First Step
The Commonwealth Graves Commission can supply
information on where the soldier in question is buried or commemorated.If you're
in France and offline call (03) 21-71-03-24.
The
information they gave me was as follows:
REID, 2nd Lt. Bernard Joseph. 9th B. Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Killed in action, 28th of June, 1916. Age 28. Son of Michaeland Sarah Corrigan Reid of Tower Hill, Dalkey, Co. Dublin. Vermelles British Cemetery, Plot 4, Row A, Grave 14.(Actually he was 29 when he died). Here, in any case, are directions to find the grave, by train or by car. I have included a map; the village of Vermelles is marked by a dark oblong around its name.
By Train
First piece of advice: rent, steal or manufacture a car if you possibly can.
Going on foot is an adventure which will restore your faith in human kindness--but
the fact is that the area is not adequately served by public transport. Take
the TGV north to Bethune then catch the Galaxiebus (Ligne 82) outside the station.
Ligne 82 goes all the way to Arras, about fifteen minutes beyond Vermelles.
The bus will pass through Noyelles Les-Vermelles. Don't get off! (We did
and immediately hitched a ride, in the wrong direction, to the wrong graveyard).
Be sure that the driver knows you are looking for Vermelles which is
the very next stop. In the village, which will probably be entirely deserted,
ask around for the cemetery: it's two minutes walk from the bus stop.
By Car
You're trying to find Vermelles, a small village midway between the major towns of Béthune and Lens. Blink and you'll miss it though: Vermelles is not much more than a T-junction. Buy a detailed map of Northern France before you go anywhere.
If coming from Paris head to Lens first and thence along the North Western
Route de Liason to Béthune. Stop at Noyelles Les-Vermelles.Look
closely for signs: Vermelles itself is five minutes away along a secondary road
to the east. Once you get there the cemetery is slightly north of the main road.
Ask someone for la cimitière militaire.