ALBERT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 49.99881, Longitude: 2.65467
© Geerhard Joos
Location Information
Albert is a town 28 Kms north-east of Amiens. The Communal Cemetery is on the south-east side of Albert and at the junction of the roads to Peronne (D938) and Bray sur Somme (D329), and the extension is entirely enclosed by it. The main entrance to the cemetery is on the Peronne road.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to the cemetery is possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Albert was held by French forces against the German advance on the Somme in September 1914. It passed into British hands in the summer of 1915; and the first fighting in July 1916, is known as the Battle of Albert, 1916. It was captured by the Germans on the 26th April 1918, and before its recapture by the 8th East Surreys on the following 22nd August (in the Battle of Albert, 1918,) it had been completely destroyed by artillery fire.
The Extension was used by fighting units and Field Ambulances from August 1915 to November 1916, and more particularly in and after September 1916, when Field Ambulances were concentrated at Albert. From November 1916, the 5th Casualty Clearing Station used it for two months. From March 1917, it was not used (except for four burials in March, 1918) until the end of August 1918, when Plot II was made by the 18th Division.
During the Second World War the extension was used again, when the French moved into it British casualties from isolated graves in and around Albert.
There are now 862 First World War and 25 Second World War casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 12 First World War casualties and 8 Second World War casualties are unidentified. Five graves, destroyed by shellfire, are now represented by special memorials. Two soldiers known to be among the casualties buried here, but whose graves could not be identified, are commemorated by special memorials, inscribed, "Known to be buried in this cemetery".
Total Burials: 888.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 607, Canada 202, Australia 38, India 3. Total Burials: 850.
World War One Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 10, Australia 1, Unknown 1. Total 12.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 17.
World War Two Unidentified Casualties: 8.
This cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and George Hartley Goldsmith
Albert is a town 28 Kms north-east of Amiens. The Communal Cemetery is on the south-east side of Albert and at the junction of the roads to Peronne (D938) and Bray sur Somme (D329), and the extension is entirely enclosed by it. The main entrance to the cemetery is on the Peronne road.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to the cemetery is possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Albert was held by French forces against the German advance on the Somme in September 1914. It passed into British hands in the summer of 1915; and the first fighting in July 1916, is known as the Battle of Albert, 1916. It was captured by the Germans on the 26th April 1918, and before its recapture by the 8th East Surreys on the following 22nd August (in the Battle of Albert, 1918,) it had been completely destroyed by artillery fire.
The Extension was used by fighting units and Field Ambulances from August 1915 to November 1916, and more particularly in and after September 1916, when Field Ambulances were concentrated at Albert. From November 1916, the 5th Casualty Clearing Station used it for two months. From March 1917, it was not used (except for four burials in March, 1918) until the end of August 1918, when Plot II was made by the 18th Division.
During the Second World War the extension was used again, when the French moved into it British casualties from isolated graves in and around Albert.
There are now 862 First World War and 25 Second World War casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 12 First World War casualties and 8 Second World War casualties are unidentified. Five graves, destroyed by shellfire, are now represented by special memorials. Two soldiers known to be among the casualties buried here, but whose graves could not be identified, are commemorated by special memorials, inscribed, "Known to be buried in this cemetery".
Total Burials: 888.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 607, Canada 202, Australia 38, India 3. Total Burials: 850.
World War One Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 10, Australia 1, Unknown 1. Total 12.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 17.
World War Two Unidentified Casualties: 8.
This cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and George Hartley Goldsmith
Cemetery images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
Two First World War soldiers whose graves were wrongly marked in a Somme cemetery for more than a century have finally been laid to rest with full military honours. Privates William Marmon and Harry Carter, both 21, died with six other soldiers when a 15-ton German underground mine exploded on November 22 1915.
Pictures of ceremony © Geerhard Joos
(Ceremony took place at 11 o'clock on the 19th October 2016)
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Battle of Albert. Troops of the 13th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers resting on the Albert-Bapaume road near Albert after the attack on La Boisselle on 7th July 1916. © IWM Q 776
Images in gallery below © Geerhard Joos
Major
F. E. Aytoun
99th Bn. Canadian Infantry
22nd September 1916.
Plot I. O. 5.
Killed in the the Battle of Flers-Courcelette on the Somme.
Picture courtesy of Brian Barker (Son's Great Grandfather)
F. E. Aytoun
99th Bn. Canadian Infantry
22nd September 1916.
Plot I. O. 5.
Killed in the the Battle of Flers-Courcelette on the Somme.
Picture courtesy of Brian Barker (Son's Great Grandfather)
5047 Sapper
William Curtis Balch
1st Field Coy. Canadian Engineers
7th September 1916, aged 24.
Plot I. J. 3.
Born in Caterham, Surrey, England on 14th May, 1892, William was son of James Balch and Sarah Mountain Balch. He emigrated to Canada in 1909 where he settled with the rest of his family in London, Ontario, but never married.
Picture courtesy of Mary Kienapple (William C. Balch was my paternal grandfather’s brother). London, Canada
William Curtis Balch
1st Field Coy. Canadian Engineers
7th September 1916, aged 24.
Plot I. J. 3.
Born in Caterham, Surrey, England on 14th May, 1892, William was son of James Balch and Sarah Mountain Balch. He emigrated to Canada in 1909 where he settled with the rest of his family in London, Ontario, but never married.
Picture courtesy of Mary Kienapple (William C. Balch was my paternal grandfather’s brother). London, Canada
1895 Private
John Robert Burgis
17th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
30th July 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. L. 41.
Inscription "To Have, To Love Then To Part Is The Saddest Thing To Human Heart"
Son of Walter Ernest and Mary Elizabeth Burgis, of Glen Wood, Glen Innes, New South Wales.
Private (Pte) John Robert Burgis, 17th Battalion. A farmer from Glen Innes, New South Wales, prior to enlistment he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Runic on 9 August 1915 for Egypt. His battalion relocated to the Western Front, France, during March 1916. Pte Burgis was wounded in action at Pozieres, France, on 30 July 1916 and died of these wounds the same day. He was aged 25 years.
John Robert Burgis
17th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
30th July 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. L. 41.
Inscription "To Have, To Love Then To Part Is The Saddest Thing To Human Heart"
Son of Walter Ernest and Mary Elizabeth Burgis, of Glen Wood, Glen Innes, New South Wales.
Private (Pte) John Robert Burgis, 17th Battalion. A farmer from Glen Innes, New South Wales, prior to enlistment he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Runic on 9 August 1915 for Egypt. His battalion relocated to the Western Front, France, during March 1916. Pte Burgis was wounded in action at Pozieres, France, on 30 July 1916 and died of these wounds the same day. He was aged 25 years.
454221 Private
Richard James Day
2nd Bn. Canadian Infantry, (Eastern Ontario Regt.)
9th September 1916, aged 47.
Plot I. L. 4.
A married man with 7 children, with the youngest (my Dad) only being 3 years old when his father was killed.
We will forever treasure all efforts these brave men gave for the freedoms we enjoy.
Image courtesy of Margaret Klonowski, granddaughter of this soldier
Richard James Day
2nd Bn. Canadian Infantry, (Eastern Ontario Regt.)
9th September 1916, aged 47.
Plot I. L. 4.
A married man with 7 children, with the youngest (my Dad) only being 3 years old when his father was killed.
We will forever treasure all efforts these brave men gave for the freedoms we enjoy.
Image courtesy of Margaret Klonowski, granddaughter of this soldier
3060 Private
William Ross Devlin
47th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st September 1916.
Plot I. N. 48.
Studio portrait of 3060 Private (Pte) William Ross Devlin, 25th Battalion, of Coorparoo, Qld. A native of Dublin, Ireland, Pte Devlin had previously served with the Cameron Highlanders before migrating to Australia. A labourer prior to enlistment , he embarked with the 7th Reinforcements from Brisbane on HMAT Itonus on 30th December 1915. On 1st September 1916 after transferring to the 47th Battalion, Pte Devlin died of wounds received in action and was buried in the Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
William Ross Devlin
47th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st September 1916.
Plot I. N. 48.
Studio portrait of 3060 Private (Pte) William Ross Devlin, 25th Battalion, of Coorparoo, Qld. A native of Dublin, Ireland, Pte Devlin had previously served with the Cameron Highlanders before migrating to Australia. A labourer prior to enlistment , he embarked with the 7th Reinforcements from Brisbane on HMAT Itonus on 30th December 1915. On 1st September 1916 after transferring to the 47th Battalion, Pte Devlin died of wounds received in action and was buried in the Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
6000 Private
William Greenwood
111th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
13th July 1916, aged 25.
Plot I. I. 9.
Son of Charles and Mary Greenwood, of 7, Church Square, Worsthorne, Burnley.
Captain
Hermann Fritz Hubbe
1st Australian Pioneers
23rd July 1916.
Plot I. K. 28.
Click on image to enlarge
Son of Samuel Guan Hubbe, and Edith Agnes Hubbe. Born at Adelaide, South Australia.
Studio portrait of Captain Herman Fritz Hubbe, 12th Battalion who was a 20 year old clerk from Knightsbridge, South Australia when he enlisted on 4 August 1915. He sailed from Adelaide to Fremantle with the 8th Reinforcements on 26 August 1915 aboard P&O Morea and then embarked for overseas from Fremantle aboard HMAT Anchises on 2 September 1915. On 13 March 1916 he transferred to the 1st Pioneer Battalion and on 23 July 1916 was killed in action in France.
Hermann Fritz Hubbe
1st Australian Pioneers
23rd July 1916.
Plot I. K. 28.
Click on image to enlarge
Son of Samuel Guan Hubbe, and Edith Agnes Hubbe. Born at Adelaide, South Australia.
Studio portrait of Captain Herman Fritz Hubbe, 12th Battalion who was a 20 year old clerk from Knightsbridge, South Australia when he enlisted on 4 August 1915. He sailed from Adelaide to Fremantle with the 8th Reinforcements on 26 August 1915 aboard P&O Morea and then embarked for overseas from Fremantle aboard HMAT Anchises on 2 September 1915. On 13 March 1916 he transferred to the 1st Pioneer Battalion and on 23 July 1916 was killed in action in France.
2284 Lance Corporal
Keith Taylor Luscombe, M. I. D.
20th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th July 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. K. 9.
Son of Robert S. T. and Mary E. Luscombe, of Tavistock, Seven Hills, New South Wales. Born at Cassilis. His brother Broughton Taylor Luscombe also fell and he is buried at Lebucquière Communal Cemetery Extension.
Studio portrait of 2284 Private (later Lance Corporal) Keith Taylor Luscombe, 20th Battalion of Marrickville, NSW. A clerk prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard the HMAT Argyllshire (A8) on 30 September 1915. He was wounded in action at Pozieres, France and died of his wounds in the 57th Field Ambulance on 27 July 1916, aged 20.
Keith Taylor Luscombe, M. I. D.
20th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th July 1916, aged 20.
Plot I. K. 9.
Son of Robert S. T. and Mary E. Luscombe, of Tavistock, Seven Hills, New South Wales. Born at Cassilis. His brother Broughton Taylor Luscombe also fell and he is buried at Lebucquière Communal Cemetery Extension.
Studio portrait of 2284 Private (later Lance Corporal) Keith Taylor Luscombe, 20th Battalion of Marrickville, NSW. A clerk prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard the HMAT Argyllshire (A8) on 30 September 1915. He was wounded in action at Pozieres, France and died of his wounds in the 57th Field Ambulance on 27 July 1916, aged 20.
12709 Private
John Edward Robinson
101st Company, Machine Gun Corps Infantry
1st June 1916, aged 23.
Plot I. G. 11.
Son of James and Mary Robinson, of 84, St. John's Rd., Red Hill, Surrey.
Unusually the 101st MGC War Diary entry mentions Private J E Robinson: "Nos 1 & 2 Sections relieved Nos 3 & 4. Same positions. During the afternoon, St Andrew's and Dalhousie Avenues were heavily shelled. We suffered our first casualties. No 12709 Pte Robinson J.E killed (a promising young gunner)."
Picture and text courtesy of Stephen Morse
John Edward Robinson
101st Company, Machine Gun Corps Infantry
1st June 1916, aged 23.
Plot I. G. 11.
Son of James and Mary Robinson, of 84, St. John's Rd., Red Hill, Surrey.
Unusually the 101st MGC War Diary entry mentions Private J E Robinson: "Nos 1 & 2 Sections relieved Nos 3 & 4. Same positions. During the afternoon, St Andrew's and Dalhousie Avenues were heavily shelled. We suffered our first casualties. No 12709 Pte Robinson J.E killed (a promising young gunner)."
Picture and text courtesy of Stephen Morse
11273 Serjeant
Peter Butson Smith
13th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
20th July 1916, aged 37.
Plot I. J. 16.
Son of Thomas Smith and Mary Smith (nee Dodds) of Spennymoor, County Durham. Husband of Ellen Smith.
Born 31st January 1879 to Thomas and Mary Smith ( formerly Dodds ).
Married to Ellen Smith on December 24th 1912. Father of only daughter Victoria Alexandra. Like his father he was a coal miner .
You Will live forever dearest grandfather in my thoughts and prayers -Victoria Alexandra
Pictures courtesy of granddaughter Mrs Victoria Alexandra Morris
Shot at Dawn
89173 Pioneer Ernest Beeby, 212th Company, Royal Engineers, executed for desertion on 9th December 1916. Plot I. R. 43. He deserted & made his way to a Channel port where he joined a party of men going on leave, but was arrested when about to board ship for England. (Putkowski, p. 141)
3057 Private Henry Palmer, 1st/5th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers, executed for desertion on 27th October 1916. Plot I. P. 65. Son of Mrs. Phyllis Palmer, of 171, Station Road, Wallsend. He went over the top in a battalion attack (& may have gone no further). Palmer was seen the next day on his way back to the front line where he should have been, his unit not having been relieved. At trial, no prosecution witness was cross-examined, but the accused testified to the effect that he had advanced, but was wounded in the knee. His account was muddled as to his exact whereabouts at the time, & he admitted that he had not reported sick; & claimed no lasting injury to the knee. The court strongly recommended mercy on the grounds of his low intellect. (Putkowski, pp. 122-123)
89173 Pioneer Ernest Beeby, 212th Company, Royal Engineers, executed for desertion on 9th December 1916. Plot I. R. 43. He deserted & made his way to a Channel port where he joined a party of men going on leave, but was arrested when about to board ship for England. (Putkowski, p. 141)
3057 Private Henry Palmer, 1st/5th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers, executed for desertion on 27th October 1916. Plot I. P. 65. Son of Mrs. Phyllis Palmer, of 171, Station Road, Wallsend. He went over the top in a battalion attack (& may have gone no further). Palmer was seen the next day on his way back to the front line where he should have been, his unit not having been relieved. At trial, no prosecution witness was cross-examined, but the accused testified to the effect that he had advanced, but was wounded in the knee. His account was muddled as to his exact whereabouts at the time, & he admitted that he had not reported sick; & claimed no lasting injury to the knee. The court strongly recommended mercy on the grounds of his low intellect. (Putkowski, pp. 122-123)
Picture © Geerhard Joos
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Picture © Geerhard Joos
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Timber stacked by the side of the Albert - La Boisselle road for road-making purposes, September 1916. © IWM Q 1351
Wounded awaiting transportation to base hospitals near Albert, 12th September 1916. © IWM Q 1217
Troops of the British West Indies Regiment cleaning their rifles on the Albert - Amiens road, September 1916. © IWM Q 1201
Battle of Albert. Bandsmen of the 12th Royal Scots outside their hut in Happy Valley (near Albert) 12th July 1916. © IWM Q 147
Battle of Albert. A stretcher case seen in silhouette being brought in from La Boisselle, 3rd July 1916. © IWM Q 771
