IN MEMORy by Pierre Vandervelden

The visit of Commonwealth graves in Communals Cemeteries & Churchyards in Belgium & France

FOUQUIERES Churchyard Extension (Pas de Calais France)

Page 1 The Pictures

Page 2 List of Casualties

2nd/Lt Alexander Claude Kirby 24/07/1918 aged 24 Alexander was the eldest son of Ernest William and Katherine Sophia Kirby of ‘Wood End House’, Sutton Road, Walsall. Enlisting as a ranker in the Coldstream Guards on Wednesday 07/02/1917, Alexander was transferred to the Brigade of Guards Cadet Bn in 10/1917. Alexander was killed instantly by a bullet in the head during an air raid or artillery barrage. He had just returned from his first patrol and was on his way to coy headquarters to report. for Graeme Clarke and the people of Walsall

2nd/Lt Arthur William Motteram 21/05/1918 Arthur was educated at Hillary Street and the Technical Schools, Walsall. Prior to enlisting in the Army during 09/1914 he was engaged as a clerk in the offices of The Patent Shaft and Axle Tree Company in Wednesbury. Arthur served in the rgt as a Private with service numbers 8882 and 22448 prior to obtaining his commission. Drafted to France on Friday 05/03/1915, Arthur was wounded during the charge against the Hohenzollern Redoubt on Wednesday 13/10/1915 while serving in the Machine Gun section of the bn. On Wednesday 29/08/1917 he received his commission and returned to France on Friday 19/10/1917. The War Diary details his death inthe line north of the La Bassée Canal as follow: “22/05/1918 - 2.10am. Reinforcements moved up to companies. 2nd/Lt Motteram killed by gas shell standing by.” for Graeme Clarke and the people of Walsall

Pte Ernest Seedhouse 15/04/1918 aged 29 Ernest was the son of Henry and Emma Seedhouse of Lodge Farm, Lichfield Road, Brownhills. He was employed as a butcher in Lichfield when he enlisted in the Army at Lichfield and was killed by shrapnel from the explosion of a shell. for Graeme Clarke and the people of Brownhills

Cpl Thomas Edwin Metcalf 13/08/1918 aged 25 Thomas was the eldest child and only son of John William and Annie Elizabeth Metcalf of 329, Pleck Road, Walsall. At 12 midday on the day of his death the Germans shelled Battalion H.Q. killing 2 men and wounding 7 others. for Graeme Clarke and the people of Walsall

Pte Albert Edward Cleaver 07/06/1918 aged 19 Albert was the son of Jacob Edward and Rebecca Cleaver of 32, Bescot Street, Walsall. He enlisted in the Army at Walsall on Wednesday 21/06/1916 and was drafted to France on Thursday 20/12/1917. An officer wrote to the family stating: “Your son was in my company. He volunteered for a raid in which the company was taking part, and was hit by a machine bullet in No Man’s Land.” for Graeme Clarke and the people of Walsall

Pte Albert Walford Adshead 24/07/1918 aged 27 Albert lived with his widowed mother Charlotte Adshead at 70, Arundel Street, Walsall, his father Francis having predeceased him in 1903. He enlisted in the Army in 02/1916. At the time of his death his bn were at Gorre engaged on work on the trenches and with a counter-attack role. for Graeme Clarke and the people of Walsall

L/Sjt Thomas Samuel Baker 21/08/1918 aged 24 Thomas was a single man living with his parents, Thomas Samuel and Agnes Baker, at 18, Rowland Street, off Bentley Lane, Walsall. He enlisted in the Army in 02/1914 being drafted to France on Friday 05/03/1915. His Captain wrote to his parents: “I regret very much to have to inform you that your son was killed in action on Wednesday the 21st. He was shot in the head by a sniper, which killed him instantly. His comrades carried him down to the British cemetery where he was buried by our Chaplain with full military honours.” for Graeme Clarke and the people of Walsall

Cpl Frank Edward Willmore 24/07/1918 Frank was the son of William and Elizabeth Willmore of 668, Bloxwich Road, Leamore. Newspapers report that Frank was killed when a shell burst by him while he was superintending the digging of a new trench. for Graeme Clarke and the people of Walsall

412 casualties

IF You have a casualty picture, please send me a copy, I'll be glad to show it on this page.

IF You want a king size copy of this picture (300/900 ko - 2592/1944 pixels) please e-mail me.

Casualties informations come usualy from Commonwealth War Graves Commission, see links for more informations

Inmemories.com © Pierre Vandervelden - Belgium