Help Planning a Trip to The British War Cemetery in France

[Gordon Beaney]

I was wondering if anyone can help me, I am planning a trip to The Ancre British War Cemetery in France to see the grave of one of my ancestors William Elias Beaney who died during the Somme war 90 years ago in November, But i was wondering what the best why to travel is, I will be going by car and only planning a day trip. I don't know whether to go via Ferry or Eurotunnel. Any suggestions,  tips or ideals please.

Many Thanks,

Gordon.

[liverpool annie]

Hi Gordon !

Get onto the Great War Forum they have sections for questions like yours ... with tips and suggestions !! 

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/

You probably know this already ... but just in case !! 

Ancre British Cemetery is about 2 kilometres south of the village of Beaumont-Hamel, on the D50 between Albert and Achiet le Grand.

The village of Beaumont-Hamel was attacked on 1 July 1916 by the 29th Division, with the 4th on its left and the 36th (Ulster) on its right, but without success. On 3 September a further attack was delivered between Hamel and Beaumont-Hamel and on 13 and 14 November, the 51st (Highland), 63rd (Royal Naval), 39th and 19th (Western) Divisions finally succeeded in capturing Beaumont-Hamel, Beaucourt-sur-Ancre and St. Pierre-Divion. Following the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in the spring of 1917, V Corps cleared this battlefield and created a number of cemeteries, of which Ancre British Cemetery (then called Ancre River No 1 British Cemetery, V Corps Cemetery No. 26) was one. The original burials were almost all of the 63rd and 36th Divisions, but after the Armistice the cemetery was greatly enlarged when many more graves from the same battlefields and from smaller burial grounds in the area were brought into it. The majority of those buried in the cemetery died on 1 July, 3 September or 13 November 1916. There are now 2,540 Commonwealth casualties of the First World War buried or commemorated in the cemetery. 1,335 of the graves are unidentified, but special memorials commemorate 43 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. There are also special memorials to 16 casualties know to have been buried in other cemeteries, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

Annie 

[themonsstar]

Hi
A day trip to the somme, Go by the Eurotunnel, then head for the E15 to Paris, come of at J14 (Bapaume) on to the D929 for Albert, you must go Early and come back late to get a good days site seeing on the Somme, If you PM me with your E-mail i will dig out a map.

[Gordon Beaney]

Thanks, I will have a look.

Regards,

Gordon.

[davierj]

Hi
I'd be tempted to go Norfolk Ferries, Dover to Dunkirk then about a 2 hour/160 kms drive to Ancre.   Good deals at the moment on Internet - eg depart 08 Nov, return 22 Nov cheapest (and unsocial) £38 return.   More social hours £48 return.   They do not penalize for long stays either.
Get the route in Europe from the AA Route Finder (Europe) also on Internet.
Cheers Dave

[Bill749]

You can get some good deals for car & up to 5 people from P&O or Sea France - take a look at their web sites for details.  Most crossings are from Dover-Calais (shorter crossing than Dunkerque and closer to your destination).  This will also put you straight onto the road to Arras.  The village of Beaumont-Hamel is approx 96 miles, 1:30 mins drive from Calais.

Regards, Bill