First World War - Railway Dugouts Cemetery

[@boxwoodgreen]

Thank you Steven. My Canadian great uncle James rests five rows behind where you were walking along the Canadian Row around 6:20. He was killed by a minenwerfer in the front line trench in front of Hill 60 June 13, 1916. His brother Arthur fell three months later September 27th at Moquet Farm, Somme, and rests at Cerisy Gailly Military Cemetery. Never forgotten.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Sorry for your families loss. I am familiar with both locations.

[@boxwoodgreen]

@@StevenUpton14-18 Hello Steven a year later. Recently, my research pulled up a jewel. A CWGC document which had a Map Reference to what I'm told is a 50 foot circle in which my great uncle Arthur's remains were found. Probably post-war clearance. Quite a difference in what I previously thought. It is right in front of the wire of the Regina Trench, about 300 yards WSW of the Cemetery of the same name . They were the first Canadians to actually reach the Regina Trench in a night attack. Now my next queries are why he (and others) were Buried at Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery on the south bank of the Somme, a dozen miles away? A Captain Roberts ( London Regt. Civil Service Rifles ) who fell at High Wood is buried at the Cerisy-Gailly French National Cemetery- (Commonwealth Extension) a hundred yards away ? There's dozens of CWGC Cemeteries so much closer to where they fell ?.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

@@boxwoodgreen - I do not have a definitive answer to your question, I can only speculate. In most cases the dead are buried in the nearest cemetery to where their remains are found or where they died if it was a CCS or hospital. However, after the war many of the smaller cemeteries and individual graves were consolidated into larger ones. Then new cemeteries were created, sometimes years later (such as Fromelles completed in 2010). The best thing to do is contact the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and ask them.

[@redtomcat1725]

At 74 years I will never see Europe. I would visit the battlefields if I could. You have brought me as close as I will come. Thank you !!

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@bleeper999]

Thank you Steven, My Great Uncle Sidney Jones MC is buried here and my wife and I visited here in 2015

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching and sharing this information. I am sorry for your families loss.

[@zoid88]

I'm heading to Belgium and France with some friends in a few weeks to see both WW1 and WW2 sites, your videos have been a great help in planning our trip. Keep up the awesome work.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching and your feedback, its very encouraging. Have a great trip.

[@mgunny05]

I have been watching alot of your videos and have learned alot about the tremendous sacrifice and courage of the the British Commonwealth during WWI. I had no idea the large number of Commonwealth cemeteries that are in Belgium and that these cemeteries are so well professionally cared for and kept in such a beautiful condition. And as you said, very peaceful. As I mentioned in a earlier comment, you do and have done a outstanding job of presenting and explaining of the location that you are filming to this Marine Corps retiree.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching and your comments are very encouraging.

[@jackthebassman1]

Thank you once again Steven another superbly made, very professional post and your knowledge is second to none.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. And your comments, very encouraging.

[@SteveMikre44]

Thank you for all your time and effort in creating this wonderful video.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@asterixdogmatix1073]

Another great video Stephen. I've only visited the cemeteries at Gallipoli and the WW2 cemetery at Suda Bay, Crete. They are certainly peaceful places where you can quietly contemplate the past for yourself. I've been watching your videos while restoring a 1917 Lee Enfield SMLE. I can't help think the stains in the linseed oil of the stock is from the mud from the western front.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Gallipoli is a place I would like to visit. I had a great uncle who was would twice at Gallipoli and still only 16 ears old.

[@martincolclough4387]

Another good one Steven, and to see a North Staffordshire Colonel made it quite moving. Thank you.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. He must have been the battalions CO.

[@catherinecox1750]

I just learned about my Great Uncle Charles Turner in the last week and am puzzled that my Grandmother (his sister) never mentioned his existence. All the more odd in that he was married with 2 little children. He is buried here and unfortunately I'm never likely to be able to visit his grave since I now live in Australia. He died on the 2nd June 1917 at the age of 27. Thank you for taking the time to make this video, it gives the sense of peace common to many of these cemeteries.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching and sorry for your family's loss. We will remember them.

[@roysmith4716]

Thank you for this, in particular the mention of Canadian graves.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@redtomcat1725]

Steven I only see these graves through you eyes. I am 75 and find it hard to travel within the US so a European trip is not practical at all. I have said this befor. It will not change. Unfortunate for one who respects the sacrifice and history! Thank you !

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@redtomcat1725]

Thank you once more!

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching, again.

[@diddyreason]

Much appreciated. A fitting tribute.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@geordie1032]

Another excellent video, Steven. Thank you

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@davepay8917]

Very. Interesting video. Love how you know so much about. The war i. Am reading the book of. Harry patch. Keep up great work

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. I have also read that book.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

A very interesting book. Harry was in the same unit as my grandfather 7th DCLI. He was also a lewis Gunner like Harry.

[@apettit7]

I did a lot of ceremonial burials during my time in the US Army at Arlington National Cemetery. I know exactly what you mean when you say cemeteries are quiet and peaceful locations to reflect; I would sometimes spend a day off duty exploring ANC, doing the same. Every year during flags-in during Memorial Day I was always assigned to a WW1 sector of Arlington and I remember the feelings of seeing so many headstones with dates during the last few days and the very last day of the war itself. Someday I hope to visit the WW1 battlefields, graves and memorials in France and Belgium

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. I have visited Arlington. It is a very respectful and peaceful place. A tribute to the memory of those who have served.

[@petrovichbauer5105]

When is your TV presentation on the Great War? Your narration is spellbinding.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. It is kind of you to say, but this is just a hobby. Have a look at my other WW1 films.

[@tonynewton5668]

Thanks for the video. I think it's important the youth of today remember what happened. This year my wife and I took my 14 year old son to Ypres for 3 days and went on an organised your. It had a big impact on all 3 of us

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. You are so right.

[@MrTumbleweed22]

Very informative and interesting video Stephen.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@chrisneedham5803]

Thanks for your video. My Grandfather lost his 2 brothers in that war. He was lucky because he was sent to Egypt and Greece because he was in the Irish army (before independence) and his brothers were in 2 different English regiments sent to France.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@billyslittlebigadventurech9050]

great videos Steven. I've recently been to the DIG 80 at `Whitesheet` aka Wijtschate. They are doing a good job at excavating the area, but for all the wrong reasons. Thanks for sharing

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. I was thinking of going to Hill 80 and asking if I could film it with the drone.

[@billyslittlebigadventurech9050]

Hi Steven. I`ve just replied to another one of your videos. You have 2-3 weeks before its turned over the builders :-(

[@TheYukonner]

My Great Uncle James Archibald Thomson is buried in Maple Copse Cemetery.... did you do a video on Maple Copse Cemetery

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. I have not yet visited Maple Copse cemetery.

[@iancamarshis]

Great video Steven.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@davidfirth2932]

So very interesting. Thank you

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@Joe-gu6oe]

Beautiful sir.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@themancalledx]

Thank you

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@Jeffybonbon]

Thank you Steve

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@johnl1091]

You read about these battles in books, or hear about them in documentaries, but it never really sinks home as to the terrible loss of life inflicted by this war until you see the final resting place of those who fell. I am simply staggered that the men in the trenches put up with that pointless waste of life for as long as they did.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. We have to remember that for a great many of them they did not see it as pointless. They believed they were serving their countries in a time of great need and most, in the first half of the war, were volunteers.

[@pauldurkee4764]

I have long been interested in the great war, I'm amazed that anyone who went near the front line came back with their sanity intact. It says something about the fortitude and constitution of those men.

[@nickthefox72]

Just found out today my great grandfather is buried there….roadtrip asap!! rip to all who died so we may live

[@StevenUpton14-18]

@@nickthefox72 - Thank you for watching. This is a beautiful cemetery. If you go consider staying at Varlet Farm - www.varletfarm.com/en/index.htm - I have stayed there and the service is excellent. They have their own museum of stuff picked up out of the fields.

[@elijacobson3896]

Amazing the cost.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Visiting these cemeteries is a reminder of that cost. You read the names and the ages and it brings it home to you.

[@elijacobson3896]

@@StevenUpton14-18 I have two young sons. I hope my country (USA) never expects them to pay this cost.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

@@elijacobson3896 This is why we remember them. It is easy to forget to true price of war.

[@RealButcher]

Impressive! Thanks. I do not know why, but first WW is very interesting. Trenches seems so stupid. But I think even now in Ukraine it happens. I once was in Margraten Holland (second WW) but also very impressive and tranquille.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. Many of the images from Ukraine remind me of WW1.

[@davepay8917]

Its a very. Good book

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@olivercromwell7937]

♥️

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@chuulvr1274]

You lucky

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching.

[@coolbreeze2.0-mortemadfasc13]

I just don’t understand the senselessness of the First World War.

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. You could say that all wars are senseless.

[@ja37d-34]

Looks really well taken care of, nice to see. I wonder if there are lost graves, where the markers were destroyed by the fighting? So more buried soldiers than we know? If there are, they are among their brothers anyhow..

[@StevenUpton14-18]

Thank you for watching. In cemeteries that were shelled and fought over during the war there are many lost graves. This cemetery is one of them. They place grave stones around the edge of the cemetery for the lost graves when they know the names. Also, there is sometimes a large stone that states that there is known to be 200 (or whatever number) soldiers buried here in unknown locations.