Dartmoor Cemetery, Becordel-Becourt

Historical Information (Source: CWGC)

Dartmoor Cemetery was begun (as Becordel-Becourt Military Cemetery) in August 1915 and was used by the battalions holding that part of the line; its name was changed in May 1916 at the request of the 8th and 9th Battalions of the Devonshire Regiment. In September 1916, the XV Corps Main Dressing Station was established in the neighbourhood, but throughout 1917, the cemetery was scarcely used. It passed into German hands on 26 March 1918, but was retaken on 24 August by the 12th Division. There are five burials of August 1918, in Plot II, Row E. In adjoining graves in Plot I, Row A, are buried a father and son, who served in the same artillery battery, and were killed in action on the same day.

Dartmoor Cemetery contains 768 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

 

Served with

  • United Kingdom (629)
  • Australian (70)
  • New Zealand (59)
  • Canadian (4)
  • Indian (1)

Served in

  • Army (763)
Dartmoor Cemetery
PDF – 31,2 KB

VICTORIA CROSS

Private James MILLER - 12639 - 7th Bn. King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)

Died 30 July 1916

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Awards: Victoria Cross

Miller London Gazette
PDF – 135,3 KB

Citation

An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 29740, dated 8th Sept., 1916, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery. His Battalion was consolidating a position after its capture by assault. Private Miller was ordered to take an important message under heavy shell and rifle fire and to bring back a reply at all costs. He was compelled to cross the open, and on leaving the trench was shot almost immediately in the back, the bullet coming out through his abdomen. In spite of this, with heroic courage and self-sacrifice, he compressed with his hand the gaping wound in his abdomen, delivered his message, staggered back with the answer and fell at the feet of the officer to whom he delivered it. He gave his life with a supreme devotion to duty."

Grave Reference: I. C. 64.

(Source: Wikipedia)


Private Harold John FEVER - 11857

2nd Bn. Wellington Regiment, N.Z.E.F.

Born on 16 April 1895

Died 01 October 1916

Son of Mrs V.E. Fever, Waipuku, New Zealand

He was a farmer before enlistment

 

Embarkation details

WW1 01 May 1916-9 June 1916 from Wellington, New Zealand to Suez, Egypt

HMNZT 51 Vessel was Ulimaroa Private 12th Reinforcements, Wellington Infantry Battalion,

B Company New Zealand Expeditionary Force

Awards

British War Medal (1914-1920)

Victory Medal

Cousin of Claude Reuben Perrett,

still missing and mentioned on the Caterpillar Valley (NZ) Memorial, Longueval,

Military file
PDF – 9,4 MB

Father and son - same regiment - died on the same day

I. A. 35. Serjeant George LEE - "A" Bty. 156th Bde. Royal Field Artillery Age 44

I. A. 36. Corporal Robert Fredrick LEE - "A" Bty. 156th Bde. Royal Field Artillery Age 19


Believed to be the oldest casualty at the Somme

I. E. 54. Lieutenant Henry WEBBER - 7th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment

Died 21 July 1916  Age 67