The Les Baraques Cemetery on the western outskirts of Calais is a site which is the final resting place of over 1,500 casualties, and some of the most remarkable stories of conflict, murder, firing squads, and tragedy.
While remaining respectful, there are an incredible depth of history behind those who lie in peace at this British Commonwealth War Grace Commission cemetery near Sangatte.
Predominantly a First World War site, with over 1,300 burials from the 1914-1918 conflict, there are also many foreign nationals buried here, including German soldiers, as well as seven burials from the Second World War, three of which remain unknown.
In April 1915, a year into the First World War, British forces established ‘No 6 Base Supply Depot’ in Calais to help relieve the pressure on the port of Boulogne and to provide a base nearer to the fighting front.
This supply base remained open until the last Commonwealth forces left France in March 1921, three years after the end of the war.
During that time, there were also several military hospitals established in Calais - the 30th, 35th and 38th General Hospitals, No 9 British Red Cross Hospital, and the No 10 Canadian Stationary Hospital. They provided around 2,500 beds to injured soldiers.
For three years, Commonwealth burials were made in Calais Southern Cemetery, but it later became necessary to start a new site and in September 1917, the first burials took place at Les Baraques. The cemetery would be used until 1921.
Within its walls you can find servicemen of many nations including South Africa, Fiji, India, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, Canada, Belgium, Egypt, and 203 Chinese casualties, most of them from the Chinese Labour Corps.
The casualties come from many regiments, units, and groups of the Army, Navy, and Royal Air Force as well as support services including medics, vets, policemen, and postal workers.
Three female casualties rest here, among them is the grave of Sister E B Radcliffe, from the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, who died on March 10, 1919.
Some of those here are decorated heroes, with awards including the Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, and Military Medal.
James Dwyer, captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps was awarded the DSO. Bornin Dublin, he served for over two years at the front including 10 months at the Dunkirk base. He died on February 19, 1919, aged 41.
Geoffrey Stead, of the Cheshire Regiment, was twice awarded the Military Cross for his actions. He also served with the 74th Light Trench Mortar Battery from 1916 and was killed on July 22, 1918, aged 24.
Four others also received the MC, while three were awarded with the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and 13 soldiers awarded the Military Medal.
One of those awarded the DCM was Sergeant Harold Collison, a Military Policeman from Middlesbrough, who was murdered by Second Lieutenant John Paterson, of the Essex Regiment. Paterson had resisted arrest on the grounds of desertion and killed Collinson on July 4, 1918.
Paterson was executed by firing squad on September 24, 1918, becoming the only First World War officer executed for murder. He is buried in the Terlincthun British Cemetery, on the outskirts of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Six other individuals who were executed are also buried within the cemetery, five in the Chinese Workers plot.
The sixth is that of Private Joseph Chandler – who also went by the alias Joseph McIntyre. Gateshead-born Chandler was part of a group which had committed several robberies, and the Lincolnshire Regiment soldier turned on one of his gang he thought was hiding some of their loot. He was executed for murder on August 11, 1919.
The oldest serviceman buried is thought to be 63 year old Royal Engineers Pioneer James Newman who died on December 13, 1919.
The youngest is just seven years old…
Seven year old Joseph Leng, drowned at Audruicq on October 2, 1919. From Shildon, County Durham in the north east of England, Joseph is believed to have been visiting, or may be even living with his father, Royal Engineers Sapper Joseph Leng, who was still serving in France.
The youngster was reported to be out in a boat with others when it capsized and he was unable to be rescued.
He is one of a select few civilians worldwide who were granted a military headstone.