Birr Cross Roads Cemetery
Roll of Honour
A - H
3154 Private
John Anderson
4th Bn. Gordon Highlanders
28th May 1915.
Plot III. C. 6.
John Anderson
4th Bn. Gordon Highlanders
28th May 1915.
Plot III. C. 6.
1467 Driver
Alfred Arnold
4th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
7th October 1917.
Plot I. D. 4.
He was killed on the corduroy track going up to Westhoek Ridge whilst on an 8 horse team. All four men and the horses were killed outright when two shells dropped amongst them.
Alfred Arnold
4th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
7th October 1917.
Plot I. D. 4.
He was killed on the corduroy track going up to Westhoek Ridge whilst on an 8 horse team. All four men and the horses were killed outright when two shells dropped amongst them.
Lieutenant
Thomas Lindsay Bainbridge
5th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
26th April 1915, aged 33.
Plot III. B. 18.
Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson Bainbridge, of Eshott Hall, Felton, Northumberland.
Thomas Lindsay Bainbridge
5th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
26th April 1915, aged 33.
Plot III. B. 18.
Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson Bainbridge, of Eshott Hall, Felton, Northumberland.
520 Corporal
Raymond Vernon Baldock
8th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th September 1917, aged 23.
Sp. Mem. 5.
Son of Alfred and Louisa Baldock, of Jeparit, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Father In Thy Gracious Keeping Leave We Now Our Loved One Sleeping."
A fellow member of the 8th Battalion recalled;
"I heard this man was hit in the jaw and taken to the Dressing Station close by together with a man named Crick*, who had both legs blown off. Both were seen there by a stretcher bearer who told me of it. The Dressing Station was blown up shortly afterwards and Crick was reported missing. He came from Victoria and was a great favourite with all."
*6390 Private, John Thomas Crick, 8th Bn. A. I. F., now commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.
The image below shows the Dressing Station where both Raymond Vernon and John Crick would have been taken. They are probably amongst the wounded shown on the stretchers in this image or close by. This Dressing Station was hit by a shell shortly after the image was taken and most of the wounded killed, including Raymond Baldock and John Crick.
Raymond Vernon Baldock
8th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th September 1917, aged 23.
Sp. Mem. 5.
Son of Alfred and Louisa Baldock, of Jeparit, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Father In Thy Gracious Keeping Leave We Now Our Loved One Sleeping."
A fellow member of the 8th Battalion recalled;
"I heard this man was hit in the jaw and taken to the Dressing Station close by together with a man named Crick*, who had both legs blown off. Both were seen there by a stretcher bearer who told me of it. The Dressing Station was blown up shortly afterwards and Crick was reported missing. He came from Victoria and was a great favourite with all."
*6390 Private, John Thomas Crick, 8th Bn. A. I. F., now commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.
The image below shows the Dressing Station where both Raymond Vernon and John Crick would have been taken. They are probably amongst the wounded shown on the stretchers in this image or close by. This Dressing Station was hit by a shell shortly after the image was taken and most of the wounded killed, including Raymond Baldock and John Crick.
A scene on the Menin Road near Hooge, looking towards Birr Cross Roads, during the battle on 20 September 1917. The wounded on the stretchers are waiting to be taken to the clearing stations; others able to walk are making their way along the road as far as possible. Identified are: Major (Maj) G A M Heydon MC, Regimental Medical Officer of the 8th Battalion (fifth from the left with his arm in a sling). To his left is Private W Bain and next to him is Private (Pte) 'Spud' Murphy. To Pte Murphy's left (wearing a pack) is 58 Lance Corporal (LCpl) Roy Arthur Findlay MM, all are members of the 1st Field Ambulance. Shortly after the photograph was taken a shell landed in approximately the area where Maj Heydon and Pte Murphy had been standing. The shell killed most of the wounded on stretchers and LCpl Findlay was blown under the truck, shown lying on its side to the right.
10963 Private
Charles James Baverstock
1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
3rd April 1916, aged 19.
Plot I. A. 17.
Son of Charles and Elizabeth Baverstock, of 36, Westbourne Terrace, Wilson Rd., Reading.
Charles James Baverstock
1st Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
3rd April 1916, aged 19.
Plot I. A. 17.
Son of Charles and Elizabeth Baverstock, of 36, Westbourne Terrace, Wilson Rd., Reading.
8998 Private
George Beecroft
1st Bn. Suffolk Regiment
18th February 1915, aged 18.
Plot I. A. 15.
Son of Mr. W. R. Beecroft, of 55, Rope Walk, Ipswich.
George Beecroft
1st Bn. Suffolk Regiment
18th February 1915, aged 18.
Plot I. A. 15.
Son of Mr. W. R. Beecroft, of 55, Rope Walk, Ipswich.
4068A Driver
Joseph Britten
5th Div. Ammunition Col. Australian Field Artillery
6th October 1917, aged 25.
Plot I. C. 10.
Son of John and Emma Britten. Born at Bega, New South Wales.
4128 Private, James Augustine Hanscombe (left) and his best mate, 4068 Pte Joseph Britten, 17th Battalion. Pte Hanscombe was later awarded the Military Medal (MM) for attempting to rescue Pte Britten, who was killed in action. Both farmers of Bega NSW, they embarked with the 10th Reinforcements on 8 March 1916. They transferred to the 5th Divisional Ammunition Column (5 DAC). Driver Britten's service number changed to 4068A; he also served with the 15th Field Artillery Brigade before returning to the 5 DAC. He was killed in action on 6 October 1917 and buried at Birr Cross Roads Cemetery at Zillebeke, Belgium. Driver Hanscombe's MM was awarded for bravery and devotion to duty, although heavily shocked, while delivering ammunition along the Menin Road whilst the column was being heavily shelled. Dvr Britten was the driver killed whilst delivering ammunition.
Joseph Britten
5th Div. Ammunition Col. Australian Field Artillery
6th October 1917, aged 25.
Plot I. C. 10.
Son of John and Emma Britten. Born at Bega, New South Wales.
4128 Private, James Augustine Hanscombe (left) and his best mate, 4068 Pte Joseph Britten, 17th Battalion. Pte Hanscombe was later awarded the Military Medal (MM) for attempting to rescue Pte Britten, who was killed in action. Both farmers of Bega NSW, they embarked with the 10th Reinforcements on 8 March 1916. They transferred to the 5th Divisional Ammunition Column (5 DAC). Driver Britten's service number changed to 4068A; he also served with the 15th Field Artillery Brigade before returning to the 5 DAC. He was killed in action on 6 October 1917 and buried at Birr Cross Roads Cemetery at Zillebeke, Belgium. Driver Hanscombe's MM was awarded for bravery and devotion to duty, although heavily shocked, while delivering ammunition along the Menin Road whilst the column was being heavily shelled. Dvr Britten was the driver killed whilst delivering ammunition.
99906 Gunner
George Butterfield
230th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
24th September 1917.
Plot III. A. 16.
George Butterfield
230th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
24th September 1917.
Plot III. A. 16.
13689 Lieutenant
McRae Cumberland Cameron
"A" Coy. 1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
10th September 1917, aged 27.
Plot II. C. 14.
Son of Duncan and Elizabeth Cameron, of Wanganui; husband of Maisie E. Cameron, of Castlecliff, Wanganui, New Zealand.
McRae Cumberland Cameron
"A" Coy. 1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
10th September 1917, aged 27.
Plot II. C. 14.
Son of Duncan and Elizabeth Cameron, of Wanganui; husband of Maisie E. Cameron, of Castlecliff, Wanganui, New Zealand.
3217 Private
Stanley Clarence Roy Coates
32nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
13th October 1917, aged 22.
Plot IV. D. 1.
Son of David and Martha Coates; husband of Eva J. Coates, of Fletcher Rd., Peterhead, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Time Changes Many Things But Memory Like The Ivy Clings."
A monumental worker from Yatala, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 7th Reinforcements from Adelaide on 27 June 1916 aboard HMAT Malakuta (A57) for Devonport, England. Following training in England he proceeded to France and joined his battalion on the Western Front near Dernancourt on 20 December 1916. A week later he was attached to the ANZAC Light Railway for six months before rejoining his unit near Bapaume. Pte. Coates was wounded in action near Zonnebeke, Belgium after being hit by an eighteen pounder shell which shattered his arm.
1118 Private, Edward Lewis Bronson gave the following details;
"I was right alongside him when Coates got his arm broken in supports, Passchendaele sector. He was delirious as I helped to carry him forward to the Dressing Station, right behind the front line (about 200 yards). He was taken further back to a Casualty Clearing Station by Divisional Stretcher Bearers and I understand he was then killed outright by a shell at the C. C. S., I was in the same platoon."
Stanley Clarence Roy Coates
32nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
13th October 1917, aged 22.
Plot IV. D. 1.
Son of David and Martha Coates; husband of Eva J. Coates, of Fletcher Rd., Peterhead, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Time Changes Many Things But Memory Like The Ivy Clings."
A monumental worker from Yatala, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 7th Reinforcements from Adelaide on 27 June 1916 aboard HMAT Malakuta (A57) for Devonport, England. Following training in England he proceeded to France and joined his battalion on the Western Front near Dernancourt on 20 December 1916. A week later he was attached to the ANZAC Light Railway for six months before rejoining his unit near Bapaume. Pte. Coates was wounded in action near Zonnebeke, Belgium after being hit by an eighteen pounder shell which shattered his arm.
1118 Private, Edward Lewis Bronson gave the following details;
"I was right alongside him when Coates got his arm broken in supports, Passchendaele sector. He was delirious as I helped to carry him forward to the Dressing Station, right behind the front line (about 200 yards). He was taken further back to a Casualty Clearing Station by Divisional Stretcher Bearers and I understand he was then killed outright by a shell at the C. C. S., I was in the same platoon."
20973 Private
Michael Crosby
2nd Bn. Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
3rd February 1918, aged 32.
Plot I. G. 19.
Son of Matthew Crosby, of 1, Wee Row, Bankside, Bainsford, Falkirk.
Michael Crosby
2nd Bn. Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
3rd February 1918, aged 32.
Plot I. G. 19.
Son of Matthew Crosby, of 1, Wee Row, Bankside, Bainsford, Falkirk.
38137 Rifleman
William James De Blois
3rd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
9th September 1917.
Plot II. B. 23.
Husband of Mrs. A. M. De Blois, of Wanganui.
William James De Blois
3rd Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
9th September 1917.
Plot II. B. 23.
Husband of Mrs. A. M. De Blois, of Wanganui.
350128 Company Serjeant Major
Joseph Dent
14th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
7th September 1918.
Plot III. A. 12
Joseph Dent
14th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
7th September 1918.
Plot III. A. 12
1800 Private
Kenneth George Douglas
17th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th September 1917, aged 22.
Plot V. D. 11.
Son of G. E. and Mary Douglas, of 9, Bridge St., Erskineville, New South Wales. Born at Murrurundi, New South Wales.
2284 Private, Leonard Royds gave the following details of Kenneth's death;
"Douglas was killed by a shell near Ypres (Anzac House). He was buried on the field, 20th September 1917,. Not in any cemetery. Death was instantaneous as his head and shoulders were blown off. Ground was held"
Three Douglas brothers (Below, left to right): 1800 Private Kenneth George Douglas of Erskineville, NSW; 848 Lance Corporal Alan Edward Douglas of Marrickville, NSW; 2879 Lance Sergeant Gordon Leslie Douglas of Woollahra, NSW. A motor mechanic prior to enlistment, Pte Kenneth Douglas enlisted under the name George Douglass and embarked with the 2nd Reinforcements of the 35th Battalion from Sydney on HMAT Port Sydney on 4th September 1916. After transferring to the 17th Battalion, he was killed in action on 20th September 1917 and was buried in the Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, Belgium. L Cpl Alan Douglas was employed as a printer prior to enlistment and embarked from Sydney with C Company, 20th Battalion on HMAT Berrima on 25th June 1915. On 30th July 1916 he was killed in action and was buried in the Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La- Boisselle, France. L Sgt Gordon Douglas, a labourer prior to enlistment embarked as a Private (Pte) with the 6th Reinforcements, 17th Battalion, from Sydney on HMAT Euripides on 2nd November 1915. Later promoted to Lance Sergeant, he was killed in action in France on 15th April 1917. He was buried near where he fell but after the Armistice his grave could not be located and he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
Kenneth George Douglas
17th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th September 1917, aged 22.
Plot V. D. 11.
Son of G. E. and Mary Douglas, of 9, Bridge St., Erskineville, New South Wales. Born at Murrurundi, New South Wales.
2284 Private, Leonard Royds gave the following details of Kenneth's death;
"Douglas was killed by a shell near Ypres (Anzac House). He was buried on the field, 20th September 1917,. Not in any cemetery. Death was instantaneous as his head and shoulders were blown off. Ground was held"
Three Douglas brothers (Below, left to right): 1800 Private Kenneth George Douglas of Erskineville, NSW; 848 Lance Corporal Alan Edward Douglas of Marrickville, NSW; 2879 Lance Sergeant Gordon Leslie Douglas of Woollahra, NSW. A motor mechanic prior to enlistment, Pte Kenneth Douglas enlisted under the name George Douglass and embarked with the 2nd Reinforcements of the 35th Battalion from Sydney on HMAT Port Sydney on 4th September 1916. After transferring to the 17th Battalion, he was killed in action on 20th September 1917 and was buried in the Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, Belgium. L Cpl Alan Douglas was employed as a printer prior to enlistment and embarked from Sydney with C Company, 20th Battalion on HMAT Berrima on 25th June 1915. On 30th July 1916 he was killed in action and was buried in the Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La- Boisselle, France. L Sgt Gordon Douglas, a labourer prior to enlistment embarked as a Private (Pte) with the 6th Reinforcements, 17th Battalion, from Sydney on HMAT Euripides on 2nd November 1915. Later promoted to Lance Sergeant, he was killed in action in France on 15th April 1917. He was buried near where he fell but after the Armistice his grave could not be located and he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
11918 Lance Corporal
John Dunning
6th Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
29th June 1915, aged 31.
Plot II. B. 7.
Son of John Henry and Jane Dunning, of Creech St. Michael, Somerset.
John Dunning
6th Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
29th June 1915, aged 31.
Plot II. B. 7.
Son of John Henry and Jane Dunning, of Creech St. Michael, Somerset.
