Canadian Cemetery Bapaume

[johnnie]

I have just picked up this postcard titled Albert (Somme) - Canadian Cemetery - Bapaume Road.

I think it must be the cemetery now known as BAPAUME POST MILITARY CEMETERY, ALBERT, as I have been

able to raed the names on three of the crosses which are to Capt A. A. Sears, Lt R H Parker, and Lt W G Lumsden,

all of whom were killed on the 18th November 1916.

I have been through the cemetery register online and have found that the above men are in plots I.I.5, I.I.6, and I.I.7,

so are side by side as in the image. I have also found that plot I.I.9 (so that large cross on the image) is occupied by

Lt. A.J. Kitto who was killed on the 16/09/16, however I have been unable to find plot I.I.8 on the register.

I was wondering if somebody might be able to tell me who is in plot I.I.8, as when the photo was taken there is a man

on the cross, although it is not very clear.

I was also wondering when the name changed, and if anybody had an idea when the photo might have been taken. Could

it have been prior to graves being added after the war?

Any help would be great,

Jonathan

[old-ted]

Nice post cards J,

give me a couple of days and I'll call in at the cememery and check for you.

Regards

John

[johnnie]

Many thanks.

I picked it up today with a few later cards (1920 or 30s) of Track "X" Cemetery and Hooge Crater Cemetery which show

them pretty much as they are now. I quite like the Canadian Cemetery image as it is different to see with just the wooden crosses.

I am not 100% certain, but I think it may also be possible to make out a trench line in the background (there certainly seems to be a long slight mound of earth running across the fields in the distance.

Jonathan

[Peter Woodger]

Jonathan

Plot I row I has a portion of 11 graves then a gap in the row and a further 7 graves.

I I 8 is A/Bdr A C Major Canadian Artillery

I I 10 is Pte E L Dixon Ca MGC

I I 11 is Pte Creswell Ca Inf

In the attached picture Plot I Row I faces the Cross. Grave 12 is visible on the right.

The photographer rarely knew the cemetery names and there are many examples of wrong names.

Peter

[johnnie]

Thank you very much for the photograph and the information about the man in plot I.I.8.

It is always amazing to see how these places have changed, especially the landscape in the background. Can anybody

suggest when the original photo might have been taken? When were the cemeteries re-ordered?

Jonathan

[Peter Woodger]

Johnathan

The burials in Plot II were made in 1919 and the register was offered to NoK in March 1925 by which time it would be headstones. Your Photo is therefore between these dates.

Peter

[Peter Woodger]

Johnathan

I do not think that the large cross on the cairn is a grave, I think it is a Memorial to a battalion or division. I have attached a picture taken from the other end of the cemetery and used in the 1929 edition of Silent Cities that shows the cross still there when the headstones are in place. A Memorial Cross that was later removed would account for the space in Row I.

Peter

[johnnie]

I agree. I have thought it might be a memorial to a Division, but wasn't sure.

The other larger cross on the right of my image (so to the right of the very large cross on the cairn) reads:

In loving memory of the Officers, NCO's & Men

of the 14th Canadian Battalion

Royal Montreal Rgt

who fell in action

near this spot

Sept & Oct

1916

Jonathan

[old-ted]

Hi Jonathan,

I've been there today and I would say that the postcards definately show Bapaume Post. Comparing the skyline on the card. Its looking over Mash Valley to the left of Ovillers. Some factory buildings block part of the view. I photographed headstones 1 to 12 the row I I. If you pm me your e-mail address I'll send them to you. I I 12 is an unknown Northumberland Fusilier. I would agree with Peter ref the large cross & it being the reason for the gap in the row.

Regards

John