The CAMBRAI MEMORIAL commemorates more than 7,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South Africa who died in the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917 and whose graves are not known.

There are 7,066 names on the memorial. The commemorations connected with the Yorkshire Regiment comprise 67 men: 55 men who were serving with the Yorkshire Regiment when they were killed, together with 12 former soldiers of the Yorkshire Regiment who were serving with other regiments at the time of their death.

The Battle of Cambrai

Sir Douglas Haig described the object of the Cambrai operations as the gaining of a 'local success by a sudden attack at a point where the enemy did not expect it' and to some extent they succeeded. The proposed method of assault was new, with no preliminary artillery bombardment. Instead, tanks would be used to break through the German wire, with the infantry following under the cover of smoke barrages.

The attack began early in the morning of 20 November 1917 and initial advances were remarkable. However, by 22 November, a halt was called for rest and reorganisation, allowing the Germans to reinforce. From 23 to 28 November, the fighting was concentrated almost entirely around Bourlon Wood and by 29 November, it was clear that the Germans were ready for a major counter attack. During the fierce fighting of the next five days, much of the ground gained in the initial days of the attack was lost.

For the Allies, the results of the battle were ultimately disappointing but valuable lessons were learnt about new strategies and tactical approaches to fighting. The Germans had also discovered that their fixed lines of defence, no matter how well prepared, were vulnerable.

The Cambrai Memorial and Louverval Military Cemetery

The Cambrai Memorial was designed by Harold Chalton Bradshaw with sculpture by Charles S. Jagger. It was unveiled by Lieut-General Sir Louis Vaughan on 4 August 1930.

The memorial stands on a terrace at one end of Louverval Military Cemetery. The chateau at Louverval was taken by the 56th Australian Infantry Battalion at dawn on 2 April 1917. The hamlet stayed in Allied hands until the 51st (Highland) Division was driven from it on 21 March 1918 during the great German advance, and it was retaken in the following September.

Parts of Rows B and C of the cemetery were made between April and December 1917 and in 1927 graves were brought in from Louverval Chateau Cemetery, which had been begun by German troops in March 1918 and used by Commonwealth forces in September and October 1918.

Photographs of the panels bearing the names of the men connected with the Yorkshire Regiment are shown below. Due to the difficult lighting conditions and extreme contrast, not all of the commemorated names could be photographed.

Yorkshire Regiment Commemorations

Private Herbert James Baguley

296841. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 31037 Notts & Derby Regt. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Mansfield (Notts), Enlisted Mansfield.
(SDGW gives No as 29684)

2nd Lieutenant John William Berryman

15th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, attached 2nd/4th Battalion KOYLI. Son of John William and Annie Berryman, of 178, Stevenson St., Westoe, South Shields. Killed 27 November 1917. Aged 23.

Rifleman Parkinson Bilton

306017. 2nd/8th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 10624 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mrs. Margarite Bilton, of 4, Barnett Terrace, Tong Rd., Armley, Leeds. Killed 22 November 1917. Aged 24.
Enlisted Leeds, Resided Leeds.
Commemorated Panel 5, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.

Lance Corporal Alfred Binks

203460. 2nd/5th York and Lancaster Regiment, formerly 2379 Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 20 November 1917.
Enlisted Wath-on-Dearne (Rotherham).
Commemorated on Panels 9 and 10, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.

Serjeant Sidney Bonnington

29428. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 28507 Sherwood Foresters. Son of William and Patty Gertrude Bonnington, of 78, Barlow Street, Derby. Enlisted in 18th (Bantam) Bn. Sherwood Foresters, Aug., 1915. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Derby, Enlisted Derby.

Private Herbert Briggs

24794. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Pudsey (Yorks), Enlisted Leeds, Resided Pudsey.

Private Robert Brown

34486. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly TR/5/44620 81st T R Battn. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Jarrow (Durham), Enlisted Sunderland, Resided Jarrow.

Serjeant William Irvin Brown

23590. 13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. D C M, Croiss-de-Guerre. Husband of Minnie Jane Brown, of 193, Linthorpe Rd., Middlesbrough. Died 23 November 1917. Aged 28.
Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.

Private John Butterworth

25486. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Stockton, Enlisted Middlesbrough, Resided Stockton.

Private Alfred William Chalkley

29455. 14th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, formerly 23181 the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 28 November 1917.
Born London, Enlisted Bradford (Yorks), Resided Millbridge (Yorks).
Commemorated Panel 10, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.

Private Thomas Codling

35645. 10th Battalion King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry), formerly 32038 Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 5 December 1917.
Born Lingdale, Enlisted Richmond (Yorks).
Commemorated Panel 8, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.

Private Fred Colpus

235578. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 3892 Yorkshire Dragoons. Died 23 November 1917.
Enlisted Doncaster, Resided Hexthorpe.

Private William Conway

29502. 14th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, formerly 24688 the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Frederick Conway, of 4, Barleycorn St., Whitehall Rd., Leeds. Killed 28 November 1917.
Born Leeds (Yorks), Enlisted Leeds.
Commemorated on Panel 10, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.

Lance Corporal George Ellis

5635. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 24 November 1917.
Born Old Malton (Yorks), Enlisted Malton.

Private Frank Harry Evatt

29438. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 28564 Notts & Derby Regt. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Leicester, Enlisted Leicester.

Private George Oswald Fea

235585. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 3116 Yorkshire Dragoons. Only son of George and Emily Fea, of Bridlington, Yorks. A Solicitor. Enlisted in the Q.O. Yorkshire Dragoons, Oct., 1914, proceeded overseas, July, 1915. Killed 23 November 1917. Aged 40.
Enlisted Bridlington.

Private Arthur Foley

22999. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Doncaster, Enlisted Doncaster, Resided Swinefleet (Goole).

Private Elijah Garlick

29843. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 32523 Notts & Derby Regt. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Garlick, of 37, Lower Noon Sun, Thornsett, Birch Vale, Stockport. Killed 23 November 1917. Aged 29.
Born Glossop (Derby), Enlisted Buxton, Resided Hayfield (Near Stockport).

Lance Serjeant Walter Goode

29827. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 32347 Notts & Derby Regt. Killed 23 January 1917.
Born Hinckley (Leicester), Enlisted Hinckley.

2nd Lieutenant Thomas Robert Gray

4th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, attached 7th Battalion KOYLI. Son of James and Jane Wotherspoon Aitken Gray, of Gartlea, Motherwell. Killed 24 November 1917. Aged 30.

Private James Green

40656, 13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 32575 10th T R Battalion. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Scarborough, Enlisted Scarborough.

Private Harry Griffiths

24786. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Thomas William and Lucy Emma Patterson, of 6, Nineveh Walk, Holbeck, Leeds. Killed 23 November 1917. Aged 25.
Born Leeds, Enlisted Leeds.

Captain John Anthony Harris, MC

12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Mrs. J. Harris, of 3, Leven St., Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Yorks, and the late Col. J. Harris, V. D. Died 26 November 1917. Aged 27.

Private Arthur Harrison, MM

24657. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Wakefield (Yorks), Enlisted Wakefield.

Lance Corporal George Wilson Harrison

203472. 2/5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, formerly 2539 Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 20 November 1917.
Enlisted Malton (Yorks).
Commemorated on Panels 9 & 10, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.

Private Willie Hesling

235579. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 3903 Yorks Dragoons. Son of Arthur and Alice Hesling, of 86, Marsh St., Bradford. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Bradford, Enlisted Bradford, Resided Little Horton (Bradford).

Private James William Hibbins

29791. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 32051 Notts & Derby Regt. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Stamford (Lincs), Enlisted Stamford.

Private Arthur Howell

29784. 2nd/5th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, formerly 41463 the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 3 December 1917.
Born Tottenham (Middlesex), Enlisted Fulham (Middx.).
Commemorated on Panel 3, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.

Corporal Alban Jarman

41920. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 13155 Leics Regt. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born East Norton (Leicester), Enlisted Leicester, Resided Uppingham (Rutland).

Private Mark Albert Johnson

24680. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Leeds, Enlisted Leeds.

Lance Corporal Joseph Kennedy

25584. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Bradford, Enlisted Bradford, Resided West Bowling.

Lance Corporal Robert Smith Kitchen

25474. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Sunderland, Enlisted Leeds.

Corporal John Alfred Lee

25631. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Ravensthorpe (Yorks), Enlisted Huddersfield, Resided Mirfield (Huddersfield).

Private Albert Edward Lumb

235584. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 3726 York Dragoons. Son of Mrs. Mary Ann Lumb, of 93, Prospect Rd., Longwood, Huddersfield. Killed 23 November 1917.
Enlisted Harrogate, Resided Longwood (Huddersfield).

Private Charles Mannion

21306. 12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Died 28 November 1917.
Born Middlesbrough, Enlisted Middlesbrough.

Private Michael Marr

25677. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Holborn (London), Enlisted London, Resided Tottenham Court Rd.

Lance Corporal William Martin

29531. 14th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, formerly 23171 the Yorkshire Regiment. Died 28 November 1917.
Enlisted Richmond (Yorks), Resided Middlesbrough (Yorks).
Commemorated Panel 10, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.

Captain Richard Mason

13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.

Private John McCormick

27617. 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers, formerly 12549 Yorkshire Regiment. Husband of Hannah Tate McCormick, of 1, Burdon St., Ryhope, Co. Durham. Killed 21 November 1917. Aged 30.
Born Whitehaven (Durham), Enlisted Sunderland.
Commemorated Panel 5, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.

2nd Lieutenant Leslie Melhuish

The Yorkshire Regiment, attached 2nd/5th Battalion KOYLI. Son of Robert Melhuish, of Northgate, Harborne, Birmingham, and the late Annie Melhuish. Enlisted in the 9th Bn. S. Staffordshire Regt. Killed 27 November 1917. Aged 21.

Private William Monagham

25542. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Leeds, Enlisted Leeds.

Private James Leo Moore

12395. 13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 24 November 1917.
Born Egton Bridge (Whitby), Enlisted Whitby, Resided Egton Bridge.

Private William O'Hare

41678. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 160643 R F A. Son of Maria O'Hare, of 20, Maple Grove, Seaforth, Liverpool, and the late William O'Hare. Killed 23 November 1917. Aged 26.
Born Seaforth, Enlisted Seaforth.

Private John Ogden

41827. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 41827 R F A. Husband of Lillie Ogden, of 13, Gleaves Rd., Eccles, Manchester. Killed 23 November 1917. Aged 40.
Born Manchester, Enlisted Manchester.

Lance Corporal Arthur Edgar Perks

42431. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 164213 R F A. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Stafford, Enlisted Birmingham, Resided Sutton Coldfield.

2nd Lieutenant Frank Stewart Phillips

13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.

Private Frank Porter

29720. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 31435 Notts & Derby Regt. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Leicester, Enlisted Leicester.

Private James William Read

42455. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 15056 R F A. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Boscombe, Enlisted Poole, Resided Parkstone (Dorset).

Private Tom Riley

29631. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 30722 Notts & Derby Regt. Son of Tom and Annie Riley, of 41, Down St., Belgrave, Leicester. Killed 23 November 1917. Aged 29.
Born Leicester, Enlisted Leicester.

Private Harry Routledge

12282. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Belfast, Enlisted Leeds, Resided Rothwell (Leeds).

Private John McGill Sheddon

34055. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 5578 R A S C. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born South Leith (Midlothian), Enlisted Edinburgh.

Private John Simmonds

23536. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Thornhill (Yorks), Enlisted Dewsbury (Yorks), Resided Thornhill.

Corporal Cecil Simpson

29799. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 32097 Notts & Derby Regt. Son of Mrs. S. A. Simpson, of Rose Cottage, Hickling, Notts, and the late George Simpson. Killed 23 November 1917. Aged 29.
Born Hickling Melton Mowbray (Leicester), Enlisted Loughborough.

Lance Corporal Charles James Smith

29588. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 30419 Notts & Derby Regt. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Maldon (Essex), Enlisted Loughborough, Resided Hybridge (Near Malden).

Private Reuben Bartrum Smith

42442. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 183728 R F A. Husband of Clara Elizabeth Smith, of G, St. Paul's Rd., Gloucester. Killed 23 November 1917. Aged 40.
Born Gloucester, Enlisted Gloucester.
(Note CWGC data has wife's address as "G, St. Paul's Rd." In the 1911 Census he was still single and living at 26 Falkner St.)

Private Ernest Atkinson Tate

25612. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Atkinson and Angelina Tate, of 24, Forster St., Hunslet Rd., Leeds. Died 23 November 1917. Aged 21.
Born Leeds, Enlisted Leeds, Resided Hunslet.

Private James Henry Terry

235604. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 3912 Yorks Dragoons. Died 23 November 1917.
Born Bradford, Enlisted Bradford, Resided West Bowling.

Private Gwilyn Morris Thomas

47892. 12th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 217580 R E. Husband of Mary Jane Thomas, of Plasybarlo, Login, Carmarthenshire. Died 28 November 1917. Aged 31.
Born Cilmaenllyd (Wales), Enlisted Carmarthen, Resided Login (S O).

Private James Thompson

25620. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Died 23 November 1917.
Born Sunderland, Enlisted Sunderland.

Private John W Thompson

29463. 14th (Service) Battalion Highland Light Infantry, formerly 23627 Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 24 November 1917.
Born Middlesbrough (Yorks), Enlisted Middlesbrough.
Commemorated Panel 10, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.

Lance Serjeant Jesse Tindall

23691. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Died 23 November 1917.
Born Hull, Enlisted Hull, Resided Springbank (Hull).

2nd Lieutenant Charles Walter Tune

13th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Charles and Annie Tune, of Hessle, Yorks. Killed 23 November 1917. Aged 22.

Lance Corporal Fred Walker

23757. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Barnsley, Enlisted Barnsley (Yorks).

Private Harold Watson

41703. 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, formerly 160005 R F A. Killed 23 November 1917.
Born Sheffield, Enlisted Southport.

Private Frank Whitton

91856. "E" Battalion Tank Corps, formerly 37033 the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 20 November 1917.
Enlisted Ripon (Yorks).
Commemorated Panel 13, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.

2nd Lieutenant Robert Wilford

5th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Son of Robert Levi Wilford and Jane Eliza Wilford, of The Black Bull Hotel, Yarm, Yorks. B.A. (London University). Died 23 November 1917. Aged 23.

Lance Corporal James Wright

25253. 12th Battalion South Wales Borderers, formerly 12232 the Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 25 November 1917.
Born Ryhope (Durham), Enlisted Sunderland, Resided Grangetown (Sunderland).
Commemorated Panel 5, CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL.

We are very grateful to Christopher Weekes for the photographs of the Louverval Military Cemetery and Cambrai Memorial.

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