How many untold stories rest beneath our feet? We are standing at Chapelle-d’Armentières Old Military Cemetery CWGC. It is a place of solemn remembrance. Here, the earth holds the remains of soldiers who fought and died during the First World War.
La Chapelle-d’Armentières is a village. It sits 1.5 kilometers west of Armentières. Armentières is a large town in northern France. The cemetery is 500 metres along on the left from the Mairie.
This Old Military Cemetery began in October 1914. Units of the 6th Division started it. It remained in use until October 1915. The village was in Commonwealth hands. This lasted from October 1914 until Armentières fell. That was on 10 April 1918. Allied forces retook it the following October. During the Allied occupation the village was near the front line. Fighting units and field ambulances created these cemeteries. They did so in the early days of trench warfare.
Chapelle-d’Armentières Old Military Cemetery contains 103 First World War burials. Three of them are unidentified. The cemetery’s design is by W H Cowlishaw.
Among those buried here are men who faced the ultimate penalty. Three soldiers were executed. They are also buried here.
Private Alfred Atkinson of the 1st Bn West Yorkshire Regiment was executed. It happened on 2nd March 1915. He was 24. He was shot at dawn for desertion. Atkinson won money gambling. After drinking he deserted his battalion. The battalion was under orders to proceed to the front. He was arrested three weeks later. Evidence showed he was a good soldier. The court recommended mercy. General Smith-Dorrien thought otherwise. He confirmed the death sentence.
Private Ernest Kirk also of the 1st Bn West Yorkshire Regiment met the same fate. He was executed on 6th March 1915 for desertion. The battalion had to furnish a firing squad for Kirk. It was just days after Atkinson’s execution. Both were shot at Armentières Asylum. Fellow prisoners carried out the executions. The sergeant warned that the same men should not be used twice.
Corporal Alexander Chisholm of the Royal Engineers was executed. The date was 17th May 1915. He was 31. He was shot for murder. Chisholm had a falling-out with Lance Corporal Robert Lewis. This occurred while working near Bailleul. Lewis accused Chisholm of falsifying pay records. The quarrel escalated. Chisholm shot Lewis outside a local establishment. Lewis died 24 hours later. Chisholm’s death certificate says he was shot at Armentières Asylum. Shortly after his execution Chisholm was mentioned in dispatches. This was for previous good work.
Also among the buried are Captain Eric Bruce Reid and Captain Norman Jerome Beauchamp Leslie. Both served. Both died in October 1914.
Chapelle-d’Armentières Old Military Cemetery stands as a reminder. It reminds us of the human cost of war. It is a place to reflect on courage. We can also consider the complexities of military justice during a time of immense conflict. As we leave, let’s carry with us the stories. We should remember those who rest here.