Under Investigation
Case: 337 Private Stanley Monk, Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery II.D.47 Under investigation (as of August 2025). This case submitted by the late Richard Laughton and Investigator Ralph McLean on 23 March 2016. Yes, that is over 10 years ago! One of Richard’s ‘slam-dunk’ cases – “There is no doubt from the information on the COG-BR that this is the body of Private Stanley Monk #440187 that is buried in Plot 2 Row D Grave 47 of the Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery.”
Second burial of Lt. Clifford Abram Neelands and the HALLU EIGHT.
Authorities may eventually confirm this case, and no credit will be given to Mr’s Laughton or McLean. Why? Do not encourage others to do what Richard had done for so many Canadian families because it costs too much.
Summary of Findings
The Graves Registration Report form for Plot 2 Row D Grave 47 of the Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery lists an Unknown Canadian Soldier with a Registration Number 440187 (same as A40187).
The research clear that the remains in this grave those of Private Stanley Howard Monk #440187 of the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion, lost at that location during the Battle of Hill 70 in August 1917.
Details of Findings
The findings conclusive the remains in Plot 2 Row D Grave 47 those of Private Stanley Howard Monk #440187 of the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion, who was lost at that location during the Battle of Hill 70 in August 1917. Although the Regimental Number recorded, not traced to Private Monk. This appears to be an understandable administrative error as even to this day (March 24, 2016) his name does not appear in the Canadian database under that number. Instead appears as #A40187, a series later changed to #440187. To ensure that there is no question as to this identity, we have undertaken the research to prove these are his remains.
The findings are based on the following.
CoD
The Circumstance of Death (COD) file for Private Monk #440187 reports that he was killed in action on August 16, 1917 “whilst taking part in the attack at Hill 70, Lens, he was hit in the head and instantly killed by an enemy rifle bullet.”
E-13
The E-13 War Graves Register (WGR) reports #440187 killed in action on 15 August 1917, later corrected to 16 August 1917. His body not knowingly recovered and identified for burial, thus his name added to the Vimy Memorial (Attachment #2). The change of the date to August 16th from August 15th important as it shows the remains recovered where the 5th Battalion was on that date.
War Diary
The War Diary of the 5th Infantry Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division clearly shows that the 5th Battalion in active combat in the area where the remains recovered. The 5th Battalion was already in the vicinity on August 13th when they formed up in 36c.N.2 sector. The 5th Battalion relieved the 8th Battalion on the front line on the evening of August 15th. Under heavy German fire from Cite St. Auguste from 36c.N.3. Several enemy counter attacks happened over the night and during the day of the 16th until the 5th Battalion relieved on the night of the 16th. All of this occurred in the sector where the remains of Private Monk retrieved. Note that references to map 44a or 36c are the same map.
Nicholson Map
The overall area where the 5th Battalion made their advance depicted in an extract of Nicholson Map 12 for the attack on Hill 70 by the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Attachment #4). As detailed in the war diary, the 5th Battalion moved in concert with the 8th Battalion in a leap-frog motion over the Blue Line until they reached the Green Line on the west perimeter of Cite. St. Auguste. It is here that the remains of Private Monk recovered.
Trench Map
A period Trench Map from the UK National Archives illustrates the details of the movement of the 5th Battalion through Sector 36c.N.2 to the Green Line where the remains recovered (Attachment #5). From this placement, we know that Private Monk paid the ultimate sacrifice in the later stages of the battle, precisely where the 5th Battalion was located on August 16, 1917.
GRRF
The Graves Registration Report Form (GRRF) clearly shows that the Canadian soldier that fell and buried in Plot 2 Row D Grave 47 dentified as carrying identification for #440187 (Attachment #6). As we know from prior research on the files of Lts. Wylie and McDonald and 2nd Lts. Kipling and Law, this in the same area where the British involved in the September 1915 Battle of Loos. UK Rifleman P. H. Meads recovered in that same area and buried in Plot 2 Row D Grave 44. Canadian’s not involved in the prior activity in 1915, thus unlike the British units, removes any date conflicts.
CoG
The Concentration of Graves (Exhumations and Reburials) Burial Return (COG-BR) provides precise details as to where the remains of Private Monk #440187 exhumed. Found at the Green Line at trench map coordinates 44a.N.2.b.6.3. Exactly where the 5th Battalion placed on August 16, 1917. Discovered with another Canadian at the same location but no means to identify those remains. No doubt from the information on the COG-BR that the body of Private Stanley Monk #440187 buried in Plot 2 Row D Grave 47 of the Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery. His identity perhaps unknown as the records still showed his registration by the old number #A40187.
Action Required
The “Investigative Report” prepared in accordance with the procedures and criteria set out by the CWGC, should they wish to make any changes to the commemoration details.
The analysis of the evidence conclusive the remains in Plot 2 Row D Grave 47 at the Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery those of Private Stanley Harold Monk #440187 of the 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion who fell at the Green Line on August 16, 1917.
