 |
Yorkshire
Regiment War Graves, - Caudry Old Communal Cemetery (France, Nord) |
|
Caudry
Old Communal Cemetery (1)
Photo : Chris Cosgrove (<trainscpc@aol.com>)
Caudry town was the scene of part of the Battle of Le Cateau on the 26th August 1914, and from that date it remained in German hands until the 10th October 1918, when it was captured by the 37th Division. It had been a German centre for medical units, and during October 1918 and the following five months the 21st, 3rd, 19th, and 49th Casualty Clearing Stations passed through it.
There are now over 100, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, one-third are unidentified and three, which cannot now be exactly located, are represented by special memorials. Five, identified as a group but not individually, are marked with headstones bearing the additional words "Buried near this spot". This cemetery contained also French, German and Russian graves.
The low curb on which the names of the British soldiers are inscribed was erected by the people of Caudry (whose War Memorial includes a representation of the entrance of British troops into the town); it has been supplemented by recumbent headstones.
Amongst the graves is that of 1 soldier who served with the Yorkshire Regiment.
We are extremely grateful to Chris Cosgrove (<trainscpc@aol.com>) who has generously provided the photographs of the cemetery and headstone on this page.
Click on the thumbnail image of the headstone for a larger version of the photo which opens in a new window.
 |
Lance Corporal John Thomas Barker.
203462. 1st/4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, formerly 2429 Yorkshire Regiment. Son of John Thompson Barker and Ann Barker, of 59, Caledonia St., Scarborough. Killed 14 September 1916. Aged 18. Enlisted Scarborough (Yorks). Buried CAUDRY OLD COMMUNAL CEMETERY. (John Thomas Barker was born in Hutton Buscel, and in the 1911 Census was living with his grandmother - a sub-postmistress in the village. It is possible that he was younger than his stated age, - enlisting on 9 October 1914 with a stated age of 17 years 0 months. His Service Record exists, and from this it is seen that although he was PRESUMED dead on 14 September 1916 his actual date of death was 9 October 1916. His death was reported by the German military, as he had died in Kriegs Laz. 2 on that date.) "HE GAVE HIS LIFE
THAT WE MIGHT LIVE IN PEACE" |
Caudry Old Communal Cemetery (2)
"AUX OFFICIERS / ET SOLDATS ANGLAIS / TOMBES AUCHANP D'HONNEUR / LA VILLE
DE CAUDRY / RECONNAISSANTE"
Photo : Chris Cosgrove (<trainscpc@aol.com>)