CALVAIRE CEMETERY
Montbrehain
Aisne
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 49.9693, Longitude: 3.34544
Location Information
Montbrehain is a village situated in the north-western sector of the Department of the Aisne, 10 kilometres south-west of Bohain on the D28.
The cemetery is found at the northern most point of the village, on high ground, near to the Civil Cemetery. It is first signposted near the centre of the village, on the D28, close to the church.
Historical Information
Montbrehain was taken on the 3rd October, 1918, by three battalions of the Sherwood Foresters of the 46th Division, but it could not be held a the time; it was finally captured by the 21st and 24th Australian Infantry Battalions two days later.
The cemetery contains the graves of 71 casualties of the First World War, 16 of which are unidentified.
Total Burials: 71.
Identified Casualties: Australia 41, United Kingdom 14. Total 55.
Unidentified Casualties: 16.
Calvaire Cemetery is named from a Crucifix standing near its South-West corner and was designed by W H Cowlishaw.
Montbrehain is a village situated in the north-western sector of the Department of the Aisne, 10 kilometres south-west of Bohain on the D28.
The cemetery is found at the northern most point of the village, on high ground, near to the Civil Cemetery. It is first signposted near the centre of the village, on the D28, close to the church.
Historical Information
Montbrehain was taken on the 3rd October, 1918, by three battalions of the Sherwood Foresters of the 46th Division, but it could not be held a the time; it was finally captured by the 21st and 24th Australian Infantry Battalions two days later.
The cemetery contains the graves of 71 casualties of the First World War, 16 of which are unidentified.
Total Burials: 71.
Identified Casualties: Australia 41, United Kingdom 14. Total 55.
Unidentified Casualties: 16.
Calvaire Cemetery is named from a Crucifix standing near its South-West corner and was designed by W H Cowlishaw.
6777A Private
Thomas Edwin Burrows
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th October 1918.
Row B. 20.
Studio portrait of 6777A Private (Pte) Thomas Edwin Burrows, 24th Battalion, of Llanelly, Vic. A railway guard prior to enlistment he embarked with the 20th Reinforcements on board HMAT Nestor (A71) on 21 November 1917. Pte Burrows served on the Western Front and died of wounds on 5 October 1918, he was 38 years of age.
Thomas Edwin Burrows
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th October 1918.
Row B. 20.
Studio portrait of 6777A Private (Pte) Thomas Edwin Burrows, 24th Battalion, of Llanelly, Vic. A railway guard prior to enlistment he embarked with the 20th Reinforcements on board HMAT Nestor (A71) on 21 November 1917. Pte Burrows served on the Western Front and died of wounds on 5 October 1918, he was 38 years of age.
3495 Sergeant
Reginald Sydney Davies, D. C. M.
17th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
3rd October 1918, aged 34.
Row B. 23.
Inscription "In Loving Memory Of My Dear Husband Peace Perfect Peace"
Medaille Militaire (France). Son of Richard C. and Lucy Davies, husband of Emma Davies, of 155, Enmore Rd., Enmore, New South Wales. Native of Sydney, New South Wales.
Reginald Sydney Davies, D. C. M.
17th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
3rd October 1918, aged 34.
Row B. 23.
Inscription "In Loving Memory Of My Dear Husband Peace Perfect Peace"
Medaille Militaire (France). Son of Richard C. and Lucy Davies, husband of Emma Davies, of 155, Enmore Rd., Enmore, New South Wales. Native of Sydney, New South Wales.
4400 Lance Corporal
James Michael Dempsey
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 22.
Row D. 11.
Inscription "Rest In Peace"
Son of Michael and Bridget Dempsey, of 7, Union St., Kew, Victoria, Australia.
James Michael Dempsey
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 22.
Row D. 11.
Inscription "Rest In Peace"
Son of Michael and Bridget Dempsey, of 7, Union St., Kew, Victoria, Australia.
Informal group portrait of three officers of the 24th Battalion.
Identified left to right: 1057 Captain (Capt) John Harry Fletcher, of Eaglehawk, Vic; Lieutenant (Lt) Joseph Lindley Scales, of Mitta Mitta, Vic; Capt John Austin Mahony (Mahoney), of Hansonville, Vic.
Capt Fletcher enlisted on 8 March 1915 as a Private and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Euripides with A Company, 24th Battalion, on 10 May 1915. He was commissioned as a captain on 1 March 1917. He was killed in action on 5 October 1918 in France and is buried in this cemetery. Row A. 11. Son of Robert Henry and Annie Fletcher, of Campbell St., Eaglehawk, Victoria, Australia. Native of Bendigo, Victoria.
Scales enlisted on 1 February 1915 and embarked with the service number 1738 and the rank of sergeant from Melbourne with the 2nd Reinforcements aboard HMAT Demosthenes on 16 July 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal (MM) on 11 May 1917. He was commissioned as a lieutenant on 17 April 1917 and awarded the Distinguished Service order (DSO) on 26 November 1917. He returned to Australia on 4 July 1919;
Mahony enlisted on 8 March 1915 as a private with the service number 1056 and embarked from Melbourne with A Company, aboard HMAT Euripides on 10 May 1915. He was commissioned as a lieutenant on 10 November 1915 with the Army Engineers and was awarded the Military Cross (MC) on 20 October 1916. He was promoted to captain on 23 May 1918 and died of wounds on 9 October 1918, in France.
Identified left to right: 1057 Captain (Capt) John Harry Fletcher, of Eaglehawk, Vic; Lieutenant (Lt) Joseph Lindley Scales, of Mitta Mitta, Vic; Capt John Austin Mahony (Mahoney), of Hansonville, Vic.
Capt Fletcher enlisted on 8 March 1915 as a Private and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Euripides with A Company, 24th Battalion, on 10 May 1915. He was commissioned as a captain on 1 March 1917. He was killed in action on 5 October 1918 in France and is buried in this cemetery. Row A. 11. Son of Robert Henry and Annie Fletcher, of Campbell St., Eaglehawk, Victoria, Australia. Native of Bendigo, Victoria.
Scales enlisted on 1 February 1915 and embarked with the service number 1738 and the rank of sergeant from Melbourne with the 2nd Reinforcements aboard HMAT Demosthenes on 16 July 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal (MM) on 11 May 1917. He was commissioned as a lieutenant on 17 April 1917 and awarded the Distinguished Service order (DSO) on 26 November 1917. He returned to Australia on 4 July 1919;
Mahony enlisted on 8 March 1915 as a private with the service number 1056 and embarked from Melbourne with A Company, aboard HMAT Euripides on 10 May 1915. He was commissioned as a lieutenant on 10 November 1915 with the Army Engineers and was awarded the Military Cross (MC) on 20 October 1916. He was promoted to captain on 23 May 1918 and died of wounds on 9 October 1918, in France.
967 Corporal
Norman Allan Grant
24th Bn. Australian Infantry. A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 24.
Row C. 2.
Inscription "Every Rising Sun Will Set But You Dear Allan We Will Never Forget"
Click on image to enlarge
Son of John Alexander Grant and Louisa Grant, of 26, Trilee St., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Studio portrait of 967 Private (Pte) Norman Allen Grant, 3rd Reinforcements, 13th Light Horse Regiment, of Wodonga, Vic. Pte Grant enlisted on 6 July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Kyarra on 20 August 1915. He later served as a corporal and was killed in action on 5 October 1918 at Montbrehain, France, while serving with the 24th Battalion.
Norman Allan Grant
24th Bn. Australian Infantry. A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 24.
Row C. 2.
Inscription "Every Rising Sun Will Set But You Dear Allan We Will Never Forget"
Click on image to enlarge
Son of John Alexander Grant and Louisa Grant, of 26, Trilee St., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Studio portrait of 967 Private (Pte) Norman Allen Grant, 3rd Reinforcements, 13th Light Horse Regiment, of Wodonga, Vic. Pte Grant enlisted on 6 July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Kyarra on 20 August 1915. He later served as a corporal and was killed in action on 5 October 1918 at Montbrehain, France, while serving with the 24th Battalion.
890 Private
Harold Federal Hardy
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 22.
Row A. 24.
Inscription "When The Last Trumpet Shall Sound Oh May I Then In Him Be Found"
Son of Robert and Isabella Ann Hardy, of 184, Moreland Rd., Brunswick, Victoria, Australia.
Studio portrait of 890 Private (Pte) Harold Federal Hardy, 24th Battalion. Pte Hardy, a clerk, of Brunswick, Vic, embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Euripides (A14) on 10 May 1915 and was the youngest of three brothers to enlist and serve in the first world war. He was killed in action, in Montbrehain, France on 5 October 1918, aged 22. His eldest brother, Pte Robert Edwin Hardy (P09701.001), died in France the previous year while the third brother, Pte Bruce Floyd Hardy (P09701.004), returned home wounded in 1917.
Harold Federal Hardy
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 22.
Row A. 24.
Inscription "When The Last Trumpet Shall Sound Oh May I Then In Him Be Found"
Son of Robert and Isabella Ann Hardy, of 184, Moreland Rd., Brunswick, Victoria, Australia.
Studio portrait of 890 Private (Pte) Harold Federal Hardy, 24th Battalion. Pte Hardy, a clerk, of Brunswick, Vic, embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Euripides (A14) on 10 May 1915 and was the youngest of three brothers to enlist and serve in the first world war. He was killed in action, in Montbrehain, France on 5 October 1918, aged 22. His eldest brother, Pte Robert Edwin Hardy (P09701.001), died in France the previous year while the third brother, Pte Bruce Floyd Hardy (P09701.004), returned home wounded in 1917.
6831A Private
Harold Maxmillian Hellier
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 24.
Row A. 7.
Inscription "Into Thy Hands I Commend His Spirit Lord Jesus Receive His Soul"
Son of Robert and Catherine Hellier, of 113, Eglington St., Kew, Victoria, Australia.
Harold Maxmillian Hellier
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 24.
Row A. 7.
Inscription "Into Thy Hands I Commend His Spirit Lord Jesus Receive His Soul"
Son of Robert and Catherine Hellier, of 113, Eglington St., Kew, Victoria, Australia.
5034 Private
Ernest Edward Holt
24th Bn. Australian Infantry. A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 21.
Row A. 12.
Inscription "Eldest Son Of Edward Holt Of Wangaratta His Country Called Him"
Click on image to enlarge
Son of Edward and Emmeline Mary Holt, of 22, St. Vincent St., Glenhuntly, Victoria, Australia. Native of Melbourne, Victoria.
Studio portrait of 5034 Private (Pte) Ernest Edward Holt, 24th Battalion from Wangaratta, Victoria. An 18 year old monumental mason with service in the Militia prior to enlisting in the AIF on 4 January 1916, he embarked for overseas with the 13th Reinforcements from Melbourne on 28 July 1916 aboard HMAT Themistocles (A32). Following further training in England, he proceeded to France in November but was taken ill and did not join the 24th Battalion until 12 February 1917. Pte Holt was killed in action at Montbrehain on 5 October 1918 and is buried in the Calvaire British Cemetery, France.
Ernest Edward Holt
24th Bn. Australian Infantry. A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 21.
Row A. 12.
Inscription "Eldest Son Of Edward Holt Of Wangaratta His Country Called Him"
Click on image to enlarge
Son of Edward and Emmeline Mary Holt, of 22, St. Vincent St., Glenhuntly, Victoria, Australia. Native of Melbourne, Victoria.
Studio portrait of 5034 Private (Pte) Ernest Edward Holt, 24th Battalion from Wangaratta, Victoria. An 18 year old monumental mason with service in the Militia prior to enlisting in the AIF on 4 January 1916, he embarked for overseas with the 13th Reinforcements from Melbourne on 28 July 1916 aboard HMAT Themistocles (A32). Following further training in England, he proceeded to France in November but was taken ill and did not join the 24th Battalion until 12 February 1917. Pte Holt was killed in action at Montbrehain on 5 October 1918 and is buried in the Calvaire British Cemetery, France.
1561 Lance Corporal
Sidney Edward McKinnon
2nd Australian Pioneers
5th October 1918, aged 30.
Row B. 11.
Son of Lauchlan and Margaret Ann S. McKinnon. Native of Yass, New South Wales.
Sidney Edward McKinnon
2nd Australian Pioneers
5th October 1918, aged 30.
Row B. 11.
Son of Lauchlan and Margaret Ann S. McKinnon. Native of Yass, New South Wales.
1807 Sergeant
Lindsay Stewart Ranson
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 21.
Row B. 9.
Son of Samuel Savage Ranson and Christina Ranson, of High St., Ararat, Victoria, Australia. Native of Horsham, Victoria.
Lindsay Stewart Ranson
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 21.
Row B. 9.
Son of Samuel Savage Ranson and Christina Ranson, of High St., Ararat, Victoria, Australia. Native of Horsham, Victoria.
3532 Sergeant
Eric Falconer Read, M. M.
2nd Bn. Australian Pioneers
5th October 1918, aged 25.
Row B. 10.
Croix de Guerre (France). Son of William and Mary H. Read. Native of MacKay, Queensland.
Eric Falconer Read, M. M.
2nd Bn. Australian Pioneers
5th October 1918, aged 25.
Row B. 10.
Croix de Guerre (France). Son of William and Mary H. Read. Native of MacKay, Queensland.
1782 Lance Corporal
Harold Chandos Reade
2nd Bn. Australian Pioneers
5th October 1918, aged 40.
Row B. 13.
Inscription "Loved Husband Of Irene & Father Of Margaret"
Son of George and Emily Reade j husband of Irene Reade, of 49, Chapel St., St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia.
Harold Chandos Reade
2nd Bn. Australian Pioneers
5th October 1918, aged 40.
Row B. 13.
Inscription "Loved Husband Of Irene & Father Of Margaret"
Son of George and Emily Reade j husband of Irene Reade, of 49, Chapel St., St. Kilda, Victoria, Australia.
2208 Corporal
James Dixon Rowlands
24th Bn. Australian Infantry. A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 23.
Row C. 1.
Inscription "Son Of Rev. L. J. Rowlands Of Australia" "Friend Of All,Enemy Of None"
Click on image to enlarge
Son of Lewis Jones Rowlands and Annie Rowlands, of 40, Disraeli St., Kew, Victoria, Australia. Native of Hawthorn Victoria.
Studio portrait of 2208 Corporal (Cpl) James Dixon Rowlands, 4th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion, of Kew, Vic. Cpl Rowlands enlisted on the 19 July 1915 and embarked aboard HMAT Hororata in Melbourne on 27 September 1915. He was wounded at Pozieres in 1916 and was later killed in action at Montbrehain, France, on 5 October 1918.
James Dixon Rowlands
24th Bn. Australian Infantry. A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 23.
Row C. 1.
Inscription "Son Of Rev. L. J. Rowlands Of Australia" "Friend Of All,Enemy Of None"
Click on image to enlarge
Son of Lewis Jones Rowlands and Annie Rowlands, of 40, Disraeli St., Kew, Victoria, Australia. Native of Hawthorn Victoria.
Studio portrait of 2208 Corporal (Cpl) James Dixon Rowlands, 4th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion, of Kew, Vic. Cpl Rowlands enlisted on the 19 July 1915 and embarked aboard HMAT Hororata in Melbourne on 27 September 1915. He was wounded at Pozieres in 1916 and was later killed in action at Montbrehain, France, on 5 October 1918.
6914A Private
William George Wheeler
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 25.
Row A. 20.
Click on image to enlarge
Son of George Thomas and Ada Helen Wheeler, of 39, Richards St., East Coburg, Victoria, Australia. Native of Wangaratta, Victoria.
Studio portrait of 6914A Private (Pte) William George Wheeler. A woodcutter from Euroa, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte Wheeler embarked with the 20th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion from Melbourne on HMAT Nestor on 21 November 1917. Later wounded in action he remained on duty and was subsequently gassed. Following his recovery he rejoined his battalion and on 5 October 1918, aged 25, he was killed in action and buried in the Calvaire British Cemetery, Picardie, France.
William George Wheeler
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th October 1918, aged 25.
Row A. 20.
Click on image to enlarge
Son of George Thomas and Ada Helen Wheeler, of 39, Richards St., East Coburg, Victoria, Australia. Native of Wangaratta, Victoria.
Studio portrait of 6914A Private (Pte) William George Wheeler. A woodcutter from Euroa, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte Wheeler embarked with the 20th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion from Melbourne on HMAT Nestor on 21 November 1917. Later wounded in action he remained on duty and was subsequently gassed. Following his recovery he rejoined his battalion and on 5 October 1918, aged 25, he was killed in action and buried in the Calvaire British Cemetery, Picardie, France.
An aerial view showing the Bellicourt Montbrebain area of Folemprise Farm, Estrees, Wiancourt, Ramicourt, Joncourt, Nauroy.
Contour map showing the German Hindenburg Line System. Australian 2nd Division fought the last infantry battle at Montbrehain 6 October 1918. This map, AW. No. 17, was drawn by 6449 Corporal Edgar Francis Halford, Australian War Records Section.
