Op La Boisselle - Devonshire Cemetery

 The Devonshire Cemetery is situated 800 metres south of Mametz. It contains the resting place of 163 casualties, of which 150 are from the Devonshire Regiment killed on 1st July 1916. A further 10 Devonshire's are unknown, and one Devonshire Officer was killed on 28th June 1916. The only burials who are not Devonshire's are 2 Gunners.

Devonshire Cemetery

Devonshire Cemetery

On the opening day of the Battles of the Somme, 1st July 1916, the 7th Division was tasked with the capture Mametz. The men of the 8th and 9th Service Battalions of the Devonshire Regiment assembled in trenches in the vicinity of Mansel Copse prior to the assault. 

The attack was a success, the 7th Division capturing Mametz, though it sustained 3,380 casualties. The  8th and 9th Battalions of the Devonshire Regiment sustained over 200 casualties. 

On the 4th July the Devonshire's returned to trenches near Mansel Copse and established a cemetery burying 153 of their dead comrades in a section of their old front line trench. They left an inscription at the cemetery; 

“THE DEVONSHIRES HELD THIS TRENCH THE DEVONSHIRES HOLD IT STILL”

Devonshire Cemetery

Devonshire Regiment Casualties
1st July 1916

Devonshire Regiment Casualties
1st July 1916

Devonshire Regiment Casualties
1st July 1916

Devonshire Regiment
Unknown Soldier

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DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT OFFICERS

KIA 1st July 1916

Lieut. W.N. Hodgson MC

Lieut. William Noel Hodgson MC

2nd Lieut. RHW Davidson

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2/ Lt Robert Henry Walter Davidson

Captain GP Tregelles

2nd Lieut. JFG Rew

Somme 2023 - Devonshire Cemetery

Devonshire Cemetery
Inscription Stone IJ

To the south of the Somme Battlefield are the villages of Fricourt and Mametz. The Germans  had heavily fortified them and extensive trench systems  connected the fortifications.

On the 1st July 1916, the capture of both villages was the task of XV Corps. The plan was the 21st Division would outflank Fricourt, the 7th Division would capture Mametz,  A brigade from each division would then link up and  assault Fricourt. 

The effectiveness of the artillery fire, and all arms co-ordination provided the basis for one of the few successes on the Somme on the 1st July 1916. Mametz was captured, though Fricourt proved too strong, and remained in enemy hands. 

The 7th Division’s attack on Mametz included men of the 8th and 9th Service Battalions of the Devonshire Regiment. They assembled in trenches in the vicinity of Mansel Copse prior to the assault. 

The main attack on Mametz was a success and the objective was secured, at a cost. The 7th Division suffered 3,380 casualties. The  8th and 9th Battalions of the Devonshire Regiment sustained over 200 casualties. 

On the 4th July the Devonshire's returned to trenches near Mansel Copse and established a cemetery burying 153 of their dead comrades in a section of their old front line trench. They left an inscription at the cemetery; 

“THE DEVONSHIRES HELD THIS TRENCH THE DEVONSHIRES HOLD IT STILL”

Devonshire Cemetery
Inscription Stone IJ

Devonshire Cemetery

The Devonshire Cemetery contains 163 casualties, all but two are from the 8th and 9th Service Battalions of the Devonshire Regiment. 

Devonshire Cemetery

Devonshire Cemetery
Cross of Sacrifice

Devonshire Cemetery
Unknown Devonshire Regiment Soldier

Devonshire Cemetery
Devonshire Regiment Headstones

Devonshire Cemetery
Devonshire Regiment Soldiers and Unknown

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Devonshire Cemetery
2.Lt. TF Adamson
Devonshire Regiment

2.Lt. TF Adamson
Devonshire Regiment

Second Lieutenant Travers Farrant Adamson | War Casualty Details 536025 | CWGC

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Lieutenant William Noel Hodgson | War Casualty Details 536100 | CWGC

Author of "Verse and Prose in Peace and War".

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The two no Devonshire Regiment casualties includes Sergeant D. Wright who died 10th November 1916 serving with B Battery 92nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery.

Devonshire Cemetery
Serjeant D. Wright Royal Field Artillery