Officers, N.C.O.s and Men of the 1st Battalion, Buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery (Nord)
This cemetery contains 610 Commonwealth burials, 10 of whom are ‘Known Unto God‘. There are 585 from the UK, 21 Canadians and 4 from India.
The earliest Commonwealth burials at Bailleul were made at the east end of the communal cemetery and in April 1915, when the space available had been filled, the extension was opened on the east side of the cemetery.
The Extension is vast, containing over 4400 Commonwealth soldiers.
The Cemetery contains 5 named soldiers of the Cheshire Regiment, 3 of whom are from the original 1st Battalion and 2 are from the 1/6 Battalion reinforcements.
The Cemetery extension is also the burial place of one of the 6 men of the Regiment who were “Shot at Dawn” during the War.
.. use this link to get a full list of all Soldiers buried in this Cemetery
Use the links below to read a little more about each man and see where he is buried. All of the men named below were awarded the 1914 Star (with “clasps and roses“), the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Private 1708 Joseph CLARKE – ‘A’ Coy [1/6th Bn.]
Grave: E. 4. Died of wounds (in action): 16th December 1914 Age: 25
Personal: Joseph was born in the September quarter 1889, in Heaton Mersey, Stockport, Cheshire. He was the eldest son of Joseph (Brickyard labourer) and Hannah (née Hemmery) Clarke, of 104 School Street, Higher Brinksway, Stockport. He had 3 older sisters, Eliza, Emma and Clara, and a younger brother James. (1901 Census 13/3300)
The 1911 Census (RG 14/21353) shows the family still living at 104 School Street, Stockport, and Joseph working in a ‘Thread Mill‘. (The Census shows that in addition to their 5 living children, Joseph and Hannah had had 9 more who had subsequently died.) They were at the same on the 18th October 1918 when the family received a Pension of 10s (50p) per week (i.e. about £35 today – 2023), although father, Joseph, Snr., had died in the June quarter 1917.
In Joseph’s Will (April 1915) he left his total effects to his eldest sister, Eliza. This amounted to £3 4s 6d [£3.22 – about £425 in today’s money (2023)]. In 1919 she also received £3 War Gratuity (about £200 today).
Military Service: Currently his Army Service Papers are unavailable, probably destroyed by Second World War bombing.
All that is known is that he enlisted at Stockport. His Medal Index Card shows that he entered France on 10 November 1914 and died of wounds on 16th December.
It is likely, therefore, that he was one of the Reinforcements of 64 N.C.O.s & men under 2/Lt. Vance who arrived to join the Battalion on 6th December 1914.
However, it is difficult to see where Joseph received the wounds from which he died on 16th as the War Diary reports that from 20th November the Battalion was in billets at Bailleul.
Buried in the same grave as Joseph is Cpl. 8711 R. Robertson, 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, who died on the 17th.
Private 1562 Wilfred PLATT – [1/6th Battalion]
Grave: G. 5. Died of wounds: 24th December 1914 Age: 18
Personal: Wilfred was born in the March quarter 1896 in St Paul’s, Stalybridge, Cheshire, the eldest son of William and Mary Frances (née Bamford) Platt of Stalybridge (married 25 November 1893). In 1901 he was living with his widowed mother (a cotton weaver) at the home of his widowed grandmother and her three other children at 14 Gordon Terrace, Stalybridge. Wilfred had a younger brother Herbert, aged 2. (1901 Census 13/3798)
Wilfred’s father had died in the March quarter 1901, aged 29. In the June quarter 1904 Mary re-married Elijah Hirst and the following year daughter Harriett (surname ‘Platt‘) was born. By 1911 (Census RG 14/24415) Elijah had also died (September quarter 1910) and the family were living at 12 Kinder Street Stalybridge. In the September quarter 1911 Mary married for the third time.
After Wilfred’s death, in June 1915, his effects were returned to the family. The total amounted to £3 15s 1d (£3.75 – equivalent in value to about £500 today – 2023). This was divided ⅔ to his mother, Mary, and ⅓ to his brother, Herbert. In August 1919 they also received a War Gratuity of £3 (about £200 today) divided equally.
Military Service: Currently his Army records are unavailable. All that is known is that Wilfred enlisted at Stalybridge, Cheshire.
His Medal Index Card shows that he entered France on 10 November 1914 and that he was killed in action on 24th December. (The SDGW database, however, states that he “Died of Wounds“, as does ‘The Register of Soldiers’ Effects‘.)
It is likely, therefore, that he was one of the Reinforcements of 64 N.C.O.s & men under 2/Lt. Vance who arrived to join the Battalion on 6th December whilst in their billets at Bailleul.
The War Diary indicates that on the 24th December the Battalion was at Wulverghan with “‘B’ & ‘D’ Coys in trenches and ‘A’ & ‘C’ Coys in billets“.
It was the day a large contingent of reinforcements arrived: “Capt. Lloyd, Lt. Mares, 2/Lt. Hazeon, 2/Lt. Rhodes & 2/Lt. Michener & 444 N.C.O.s & men joined from England“. There was also “1 man wounded” who could have been Wilfred Platt, though more likely Cpl. James Smith (below).
Buried in the same grave as Wilfred are Pte. G/9141 William Carnell, 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, who was killed on the 21st, and Pte. 3784 E. E. Rawlinson, 10th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment (on 23rd).
Corporal 8336 James SMITH – [3rd (T.R.) Battn. Attached – 1st]
Grave: G. 6. Died of wounds: 24th December 1914 Age: 23
Personal: According to his Service Record James was born in Liverpool in March 1891, the son of Thomas (Labourer) and Annie Smith of 65 Rydal Street, Liverpool. He had two siblings, an older brother, Thomas, and an older sister, Annie. (1901 Census RG 13/3482) At the time of his enlistment he was employed as a ‘Labourer‘.
When he joined the Cheshires in 1908 he was 5′ 3¼” tall (1.61 m.), weighed 119lbs. (8 st. 7lbs.) had grey eyes and brown hair. His religion was Church of England.
In May 1915 James’ father, Thomas, received his total effects, amounting to £10 9s 0d [£10.45 – equivalent to about £1375 today – 2023]. Four years later he also received the War Gratuity of £4 (about £270 today).
Military Service: James enlisted into the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion for a 6 year engagement, at Liverpool on 8th October 1908, aged 17 years 6 months.
As a Reservist he had to attend for 4 weeks training each year and this he did in 1909 (28th June – 11th July); 1910 (13th June – 2nd July); not in 1911 when he was on sick leave (5th June – 1st July); on 3rd June 1912 he was appointed Lance Corporal prior to training (3rd – 29th June); 1913 (2nd – 28th June) and 1914 (18th May – 13th June).
Before his first training in 1909 he did a month long musketry course from 28th May to 27th June.
James was mobilised on 9th August 1914 and his Medal Index Card shows that he was posted to the 1st Battalion and entered France on 11th September 1914, having been promoted to Corporal on the 8th. It is likely that he caught up with the Battalion in time for the Battle of the Aisne.
He died of a gunshot wound to the head at the Number 8 Clearing Station Hospital at 10.00 p.m. on Christmas Eve 1914. (The Hospital Casualty Form stated: “The deceased was admitted here wearing hospital clothing, and the only article found on him was his identity disc.” (List 10702)
It is unclear, therefore, where James received the wounds from which he died, although being a head wound and dying in the Clearing Station it is more than likely he had been wounded very recently. From the 18th – 24th December the Battalion was in trenches at Wulverghan, alternating two Companies at a time.
On the 24th the War Diary reported “1 man wounded” – most likely Corporal James Smith. In total, including 105 days in France, he had served 6 years 78 days with the Regiment.
Buried in the same grave as James are Pte. 7016 Frederick Reginald Finch, 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, who was killed on the 23rd, and Pte. L/9431 George William Brush, 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment (on the 27th).
Pte. 9453 Edward Charles STAGG (A.R.) – ‘C’ Coy.
Grave: J. 20. Died: 2nd March 1915 Age: 26
Personal: Edward was born in Woolhampton, Berkshire, in the September quarter 1888. He was the son of Edward (General Labourer) and Georgina Ellen (née Woodley) Stagg. He had 2 older brothers and an 2 older sister, James Harry [see Footnote below], Alfred, Gertrude Mary and Martha, and a younger brother, Joseph. (Source: 1891 Census). At the time of that Census the family were living at 5 The Crescent, Woolhampton.
By the time of the next Census (1901 RG 13/1123) 6 more children had been born to the family, John, Ketty, Edith, Dollie, Renie and Benjamin. The 1911 Census (RG 14/6837) shows the family at the same address, with Edward occupation being “Army Reservist Unemployed“.
There is no record of Edward marrying. In August 1915 his total effects totalling £18 15s 6d (£18.77 – about £2,500 today [2023]) were returned to his mother. A further £5 War Gratuity (about £330 today) followed four years later. A Pension of 5 s. (25p – about £30 today) a week was authorised, effective from 10th October 1916.
Military Service: Formerly: 7652 Royal Berkshire Regiment. Probably as a Reservist, whilst the family were living in Woolhampton, Berkshire. (Up to at least 1911)
Edward’s Army records appear to have been destroyed by Second World War bombing. However, his Service Number would suggest he enlisted into the Cheshires towards the end of 1912, but this would not account for him being a Reservist in 1914.
As a Reservist he was recalled to the 1st Battalion at the outbreak of War and his Medal Card shows he entered France 16th August.
His CWGC entry states he was 2nd Battalion, so it is probable that being a reservist he re-joined the 1st as his own Battalion was still in India.
He fought under Captain Dugmore on the right flank of the Battalion’s Action at Audregnies on 24th August. Battalion records state that he was wounded, though not captured, at Audregnies.
Edward died on 6th March 1915, at the 8th Casualty Clearing Station Hospital, Bailleul. The 8th C.C.S. opened in January 1915, staying operative until 4th March 1917.
He is buried in Bailleul Cemetery. After it was captured on 14th October 1914 by the 19th Brigade and the 4th Division, Bailleul became an important railhead, air depot and hospital centre. Edward Pension Record states that he “Died of Disease – Acute Nephritis” on 6th March 1915.
Buried in the same grave as James are Pte. 8380 William Rolph, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who was killed on 7th March, and Pte. 16457 A. McLarty, 1st Battn, King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (on the 8th).
Edward’s older brother served as, Pte 3114 James Harry STAGG, 3/1st Berkshire Yeomanry.
He transferred to Pt. 37307, 2nd Battalion, Berkshire Regiment, and was killed in action on 4th February 1917. He is buried in Bray Military Cemetery, Grave I. D. 22.
The brothers are commemorated on Woolhampton War Memorial, face 3 (above).
Pte. 7645 Albert John WILLIAMS (A.R.) – ‘B’ Coy.
Grave: I. B. 107. Died of wounds: 20th June 1915 Age: 27
Personal: Albert was born in the March quarter 1887, probably at 44 Demesne Street, Poulton cum Seacombe, Cheshire. He was the sixth (of 9) children of Reese (Car driver – groom) and Susannah (née Griffiths) Williams. (Older siblings: Edward, Harriett Anne, Elizabeth, Sarah Alice and May; younger ones: Susannah, Mildred and Gertrude Nancy).
In 1901 Albert was working as a ‘shop boy‘. (Census RG 13/3405) By 1911 Albert had returned from his 3 years of Active Service (see below) and was working as a ‘Painter‘ and living at the family home, 37 Manor Road, Liscard, Cheshire. (Census RG 14/22069)
Albert married Hannah Maria Wagg in June quarter 1914. They had a son, Albert James, born on 20th June 1914. Albert’s Pension Records show her living at 3 Cleveland Avenue, Birkenhead, Cheshire. She was awarded a Widow’s Pension of 18s 9d (£0.94) per week, effective from 17 November 1917. [This is equivalent to about £85 today – 2023.]
In November 1915 Hannah had received his total effects amounting £8 4s 1d [£8.20 or about £1,100 equivalent today] with a further £5 [£330] War Gratuity four years later.
On 24th November 1915 Hannah re-married another soldier, Frederick Jones.
Military Service: Currently his Army records are unavailable, probably destroyed. Albert enlisted at Birkenhead, Cheshire and his service number suggests he enlisted about 1908 on a 3 + 9 period of service. (3 years active + 9 years on reserve.)
As a reservist he was recalled to the 1st Battalion at the outbreak of War and his Medal Card shows he entered France 16 August.
He fought under Captain Shore on the left of the Battalion’s action at Audregnies on 24th August 1914.
Bailleul Casualty Clearing Station (From postcard)
Battalion records indicate that he was neither wounded nor captured, at Audregnies, so he no doubt took part in subsequent actions at La Bassée and Nonne Boschen.
He died of wounds received in action on 20th June 1915 at No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station, Bailleul. At the time he died the 1st Battalion were in front of Zillebeke, from Hill 60 to the North, during a long period in the trenches during June 1915.
Albert’s Medal Index Card (right) states that he ‘deserted‘ on 16th November 1914, right at the end of the First Battle for Ypres, but this has been crossed out – whether a mistake or change of mind, without his service records, who can say?
“Shot at Dawn”
Shot at Dawn Memorial – N.M.A.
The Bailleul Cemetery Extension is one of the Cemeteries in France and Belgium that contains the bodies of one of the 306 soldiers “Shot at Dawn” (but not 40 others executed for murder and mutiny) during the First World War.
Six of these men were from various Battalions of the Cheshire Regiment, though none from the 1st Battalion
On 16th August 2006 Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, announced that all 306 had been granted posthumous pardons and subsequently a Memorial was erected in the National Memorial Arboretum to the memory of these men.
One of the Cheshire Regiment’s executed men, L/Cpl Moon, is buried in this Cemetery.
… a full list of all the men executed (“Shot at Dawn”) during the Great War and commemorated at the National Memorial Arboretum
L/Cpl. 17790 William Alfred MOON [11th Battalion]
Grave: III. A. 213 Executed: 21st November 1916 Age: 20
Personal: William was the fourth child (of four) of Alfred and Mary (née Thompson) Moon and was born at 7 Weaver’s Street, Chester, in 1896. His older siblings were Albert Edward, Martha and Elizabeth (1901 Census RG 13/3372).
By the 1911 Census (RG 14/21863) William was living with his mother and sister, Elizabeth (Lizzie), at 22 Commonhall Street, Chester, and working as a “Stationer’s Porter“.
The ‘Register of Soldier’s Effects‘ records that he was executed by order of a Field General Court Martial and and amount of £3 15s 8d [£3.79] was returned to his father, Alfred, at 106 Alfred Street, Chester. (This is equivalent to about £340 today – 2023).
Military Service: William’s Medal Index Card shows he entered France on 28th September 1915.
The 11th Battalion landed in France two days earlier as part of 75th Brigade in the 25th Division and their first action was in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. The Battalion was one of the first into action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, attacking Thiepval from the direction of Authuille.
William was one of the members of ‘A’ Company, 11th Battalion. In December 1915, during another battle, an artillery shell landed near him and he was hospitalised at least twice.
On 22nd October 1916 the Battalion was relieved to go back to Albert then Warley and Authieule before entraining at Doullens for Bailleul on the 29th October 1916.
Lance Corporal Moon had deserted at some time during the Somme Battle and was tried at a Courts Martial on the 11th November 1916, convicted and shot 10 days later.
“Lance-Corporal William Moon was one of many shell-shocked soldiers to face the firing squad, the explosion of his mate’s head and brains into his face putting him, as he wrote with some understatement, “in a queer state”. Other deserters had simply seen enough horror and decided to vote with their feet before they, too, lost their lives or their senses.”
…. this link for a most poignant photo of the 11th Battalion in Action on the Somme
Bailleul Cemetery is the resting place of two other men executed for Desertion: Pte. 2408 William Roberts and Pte. 26028 John Rogers.
