Auchonvillers

Auchonvillers

Population 1914:

Population 2004: 149

Location: 

First Attacked: n/a
Captured: n/a

Site Links

Communal Cemetery

Military Cemetery

External Links

WW1 History of Auchonvillers

History

Auchonvillers, or 'Ocean Villas' to the troops, was a village just behind the British lines in front of Beaumont-Hamel. There were billets here in the cellars of the houses, an Advanced Dressing Station called 'Red Barn' on the Mailly-Maillet road, plus artillery and Trench Mortar positions. It was in fairly good condition when the British took over from the French here in July 1915, but gradually shell fire reduced it to ruins. The 29th Division occupied it on 1st July 1916 for the opening stage of the Somme, and the 51st (Highland) Division were here for the capture of Beaumont-Hamel in November. There are two cemeteries in the village; a Military one close to the Red Barn ADS and there are also British graves in the Communal Cemetery.