Obozerskaya Burial Ground, Archangel

[Robin Garrett]

Has anyone visited this CWGC cemetery and taken photos of the graves. The soldier I am interested in is 19546 Pte F Read, 2nd Bn The Wiltshire Regiment, attached 2nd Battalion The Hampshire Regiment, killed on 1 Sep 1919.

 

The Battalion’s War Diary for 1^st September 1919 records:

1 Sep 19. Half a mile NW of Obozerskaya. Enemy made strong attack at Bolshieozerki at 11.30 hours but were driven off by the Garrison. Patrol sent out by OC Garrison which included men of Z Company engaged larger numbers of the enemy killing about 30. Situation quiet by evening.

Casualties 1 OR KIA, 3 ORs wounded.

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[1] Killed in action

[wrightdw]

The burial ground at Obozerskaya (mostly army with a few RAF) was overgrown and lost to time, it no longer exists. It is also the burial place of Sgt. Samuel George Pearse, VC, MM, 45th Bn., Royal Fusileirs late AIF whose posthumous VC was awarded for the attack on the enemy battery position near Emtsa on 29th August 1919.

 

[Robin Garrett]

Thanks for the detailed account of the action in which Read was killed; it's rather more comprehensive than the battalion's war diary entry, although the dates differ by 14 days. I wonder which is correct.

 

Sad about the Obozerskaya Burial Ground. The CWGC web site indicates he is commemorated on a memorial at Archangel Allied Cemetery.

 

 

[wrightdw]

The difference in dates is likely due to use of the Julian Calendar locally in Russia at the time as opposed to the Gregorian calendar used in Western Europe including Britain.

[tx3tornadp]

All the memorials for the men lost in Oborzerskaya are on the wall behind the cross. Ive not been there yet but have researched it.