Misidentified RND Graves on the Somme

Here we present a rather unfortunate feature of our work, which appears contrary to the excellent work of researchers who succeed in identifying formerly unknown graves. It is with some regret that we present the evidence of these cases here:-

Headstone of Pte. George Hilton at Queens Cem. Bucquoy.

Queens Cemetery, Bucquoy, was founded in March 1917 & after the Armistice it was chosen for the concentration of graves exhumed from battlefield cemeteries in the surrounding area (the RND reburials coming mainly from the V Corps British Cemeteries No.14 [Swan Trench], No.15 [River Trench] & No.16 [Baillescourt Farm] in the Grandcourt-Miraumont area).

There are 140 RMLI & RNVR graves at Queens Cemetery (together with three Royal Engineers serving with the RND who were ex-Deal short-service RM Divisional Engineers).

Of the 140 RMLI & RNVR graves, 138 are of men killed between 3/2/17-26/2/17 exclusively.

Of the two remaining graves: the first is that of CZ/1596 AB James McGowan RNVR, 253rd Divisional Employment Coy. RND, who DOW in 63rd Field Ambulance 30/08/18 (no problem there).

The other is that of PO/861/S Pte. George Hilton RMLI, 5th Platoon, 'B' Company, 1st RM Bn. missing at Gavrelle, Arras, 28/4/17 & later assumed dead (served as George Hilton; the "Mellon" was likely added by the next-of-kin).

The fact that George Hilton is the only man of the 140 RMLI & RNVR graves who was killed in April 1917 is significant enough to raise question; but when one also considers that he went missing at Gavrelle, 30 kilometres NNE, then question turns to real concern.

The Commission are known to have moved some graves rather a long distance from their original location (for obscure reasons) & this might explain his unusual grave location. However, this is not the case with George Hilton.

Seen below is the relevant burial return for the exhumation of graves from map ref. 57d.R.2.c.2.0. to Queens Cemetery.

Burial Return ('A') for Exhumations from V Corps British Cemetery No.15 (River Trench) to Queens Cemetery.

This document shows that the grave of "George Hilton" was exhumed from V Corps British Cemetery No.15 (River Trench).

Details of those listed on the burial return above:-

Just to complicate matters, the map reference given on the burial return "57d.R.2.c.2.0" is in error. The true location of the V Corps British Cemetery No.15 (River Trench) was "57d.R.2.b.2.0" (those familiar with the case of Lt. John Kipling's misidentification will know all about map reference errors).

The map reference is known to be in error because: (i) The other burial returns for exhumations to Queens Cemetery read correctly "57d.R.2.b.2.0" & (ii) the contemporary WW1 trench map clearly shows the position of River Trench as running through the edge of square "57d.R.2.b.2.0" (see below).

WW1 map Sheet 57d (large scale), showing almost the whole of square R.2 & the edges of adjacent squares R.1, R.3 & R.8. The map reference "57d.R.2.b.2.0" refers to a specific point, the S.W. corner of an area 50 yards square. This area is indicated by the black square. Note also the position of Swan Trench (V Corps British Cemetery No.14).

Of critical importance, is the notation on the burial return that Hilton was identified from "Numerals on Clothing," which in light of the locational impossibility is insufficient identification. George Hilton was serving with the 1st RM Bn. in February 1917 & doubtless took part in the battle of Miraumont 17-19/2/17. Instances of clothing being borrowed or stolen was fairly commonplace, & doubtless a comrade in the 1st RM Bn. was in possession of part of George Hilton's kit when he was killed at Miraumont 17/2/17, & this ultimately lead to the misidentification of his body for that of Hilton's.

There is little doubt that the grave marked "George Hilton" in Queens Cemetery is in error. It is quite impossible that Hilton could be buried in a battlefield clearance cemetery amongst RND men killed in February 1917, over two months before he went missing at Gavrelle, 30 kilometres NNE.

The body of George Hilton was never found, as were the majority of RND casualties at Gavrelle in April 1917. Certainly if his body were ever to be found, it would be near Gavrelle, not 30 kms SSE on the Ancre.

We surmise that the body in Pte. Hilton's grave is actually that of an unknown Private RMLI, 1st RM Bn. KIA 17/2/17, who was found with clothing belonging to Pte. Hilton.

By the way, there are a further four errors in Queens Cemetery:-

(Note: the RND were 110 kms away in Belgium during October 1917, preparing for their attack at Passchendaele 26/10/17).

Burial Return showing correct date of death for AB Murray RNVR

Burial Return showing correct date of death for Cpl. Scott RMLI

Headstone of AB Brannon at the Ancre British Cem.

The case of TZ/3241 AB George Nicolson Brannon RNVR bears many similarities to that of Pte. Hilton above.

AB Brannon began his RND service with the Hawke Bn. at Gallipoli 20/8/15. At Gavrelle 23/4/17 he was posted 'Missing' & in early December 1917, having received no further information as to his whereabouts, he was assumed dead. However, in late December he was reported "KIA or DOW on or shortly after 23/4/17." His body (or what was thought to be his body) had been found. On the 5th of January 1918 a report was received at the RND Records Office from the Director of Graves Registrations & entered on his record card: "31093G. Buried 4 & 1/2 miles North of Albert." This report alone rouses suspicion, as 4 & 1/2 miles North of Albert was the old Ancre battlefield, nowhere near Gavrelle, Arras, where one would expect his body to be found. By December 1917 the Ancre had not seen battle for almost a year & the front line had moved many miles Eastward. It is extremely unlikely, if not impossible, for a man who went missing at Gavrelle to turn up buried on the old Ancre battlefield.

Further evidence comes from the report of the Director of Graves Registration dated 9/9/1920 which states: "Fully reported buried 57d.Q.18.a.1.1. Isolated grave" & the entry in ADM/242/7 (PRO document for Naval deaths & burials WW1, compiled in 1920) which states "Buried 4 & 1/2 miles North of Albert" with a Cemetery reference of "Plot 1, Row E, Grave 9" but without the name of the Cemetery. This entry is then crossed through & amended to read the present location "Ancre British Cemetery, Plot 3, Row B, Grave 9."

WW1 map Sheet 57d , showing squares from left to right:- (top row) Q.5, Q.6, R.1, R.2, R.3, R.4 ; (2nd row) Q.11, Q.12, R.7, R.8, R.9 & R.10 ; (bottom row) Q.17, Q.18, R.13, R.14, R.15, R.16.

Note: The two "X" marks are the centres of squares "57d.R.2.b.2.0" (original location of the body misidentified as George Hilton) & "57d.Q.18.a.1.1" (original location of the isolated grave misidentified as that of George Brannon).

WW1 map Sheet 57d (large scale), showing the whole of square Q.17 & the western half of Q.18. (Q.18a & Q.18.c.) with battle positions of the RND 13/11/16 & German trench system. The map reference "Q.18.a.1.1" refers to a specific point, the S.W. corner of an area 50 yards square. This area is indicated by the black square. Occasionally, a further pair of numerals suffix the map reference, which gives a more exact point within the 50 yard square.

The Ancre Battlefield view to E.N.E. from Ulster Tower April 2002

Compare this photo with the trench map above. The Ancre Cemetery lies in the Drake Bn. trenches of 13/11/16. In front of the Cemetery are the feint traces of chalk from the Hood Bn. trenches. Beyond the Ancre Cemetery & in front-left of the Howe Bn. position is the site of the RND Cemetery Q.17 Central. On the far right are the heavy chalk traces from the German first & second line trenches.

The trench map above shows the 50 yard square where the body misidentified as AB Brannon was found in Dec. 1917. It covers a small section of the German second line trench, with the largest area falling between the German second & third lines up to the wire. This location is almost directly behind the concrete German Strongpoint which caused so many casualties during the attack 13/11/16, which was situated midway between the first & second German lines on the Hawke Bn. front. The majority of the Hawke Bn. were massacred (& the Nelson Bn. following) in front of this MG emplacement. It was bypassed & encircled, but was only forced to surrender on the 14th by a Tank which fired its six-pounder guns at point-blank range. 800 prisoners were taken from the Strongpoint, a vast subterranean garrison complex which raised its MG's into position on elevating platforms. It had been overlooked prior to the attack & was completely neglected by the preliminary barrage.

The grave in the Ancre British Cemetery cannot possibly be that of AB Brannon. The circumstances & reasoning are exactly the same as that for Pte. George Hilton. A man who went missing at Gavrelle in April 1917 would not be found in a battlefield grave, over 30 kms SSE on the slopes of the Ancre.

We surmise that the body in AB Brannon's grave is probably that of an unknown AB of the Hawke Bn. KIA between 13th to 15th November 1916. The position of the grave behind the Strongpoint, suggests that he was more likely killed after the 13th, having managed to survive the advance & outflank the position. Without the relevant burial return stating the basis of the identification, it is difficult to say more.

There were 51 Hawke Bn. other ranks KIA 13/11/16 who have no known grave; of these we can eliminate 15 men, as we have the map references stating a different burial location, which leaves 36 possibles. Only 50 of the 51 missing Hawke Bn. men are listed on the Thiepval Memorial. AB Burleigh St. Muir Hannam still remains uncommemorated to date (see our "Amended Records" page) & a further two remained uncommemorated until very recently, only being added to the Thiepval Memorial Addenda Panel in the past ten years (AB David Eadie & A/LS Fred Inman, see photo of Addenda Panel somewhere below).

Headstone of Pte. Kirby RMLI at the Ancre British Cem.

PLY/10040 Pte. Caleb Kirby RMLI, 1st RM Bn., RND, was reported missing at Passchendaele, Belgium, 26/10/17 & later assumed dead.

Born 21/2/1881, he was the son of Charles & Elizabeth Kirby, of 33 Regents Terrace, Ipswich, Suffolk, later of 33 Allan Rd., Ipswich. He was a pre-war enlisted Marine who had served at least 15 years by July 1915, when he received his RN Long Service & Good Conduct medal. He joined the 1st RM Bn., RND, in mid-1917 & was reported missing after his battalion had attacked at Passchendaele 26/10/17.

None of his service papers survive, other than a single attestation form at the Fleet Air Arm Museum & his register entry (ADM/159) at the PRO. We do not have the relevant burial return. The entry in ADM/242/8 (PRO document for Naval deaths & burials WW1, compiled in 1920) states "Ancre British Cemetery," which indicates that Kirby has been buried there since the early 1920s.

Despite this apparent lack of evidence, we can apply the same logic as with the cases of AB Brannon & Pte. Hilton listed above, & ask a similar question: "How can a man who went missing at Passchendaele, in Belgium, come to be buried over 110 kilometres away in the Ancre British Cemetery, in France?

We would be interested in any information or explanation from any party which might prove otherwise, but we are presently inclined to believe it very likely that another misidentification has occurred here.

Headstone of Pte. Dickinson at Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont

CH/1354/S Pte. William John Dickinson RMLI, 2nd RM Bn., RND, was reported missing at Gavrelle, Arras, 28/4/17 & later assumed dead. However, he has a grave at Adanac Military Cemetery near Miraumont 30kms SSE of Gavrelle.

We do not have the relevant burial return, but the entry in ADM/242/8 (PRO document for Naval deaths & burials WW1, compiled in 1920) states "Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, Row 1, Plot B, Grave 35" which indicates that the grave marked to Dickinson has been there since the early 1920s.

Again, this case is almost identical to those of Pte. Hilton & AB Brannon, in that a man who went missing at Gavrelle would not be expected to be found 30kms SSE on the Somme.

A brief study of the 16 RMLI & RNVR graves in the Adanac Military Cemetery supports the suspicion of a misidentification. Of these 16 graves, 15 are for men died in 1918, with Dickinson the only man died in 1917.

Of the 15 men died in 1918, 14 died between 21/8/18 & 29/8/18 exclusively, & the other: TZ/1578 PO Ernest Warner RNVR, Drake Bn., RND, was reported missing 25/3/18 & later assumed KIA on that date. His body was likely found after the war & exhumed to nearby Adanac Cemetery.

All but Dickinson are buried near the battlefield on which they died.

RMLI & RNVR (RND) graves at Adanac Miltary Cemetery (listed by date of death)

Without reference to the relevant burial return, we cannot accurately surmise whose body is in the grave marked to Dickinson, but it is probably that of a Royal Marine killed near Miraumont in February 1917 or August 1918.

The Cases of Laurie, Laurie, Irvine, Irving, Anderson & Anderson

(confused? so it seems was everyone)

Burial Return ('B') for Exhumations from RND Cemetery Q.17 Central to the Ancre River British Cemetery No.2 (V Corps Cemetery No.27, 57d.Q.17.d.9.1) note: these graves were later re-exhumed & buried in the Ancre River Cemetery No.1, V Corps Cemetery No.26, 57d.Q.18.c., now known as the Ancre British Cemetery. The old cemetery references of Plot 16, Row E, Graves 1-10 equate to their present reference of Plot 2, Row E, Graves 21-30. See the maps above for the location of Q.17 Central.

Here we will attempt to explain a reasonably complex set of six cases, all associated with the above burial return. This particular study well illustrates the difficulties faced by the Director of Graves Registration & their heirs.

Details of those listed on the burial return above (however some details are in question):-

The Case of Laurie & Laurie

The burial return ('B') above reads: "AB J. Laurie R.N.D." There were two men named John Laurie killed 13/11/16: MZ/306 A/LS(HG) John Laurie RNVR, Nelson Bn. (served as John Laurie, the 'Ferguson' was likely added by the next-of-kin) & CZ/767 AB John Laurie RNVR, Hood Bn.

The Commission recently confirmed that CZ/767 AB John Laurie RNVR, Hood Bn, is not recorded in their registers & is at present uncommemorated (see our "Forgotten Heroes" page).

From the documents concerning the cases of Laurie & Laurie, it would appear that the wrong John Laurie was originally marked as buried in the Ancre British Cemetery. Note that the Burial Return 'B' reads "AB" (Able Seaman) J.Laurie, but MZ/306 John Laurie was an A/LS(HG) [Acting Leading Seaman Higher Grade] & CZ/767 John Laurie was the Able Seaman.

Here are the chronological sequence of reports as recorded on their RND Index Cards:-

This sequence of reports shows that the grave in the Ancre River Cemetery was originally marked to the wrong John Laurie in late 1919 & that the error was detected by the Director of Graves Registration in late 1920 & corrected. This is confirmed by ADM/242/9 (PRO document for Naval deaths & burials WW1, compiled in 1920) which shows that CZ/767 AB John Laurie as buried in the Ancre British Cemetery, but a small piece of paper has been glued over this entry & marked "X" (burial unknown). ADM/242/9 correctly records MZ/306 A/LS(HG) John Laurie as "Ancre British Cem., Plot 16, Row E, Grave 6.

However, during the correction process a further two errors were made:-

(i) The wrong rank was inscribed for MZ/306 A/LS(HG) John Laurie.

(ii) CZ/767 AB John Laurie was not transferred to the list of those with no known grave for commemoration on the Thiepval Memorial & was lost/forgotten.

Headstone of Acting Leading Seaman (Higher Grade) Laurie at the Ancre British Cem.

The Case of Irvine & Irving

The burial return ('B') above reads: "AB J. Irvin R.N.D."

There were two men killed 13/11/16 who could have fitted this name: TZ/7171 AB James Robert Irvine RNVR, Anson Bn. & TZ/4229 AB John Robert Irving RNVR, Nelson Bn.

There is no problem over the identification of TZ/7171 AB James Robert Irvine as being buried in the Ancre British Cemetery. Below are the details from his records:-

However, the similarity of names & dates seems to have caused TZ/4229 AB John Robert Irving to have been lost from the Commission's Registers. John Robert Irving remained uncommemorated until fairly recently (in the last ten years), when it appears that some caring soul discovered his uncommemorated status, informed the Commission & had his name added to the Thiepval Memorial Addenda panel.

However, it would appear that the Director of Graves Registration were in possession of his details in late 1917. His RND Index Card records the following: "5/1/18: Report received from Director of Graves Registration 31093G. Buried 4 miles N. of Albert ; Next-of-kin informed 8/1/18." This entry shows that his Next-of-kin were advised of his burial, which perhaps explains why they never enquired further, assuming that he had been found & buried in early 1918.

A very small section of the Thiepval Memorial Addenda Panels

Details of the RND men listed on the above addenda panel:-

Note that in almost all of the above cases, the Director of Graves Registration were originally in possession of their details, but subsequently lost them.

The Case of Anderson & Anderson

The burial return ('B') above reads: "AB T. Anderson R.N.D." However, the man named on this grave in the Ancre British Cemetery is CZ/2428 AB George Greig Anderson RNVR, Howe Bn., RND, KIA 12/11/16 (served as George Anderson, the "Greig" was likely added by his Next-of-kin).

From the entries recorded on their RND Index Cards, it becomes evident that these two men's details have been transposed. Note the similarities between their service numbers, which may have complicated matters:-

From the details listed above, we can see that Thomas Anderson was originally reported buried in the RND Cemetery Q.17 Central, Sheet 57.D. 40,000 No.3 Trench 21, 30/1/17, & this report was confirmed by the Director of Graves Registration 5/5/17. However, in late 1919 George Anderson suddenly appears as buried in the RND Cemetery near Beaumont Hamel, & in early 1920 as exhumed to the Ancre River Cemetery. The burial return 'B' clearly states "T. Anderson", so we can assume that the error/transposition occurred after the exhumation to the Ancre River Cemetery in late 1919. The original report of Thomas Anderson's burial was not cancelled, nor was his name lost, as with the case of the CZ/737 AB John Laurie, & Thomas Anderson's name now appears on the Thiepval Memorial.

Further evidence comes from ADM/242/9 (PRO document for Naval deaths & burials WW1, compiled in 1920) which also states Thomas Anderson to be "Buried in Cemetery Q.17 Central, Sheet 57.D. 40,000 No.3 Trench 21" & George Anderson to be buried in the Ancre British Cemetery.

It should also be noted that George Anderson was killed the day before the RND's attack on the Ancre, 12/11/16, & no report of his burial prior to October 1919 was received; whereas Thomas Anderson was missing, later reported killed in action 13/11/16 & buried in RND Cemetery Q.17 Central.

The fact that George Anderson was killed the day before the attack is significant. A study of the casualties suffered by the RND 12/11/16 shows six KIA that day: 1 x 2nd RM Bn., 1 x Anson Bn., & 4 x Howe Bn. (one man from the Hawke Bn. also died that day, but he died from wounds received 11/11/16 in the 2/1st South Midland CCS & was buried at Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension).

Of the six KIA 12/11/16, only two have graves:- Lt.Col. Saunders DSO RMLI, the Officer Commanding Anson Bn. RND, who was buried at Hamel Military Cemetery; & (supposedly) George Anderson.

The reason why Lt.Col. Saunders' body was the only one recovered for burial may be explained by his position as OC Anson. This was a severe loss on the eve of battle; a highly regarded & decorated RMLI Officer, OC of an RND Battalion, his burial was bound to have been accorded far more reverence than that of a mere ranker, to the extent that his body would have been carried back for burial with the honours accorded to his status.

RND Casualties 12/11/16:-

We believe that there is sufficient evidence to show that it is actuallyThomas Anderson who is buried in the Grave marked "George Greig Anderson" in the Ancre British Cemetery, Plot II, Row E, Grave 29 (which equates to the old cemetery reference of "Plot 16, Row E, Grave 9).

The burial return ('B') clearly states "T. Anderson" & has not been amended to read "G. Anderson."

The RND card index & ADM/242/7 entry for Thomas Anderson show his reported burial & location, but with no cancellation or amendment.

The RND card index for George Anderson shows he was reported KIA 12/11/16 (not missing) with no burial details, until in late 1919 he suddenly appears in the grave which is proven to have originally been marked to Thomas Anderson.

TZ/2486 AB Thomas Anderson RNVR, Nelson Bn., RND, Missing, later reported KIA 13/11/16 (Hawke Bn. at Gallipoli 20/8/15-7/9/15 & BEF Nelson Bn. 28/8/16-13/11/16).