Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, Albert
Historical Information (Source: CWGC)
Bouzincourt remained partly in German hands after the battles of March 1918. The eastern end of the village was attacked by the 12th and 18th Divisions at the end of June 1918, and cleared in the latter half of August. In the first week of September, Plot I of Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery was made by the V Corps Burial Officer, who cleared the battlefields and the remaining Plots were formed after the Armistice when 500 graves were brought in from the immediate neighbourhood.
The cemetery now contains 709 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 313 of the burials are are unidentified and there is a special memorial to an officer of the 38th Division known to be buried in one of them. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
VICTORIA CROSS
Lieutenant Colonel John Stanhope COLLINGS-WELLS - 4th Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment
Died 27 March 1918 Age 38
Country of Service: United Kingdom
Awards: Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order, Mentioned in Despatches
Citation
An extract from The London Gazette, dated 23rd April, 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and handling of his battalion in very critical situations during a withdrawal. When the rearguard was almost surrounded and in great danger of being captured, Lieutenant Colonel Collings-Wells, realising the situation, called for volunteers to remain behind and hold up the enemy whilst the remainder of the rearguard withdrew, and with his small body of volunteers held them up for one and half hours until they had expended every round of ammunition. During this time he moved freely amongst his men guiding and encouraging them, and by his great courage undoubtedly saved the situation. On a subsequent occasion, when his battalion was ordered to carry out a counter-attack, he showed the greatest bravery. Knowing that his men were extrmeley tired after six days' fighting, he placed himself in front and led the attack, and even when twice wounded refused to leave them but continued to lead and encourage his men until he was killed at the moment of gaining their objective. The successful results of the operations were, without doubt, due to the undaunted courage exhibited by this officer."
Grave Reference: III. E. 12.
(Source: Wikipedia)
