A Guide’s Guide to the Somme: Dartmoor Cemetery

We turn to Commonwealth War Graves Foundation guide Ellie Alderson this week to learn the story of Dartmoor Cemetery and those buried here.

I think you should visit Dartmoor Cemetery

Originally called Becordel-Becourt Military Cemetery, Dartmoor Cemetery was created in August 1915.

The cemetery's name was changed in May 1916 at the request of the 8^th and 9^th battalions of the Devonshire Regiment.

In September 1916 XV corps established a Main Dressing station in the area. The cemetery was barely used in 1917 and passed into German hands-on 26^th March 1918.

The ground the cemetery lies upon was retaken by the 12^th Division on the 24^th of August 1918.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and contains 768 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 763 of which are identified.

The story of Lieutenant Henry Webber

Image: Lieutenant Henry Webber

Lieutenant Henry Webber was born in 1849 to William and Eliza Webber. He was the husband of Emily Webber and had 8 children.

Henry attended Tonbridge school, and then Pembroke College, Oxford before working in the London Stock Exchange for over 40 years.

During this time, Henry was also Justice of the Peace for Surrey, one of the original members of the Surrey County Council, and churchwarden of the parish church.

At the outbreak of war, Henry played a prominent role in the recruitment campaign and offered his own services as a soldier.

Rejected as he was too old, Henry spent the next two years offering to serve and was eventually gazetted to the South Lancashire Regiment as a Temporary Lieutenant on 1st May 1916.

He was killed in Mametz Wood on the 21^st July 1916 whilst taking rations up to the battalion when a shell exploded and a fragment struck him in the head.

Henry is the oldest British casualty of the Battle of the Somme, and one of the oldest British casualties of the whole war to be killed on the field of battle.

More stories of Dartmoor Cemetery casualties

Private James Miller VC (1.C.64) - King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) 7th Bn

Image: Private James Miller

Died 30^th July 1916. Aged 30.

Posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross:

“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.” - London Gazette, 8^th Sept 1916

Serjeant George Lee (1.A.35) and Corporal Robert Frederick Lee (1.A.36) - "A" Bty. 156th Bde. Royal Field Artillery

Died 5^th September 1916

George (aged 44) and Robert (aged 19) were father and son. They served and died alongside each other and are now buried side by side.

Private John Joseph Sweeney -(2.B.1) - 1st Bn. Otago Regiment (N. Z. E. F)

Executed for desertion 2nd October 1916, aged 37.

Private Sweeney enlisted into the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in October 1914, serving as a tunneler with the Otago Infantry in Gallipoli, before arriving in France on 17th July 1916.

On 25th July 1916, he deserted and remained absent until his arrest 5 weeks later. He was court-martialed on 15th September 1916 and sentenced to death by firing squad.

My connection to the Somme

Image: Ellie Alderson

I studied Modern and Contemporary History at Bangor University, before undertaking a master’s in First World War Studies at the University of Kent. I am now a PhD student at De Montfort University researching Women’s Football in the Midlands c.1880-1939.

It is important to remember the sacrifice made by those who served in the First World War, ensuring that their stories are never forgotten. The first day of the Battle of the Somme is one of the most remembered days of British Military History, but it is important to remember that the battle lasted for 141 days and that fighting continued in the area throughout the war.

Learn more about our Guides

The CWGF Guides Programme is our way of giving young history enthusiasts the chance to get out in the field to discover and share the stories of our war dead.

They become the eyes and ears of the Commission and Foundation on the ground at key sites in France and Belgium.

Visit our Guides page to learn more.