The Scottish War Graves Project

apanderson · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 6903 Location: Stirlingshire

No. of Identified Casualties: 3181

CWGC Information:

Bethune is a town 29 kilometres north of Arras. The cemetery can easily be found, from any point in Bethune, by following the French signs indicating 'CIMETIERE NORD'. More precisely, from the town centre, turn right in front of the Tribunal and second right at the bottom of the road down to the cul-de-sac where the cemetery will be found.

For much of the First World War, Bethune was comparatively free from bombardment and remained an important railway and hospital centre, as well as a corps and divisional headquarters. The 33rd Casualty Clearing Station was in the town until December 1917. Early in 1918, Bethune began to suffer from constant shell fire and in April 1918, German forces reached Locon, five kilometres to the north. The bombardment of 21 May did great damage to the town and it was not till October that pressure from the Germans was relaxed. Bethune Town Cemetery contains 3,004 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, including 26 men of the 1/8th Manchester Regiment who were killed by a bomb on 22 December 1917 while marching to rest billets. Second World War burials number 19. There are also 122 French and 87 German war graves. The Commonwealth section of the cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

apanderson · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 6903 Location: Stirlingshire

Photograph kindly supplied by War Graves Project Member 'Boyentrant'.

Name: BEGG, WILLIAM RUSSELL
Initials: W R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sapper
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
Unit Text: 160th Coy.
Age: 40
Date of Death: 23/07/1916
Service No: 157939
Additional information: Son of John and Jean Russell Begg; husband of Catherine Begg, of 36, Industry St., Kirkintilloch, Glasgow. Born at Kilsyth, Glasgow.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: V. G. 28.
Cemetery: BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY

Listed on Kirkintilloch Civic Memorial, see: http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=119&highlight=kirkintilloch&mforum=warmemscot

apanderson · Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 6903 Location: Stirlingshire

Photograph kindly supplied by War Graves Project Member 'Boyentrant'.

Name: McGREGOR
Initials: M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Highland Light Infantry
Unit Text: 10th Bn.
Date of Death: 02/07/1916
Service No: 1464
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: V.F.29.
Cemetery: BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY

Listed on Kirkintilloch Civic Memorial, see: http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=119&highlight=kirkintilloch&mforum=warmemscot