CATERPILLAR VALLEY CEMETERY
Longueval
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.02619, Longitude: 2.792
Location Information
Longueval is a village approximately 13 kilometres east of Albert and 10 kilometres south of Bapaume.
Caterpillar Valley Cemetery lies a short distance west of Longueval on the south side of the road to Contalmaison.
Historical Information
Caterpillar Valley was the name given by the army to the long valley which rises eastwards, past "Caterpillar Wood", to the high ground at Guillemont.
The ground was captured, after very fierce fighting, in the latter part of July 1916. It was lost in the German advance of March 1918 and recovered by the 38th (Welsh) Division on 28 August 1918, when a little cemetery was made (now Plot 1 of this cemetery) containing 25 graves of the 38th Division and the 6th Dragoon Guards. After the Armistice, this cemetery was hugely increased when the graves of more than 5,500 officers and men were brought in from other small cemeteries, and the battlefields of the Somme. The great majority of these soldiers died in the autumn of 1916 and almost all the rest in August or September 1918.
Of the burial grounds from which Commonwealth graves were taken to Caterpillar Valley Cemetery:-
CLARK's DUMP CEMETERY, BAZENTIN, was a little West of High Wood, on the road from Bazentin-le-Petit to Flers. It contained the graves of 26 soldiers from the United Kingdom, and two from South Africa, who fell in August-December, 1916.
GINCHY GERMAN CEMETERY (500 metres North of the village, between the Flers and Lesboeufs roads), in which two unknown British soldiers were buried.
McCORMICK's POST CEMETERY, FLERS, nearly two kilometres West of Flers village. Here were buried 19 soldiers from the United Kingdom, nine from Australia and nine from New Zealand, who fell in September-November, 1916.
MARTINPUICH ROAD CEMETERY, BAZENTIN, contained the graves of 41 soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in July and August, 1916.
SNOWDON CEMETERY, BAZENTIN, in Bazentin-le-Grand village, contained the graves of 24 soldiers of the 38th (Welsh) Division who fell in August and September, 1918.
WELSH CEMETERY, LONGUEVAL, between Flers village and High Wood, in which were buried 17 soldiers of the 38th (Welsh) Division who fell in August and September, 1918.
CATERPILLAR VALLEY CEMETERY now contains 5,573 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 3,793 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 32 casualties known or believed to be buried among them, and to three buried in McCormick's Post Cemetery whose graves were destroyed by shell fire.
Total Burials: 5,573.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,588, New Zealand 125, Australia 55, South Africa 7. Total 1,775.
Unidentified Casualties: 3,798.
On the 6th November 2004, the remains of an unidentified New Zealand soldier were removed from this cemetery and entrusted to New Zealand at a ceremony held at the Longueval Memorial, France. The remains had been exhumed by staff of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission from Plot 14, Row A, Grave 27 and were later laid to rest within the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, at the National War Memorial, Wellington, New Zealand.
On the east side of the cemetery is the CATERPILLAR VALLEY (NEW ZEALAND) MEMORIAL, commemorating 1,205 officers and men of the New Zealand Division who died in the Battles of the Somme in 1916, and whose graves are not known.
Commemorated: New Zealand 1,205.
This is one of seven memorials in France and Belgium to those New Zealand soldiers who died on the Western Front and whose graves are not known. The memorials are all in cemeteries chosen as appropriate to the fighting in which the men died.
Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Herbert Baker and Arthur James Scott Hutton
Dedications
1815 Private Harry Perks, 6th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), 30th July 1916, aged 24. Born Craighall, Rattray Perthshire. Joined the Pitlochry Territorials in 1915.
Remembered with pride by great niece Julia Crighton
Two pairs of brothers are buried within Caterpillar Valley Cemetery
240487 Serjeant, John Sim, 5th Bn. Gordon Highlanders, died 30th July, 1916, aged 27. XI. H. 20.
3262, Lance Corporal, Thomas Sim, 1st/5th Bn Gordon Highlanders, died 27th July, 1916, aged 33. II. K.
Sons of John and Mary Ann Sim, of 67, College Bounds, Fraserburgh.
All pictures courtesy of Andrew Smith (Great Nephew)
3262, Lance Corporal, Thomas Sim, 1st/5th Bn Gordon Highlanders, died 27th July, 1916, aged 33. II. K.
Sons of John and Mary Ann Sim, of 67, College Bounds, Fraserburgh.
All pictures courtesy of Andrew Smith (Great Nephew)
Second Lieutenant Harold John Macbeth, 17th Bn. London Regiment (Stepney and Poplar Rifles), died 15th September 1916, aged 26. Plot XII. H. 17.
Lieutenant Stanley Macbeth, 1st/18th Bn. London Regiment (London Irish Rifles), died 15th September 1916, aged 36. Plot XII. H. 19.
Sons of John and Annie Macbeth, of 117, Drakefield Rd., Tooting Common, London.
Remembered by Ruth Miller (Great Niece)
Lieutenant Stanley Macbeth, 1st/18th Bn. London Regiment (London Irish Rifles), died 15th September 1916, aged 36. Plot XII. H. 19.
Sons of John and Annie Macbeth, of 117, Drakefield Rd., Tooting Common, London.
Remembered by Ruth Miller (Great Niece)
58385 Private
Allen Baldwin
16th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
27th August 1918, aged 19.
Plot XIV. A. 40.
Son of Allen H. and Louisa Baldwin, of 16, Colne Rd., Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription "Grant Him Eternal Rest O Lord Let Light Perpetual Shine Upon Him"
Allen Baldwin
16th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
27th August 1918, aged 19.
Plot XIV. A. 40.
Son of Allen H. and Louisa Baldwin, of 16, Colne Rd., Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription "Grant Him Eternal Rest O Lord Let Light Perpetual Shine Upon Him"
11801 Private
Robert Avon Beattie
2nd Bn. Wellington Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
14th September 1916, aged 27.
Plot IV. F. 5.
Eldest son of Robert and Emma Elizabeth Beattie, of Waimamuku, Hokianga, New Zealand.
Robert Avon Beattie
2nd Bn. Wellington Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
14th September 1916, aged 27.
Plot IV. F. 5.
Eldest son of Robert and Emma Elizabeth Beattie, of Waimamuku, Hokianga, New Zealand.
3019 Private
Charles Bostock
47th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th December 1916, aged 36.
Plot VI. H. 12.
Son of Charles Bostock, Staffordshire, England.
From Lismore, NSW, . A farmer prior to enlisting, he embarked from Brisbane aboard HMAT Itonus (A50) on 30 December 1915. He was killed in action on 4 December 1916, in France, aged 36. He had previous service in the Boer War with the British Army.
Charles Bostock
47th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th December 1916, aged 36.
Plot VI. H. 12.
Son of Charles Bostock, Staffordshire, England.
From Lismore, NSW, . A farmer prior to enlisting, he embarked from Brisbane aboard HMAT Itonus (A50) on 30 December 1915. He was killed in action on 4 December 1916, in France, aged 36. He had previous service in the Boer War with the British Army.
Second Lieutenant
Frederick Howard Stewart Caiger
92nd Battery, 17th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
11th November 1916, aged 19.
Plot VII. H. 11.
Son of Frederick Foord Caiger, M.D., and Madeline Caiger, of South Western Hospital, Stockwell, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "Rather He Cast A Light On Death On Him Could Cast A Gloom"
Frederick Howard Stewart Caiger
92nd Battery, 17th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
11th November 1916, aged 19.
Plot VII. H. 11.
Son of Frederick Foord Caiger, M.D., and Madeline Caiger, of South Western Hospital, Stockwell, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "Rather He Cast A Light On Death On Him Could Cast A Gloom"
Major
Adrian Deighton Cooban
16th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
16th July 1916, aged 34.
Plot V. G. 32.
Son of the late James Cooban and Mrs. Cooban, of Liverpool.
His headstone bears the inscription "Fight The Good Fight"
Adrian Deighton Cooban
16th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
16th July 1916, aged 34.
Plot V. G. 32.
Son of the late James Cooban and Mrs. Cooban, of Liverpool.
His headstone bears the inscription "Fight The Good Fight"
Lieutenant Colonel
William Drysdale, D. S. O.
2nd Bn. Royal Scots, Commanding 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
29th September 1916, aged 39.
Plot VI. E. 11.
Son of William Drysdale, of Kilrie, Fife; husband of Mary Louisa Muir Mackenzie Drysdale, of Pitteadie, Kirkcaldy.
His headstone bears the inscription "Sans Peur Et Sans Reproche Greater Love Hath No Man Than This"
William Drysdale, D. S. O.
2nd Bn. Royal Scots, Commanding 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment
29th September 1916, aged 39.
Plot VI. E. 11.
Son of William Drysdale, of Kilrie, Fife; husband of Mary Louisa Muir Mackenzie Drysdale, of Pitteadie, Kirkcaldy.
His headstone bears the inscription "Sans Peur Et Sans Reproche Greater Love Hath No Man Than This"
2139 Private
Cyril Francis Ede
27th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th November 1916, aged 19.
Plot XXIV. D. 9.
Son of John Joseph and Caroline Ann Ede, of Gray Terrace, Rosewater, South Australia. Born at Port Adelaide.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dearly Loved Son Of Caroline Ann And John Joseph Ede"
A carpenter from Rosewater SA prior to enlistment, Pte Ede embarked with the 3rd Reinforcements from Adelaide on RMS Morea on 23 August 1915. On 5 November 1916, aged 19, he was killed in action.
3920 Private, F. C. Vogan witnessed Cyril's death, he wrote:
"He was very popular with us all. He was killed in the attack on Flers on November 5th. It had been raining hard and the ground was very bad. As soon as we mounted the parapet we were met by heavy machine gun fire and several who were beside me fell, so that I never expected to escape. Cyril Ede was close to me and as soon as he mounted our parapet he was hit on the forehead by a machine gun bullet which split his skull across and killed him instantly. He fell forward over the parapet. The attack did not succeed and we had to come back."
Cyril Francis Ede
27th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
5th November 1916, aged 19.
Plot XXIV. D. 9.
Son of John Joseph and Caroline Ann Ede, of Gray Terrace, Rosewater, South Australia. Born at Port Adelaide.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dearly Loved Son Of Caroline Ann And John Joseph Ede"
A carpenter from Rosewater SA prior to enlistment, Pte Ede embarked with the 3rd Reinforcements from Adelaide on RMS Morea on 23 August 1915. On 5 November 1916, aged 19, he was killed in action.
3920 Private, F. C. Vogan witnessed Cyril's death, he wrote:
"He was very popular with us all. He was killed in the attack on Flers on November 5th. It had been raining hard and the ground was very bad. As soon as we mounted the parapet we were met by heavy machine gun fire and several who were beside me fell, so that I never expected to escape. Cyril Ede was close to me and as soon as he mounted our parapet he was hit on the forehead by a machine gun bullet which split his skull across and killed him instantly. He fell forward over the parapet. The attack did not succeed and we had to come back."
11909 Private
William Foster
4th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
18th August 1916, aged 39.
Plot X. D. 12.
Son of Peter and Bessie Foster, of Lymm, Cheshire; husband of Annie Foster, of 12, Aughton Rd., Orrell, Bootle, Liverpool.
His headstone bears the inscription "Blessed Are The Dead In Jesu's Arms Who Rest"
William Foster
4th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
18th August 1916, aged 39.
Plot X. D. 12.
Son of Peter and Bessie Foster, of Lymm, Cheshire; husband of Annie Foster, of 12, Aughton Rd., Orrell, Bootle, Liverpool.
His headstone bears the inscription "Blessed Are The Dead In Jesu's Arms Who Rest"
Second Lieutenant
Harold Sutcliffe Greenwood
14th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
27th July 1916, aged 20.
Plot XIII. A. 2.
Son of William Henry and Anna Eliza Greenwood, of "Fernside," The Gardens, Clevedon, Somerset.
His headstone bears the inscription "To Us The Loss, The Pain But Unto Him Eternal Gain, Au Revoir"
Harold Sutcliffe Greenwood
14th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
27th July 1916, aged 20.
Plot XIII. A. 2.
Son of William Henry and Anna Eliza Greenwood, of "Fernside," The Gardens, Clevedon, Somerset.
His headstone bears the inscription "To Us The Loss, The Pain But Unto Him Eternal Gain, Au Revoir"
4797 Private
Arthur Gimour Harvie
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
19th November 1916, aged 29.
Plot II. B. 5.
Son of James and Elizabeth Jane Harvie. Born in South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Ever Remembered For A Duty So Nobly Done But Sadly Missed"
A bank clerk from Rose Park, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 15th Reinforcements from Adelaide on 20 November 1915 for Suez. In mid-May he was transferred to the 50th Battalion which relocated to the Western Front, France, in June 1916. Pte Harvie was initially reported as wounded in action near Bapaume on 19 November 1916 and was subsequently confirmed as killed in action on that day.
Captain R. G. Baines of the 50th Battalion witnessed Arthur Harvie's death, he wrote:
"I saw Harvie killed in Gird trench on the Somme, in front of Flers, by the explosion of a shell. He had a shocking wound in the back, quite a foot long. He was evacuated on a stretcher and died before we got to the Regimental Aid Post."
Arthur Gimour Harvie
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
19th November 1916, aged 29.
Plot II. B. 5.
Son of James and Elizabeth Jane Harvie. Born in South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Ever Remembered For A Duty So Nobly Done But Sadly Missed"
A bank clerk from Rose Park, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 15th Reinforcements from Adelaide on 20 November 1915 for Suez. In mid-May he was transferred to the 50th Battalion which relocated to the Western Front, France, in June 1916. Pte Harvie was initially reported as wounded in action near Bapaume on 19 November 1916 and was subsequently confirmed as killed in action on that day.
Captain R. G. Baines of the 50th Battalion witnessed Arthur Harvie's death, he wrote:
"I saw Harvie killed in Gird trench on the Somme, in front of Flers, by the explosion of a shell. He had a shocking wound in the back, quite a foot long. He was evacuated on a stretcher and died before we got to the Regimental Aid Post."
2324 Rifleman
Henry Hudson
2nd Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps.
8th September 1916, aged 37.
Plot II. G. 9.
Son of Abel Hudson; husband of Jane Hudson, of 21, Southgate St., Winchester. Served in the South African Campaign. Born at Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription "R. I. P."
Henry Hudson
2nd Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps.
8th September 1916, aged 37.
Plot II. G. 9.
Son of Abel Hudson; husband of Jane Hudson, of 21, Southgate St., Winchester. Served in the South African Campaign. Born at Burnley.
His headstone bears the inscription "R. I. P."
77621 Private
John Hunt
16th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
26th August 1918, aged 21.
Plot VII. E. 20.
Son of Mrs Hunt, 6 Cornwall Terrace, Burnley. Worked as a Weaver at the Hollingreave Manufacturing Co. Burnley.
John Hunt
16th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
26th August 1918, aged 21.
Plot VII. E. 20.
Son of Mrs Hunt, 6 Cornwall Terrace, Burnley. Worked as a Weaver at the Hollingreave Manufacturing Co. Burnley.
15908 Private
Sydney Jackson
7th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
22th July 1916.
Plot V. D. 39.
Picture courtesy of granddaughter Kathleen Loudon
Sydney Jackson
7th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
22th July 1916.
Plot V. D. 39.
Picture courtesy of granddaughter Kathleen Loudon
Second Lieutenant
Arthur William King
17th Bn. London Regiment
15th September 1916, aged 23.
Plot VI. G. 32.
Son of Isaac and Louisa M. King, of 14, Forest Drive West, Leytonstone, London. Enlisted 1914.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Bravely Did His Duty"
Picture courtesy of Russell Gore
Arthur William King
17th Bn. London Regiment
15th September 1916, aged 23.
Plot VI. G. 32.
Son of Isaac and Louisa M. King, of 14, Forest Drive West, Leytonstone, London. Enlisted 1914.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Bravely Did His Duty"
Picture courtesy of Russell Gore
20/188 Private
E. K. Leigh
16th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) attached to 9th Bn. Cheshire Regiment
28th July 1916, aged 24.
Plot XV. A. 3.
Son of John and Betsy Kirkham Leigh, of 8, Ashgrove Terrace, Barnoldswick, Yorks.
E. K. Leigh
16th Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) attached to 9th Bn. Cheshire Regiment
28th July 1916, aged 24.
Plot XV. A. 3.
Son of John and Betsy Kirkham Leigh, of 8, Ashgrove Terrace, Barnoldswick, Yorks.
Captain
Hugh Spenser Mathews
14th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
22nd July 1916, aged 32.
Plot X. D. 26.
Son of George Spencer Mathews and Annette Mary Mathews, of 32, Augustus Rd., Edgbaston, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Memory Of The Just Is Blessed"
Hugh Spenser Mathews
14th Bn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment
22nd July 1916, aged 32.
Plot X. D. 26.
Son of George Spencer Mathews and Annette Mary Mathews, of 32, Augustus Rd., Edgbaston, Birmingham.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Memory Of The Just Is Blessed"
Second Lieutenant
Eric Norton
1st/4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
18th August 1916, aged 23.
Plot IX. E. 34.
Son of Walter and Sarah Ann Norton, of 71, Guildhall St., Bury St. Edmunds.
Eric Norton
1st/4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
18th August 1916, aged 23.
Plot IX. E. 34.
Son of Walter and Sarah Ann Norton, of 71, Guildhall St., Bury St. Edmunds.
S/6349 Private
William J. Oliphant
2nd Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
18th August 1916, aged 38.
Plot XII. G. 36.
Son of the late William John Oliphant; husband of Jessie Oliphant, of 189, Hunters St., Glasgow. Born at Aberdeen.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Gave His Life That We Might Be Free"
William J. Oliphant
2nd Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
18th August 1916, aged 38.
Plot XII. G. 36.
Son of the late William John Oliphant; husband of Jessie Oliphant, of 189, Hunters St., Glasgow. Born at Aberdeen.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Gave His Life That We Might Be Free"
Lieutenant
Robert Denzil Paterson
20th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
12th October 1916, aged 23.
McCormick's Post Mem. 4.
Son of Mrs. F. Noble, of Oxenford, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, Cheshire.
Robert Denzil Paterson
20th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
12th October 1916, aged 23.
McCormick's Post Mem. 4.
Son of Mrs. F. Noble, of Oxenford, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, Cheshire.
4752 Private
Aubrey Ernest Peacock
20th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th November 1916, aged 20.
Plot II. B. 8.
Son of Jonathan and Mary R. Peacock, of Austral St., Long Bay, New South Wales. Born at Perthville, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died As He Lived, Nobly"
From Parramatta, he was a clerk prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard the HMAT Ceramic (A40) on 13 April 1916. He was killed in action on 10 November 1916 near Gueudecourt, France, aged 20.
Aubrey Ernest Peacock
20th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
10th November 1916, aged 20.
Plot II. B. 8.
Son of Jonathan and Mary R. Peacock, of Austral St., Long Bay, New South Wales. Born at Perthville, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "He Died As He Lived, Nobly"
From Parramatta, he was a clerk prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard the HMAT Ceramic (A40) on 13 April 1916. He was killed in action on 10 November 1916 near Gueudecourt, France, aged 20.
Captain
John Andrew Ritson
7th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
23rd July 1916, aged 23.
Plot VI. F. 21.
Son of Robert and Mary Ritson, of Blandford House, Hamilton Rd., Reading.
His headstone bears the inscription "We Thank God For Every Remembrance Of You"
John Andrew Ritson
7th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
23rd July 1916, aged 23.
Plot VI. F. 21.
Son of Robert and Mary Ritson, of Blandford House, Hamilton Rd., Reading.
His headstone bears the inscription "We Thank God For Every Remembrance Of You"
C/12162 Rifleman
Charles Frederick William Thompson
21st Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
17th September 1916, aged 21.
Plot XXI. E. 5.
Son of George and Rose Ada Thompson, of Long St., Easingwold, York.
His headstone bears the inscription "An Endearing Life Cut Short He Nobly Lived And Died"
Charles Frederick William Thompson
21st Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
17th September 1916, aged 21.
Plot XXI. E. 5.
Son of George and Rose Ada Thompson, of Long St., Easingwold, York.
His headstone bears the inscription "An Endearing Life Cut Short He Nobly Lived And Died"
Second Lieutenant
Edward Hunter Thurtell Woods
4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
15th July 1916, aged 21.
Special Memorial 4.
Son of William Hunter Woods and Rosa M. Woods, of "Ellingham," Hatfield Rd., Ipswich. Joined up in 1914. His brother Harold Wallace Woods also fell and is buried in Cojeul British Cemetery.
His headstone bears the inscription "Jesu Mercy The Elder Dearly-Loved Son Of Mr. & Mrs. Hunter Woods, Ipswich"
J
Edward Hunter Thurtell Woods
4th Bn. Suffolk Regiment
15th July 1916, aged 21.
Special Memorial 4.
Son of William Hunter Woods and Rosa M. Woods, of "Ellingham," Hatfield Rd., Ipswich. Joined up in 1914. His brother Harold Wallace Woods also fell and is buried in Cojeul British Cemetery.
His headstone bears the inscription "Jesu Mercy The Elder Dearly-Loved Son Of Mr. & Mrs. Hunter Woods, Ipswich"
J