BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT MILITARY CEMETERY
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.03267, Longitude: 2.76022
Location Information
Bazentin is in the Department of the Somme, to the north-east of Albert, containing the villages of Bazentin-le-Grand and Bazentin-le-Petit.
Take the D929 (Albert-Bapaume road) from Albert and travel 8 Kms. In the village of Pozieres, turn south onto the D73 to Bazentin and the village of Bazentin-le-Petit is 3 Kms further on.
The Military Cemetery will be found on the west side of the village.
Historical Information
Bazentin was in German hands until 14 July 1916 when the 3rd and 7th Divisions captured the two villages (and the communal cemetery) and held them against counter-attacks, and the 21st Division captured Bazentin-le-Petit Wood. The ground was lost in April 1918 during the great German advance but recaptured on the following 25 August by the 38th (Welsh) Division.
The military cemetery was begun at the end of July 1916 and used as a front-line cemetery until May 1917. It contains 182 First World War burials, 15 of them unidentified.
Total Burials: 182.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 103, Australia 55, South Africa 9. Total 167.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom15.
The cemetery was designed by Arthur James Scott Hutton
Bazentin is in the Department of the Somme, to the north-east of Albert, containing the villages of Bazentin-le-Grand and Bazentin-le-Petit.
Take the D929 (Albert-Bapaume road) from Albert and travel 8 Kms. In the village of Pozieres, turn south onto the D73 to Bazentin and the village of Bazentin-le-Petit is 3 Kms further on.
The Military Cemetery will be found on the west side of the village.
Historical Information
Bazentin was in German hands until 14 July 1916 when the 3rd and 7th Divisions captured the two villages (and the communal cemetery) and held them against counter-attacks, and the 21st Division captured Bazentin-le-Petit Wood. The ground was lost in April 1918 during the great German advance but recaptured on the following 25 August by the 38th (Welsh) Division.
The military cemetery was begun at the end of July 1916 and used as a front-line cemetery until May 1917. It contains 182 First World War burials, 15 of them unidentified.
Total Burials: 182.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 103, Australia 55, South Africa 9. Total 167.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom15.
The cemetery was designed by Arthur James Scott Hutton
5979 Private
Frederick Howard Akhurst
11th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
17th February 1917, aged 40.
Row G. 15.
Son of Walter and Kate Akhurst, of 31, Bagot Rd., Subiaco, Western Australia. Native of Sydney, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Gallant Company"
From Peckering Hill via Quairading, WA. Enlisting in the AIF in March 1916, Pte Akhurst served on the Western Front as part of the 19th Reinforcements of the 11th Battalion. He was part of a ration party in the front-line trench at Bazentin-Le-Petit when a shell landed nearby, killing him instantly, on 17 February 1917 age 40.
Frederick Howard Akhurst
11th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
17th February 1917, aged 40.
Row G. 15.
Son of Walter and Kate Akhurst, of 31, Bagot Rd., Subiaco, Western Australia. Native of Sydney, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Gallant Company"
From Peckering Hill via Quairading, WA. Enlisting in the AIF in March 1916, Pte Akhurst served on the Western Front as part of the 19th Reinforcements of the 11th Battalion. He was part of a ration party in the front-line trench at Bazentin-Le-Petit when a shell landed nearby, killing him instantly, on 17 February 1917 age 40.
5659 Private
Charles Crutchfield
7th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
24th February 1917, aged 34.
Row D. 33.
Son of William Leonard and Elizabeth Crutchfield; husband of Florence Crutchfield, of Koomba Rd., Wantima, Victoria, Australia. Native of Malvern, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of The Dearly Loved Husband Of Florence And Father Of Charlie"
From Prahran, Victoria. A 34 year old market gardener prior to enlisting on 10 March 1916, he embarked for overseas with the 18th Reinforcements from Melbourne on 3 July 1916 aboard HMAT Ayrshire. After joining the battalion in the field in France on 18 January 1917, he was killed in action near Pozieres on 24 February 1917.
Charles Crutchfield
7th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
24th February 1917, aged 34.
Row D. 33.
Son of William Leonard and Elizabeth Crutchfield; husband of Florence Crutchfield, of Koomba Rd., Wantima, Victoria, Australia. Native of Malvern, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of The Dearly Loved Husband Of Florence And Father Of Charlie"
From Prahran, Victoria. A 34 year old market gardener prior to enlisting on 10 March 1916, he embarked for overseas with the 18th Reinforcements from Melbourne on 3 July 1916 aboard HMAT Ayrshire. After joining the battalion in the field in France on 18 January 1917, he was killed in action near Pozieres on 24 February 1917.
6256 Private
William Daly
4th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
28th February 1917, aged 17.
Row H. 3.
Son of Patrick and Mary Daly. Native of Mullenganda, New South Wales.
The Commanding Officer of 1st Australian Field Ambulance wrote in answer to an enquiry:
"6256 Private W. Daly, 4th Bn. A. I. F. was brought to an aid post of this ambulance on 28th February 1917, suffering from bomb wounds of both legs - the legs being severed below the knees. He was suffering greatly from shock and died soon after admission. The burial took place next day at Singer Circus Cemetery, Bazentin-le-Petit."
William Daly
4th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
28th February 1917, aged 17.
Row H. 3.
Son of Patrick and Mary Daly. Native of Mullenganda, New South Wales.
The Commanding Officer of 1st Australian Field Ambulance wrote in answer to an enquiry:
"6256 Private W. Daly, 4th Bn. A. I. F. was brought to an aid post of this ambulance on 28th February 1917, suffering from bomb wounds of both legs - the legs being severed below the knees. He was suffering greatly from shock and died soon after admission. The burial took place next day at Singer Circus Cemetery, Bazentin-le-Petit."
4794 Private
Gordon Dow
5th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th February 1917, aged 35.
Row G. 3.
Son of William Henry and Isabella Dow; husband of Amanda Dow, of 50, Anglesea St., Bondi, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of South Melbourne, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "Beloved Husband Of Amanda Dow He Bravely Answered The Call"
Killed in action at "Yarra Bank" near Bazentin during a raid on the German trenches.
Gordon Dow
5th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th February 1917, aged 35.
Row G. 3.
Son of William Henry and Isabella Dow; husband of Amanda Dow, of 50, Anglesea St., Bondi, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of South Melbourne, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription "Beloved Husband Of Amanda Dow He Bravely Answered The Call"
Killed in action at "Yarra Bank" near Bazentin during a raid on the German trenches.
5390 Private
William Giles
6th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th February 1917, aged 23.
Row D. 23.
From Richmond, Victoria. A 22 year old driver prior to enlistment on 4 March 1916, he embarked for overseas with the 17th Reinforcements from Melbourne on 4 April 1916 aboard HMAT Euripides. He was killed in action near Flers, France on 4 February 1917.
William Giles was escorting men to the front line when he was shot and killed by a sniper near "Factory Corner."
William Giles
6th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th February 1917, aged 23.
Row D. 23.
From Richmond, Victoria. A 22 year old driver prior to enlistment on 4 March 1916, he embarked for overseas with the 17th Reinforcements from Melbourne on 4 April 1916 aboard HMAT Euripides. He was killed in action near Flers, France on 4 February 1917.
William Giles was escorting men to the front line when he was shot and killed by a sniper near "Factory Corner."
Second Lieutenant
Wynnum Groom McDonald Hennessey
6th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th February 1917, aged 21.
Row D. 28.
Son of John David and Mrs. Hennessey, of Twickenham House, 97, Bridge Rd., Richmond, Victoria, Australia. Native of Sydney, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "Loved And Esteemed By All Who Knew Him Changed But Not Destroyed"
Wynnum Groom McDonald Hennessey
6th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th February 1917, aged 21.
Row D. 28.
Son of John David and Mrs. Hennessey, of Twickenham House, 97, Bridge Rd., Richmond, Victoria, Australia. Native of Sydney, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "Loved And Esteemed By All Who Knew Him Changed But Not Destroyed"
1872 Lance Corporal
Arthur Stanley Hoodless
9th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th February 1917, aged 23.
Row G. 22.
Son of James Condra Hoodless and Eva Annie Hoodless, of Railton, Tasmania.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Has Fought A Good Fight And Has Gained Eternal Life, Mother"
Died of wounds received near Albert.
Arthur Stanley Hoodless
9th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th February 1917, aged 23.
Row G. 22.
Son of James Condra Hoodless and Eva Annie Hoodless, of Railton, Tasmania.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Has Fought A Good Fight And Has Gained Eternal Life, Mother"
Died of wounds received near Albert.
S/11056 Private
Ernest Johnson
7th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
12th October 1916, aged 20.
Row B. 16.
Son of William and Elizabeth Johnson, of 59, Brougham St., Stoneyholme, Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription "Ever Remembered"
Ernest Johnson
7th Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
12th October 1916, aged 20.
Row B. 16.
Son of William and Elizabeth Johnson, of 59, Brougham St., Stoneyholme, Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription "Ever Remembered"
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
Second Lieutenant
Alfred William Laurie
42nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
22nd November 1916, aged 26.
Plot E. 15.
Son of Frederick and Bessie Laurie, of Dover; husband of Florence Rhoda Laurie, of 24, St. Thomas's Square, Newport, Isle of Wight; formerly of Shoeburyness, Essex.
His headstone bears the inscription "Sleep On Beloved"
Alfred William Laurie
42nd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
22nd November 1916, aged 26.
Plot E. 15.
Son of Frederick and Bessie Laurie, of Dover; husband of Florence Rhoda Laurie, of 24, St. Thomas's Square, Newport, Isle of Wight; formerly of Shoeburyness, Essex.
His headstone bears the inscription "Sleep On Beloved"
5730 Private
Charles George Mitchell
8th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
14th February 1917
Row G. 16.
A labourer from Bruthen, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte Mitchell embarked with the 18th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Ayrshire on 3 July 1916. While serving in France he died from alcoholic poisoning on 14 February 1917 and was buried in the Bazentin-le-Petit Military Cemetery, Bazentin, France.
Charles George Mitchell
8th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
14th February 1917
Row G. 16.
A labourer from Bruthen, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte Mitchell embarked with the 18th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Ayrshire on 3 July 1916. While serving in France he died from alcoholic poisoning on 14 February 1917 and was buried in the Bazentin-le-Petit Military Cemetery, Bazentin, France.
Captain
Norman Robinson Shepherd
7th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
4th November 1916, aged 33.
Row A. 13,
Son of Andrew Thomas Shepherd, and Alice Shepherd, of The Hawthorns, Ryhope Rd., Sunderland. A Solicitor.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory, Son Of Mr. & Mrs. A. T. Shepherd. Ever Mourned"
Norman Robinson Shepherd
7th Bn. Durham Light Infantry
4th November 1916, aged 33.
Row A. 13,
Son of Andrew Thomas Shepherd, and Alice Shepherd, of The Hawthorns, Ryhope Rd., Sunderland. A Solicitor.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory, Son Of Mr. & Mrs. A. T. Shepherd. Ever Mourned"
A portrait of a smiling group of Gordon Highlanders in a reserve trench, Bazentin-le-Petit, November 1916. © IWM Q 4475
Battle of Bazentin Ridge 14 -17 July. A row of exhausted soldiers lying stretched on the ground after a tour of duty in the trenches. © IWM Q 172
Royal Engineers resting by the roadside near Bazentin, February 1917. © IWM Q 4709
Battle of the Ancre. Officers of the Royal Artillery at the entrance to their dug-out. Near Bazentin, November 1916. © IWM Q 4604
