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Yorkshire
Regiment War Graves, - Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension (France, Nord) |
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Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension (1)
Photo : Chris Cosgrove.
The village of Erquinghem-Lys was occupied by German forces early in October 1914, and taken by the 1st Somerset Light Infantry on 16 October. It remained in Allied hands until 10 April 1918, when the 101st Infantry Brigade and the 1st/4th Duke of Wellington's, after a stubborn defence, evacuated the village during the great German offensive. The village was finally retaken in September 1918.
The earliest Commonwealth burials were made in two places in the churchyard itself, in October 1914-January 1915, but these 27 graves were moved into the extension (Plot II, Row G, and Plot III, Row G) in 1925, the churchyard being closed for burials.
The extension was begun in April 1915 and used by units and field ambulances until April 1918. It was continued down to the stream by the Germans (who also used the churchyard) in the summer of 1918, and in September and October 1918, it was used again for some Commonwealth burials.
The extension now contains 558 Commonwealth burials of the First World War (eight of them unidentified) and 130 German burials. One unidentified Russian servicemen is also buried in the extension.
Amongst the graves are those for four soldiers who served with the Yorkshire Regiment. (Somewhat remarkably, all four soldiers came from Middlesbrough.)
We are extremely grateful to Chris Cosgrove (<trainscpc@aol.com>) who has generously provided the photographs on this page.
Click on thumbnail image of a headstone for a larger version of the photo which opens in a new window.
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Private William Collinson. 17955.
9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Walter and Hilda Collinson, of 20, Harford St., Middlesbrough. Died 16 October 1915. Aged 20. Born Thornton-le-Moor, Enlisted Middlesbrough. "SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS" |
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Private Thomas O'Neill. 17808.
8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 31 December 1915. Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough. |
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Private Charles Townend. 11238.
8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Charles and Clara Townend, of Middlesbrough; husband of Maggie Wilson (formerly Townend), of 27, Laws St., Middlesbrough. Died 14 November 1915. Aged 23. Born Grimsby, Enlisted Middlesbrough. |
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Private John Thomas Whitehead.
3/8809. 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mrs. Sarah S. Jelley; husband of Margaret Whitehead, of 7, Nicholas St., Middlesbrough. Died 16 October 1915. Aged 38. Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough. |
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Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension (2)
Photo : Chris Cosgrove.
Erquinghem-Lys
Churchyard Extension in 1914-1918
Photo : Chris Cosgrove.