

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 @ 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.