In Memory of
J. E. HINDER
Lance Corporal
17447
8th Bn., Gloucestershire Regiment
who died on
Thursday, 13th January 1916.
Commemorative Information
| Cemetery: |
ST. VAAST POST MILITARY CEMETERY,
RICHEBOURG-L'AVOUE, Pas de Calais, France |
Grave Reference/
Panel Number: |
II. L. 12
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| Location: |
The cemetery lies near the village of
Richebourg-l'Avoue which is 9 kilometres north-east of Bethune. From
Bethune follow the D.171 toward Armentieres and progress onto the D.166
proceeding into the outskirts of Richebourg. Take a left turning into
Rue des Charbonniers for approximately 2 kilometres and the cemetery is
on the right hand side.
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| Historical Information: |
Richebourg-L'Avoue village remained in
British hands from the Autumn of 1914 to the 9th April, 1918, though the
front line was within 1.6 kilometres of it. It was recovered in
September, 1918. The strong point from which the cemetery was named was
in turn named from the hamlet of St. Vaast, between the village of
Richebourg-St. Vaast and Goix-Barbee. It stands in an old orchard
between two farm buildings, where a trench tramway had its terminus and
a Dressing Station was established. It was begun in May, 1915, at the
time of the Battle of Festubert, and used by fighting units and Field
Ambulances until July, 1917. In April and May, 1918, the Germans buried
90 of their men at the South-East end, and in September and October,
1918, 18 further British dead were buried in Plot V. Eleven Portuguese
soldiers buried here in May-July, 1917, have been removed to the
Portuguese Military Cemetery. There are now nearly 800, 1914-18 war
casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are
unidentified. Special memorials are erected to three soldiers from the
United Kingdom, buried in the cemetery, whose graves cannot now be
traced. The cemetery covers an area of 4,080 square metres and is
enclosed by a flint wall. |
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