Yorkshire Regiment War Graves, - Dantzig Alley British Cemetery

Dantzig Alley British Cemetery
(Photo : Christopher Weekes, <weebex12@hotmail.com>)

The village of Mametz was carried by the 7th Division on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, after very hard fighting at Dantzig Alley (a German trench) and other points. The cemetery was begun later in the same month and was used by field ambulances and fighting units until the following November. The ground was lost during the great German advance in March 1918 but regained in August, and a few graves were added to the cemetery in August and September 1918. At the Armistice, the cemetery consisted of 183 graves, now in Plot I, but it was then very greatly increased by graves (almost all of 1916) brought in from the battlefields north and east of Mametz and from certain smaller burial grounds.

Dantzig Alley British Cemetery now contains 2,053 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 518 of the burials are unidentified.

Amongst the graves are 54 for soldiers who served with the Yorkshire Regiment. The majority of these graves were for the July 1916 period. Amongst them is a soldier who was stated to be 16 years old, but was more likely to be only 15 years old.

We are very grateful to Chris Weekes (<weebex12@hotmail.com>) and Robert O'Connor of the Find a Grave website who have provided photos of the cemetery and the headstones.

Select the thumbnail image, below, for a larger sized image which opens in a new window.

Private Alfred George Anderson. 12720. 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 11 August 1916. Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.

Private Walter Edward Armitage. G14597. 7th Battalion the Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Formerly 38101 the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mary Elizabeth Roebuck (formerly Armitage, of 15, Cross St., Crosland Moor, Huddersfield, and the late Charles Armitage, of Skelmanthorpe. Killed 26 August 1918. Aged 29. Born Skelmanthorpe (Yorks), Enlisted Huddersfield, Resided Huddersfield. "THY WILL BE DONE" Photo : Robert O'Connor of the Find a Grave website

Private Thomas Atkin. 20506. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of William Atkin, of Leven, Hull. Vernon Street Cem. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 22. Born Leven (Yorks), Enlisted Beverley, Resided Leven (Hull). Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private James Bailes, 3/7753. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 1 July 1916. Born Stockton (Durham), Enlisted Middlesbrough, Resided Stockton. Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private Willis Barker, 3/9437. Served as Private John Lee. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Willis and Mary Ann Barker; husband of Alice Barker, of 20, Harvey St., Racecommon Rd., Barnsley. Born at Sheffield. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 35. Born Barnsley, Enlisted Pontefract, Resided Barnsley. "LAMB OF GOD I LOOK TO THEE ABIDE WITH ME" Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private James Ernest Barkley, 17197. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of George and Annie Mary Barkley, of Scarborough. Vernon Street Cem. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 32. Born Sheffield, Enlisted Scarborough. Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private Thomas Beardsmore, 20691. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 23. Born Castleford, Enlisted Castleford, Resided 2 Water Street West Hartlepool.

Private William Billam, 18697. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Billam, of Hinderwell; husband of Ada Elizabeth Billam, of Hinderwell, Yorks. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 22. Born Hinderwell, Enlisted Whitby, Resided Hinderwell. "TIS SWEET TO REMEMBER HIM WHO ONCE WAS HERE THOUGH ABSENT TO US HE IS STILL AS DEAR"

Lance Corporal Frank Briggs, 11340. 7th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 1 July 1916. Born Bradford, Enlisted Leeds, Resided Bradford.

Company Serjeant Major Charles William Cant , 7897. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Husband of Alice Maud Cant, of 64, Elphick Rd., Newhaven, Sussex. Vernon Street Cem. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 30. Born Arlexton (Grantham - Lincoln), Enlisted Newark. "NEVER FORGOTTEN" Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private George Ingram Christon. 17078. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Frederick and Janet Christon, of 99, Victoria Rd., Middlesbrough, Yorks. Vernon Street Cem. Died 1 July 1916. Aged 23. Born Stockton, Enlisted Middlesbrough. Vrenon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

2nd Lieutenant James Henry Fisher Clarke . 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 1 July 1916.

2nd Lieutenant Harold Brearley Coates. 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Henry and Julia Coates, of 15, Sutherland Avenue, Johannesburg, South Africa. Died 1 July 1916. Aged 20.

Private George Coyle. 16912. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Patrick and Rose Ann Coyle, of Jarrow-on-Tyne; husband of Elizabeth Brown (formerly Coyle), of 23, Newstead View, Fitzwilliam, Pontefract, Yorks. Vernon Street Cem. Died 1 July 1916. Aged 21. Born Jarrow, Enlisted Newcastle, Resided Jarrow. Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

2nd Lieutenant Lionel Adolf David. 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Alexander and Beatrice Marian David, of "Claremont," Monk Bridge Rd., Headingley, Leeds. Native of London. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 25. "HE HATH AWAKENED FROM THE DREAM OF LIFE HE HATH OUTSOARED THE SHADOW OF OUR NIGHT"

Private Charles De Moulpied. 9985. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 1 July 1916. Born St. Peter Port (Guernsey), Enlisted Guernsey. Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private James Dodd. 7858. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of John and Sarah Dodd of Back Brook St, Chester, husband of Kate Dodd, of 41, Park Rd, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. Died 1 July 1916. Aged 41. Born Ashton (Chester), Enlisted Birkenhead, Resided Little Sutton (Cheshire). "EVER REMEMBERED IN THOUGHTS"

Lance Corporal Henry Dring. 16553. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 1 July 1916. Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.

Private James Fitzpatrick. 3/6381. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of James and Catherine Fitzpatrick. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 31. Born Grangetown (Yorks), Enlisted Strensall, Resided Middlesbrough. "ETERNAL REST GIVE UNTO HIM O LORD"

Private Thomas Frank, 7787. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 1 July 1916. Born Pickering, Enlisted Pickering.

Serjeant Walter Goddard. 7834. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 1 July 1916. Aged 20. Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough, Resided Scarborough. Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Serjeant Arnold Greenwood. 6608. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 1 July 1916. Born Stanningley (Leeds), Enlisted Bradford. Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private Thomas Watson Harland, 18574. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 1 July 1916. Born Trimdon, Enlisted Deaf Hill, Resided Trimdon Grange. Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private George Hart, 10186. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mrs. Mary Harper, of Diamond House, Lord St., Redcar, Yorks; husband of Lena Hart, of 31, Carlisle St., Dresden, Longton, Staffs. Died 12 July 1916. Born Norton (Stockton), Enlisted Richmond, Resided Stockton.

Corporal Harold Robert Henrickson, 12800. 7th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 1 July 1916. Born Hull, Enlisted Hull, Resided Houghton-le-Spring.

Lieutenant Harold Alexander Moore Hillman. 11th Bn. attd. 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Arthur Stock Hillman and Annie Marie Hillman. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 30. "BELOVED BY ALL"

2nd Lieutenant Gerald Barford Hornby. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Herbert Edwin and Beatrice Maud Hornby, of Severn House, Sneyd Park, Bristol. Killed 12 July 1916. Aged 19. "HE DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE"

Private John Hutchinson, 17845. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 1 July 1916. Born Bishop Wearmouth (Durham), Enlisted Seaham Harbour. Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Lance Corporal James Jackson. 20560. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Laura Jackson, of 83, Thompson St. West, Harrogate Hill, Darlington. Vernon Street Cem. Died 1 July 1916. Aged 30. Born Darlington (Durham), Enlisted Darlington. "STILL REMEMBERED DEAR" Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private Thomas Johnson. 16642. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 1 July 1916. Born Wingate, Enlisted Sunderland, Resided Wingate.

Serjeant John Allan Kell. 8428. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Husband of Jane Ann Kell, of 26, Commercial St., Scarborough. Native of Scarborough. Vernon Street Cem. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 28. Born Scarborough, Enlisted Scarborough. "SOME TIME WE'LL UNDERSTAND" Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private William Knock. 20545. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 17 July 1916. Born Bildestone (Suffolk), Enlisted Beverley (Yorks), Resided Hornsea.

Private Henry Knowles. 24177. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of George and Ellen Knowles, of Pateley Bridge, Yorks. Died 1 July 1916. Aged 20. Born Pately Bridge (Yorks), Enlisted Tanfield Lodge, Resided Pately Bridge.

Private Herbert Lake. 11326. 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 1 July 1916. Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Thornaby, Resided Middlesbrough.

Private John Lee, 3/9437. Real name Private Willis Barker. 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Willis and Mary Ann Barker; husband of Alice Barker, of 20, Harvey St., Racecommon Rd., Barnsley. Born at Sheffield. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 35. Born Barnsley, Enlisted Pontefract, Resided Barnsley. (Listed in GH Gazette database as Private John Lee) "LAMB OF GOD I LOOK TO THEE ABIDE WITH ME" Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private Ralph McCord. 14267. 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 8 July 1916. Born South Shields, Enlisted South Shields.

Private Lance Muffitt. 27554. 10th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mr. J. H. Muffitt, of Elder House, Robert Town, Liversedge, Yorks. Died 14 July 1916. Aged 27. Born Liversedge (Yorks), Enlisted Heckmondwyke, Resided Liversedge.

Private Frederick Palmer. 5222. 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 25 September 1916. Enlisted Soham (Cambs).

Private Jonathan Plummer. 3/7932. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 1 July 1916. Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.

Private Thomas Richardson. 18091. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of George and Hannah Richardson (nee Robson), of Murton, Co. Durham; husband of Hannah Anderson (formerly Richardson), of 18 Back, South Railway St., Seaham Harbour, Durham. Died 1 July 1916. Aged 23. Born Shotton Colliery (Durham), Enlisted Sunderland, Resided Murton Colliery.

Private John Riley. 16177. 7th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 8 July 1916. Born Sunderland, Enlisted Sunderland.

Lance Corporal John Edward Seaman. 19669. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Katherine and Walter Seaman, of 5, William Street, Middlesbrough. Brother of Private Walter Stanley Seaman, killed April 29, 1918. Died 1 July 1916. Aged 21. Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.

Corporal Albert Selby. 3/7950. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 1 July 1916. Born Hunslet (Yorks), Enlisted Scarborough, Resided Hunslet.

2nd Lieutenant Edward Joseph Selby Tanner . 11th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, attached to the Machine Gun Corps. Died 8 July 1916. Photo : Robert O'Connor of the Find a Grave website

Private Charles Percy Tempest. 23433. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Thomas and Emily A. Tempest, of 17, Mill Lane, Richmond, Yorks. Vernon Street Cem. Killed 1 July 1916. Aged 16. Born Richmond (Yorks), Enlisted Richmond. "THY WILL BE DONE" Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page John Sly (<sly211@btinternet.com>) has commented;- "I researched the birth of Charles Percy Tempest in FreeBMD, and he was registered as in the September quarter of 1900. This means he could have been born after 1 July 1900, and could therefore have been younger than 16 when he was killed." Frank Little (<frlittle@xs4all.nl>) also commented;- "According to my own family research, Charles Percy Tempest was born on 27 May 1900, this being the date of birth given in his school record at the Richmond Church of England School. He was admitted there on 3 May 1909 and left “of age” on 12 June 1914. He was the second son of Thomas Tempest, papermaker of Richmond, North Riding of Yorkshire, and Emily Annie [née Little] of Barnard Castle. However, unless the school admission date is wrong, he was indeed 16 years of age when he died on 1 July 1916."

Private James Thompson. 18302. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of John and Margaret Thompson, of 20, High Downs Square, Hetton Down, Hetton-le-Hole, Co. Durham. Died 1 July 1916. Aged 20. Born Hetton-le-Hole (Durham), Enlisted Sunderland, Resided Hetton Downs (Durham).

Private Edward Sydney Ward. 1323. 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 19 September 1916. Born Leeds, Enlisted Bridlington. Bottom Wood Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private John Watt. 10551. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of the late John and Elizabeth Watt, of Liverpool. Vernon Street Cem. Died 1 July 1916. Aged 24. Born Liverpool, Enlisted Middlesbrough. Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Private Frederick Whitty. 15290. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 1 July 1916. Born Leeds, Enlisted Leeds. Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

Corporal George Wilby. 8527. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Husband of Evaline Wilby, of 86, Park Terrace, Fountain St., Morley, Yorks. Died 1 July 1916. Aged 29. Born Leeds, Enlisted Richmond, Resided Morley (Leeds). "EVER REMEMBERED"

Private Richard Colley Wilson. 3199. 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of John William and Ada Wilson, of "Church View," Bainton, Yorks. Died 27 September 1916. Aged 20. Enlisted Bridlington, Resided Bainton.

Private Walter Charles Woodwards. 10358. 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 1 July 1916. Born Henley (Oxon), Enlisted London, Resided West Norwood (S E). Vernon Street Cemetery, - see photo of special memorial at foot of page

-------------> Return to the Top of the Page

Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, - headstones under a boundary wall. Many of these are for Yorkshire Regiment soldiers.
(Photo : Christopher Weekes, <weebex12@hotmail.com>)

The Special Memorial in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery.
(Photo : Christopher Weekes, <weebex12@hotmail.com>)

-------------> Return to the Top of the Page