What echoes do these stones hold? Here at the Cite Bonjean Memorial, silence speaks volumes about sacrifice.
Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery is located near Armentieres. This town saw heavy fighting during World War One. It remained within Allied lines until a German advance in April 1918. The Germans occupied Armentieres until its recovery in October 1918. Cite Bonjean began as a burial ground in October 1914.
Originally Plot IX was created. During the winter months of 1914-1915 it was also used for civilian burials. The town cemetery was too exposed. Field ambulances and fighting units used Cite Bonjean. Units from the 4th, 6th, 21st, New Zealand, 17th and 57th Divisions were among them. The Australian Corps also buried their dead here. This continued until April 1918. Later Plots V, VI, VII and X were used by the Germans.
Today Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery holds 2,132 Commonwealth burials from World War One. In 1925, 455 German graves were moved. Over 500 German graves still remain. There are also 33 burials from World War Two. These mostly date from the British Expeditionary Force occupation. This was before the German invasion of May 1940.
Within Cite Bonjean stands the Cite Bonjean New Zealand Memorial. It commemorates 47 New Zealand officers and men. These men died near Armentieres. They have no known graves. This is one of seven memorials in France and Belgium. These honor New Zealand soldiers who died on the Western Front. Their graves are unknown. The cemeteries were chosen for their connection to the fighting.
Cite Bonjean New Zealand Memorial was designed by Sir Herbert Baker. He also designed the cemetery.
Consider Private Albert Omega Retchford. He was a soldier of the 34th Australian Infantry Battalion. Albert was killed in action on January 20th 1917. He died near Armentieres. Albert Omega had been on a working party. Returning to the trenches, he realized he forgot his rifle. He went back to retrieve it. A shell killed him.
Think about Private George Paterson. He was in B Company. Second Lieutenant A. D MacArthur spoke of George Paterson’s death. He was a signaller. A shell hit the dugout where he was asleep. He never moved.
Remember William Lionel Stalker. He was a clerk from Western Australia. Before leaving for war, he gave his sister Ruby a portrait. He was killed in action on January 22nd 1917. Private K. Finlayson described William Stalker’s death. Stalker and another soldier were buried alive. The Prussian Guard attacked. The dugout collapsed. The men could not be saved due to icy conditions.
These are just glimpses into the lives marked here. Each stone at Cite Bonjean Memorial represents a story. A story of courage, loss, and remembrance. Take a moment to reflect on their sacrifices.