BAPAUME AUSTRALIAN CEMETERY
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.10155, Longitude: 2.85442
Location Information
Bapaume is a town 22 kilometres south of Arras and 26 kilometres south-west of Cambrai. The Australian Cemetery is in the Rue du Chemin Blanc.
Travelling through Bapaume in the direction of Peronne, the cemetery is signposted before leaving the town. The signpost points towards the prostrate statue of Abel Guidet and the Rue du Chemin Blanc forms the angle with the High Street.
Visiting Information
In front of the entrance to this cemetery, the roadside verge is steep.
Wheelchair access with some difficulty.
Historical Information
Bapaume was occupied by German forces on the 26th September, 1914, and by the British on the 17th March, 1917; it was retaken by the Germans on the 24th March, 1918, and by the New Zealand Division on the following 29th August. It has given its name to the battles of the 24-25th March, 1918, and the 31st August to 3rd September, 1918. It was severely damaged by both sides during the War. Bapaume was later "adopted" by the City of Sheffield.
Bapaume Australian Cemetery was begun in March, 1917, by the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station and used until the following June, and in April and May, 1918, 23 German graves were added to Row C.
There are 110, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site.
Total Burials: 110.
Identified Casualties: Australia 74, Germany 19, United Kingdom 12, India 1. Total 106.
Unidentified Casualties: Germany 4.
The cemetery covers an area of 542 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall.
The cemetery was designed by William Harrison Cowlishaw
6875 Sapper
Sydney Herbert Bone
3rd Coy. Australian Tunnelling Corps.
26th April 1917, aged 40.
Row B. 2.
Son of Henry and Jane Bone; husband of Ada Selina Bone, of 33, Wangaratta St., Richmond, Victoria. Native of Clunes, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of My Dearly Beloved Husband Peace Perfect Peace"
A miner, of Richmond, Victoria, he enlisted on 10 January 1917 and embarked from Melbourne aboard RMS Omrah on 17 January 1917 for Devonport, England. He proceeded to France to join the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion on 15 April 1917. Sapper Bone died of illness on 26 April 1917 at Bapaume, France.
Sydney Herbert Bone
3rd Coy. Australian Tunnelling Corps.
26th April 1917, aged 40.
Row B. 2.
Son of Henry and Jane Bone; husband of Ada Selina Bone, of 33, Wangaratta St., Richmond, Victoria. Native of Clunes, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of My Dearly Beloved Husband Peace Perfect Peace"
A miner, of Richmond, Victoria, he enlisted on 10 January 1917 and embarked from Melbourne aboard RMS Omrah on 17 January 1917 for Devonport, England. He proceeded to France to join the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion on 15 April 1917. Sapper Bone died of illness on 26 April 1917 at Bapaume, France.
6737 Private
Victor John Gray
12th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th April 1917, aged 24.
Row A. 7.
Son of John and Louisa Gray, of Fern Tree, Tasmania.
His headstone bears the inscription "Love And Remembrance Last For Ever"
Studio portrait of 6737 Private (Pte) Victor John Gray of Fern Tree, Tas. A bushman before enlisting in July 1916, Pte Gray formed part of the 22nd Reinforcements of the 12th Battalion along with his younger brother 6741 Pte Charles Gray. Victor Gray was mortally wounded during the preparations for the attack of the Hindenberg Line at Bullecourt and died on 10 April 1917, age 24. Charles Gray was killed five days later at Lagnicourt.
Victor John Gray
12th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th April 1917, aged 24.
Row A. 7.
Son of John and Louisa Gray, of Fern Tree, Tasmania.
His headstone bears the inscription "Love And Remembrance Last For Ever"
Studio portrait of 6737 Private (Pte) Victor John Gray of Fern Tree, Tas. A bushman before enlisting in July 1916, Pte Gray formed part of the 22nd Reinforcements of the 12th Battalion along with his younger brother 6741 Pte Charles Gray. Victor Gray was mortally wounded during the preparations for the attack of the Hindenberg Line at Bullecourt and died on 10 April 1917, age 24. Charles Gray was killed five days later at Lagnicourt.
14694 Gunner
Selby Manderson Hastings
4th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
8th June 1916
Row C. 3.
Gunner Hastings enlisted in Melbourne on 5 January 1916 and embarked on 4 May 1916 to join the artillery training school in Tel el Kebir. He was killed in action on 8 June 1917 in France.
Selby Manderson Hastings
4th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
8th June 1916
Row C. 3.
Gunner Hastings enlisted in Melbourne on 5 January 1916 and embarked on 4 May 1916 to join the artillery training school in Tel el Kebir. He was killed in action on 8 June 1917 in France.
1958 Sergeant
Albert Horace Holland
13th Coy. Australian Machine Gun Corps
2nd April 1917, aged 22.
Row A. 42.
Son of Thomas and Ellen J. Holland, of Jervois Avenue, New Hindmarsh, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "God's Will Be Done"
Studio portrait of 1958 Sergeant (Sgt) Albert Horace Holland, 10th Battalion. A bricklayer from New Hindmarsh, South Australia, he embarked as a Private with the 5th Reinforcements from Adelaide on 20 April 1915 aboard HMAT Hororata (A20) for Suez. He served in Gallipoli from 8 July 1915 until the battalion was withdrawn to Egypt at the end of December. In late February 1916 he was transferred to the 50th Battalion and one week later he was transferred to 13th Machine Gun Company (13 MGC) as he had 12 months experience in the machine gun section with the Citizen Forces prior to enlistment. Pte Holland was promoted to Temporary Corporal in mid May 1916 and four weeks later 13 MGC relocated to the Western Front, France. In early August he was confirmed in the rank of Corporal and was further promoted to Sergeant in February 1917. Sgt Holland was wounded in action during the attack on Noreuil on 2 April 1917, died of these wounds later that day, and is buried in the Bapaume Australian Cemetery, France. He was aged 22 years.
Albert Horace Holland
13th Coy. Australian Machine Gun Corps
2nd April 1917, aged 22.
Row A. 42.
Son of Thomas and Ellen J. Holland, of Jervois Avenue, New Hindmarsh, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "God's Will Be Done"
Studio portrait of 1958 Sergeant (Sgt) Albert Horace Holland, 10th Battalion. A bricklayer from New Hindmarsh, South Australia, he embarked as a Private with the 5th Reinforcements from Adelaide on 20 April 1915 aboard HMAT Hororata (A20) for Suez. He served in Gallipoli from 8 July 1915 until the battalion was withdrawn to Egypt at the end of December. In late February 1916 he was transferred to the 50th Battalion and one week later he was transferred to 13th Machine Gun Company (13 MGC) as he had 12 months experience in the machine gun section with the Citizen Forces prior to enlistment. Pte Holland was promoted to Temporary Corporal in mid May 1916 and four weeks later 13 MGC relocated to the Western Front, France. In early August he was confirmed in the rank of Corporal and was further promoted to Sergeant in February 1917. Sgt Holland was wounded in action during the attack on Noreuil on 2 April 1917, died of these wounds later that day, and is buried in the Bapaume Australian Cemetery, France. He was aged 22 years.
2691 Private
William Lewis
7th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
25th March 1917.
Row A. 30.
Son of Caleb Nicholas and Maud Alice Lewis, of Inglewood Rd., Golden Square, Bendigo, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "Somewhere In France He Is Sleeping The Son I Love So Well"
Studio portrait of 2691 Private (Pte) William Lewis. A cook from Bendigo, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte Lewis embarked with the 6th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion from Melbourne on HMAT Ulysses on 27 October 1915. On 25 March 1917, aged 21, he was killed in action and was buried in the Bapaume Australian Cemetery, France
William Lewis
7th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
25th March 1917.
Row A. 30.
Son of Caleb Nicholas and Maud Alice Lewis, of Inglewood Rd., Golden Square, Bendigo, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "Somewhere In France He Is Sleeping The Son I Love So Well"
Studio portrait of 2691 Private (Pte) William Lewis. A cook from Bendigo, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte Lewis embarked with the 6th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion from Melbourne on HMAT Ulysses on 27 October 1915. On 25 March 1917, aged 21, he was killed in action and was buried in the Bapaume Australian Cemetery, France
1989 Lance Corporal
Ralph Leslie Mann
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
2nd April 1917, aged 23.
Row A. 37.
Son of Adam Mann, of Broadcroft, Banff, Scotland.
His headstone bears the inscription "Peace Perfect Peace"
A native of Broadcroft, Banff, Scotland, and working as a carpenter in Adelaide, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 5th Reinforcements on 20 April 1915 aboard HMAT Hororata (A20) for Suez. Pte Mann joined his battalion at Gallipoli on 8 July 1915, was wounded in action a month later and evacuated to Cairo for treatment and recuperation. He rejoined his unit in late November 1915 until the battalion was withdrawn to Egypt on 29 December 1915. On 26 February 1916 he was transferred to the 50th Battalion which relocated to the Western Front, France, during June 1916. He was hospitalised due to illness from mid-August until late October. Pte Mann was appointed Lance Corporal (L Cpl) on 15 December 1916. L Cpl Mann was wounded in action during the attack on Noreuil on 2 April 1917 and died of these wounds later that day in the 13th Australian Field Ambulance. He was aged 27 years.
Ralph Leslie Mann
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
2nd April 1917, aged 23.
Row A. 37.
Son of Adam Mann, of Broadcroft, Banff, Scotland.
His headstone bears the inscription "Peace Perfect Peace"
A native of Broadcroft, Banff, Scotland, and working as a carpenter in Adelaide, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 5th Reinforcements on 20 April 1915 aboard HMAT Hororata (A20) for Suez. Pte Mann joined his battalion at Gallipoli on 8 July 1915, was wounded in action a month later and evacuated to Cairo for treatment and recuperation. He rejoined his unit in late November 1915 until the battalion was withdrawn to Egypt on 29 December 1915. On 26 February 1916 he was transferred to the 50th Battalion which relocated to the Western Front, France, during June 1916. He was hospitalised due to illness from mid-August until late October. Pte Mann was appointed Lance Corporal (L Cpl) on 15 December 1916. L Cpl Mann was wounded in action during the attack on Noreuil on 2 April 1917 and died of these wounds later that day in the 13th Australian Field Ambulance. He was aged 27 years.
3836 Private
William Morris
3rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
9th April 1917, aged 23.
Row A. 16.
Studio portrait of 3836 Private William Morris, 3rd Battalion of Riverstone, NSW. A tailor prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Medic (A7) on 30 December 1915. He was wounded in action on 9 April 1917 near Velu, France. Later that day, he died of his wounds at the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, France, aged 23.
William Morris
3rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
9th April 1917, aged 23.
Row A. 16.
Studio portrait of 3836 Private William Morris, 3rd Battalion of Riverstone, NSW. A tailor prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Medic (A7) on 30 December 1915. He was wounded in action on 9 April 1917 near Velu, France. Later that day, he died of his wounds at the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, France, aged 23.
6345 Private
Edward Michael Sheils
3rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th April 1917
Row B. 14.
Husband of Gertrude Sheils, of O'Connell St., North Parramatta, New South Wales.
From Harris Park, NSW, brother of 9465 Sergeant Leslie Thomas Sheils (killed in action on 13 July 1918 and buried at Frechencourt Communal Cemetery.)
Edward was a labourer prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard the HMAT Euripides (A14) on 9 September 1916. He was wounded in action on 9 April 1917 near Fremicourt, France, and died of his wounds at the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, France on 10 April 1917, aged 24.
Edward Michael Sheils
3rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th April 1917
Row B. 14.
Husband of Gertrude Sheils, of O'Connell St., North Parramatta, New South Wales.
From Harris Park, NSW, brother of 9465 Sergeant Leslie Thomas Sheils (killed in action on 13 July 1918 and buried at Frechencourt Communal Cemetery.)
Edward was a labourer prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard the HMAT Euripides (A14) on 9 September 1916. He was wounded in action on 9 April 1917 near Fremicourt, France, and died of his wounds at the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station, France on 10 April 1917, aged 24.
653 Private
William Henry James Sturrock
23rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th March 1917, aged 21.
Row A. 31.
Son of James Beattie Sturrock and Charlotte Elizabeth Sturrock, of 45, Woodside Avenue, South Norwood, London, England.
Studio portrait of 653 Private (Pte) William Henry James Sturrock, 23rd Battalion, of Stradbroke, Vic. Pte Sturrock enlisted on 16 February 1915 and was killed in action on 27 March 1917 in France.
William Henry James Sturrock
23rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th March 1917, aged 21.
Row A. 31.
Son of James Beattie Sturrock and Charlotte Elizabeth Sturrock, of 45, Woodside Avenue, South Norwood, London, England.
Studio portrait of 653 Private (Pte) William Henry James Sturrock, 23rd Battalion, of Stradbroke, Vic. Pte Sturrock enlisted on 16 February 1915 and was killed in action on 27 March 1917 in France.
Second Lieutenant
Stafford Brierley Watson
2nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th April 1917, aged 29.
Row A. 5.
Son of John Burnet Watson, of 10, Montreaux Flats, Commercial Parade, Manly, New South Wales, and the late Emily Watson. Native of Burwood, Sydney.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loyalty To His King, Country and home His Life Was Nobly Given"
Studio portrait of Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Stafford Brierley Watson, 2nd Battalion from Burwood, Victoria. A 28 year old clerk prior to enlisting, he embarked for overseas with the 19th Reinforcements from Sydney on 22 August 1916 aboard HMAT Wiltshire. After further training in England, he joined the battalion in France where he was wounded in an attack on the German Hindenburg Line. 2nd Lt Watson died of his wounds on 10 April 1917 and is buried in the Bapaume Australian Cemetery, France.
Stafford Brierley Watson
2nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th April 1917, aged 29.
Row A. 5.
Son of John Burnet Watson, of 10, Montreaux Flats, Commercial Parade, Manly, New South Wales, and the late Emily Watson. Native of Burwood, Sydney.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loyalty To His King, Country and home His Life Was Nobly Given"
Studio portrait of Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Stafford Brierley Watson, 2nd Battalion from Burwood, Victoria. A 28 year old clerk prior to enlisting, he embarked for overseas with the 19th Reinforcements from Sydney on 22 August 1916 aboard HMAT Wiltshire. After further training in England, he joined the battalion in France where he was wounded in an attack on the German Hindenburg Line. 2nd Lt Watson died of his wounds on 10 April 1917 and is buried in the Bapaume Australian Cemetery, France.
The conditions immediately behind the front during the Somme winter. Infantrymen drinking coffee at the Australian Comforts Fund stall.
The men serving at this stall are Private Alexander Gunn and Private Charles Neild who are both buried in this cemetery.
3774 Private Alexander Gunn, 6th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F. was killed on 25 March 1917 when the Bapaume Town Hall was blown up by a delayed German mine. Plot A. 27. Son of John and Mary Swan Gunn; husband of Henrietta Gunn, of 3, Barry St., South Yarra, Victoria. Native of Melbourne. His headstone bears the inscription "God Be With You Till We Meet Again"
3209 Private Charles Neild, 8th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F. was killed in action on 27 March 1917 at Bapaume. Plot A. 29. Son of Dr. James E. Neild and Susan Neild; husband of M. Neild, of "Yerla," 744, Burke Rd., Hawthorn, Victoria. Native of Melbourne. His headstone bears the inscription "Have mercy Upon Him O Lord And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him"
3774 Private Alexander Gunn, 6th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F. was killed on 25 March 1917 when the Bapaume Town Hall was blown up by a delayed German mine. Plot A. 27. Son of John and Mary Swan Gunn; husband of Henrietta Gunn, of 3, Barry St., South Yarra, Victoria. Native of Melbourne. His headstone bears the inscription "God Be With You Till We Meet Again"
3209 Private Charles Neild, 8th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F. was killed in action on 27 March 1917 at Bapaume. Plot A. 29. Son of Dr. James E. Neild and Susan Neild; husband of M. Neild, of "Yerla," 744, Burke Rd., Hawthorn, Victoria. Native of Melbourne. His headstone bears the inscription "Have mercy Upon Him O Lord And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him"
March 1917: A view through a shell hole in a house in the main square, of the ruins of Bapaume. Note the horse and wagon on the left and the horse and soldiers in the foreground.
