In Orchard Dump Cemetery, Arleux-en-Gohelle, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 435662 Sergeant Andrew Surtees, serving with the 2nd Division Canadian Machine Gun Corps, who died 03/05/1917.
The son of Thomas and Isabella Surtees, of Colwell, Barrasford, Northumberland, England.
Jean Longstaff, with information from Jim Busby in Canada, has written:
Andrew Surtees was born on 4th March 1890 at Chollerton, Northumberland, the son of local farmer Thomas and Isabella Eleanor (nee Hedley) Surtees who lived at South Farm with their first son two year old Thomas. By 1901 they had moved to East White Hill Farm at Kirkwhelpington and their family had grown with the addition of Richard (b.1893), Walter (b.1895), Elizabeth (b.1897) and Lancelot (b.1898).
1911 saw twenty year old Andrew lodging and working on the estate of Miss Isabella Henderson at Colwell, and serving for three years (1909-1912) in the Territorial Army with the 4th Northumberland Fusiliers. He was also a very keen and proficient footballer. On 31st May 1912 he arrived in Canada on board the SS Virginian making for Calgary, Alberta as a labourer/builder.
Andrew settled at Calgary where he worked as a mason and was an active member of Trinity United Church, playing for their football team and gaining several mentions in local newspaper articles. He enlisted with the 50th Battalion at Calgary at the end of August 1915, becoming Private 435662 with “D” Company, and sailed with them to England arriving in Plymouth on 4th November and a posting to camp at Bramshott, Hampshire.
Appointed Lance Corporal in January 1916, a month later he transferred to the 32nd Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe, and in March was posted to the 6th Machine Gun Company of the Canadian Machine Gun Corps and proceeded to France, joining the MGC in billets at Locre. The following September he was promoted to Corporal; and two months later to acting Sergeant, a rank in which he was confirmed after returning from UK leave in February 1917.
On 3rd May 1917, the 6th MG Company was tasked to support an attack by the 6th Infantry Brigade at a strongpoint known as the Arleux Loop, near Arleux-en-Gohelle. Sergeant Andrew Scott was killed in this attack and his remains were buried in a temporary cemetery. In November 1919 his remains were moved to Orchard Dump Cemetery.
His brother Richard also died.
Andrew Surtees is remembered at Chollerton on C35.01.
In Canada he is remembered on their Virtual War Memorial.
