Details

Miraumont and Pys are villages and adjoining communes in the Department of the Somme. Adanac Military Cemetery is on the Eastern side of the "East Miraumont Road" to Courcelette; and its area is equally divided between the communes of Miraumont and Pys.

Miraumont and Pys were occupied on the 24th - 25th February, 1917, in the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. They were retaken by the Germans on the 25th March, 1918, but they fell to the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division on the following 24th August.

Adanac Military Cemetery (the name was formed by reversing the name "Canada") was made after the Armistice by the concentration of graves from the battlefields and small cemeteries surrounding Miraumont, and particularly from the Canadian battlefields round Courcelette. One grave (Plot IV, Row D, Grave 30) was left where it is.

The more important burial grounds concentrated into Adanac Military Cemetery were the following :-

Pys British Cemetery, about two thirds of the way from Pys to Courcelette. It contained the graves of 22 soldiers from Canada, two from the United Kingdom and five unknown Units, and a memorial to 33 men of Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.

Pys New British Cemetery, in the village, made by the 42nd Division in August and September, 1918, and containing the graves of 35 soldiers (and sailors and Marines) from the United Kingdom and one from New Zealand.

Aqueduct Road Cemetery, Pys, between Pys and Le Sars, made by the 6th and 99th Infantry Brigades in March, 1917, and containing the graves of eleven soldiers from the United Kingdom.

New Zealand Cemetery, Grevillers, close to Grevillers Churchyard, containing the graves of 19 New Zealand soldiers who fell in August - September, 1918.

Shrine Cemetery, Grevillers, about 500 yards from Grevillers on the road to Irles, containing the graves of thirteen soldiers from New Zealand and two from the United Kingdom who fell at the end of August, 1918.

Number of burials by Unit

Those with Awards buried in this Cemetery

Sgt. Victor Alvus Arding M.M., 75th Bn. Canadian Inf. (1st Central Ontario Regt.) Killed in action 18th Nov. 1916 aged 26. H.40

Cpl. John Sword Baird M.M., 1st Bn. Canadian Inf. (Western Ontario Regt.). Killed in action 23rd Sept. 1916 aged 29. C. 19

Pte. Frederick Leslie Beaven M.M., 23rd Bn. Royal Engineers. Killed in action 17th Feb. 1917 aged 20. D. 6

2nd Lt. Vernon Savile Beevor M.C., 14th, attd. 10th Bn. Essex Regt. Killed in action 10th March 1917 aged 19. Educated at Felsted School and Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. B.28

Capt. D. H. Bell M.C., 16th Bn. Canadian Inf. (Manitoba Regt.). Died 8th Oct. 1916 aged 32. C.19

Capt. Edward Barnard Bilton, Mentioned in Despatches. 1st/1st Highland Cyclist Bn. Attd. 2nd/5th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Killed in action 15th March 1917 aged 29. B.A. Cambridge. Barrister-at-Law. E. 27

L/Cpl. J. Butterfield M.M., 1st Bn. Hertfordshire Regt. Died 23rd Aug. 1918. E. 24

L/Sgt. Christopher Callison M.M., 12th Bn. Manchester Regt. Died 26th Aug. 1918 aged 39. F. 39

Pte. J. Dolan M.M., 10th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers, died 25th Aug. 1918 aged 21. C. 12

Capt. Charles Robert Ewbank Edmundson M.C., 8th Bn. York & Lancaster Regt. Died 1st July 1916 aged 24. K. 15

C.S.M. William George Forker M.M., 11th Bn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Died 13th Aug. 1916 aged 36. A. 15

Sgt. Samuel Forsyth V.C., No. 3 Field Coy. N.Z. Pioneers. Died 24th Aug. 1918 aged 25. Son of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Forsyth of Wellington N.Z., husband of Mary S. Forsyth, 79 John Knox St., Glasgow, Scotland. An extract from the London Gazette No. 30967 dated 18th Oct. 1918, records the following: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack. On meeting the objective, his company came under heavy machine-gun fire. Through Sgt. Foryth's dashing leadership and total disregard of danger, three machine-gun positions were rushed and the crews taken prisoner before they could inflict many casualties on our troops. During subsequent advance his company came under heavy fire from several machine-guns, two of which he located by a daring reconnaissance. In his endeavour to gain support from a Tank, he was wounded, but after having the wound bandaged, he again got in touch with the Tank, which in the face of very heavy fire from machine-guns and anti-Tank guns, he endeavoured to lead with magnificent coolness to a favourable position. The Tank, however, was put out of action. Sgt. Forsyth then organised the Tank crew and several of his men into a section, and led them to a position where the machine-gun could be outflanked. Always under heavy fire,he directed them into positions which brought about a retirement of the enemy machin-guns and enabled the advance to continue. This gallant N.C.O. was at that moment killed by a sniper. From the commencement of the attack until the time of his death Sgt. Forsyth's courage and coolness, combied with great power of initiative, proved an invaluable incentive to all who were with him and he undoubtedly saved many casualties among his comrades." I. 39.

Pte. A. Fraser M.M., 15th Bn. Canadian Inf. (1st Central Ontario Regt.). Died 8th Oct. 1916. E.39

L/Sgt. Joseph Ely Goulding M.M., 16th Bn. Canadian Inf. (Manitoba Regt.) Killed in action 8th Oct. 1916 aged 21. Born in England. D. 23

Pte. John Morray Gunn M.M., 46th Bn. Canadian Inf. (Saskatchewan Regt.) Died 11th Nov. 1916 aged 40. C. 6

Cpl. J. J. Harmsworth M.M., 1st Bn. The Queen's. Died 15th July 1916. K. 26

Lt. Charles Matthew Howard M.C., 58th Bn. Canadian Int. (2nd Central Ontario Regt.). Killed in action 8th Oct. 1916 aged 32. A. 6

Pte. Arthur Jenkin M.M., 24th Bn. London Regt. The Queen's. Killed in action 15th Sept. 1916 aged 19. D. 5

Pte. P. T. Latter M.M., 58th Bn. Canadian Inf. (2nd Central Ontario Regt.). Killed in action 8th Oct. 1916 aged 22. A. 15

Lt. Clarence Eli Lee M.C., 2nd Bn. Wellington Regt. N.Z.E.F. Killed in action 26th Aug. 1918 aged 28. I. 7

Sgt. William James Lorgelly M.M., N.Z. Machine Gun Bn. Killed in action 25th Aug. 1918 aged 23. C. 20

Sgt. J. Maher M.M., 7th Bn. Border Regt. Died 25th Aug. 1918 aged 42. F. 35

Pte. Clarence Garfield Page M.M., 3rd Bn. Australian Inf. Killed in action 22nd/27th July 1916 aged 27. H. 24

Pte. John Hedley Richards M.M., 75th Bn. Canadian Inf. (1st Central Ontario Regt.). Killed in action 18th Nov. 1916 aged 31. Native of Tavistock, England. J. 29

Pte. Piper James Cleland Richardson V.C. 16th Bn. Canadian Inf. (Manitoba Regt.) Killed in action 9th Oct. 1916 aged 20. Son of David and Mary Prosser Richardson of Princess Avenue, Chilliwack, British Columbia, native of Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland. An extract from the London Gazette No. 30967 dated 18th Oct. 1918 records the following, " For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when, prior to attack, he obtained permission from his C.O. to play his company 'over the top'. As the company approached the objective, it was help up by very strong wire and came under intense fire, which caused heavy casualties and demoralised the formation for the moment. Realising the situation, Piper Richardson strode up and down outside the wire, playing his pipes with the greatest coolness. The effect was instantaneous. Inspired by his splendid example, the company rushed the wire with such fury and determination that the obstacle was overcome and the position captured. Later, after participating in bombing operations he was detailed to take back a wounded comrade and prisoners. After proceeding about 200 yards, Piper Richardson, remembered that he had left his pipes behind. Although strongly urged not to do so, he insisted on returning to recover his pipes. He has never been seen since, and death has been presumed accordingly owing to lapse of time. F. 36

P.O. J. G. Clyde Riddell M.M., R.N.V.R. "Hawke" Bn. R. Naval Div. Died 25th Aug. 1918 aged 30. A. 35

Maj. Frederick John Rowan, Mentioned in Despatches. 13th Bn. Canadian Inf. (Quebec Regt.) Killed in action at Courcelette 9th Oct. 1916 aged 25. Native of Glasgow, Scotland. C. 21

Sgt. Arthur G. Rutter D.C.M., 1st/8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry. Killed in action 18th Sept. 1916 aged 25. E. 14

R.S.M. Alfred Keith Scott D.C.M., 7th Bn. Cameron Highlanders. Died 13th Oct. 1916 aged 25. J. 15

Sgt. James Smith M.M., 10th Bn. The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). Killed in action 3rd Jan. 1917 aged 35. K. 3

Cpl. J. Smith M.M., 10th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers. Died 25th Aug. 1918. C. 3

Sgt. J. Strang, Mentioned in Despatches. "B" Coy. 11th Bn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Killed in action 15th Sept. 1916 aged 22. J. 32

Pte. Frank Oviler Whibley M.M., 7th Bn. The Queen's. Died 12th Feb. 1917 aged 24. J. 35

L/Cpl. J. R. White M.M., 24th Bn. Canadian Inf. (Quebec Regt.). Died 17th Sept. 1916. F. 16

Sgt. William Charles White M.M., Medaille Militaire (France) Silver Medal (Serbia). N. Z. Field Artillery. Killed in action 26th Aug. 1918. J. 27

Sgt. R. Willacy M.M., 7th Bn. Bedfordshire Regt. Died 13th March 1917. C. 28

Sgt. Arnold Willerton D.C.M., Croix de Guerre (Belgium) 42nd Bn. Machine Gun Corps Inf. Died 5th Sept. 1918 aged 22.

2nd Lt. William Wright D.C.M., 2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regt. Died 17th Feb. 1917 aged 28. E. 16

Pte. George Frederic Craik, "B" Coy. 26th Bn. Canadian Inf. (New Brunswick Regt.) Died of wounds 28th Sept. 1916 aged 20. Son of Mr. & Mrs. J. Craik of Newcastle, New Brunswick. One of five brothers who served. C. 38

2nd Lt. Harrison Edkins. 1st Bn. First Surrey Rifles (21st Bn. London Regt.) Killed in action at High Wood 15th Sept. 1916 aged 20.Scholar, Corpus Christi College, Oxford after leaving Dulwich College. F. 23

Capt. Francis Bevis Ellis, 10th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers. Killed in action 26th Sept. 1916 aged 33. Son of the Hon. And Rev. William Charles and Henrietta Elizabeth Ellis of Morpeth, Northumberland. Capt. Ellis was a musician. F. 8

Pte. Thomas Alexander Jackson, 11th Bn. Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Killed in action 9th Oct. 1916 aged 39. Only son of Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Jackson. Native of Glasgow, Thomas was an international football player. H. 6

L/Cpl. Robert Goldie Jacob, "D" Coy. 16th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regt. Killed in action at Achiet-le-Petit 23rd Aug. 1918 aged 21. Son of J. S. Jacon (S.S.M. 3rd Hussars) of Shepherds Bush, London. Enlisted in the 3rd Hussars at age of 14 and served as Bandsman. C. 5

Pte. Bertram Passmore, 75th Bn. Canadian Inf. (1st Central Ontario Regt.), Killed in action 18th Nov. 1916 aged 32. Native of Alberta, served in the South African Campaign. D.10