DAOURS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Somme
France
Location Information
Daours is a village in the Department of the Somme, about 10 kilometres east of Amiens and is north-west of Villers-Bretonneux.
Go through the village of Corbie on the D1 in the direction of Fouilloy-Amiens (A1 Paris) and then enter and travel through the village of Fouilloy on the D1 in the direction of Daours-Amiens (A16). Enter Daours and at the traffic lights turn right in the direction of Pont-Noyelle on the D115 - where the first CWGC signpost will be seen. Carry on for 0.4 kilometres and Daours Communal Cemetery is on the left hand side of the road. The Extension is on the south side of the Communal Cemetery.
Visiting Information
Please note that details of the war burials in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension are contained in the Register in Daours Communal Cemetery.
Wheelchair access to site possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
The preparations for the Somme offensive of July 1916 brought a group of casualty clearing stations (the 1st/1st South Midland, 21st, 34th, 45th and Lucknow, section "B") to Daours. The extension to the communal cemetery was opened and the first burials made in Plots I, II, Row A of Plot III and the Indian plot, between June and November 1916.
The Allied advance in the spring of 1917 took the hospitals with it, and no further burials were made in the cemetery until April 1918, when the Germans recovered the ground they had lost. From April to the middle of August 1918, the extension was almost a front line cemetery. In August and September 1918, the casualty clearing stations came forward again (the 5th, 37th, 41st, 53rd, 55th and 61st) but in September, the cemetery was closed.
There are now 1,231 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension. The total includes special memorials to four men of the Chinese labour corps whose graves in White Chateau Cemetery, Cachy, could not be located. The adjoining communal cemetery contains two First World War burials made before the extension was opened.
Casualty Details: UK 760, Canada 2, Australia 459, New Zealand 1, South Africa 1, India 1, Total Burials: 1231
The extension was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens
Daours is a village in the Department of the Somme, about 10 kilometres east of Amiens and is north-west of Villers-Bretonneux.
Go through the village of Corbie on the D1 in the direction of Fouilloy-Amiens (A1 Paris) and then enter and travel through the village of Fouilloy on the D1 in the direction of Daours-Amiens (A16). Enter Daours and at the traffic lights turn right in the direction of Pont-Noyelle on the D115 - where the first CWGC signpost will be seen. Carry on for 0.4 kilometres and Daours Communal Cemetery is on the left hand side of the road. The Extension is on the south side of the Communal Cemetery.
Visiting Information
Please note that details of the war burials in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension are contained in the Register in Daours Communal Cemetery.
Wheelchair access to site possible, but may be by alternative entrance.
Historical Information
The preparations for the Somme offensive of July 1916 brought a group of casualty clearing stations (the 1st/1st South Midland, 21st, 34th, 45th and Lucknow, section "B") to Daours. The extension to the communal cemetery was opened and the first burials made in Plots I, II, Row A of Plot III and the Indian plot, between June and November 1916.
The Allied advance in the spring of 1917 took the hospitals with it, and no further burials were made in the cemetery until April 1918, when the Germans recovered the ground they had lost. From April to the middle of August 1918, the extension was almost a front line cemetery. In August and September 1918, the casualty clearing stations came forward again (the 5th, 37th, 41st, 53rd, 55th and 61st) but in September, the cemetery was closed.
There are now 1,231 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension. The total includes special memorials to four men of the Chinese labour corps whose graves in White Chateau Cemetery, Cachy, could not be located. The adjoining communal cemetery contains two First World War burials made before the extension was opened.
Casualty Details: UK 760, Canada 2, Australia 459, New Zealand 1, South Africa 1, India 1, Total Burials: 1231
The extension was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens
3346 Private
James Carson Alcorn
55th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
22nd August 1918, aged 26.
Plot V. C. 7.
Son of James and Isabella Grant Alcorn, of East Kangaloon, New South Wales.
Picture courtesy of nephew Leslie James Alcorn
James Carson Alcorn
55th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
22nd August 1918, aged 26.
Plot V. C. 7.
Son of James and Isabella Grant Alcorn, of East Kangaloon, New South Wales.
Picture courtesy of nephew Leslie James Alcorn
G/92810 Private
John Allen Cannon
2nd/2nd Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
Killed in Action on 27th August 1918, aged 36.
Plot VII. B. 17.
John Allen Cannon was born in Somerset on 3rd August 1882, the son of James and Ann Cannon. The pictures below shows his headstone at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension on the Somme and John with his family in 1917. His wife was expecting their 6th child John but sadly he never knew his father.
Remembered his his Great Nephew Brian Philip Cannon from Great Bourton in Oxfordshire
Click on images below to enlarge
John Allen Cannon
2nd/2nd Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
Killed in Action on 27th August 1918, aged 36.
Plot VII. B. 17.
John Allen Cannon was born in Somerset on 3rd August 1882, the son of James and Ann Cannon. The pictures below shows his headstone at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension on the Somme and John with his family in 1917. His wife was expecting their 6th child John but sadly he never knew his father.
Remembered his his Great Nephew Brian Philip Cannon from Great Bourton in Oxfordshire
Click on images below to enlarge
42850 Sapper
Cecil Cheeseman
82nd Company, Royal Engineers
1st August 1916, aged 29.
Plot III. A. 2.
Son of George and Mary Cheeseman, of Dogberry Hill, Minterne Magna, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester.
Cecil Cheeseman
82nd Company, Royal Engineers
1st August 1916, aged 29.
Plot III. A. 2.
Son of George and Mary Cheeseman, of Dogberry Hill, Minterne Magna, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester.
149A Private
Walter Lawrence Chibnall
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th August 1918, aged 23.
Plot V. B. 7.
Son of Sarah A. Chibnall, of 11, James St., Ballarat East, Victoria, Australia, and the late John T. Chibnall.
His parents added the following to his headstone:
"His country called, he answered. Fondest remembrance of our darling."
From Ballarat, Vic. Pte Chibnall enlisted on 18 January 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Euripides on 8 May 1915. He died of wounds on 20 August 1918 in Daours, France.
Walter Lawrence Chibnall
24th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th August 1918, aged 23.
Plot V. B. 7.
Son of Sarah A. Chibnall, of 11, James St., Ballarat East, Victoria, Australia, and the late John T. Chibnall.
His parents added the following to his headstone:
"His country called, he answered. Fondest remembrance of our darling."
From Ballarat, Vic. Pte Chibnall enlisted on 18 January 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Euripides on 8 May 1915. He died of wounds on 20 August 1918 in Daours, France.
7458 Private
Frederick Clarke
4th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
23rd August 1918, aged 22.
Plot VI. C. 30.
Son of William and Eliza Clarke, of Bergalia, Moruya, New South Wales.
A mechanic of Moruya, NSW, he enlisted on 10 July 1917 and sailed with the 25th Reinforcements aboard HMAT Euriptides on 31 October 1917. He died of wounds, aged 22.
Frederick Clarke
4th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
23rd August 1918, aged 22.
Plot VI. C. 30.
Son of William and Eliza Clarke, of Bergalia, Moruya, New South Wales.
A mechanic of Moruya, NSW, he enlisted on 10 July 1917 and sailed with the 25th Reinforcements aboard HMAT Euriptides on 31 October 1917. He died of wounds, aged 22.
4089 Private
John (Jack) Coleman
10th Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps
23rd August 1918, aged 45.
Plot V. A. 30.
Son of George and Ann Coleman, of Oxley, Victoria; husband of B. C. Coleman, of Sandstone, Western Australia.
John Coleman enlisted in the A. I. F. in Western Australia, January 1916. He was 43 years old. He was married to my great aunt, Barbara Cowley and had one daughter, Ella
Picture courtesy of Dawn Hartney
John (Jack) Coleman
10th Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps
23rd August 1918, aged 45.
Plot V. A. 30.
Son of George and Ann Coleman, of Oxley, Victoria; husband of B. C. Coleman, of Sandstone, Western Australia.
John Coleman enlisted in the A. I. F. in Western Australia, January 1916. He was 43 years old. He was married to my great aunt, Barbara Cowley and had one daughter, Ella
Picture courtesy of Dawn Hartney
1383 Private
Francis George Dando
13th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th August 1918, aged 29.
Plot V. B. 14.
Son of Thomas Henry and Sarah Jane Dando, of Abermain, New South Wales. Native of Adamstown, Newcastle, New South Wales.
Francis George Dando
13th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th August 1918, aged 29.
Plot V. B. 14.
Son of Thomas Henry and Sarah Jane Dando, of Abermain, New South Wales. Native of Adamstown, Newcastle, New South Wales.
5016 Private
Frank Farquharson 33rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F. 31st August 1918, aged 19. Plot VIII. B. 53. Son of Percy Gower Cresswell Farquharson and Emma Farquharson, of Thompson St., Kiama, New South Wales. His parents added the following to his headstone; "A brave young life that promised well. At the will of God a hero fell." A draper from Kiama, NSW prior to enlistment, Pte Farquharson embarked with the 14th Reinforcements, 30th Battalion from Sydney on HMAT Marathon on 10 May 1917. Later transferring to the 33rd Battalion, on 31 August 1918 he died of wounds received in action, aged 19. His brother 1689 Sergeant (Sgt) Walter Farquharson had previously been killed in action at Bullecourt, France and is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. |
Image of Percy and Emma Farquharson, the parents of Frank Farquharson. This image was carried by Frank during his service and returned to his parents with the rest of his effects after his death.
Original grave marker of frank Farquharson at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension.
Frank was admitted to No.53 Casualty Clearing Station on 31st August 1918 with a Gun Shot wound to the abdomen, he died of the wound at 10:45pm on the same day. |
The house in Thomson Street, Kiama, New South Wales. Home to Frank and Walter Farquharson their brother Douglas and sisters Ella and Hilda and parents Percy and Emma.
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20th June 1915; The Farquharson family left behind at home; Back (l-r) Emma and Percy and front (l-r) Ella, Douglas and Hilda.
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4480 Private
Richard Forrest
58th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
26th April 1918, aged 24.
Plot III. B. 9.
Son of William S. and Mary Ann Forrest, of 52, Bay View Rd., Seddon, Victoria, Australia. Native of Longwood, Victoria.
Pte. Richard Forrest, 4480, enlisted from Longwood, Victoria, Australia 15 July 1915 in the 58th Battalion.
His record states: 29th April 1916 - Septic Leg, 21st July 1916 - Wounded in Action, 8th September 1916 - Wounded in Action, 16th December 1916 - Trench Feet, 26th April 1918 - Killed In Action, aged 24, by a shell while in a safety zone.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Paul Looby
Richard Forrest
58th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
26th April 1918, aged 24.
Plot III. B. 9.
Son of William S. and Mary Ann Forrest, of 52, Bay View Rd., Seddon, Victoria, Australia. Native of Longwood, Victoria.
Pte. Richard Forrest, 4480, enlisted from Longwood, Victoria, Australia 15 July 1915 in the 58th Battalion.
His record states: 29th April 1916 - Septic Leg, 21st July 1916 - Wounded in Action, 8th September 1916 - Wounded in Action, 16th December 1916 - Trench Feet, 26th April 1918 - Killed In Action, aged 24, by a shell while in a safety zone.
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Paul Looby
Second Lieutenant
Benjamin Haizelden
2nd/10th Bn. London Regiment
30th August 1918, aged 19.
Plot VII. A. 47.
Son of John and Elizabeth Haizelden, of 35, Abbey Rd., Croydon, Surrey.
Benjamin Haizelden
2nd/10th Bn. London Regiment
30th August 1918, aged 19.
Plot VII. A. 47.
Son of John and Elizabeth Haizelden, of 35, Abbey Rd., Croydon, Surrey.
6514 Lance Corporal
Hugh Hamilton
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th August 1918, aged 30.
Plot IV. B. 10.
Son of Hugh & Mary Jane Hamilton, North Pine, Queensland, Australia. Died from gunshot wounds received in action to both legs and thigh.
Picture courtesy of great niece, Michelle Hay
Hugh Hamilton
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th August 1918, aged 30.
Plot IV. B. 10.
Son of Hugh & Mary Jane Hamilton, North Pine, Queensland, Australia. Died from gunshot wounds received in action to both legs and thigh.
Picture courtesy of great niece, Michelle Hay
7244 Private
Charles Lindsay Hazeldine
21st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
2nd September 1918, aged 20.
Plot IV. D. 12.
Son of J. J. and M. E. Hazeldine, of Queen St., Colac, Victoria, Australia.
Charles Lindsay Hazeldine
21st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
2nd September 1918, aged 20.
Plot IV. D. 12.
Son of J. J. and M. E. Hazeldine, of Queen St., Colac, Victoria, Australia.
Group portrait of the staff of the 5th Divisional Baths, at the entrance at Daours. Back row, left to right: W. J. Brown, 30th Battalion; Private (Pte) J. P. McMahon, 56th Battalion. Middle row: Pte L. T. Quinlan, 30th Battalion; Sapper (Spr) T. B. Mills, 8th Field Company, Australian Engineers; 4490 Pte James Albert Armitt, 30th Battalion; Pte B. Riley, 58th Battalion; 1772 Pte William Stephenson, 59th Battalion; Pte F. L. Murphy, 59th Battalion; Pte E. I. Quinlan, 59th Battalion; Private (Pte) Roberts, 30th Battalion. Front row (sitting): Spr H. Brotherton, 8th Field Company, Australian Engineers; Sergeant John Richard Birthisel MM, 57th Battalion; Lieutenant D. G. Toohey MC, 59th Battalion; Lance Corporal H. E. Browning, 60th Battalion; Pte A. F. James, 30th Battalion.
792 Private
William Allan Irwin, D. C. M.
33rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st September 1918
Plot VIII. B. 32.
Son of William Allan and Eliza Irwin, of Coonabarabran; brother of Mr. H. Grose, of East Moree, New South Wales.
Pte William Allan IRWIN [ DCM ]
(Australian Aboriginal Soldier)
(1878 – 1918)
"C" Coy, 33rd Battalion, 9th Brigade, 3rd Division AIF0
Wounded 31 August 1918, Road Wood, near Bouchavesnes, France.
Enlisted Narrabri on 3 Jan 1916. Embarked on the Marathon for England on 4 May 1916.
Wounded at Messines on 16 June 1917.
Wounded at Villers-Bretonneux on 6 April 1918.
Wounded during the assault at Road Wood, Mont St Quentin, Hindenburg line on 31 August 1918.
Died of Wounds on 1 September 1918.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations at Road Wood on August 31st 1918. Single-handed, and in the face of extremely heavy fire, Private Irwin rushed Three separate Machine-gun posts and captured the three guns and crews. It was while on the point of rushing a Fourth Machine-gun that he was severely wounded.
On his irresistible dash and magnificent gallantry, this man materially assisted our advance through this strongly held and defended Wood, and by his daring actions he greatly inspired the whole of his Company.
(London Gazette: 10th January 1920. & Australian Gazette: 15th April 1920.)
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Adrian Altona
William Allan Irwin, D. C. M.
33rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st September 1918
Plot VIII. B. 32.
Son of William Allan and Eliza Irwin, of Coonabarabran; brother of Mr. H. Grose, of East Moree, New South Wales.
Pte William Allan IRWIN [ DCM ]
(Australian Aboriginal Soldier)
(1878 – 1918)
"C" Coy, 33rd Battalion, 9th Brigade, 3rd Division AIF0
Wounded 31 August 1918, Road Wood, near Bouchavesnes, France.
Enlisted Narrabri on 3 Jan 1916. Embarked on the Marathon for England on 4 May 1916.
Wounded at Messines on 16 June 1917.
Wounded at Villers-Bretonneux on 6 April 1918.
Wounded during the assault at Road Wood, Mont St Quentin, Hindenburg line on 31 August 1918.
Died of Wounds on 1 September 1918.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the operations at Road Wood on August 31st 1918. Single-handed, and in the face of extremely heavy fire, Private Irwin rushed Three separate Machine-gun posts and captured the three guns and crews. It was while on the point of rushing a Fourth Machine-gun that he was severely wounded.
On his irresistible dash and magnificent gallantry, this man materially assisted our advance through this strongly held and defended Wood, and by his daring actions he greatly inspired the whole of his Company.
(London Gazette: 10th January 1920. & Australian Gazette: 15th April 1920.)
Picture courtesy of great nephew, Adrian Altona
3850A Private
Henry Edward Judd
13th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
8th August 1918, aged 35.
Plot III. E. 7.
Son of Henry Braidwood Judd and Margaret Judd, of Yarragong, Forbes, New South Wales.
1st Pioneer Battalion, of Yarragong, near Forbes, NSW. A railway porter before enlisting in December 1916, Pte Judd left Australia for England with the 10th Reinforcements in January 1917. He was transferred to the 13th Battalion and was taken on strength in September 1917, but spent just two weeks with the battalion in France before he was hospitalized with a synovial cyst in his right knee and repatriated to England. Rejoining the 13th Battalion in France in April 1918, Pte Judd was mortally wounded near Morlancourt during the Battle of Amiens on 8 August 1918, and died at the Casualty Clearing Station at Daours, aged 35.
Henry Edward Judd
13th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
8th August 1918, aged 35.
Plot III. E. 7.
Son of Henry Braidwood Judd and Margaret Judd, of Yarragong, Forbes, New South Wales.
1st Pioneer Battalion, of Yarragong, near Forbes, NSW. A railway porter before enlisting in December 1916, Pte Judd left Australia for England with the 10th Reinforcements in January 1917. He was transferred to the 13th Battalion and was taken on strength in September 1917, but spent just two weeks with the battalion in France before he was hospitalized with a synovial cyst in his right knee and repatriated to England. Rejoining the 13th Battalion in France in April 1918, Pte Judd was mortally wounded near Morlancourt during the Battle of Amiens on 8 August 1918, and died at the Casualty Clearing Station at Daours, aged 35.
2691 Lance Corporal
John Patrick Keenan
53rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th September 1918, aged 27.
Plot IV. F. 35.
Son of Michael and Mary Keenan, of "Brosna," Dougan St., Ashfield, New South Wales. Native of Rookwood, New South Wales.
A brushmaker from Ashfield NSW, Pte Keenan embarked with the 6th Reinforcements, on 7 October 1916 aboard HMAT Ceramic (A40). In September 1917 Pte Keenan was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal (L Cpl). On 1 September 1918 L Cpl Keenan was involved in an attack with B Company 7th Platoon near Peronne. During this attack he was shot in the abdomen, he fell into a shell hole and told another man "I'm done" he was evacuated to the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station. L Cpl Keenan died of his wounds on 4 September 1918.
John Patrick Keenan
53rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th September 1918, aged 27.
Plot IV. F. 35.
Son of Michael and Mary Keenan, of "Brosna," Dougan St., Ashfield, New South Wales. Native of Rookwood, New South Wales.
A brushmaker from Ashfield NSW, Pte Keenan embarked with the 6th Reinforcements, on 7 October 1916 aboard HMAT Ceramic (A40). In September 1917 Pte Keenan was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal (L Cpl). On 1 September 1918 L Cpl Keenan was involved in an attack with B Company 7th Platoon near Peronne. During this attack he was shot in the abdomen, he fell into a shell hole and told another man "I'm done" he was evacuated to the 53rd Casualty Clearing Station. L Cpl Keenan died of his wounds on 4 September 1918.
394478 Rifleman
Leslie Lionel Longman
9th Bn. London Regiment, (Queen Victoria's Rifles)
25th August 1918, aged 19.
Plot III. F. 11.
Son of Harry James and Rose Longman, of 138, Moffat Rd., Thornton Heath, Surrey.
Leslie Lionel Longman
9th Bn. London Regiment, (Queen Victoria's Rifles)
25th August 1918, aged 19.
Plot III. F. 11.
Son of Harry James and Rose Longman, of 138, Moffat Rd., Thornton Heath, Surrey.
3277 Driver
Colin Douglas Grant Love, M. M. 2nd Mechanical Transport Coy. Australian Army Service Corps 18th August 1918 Plot V. A. 6. |
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Dover, England. Studio portrait 3277 Driver (Dvr) Colin Douglas Grant Love MM, 2nd Australian Motor Transport Company (AMTC), Australian Army Service Corps, (front left) with two other soldiers, known to be 3253 Dvr Robert Dudley Baird, 2nd AMTC and 3262 Bombardier Harold Rylah Peart, 2nd Divisional Artillery Column. Dvr Love was attached to the 6th Australian Field Ambulance. He was awarded the Military Medal (MM) on 10 June 1918 'For great courage and devotion to duty during the successful attack near Albert, when he had driven his ambulance continously for about 12 hours and under heavy shelling to evacuate wounded soldiers.' The three soldiers enlisted in March 1915; however, Dvr Love did not survive the war. He was killed in action on 18 August 1918 in France and was buried in Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
4001 Corporal
James McGregor, M. M.
58th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
24th April 1918
Plot III. B. 8.
A farmer from North Melbourne, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte McGregor embarked with the 12th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Ceramic on 23 November 1915. Later transferring to the 58th Battalion he was wounded in action on two separate occasions. Following his promotion to Corporal he was killed in action on 24 April 1918 and was buried in the Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
James McGregor, M. M.
58th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
24th April 1918
Plot III. B. 8.
A farmer from North Melbourne, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte McGregor embarked with the 12th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Ceramic on 23 November 1915. Later transferring to the 58th Battalion he was wounded in action on two separate occasions. Following his promotion to Corporal he was killed in action on 24 April 1918 and was buried in the Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
643 Private
Thomas Moore
27th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
31st August 1918, aged 27.
Plot VII. B. 52.
Son of Henry Moore; husband of Annie M. Moore, of Clanville House, Percy St., Semaphore, South Australia. Native of South Shields, England.
Picture courtesy of Frank Maitland
Thomas Moore
27th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
31st August 1918, aged 27.
Plot VII. B. 52.
Son of Henry Moore; husband of Annie M. Moore, of Clanville House, Percy St., Semaphore, South Australia. Native of South Shields, England.
Picture courtesy of Frank Maitland
240 Private
Leslie Glenmore O'Brien, M. M.
4th Bn. Australian Machine Gun Corps
2nd September 1918, aged 23.
Plot IV. F. 8.
Click on image to enlarge
Inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This"
Son of James and Bridget Agnes O'Brien, of "Glenmore," Suntop, Wellington, New South Wales.
DescriptionPortrait of 240 Private (Pte) Leslie Glenmore O'Brien (later MM), who was born at Wellington, NSW, the son of James and Bridget Agnes O'Brien. He was engaged in farming and grazing before enlisting in Wellington on 20 March 1916 together with his cousin Harry O'Brien and a friend named Harry Lord. All three were later to die in fighting on the Western Front in France. Following enlistment, O'Brien served as a member of the 14th Machine Gun Company. Whilst engaged in operations with his unit on the Western Front, O'Brien distinguished himself in action to the extent that he was awarded the Military Medal (MM). The citation for this award read: 'This man displayed most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations in the vicinity of Harbonnieres, east of Villers-Bretonneux, on 8 August 1918. He carried his gun forward through very heavy machine gun and rifle fire and got it into action, dispersing the enemy, thereby allowing the infantry to continue their advance. Throughout the operations, he set a splendid example to his comrades'. In later fighting at Peronne, O'Brien was wounded and on 2 September 1918 he died of these wounds. He was 23 years of age at the time of his death and is buried in the Daours Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
Leslie Glenmore O'Brien, M. M.
4th Bn. Australian Machine Gun Corps
2nd September 1918, aged 23.
Plot IV. F. 8.
Click on image to enlarge
Inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Than This"
Son of James and Bridget Agnes O'Brien, of "Glenmore," Suntop, Wellington, New South Wales.
DescriptionPortrait of 240 Private (Pte) Leslie Glenmore O'Brien (later MM), who was born at Wellington, NSW, the son of James and Bridget Agnes O'Brien. He was engaged in farming and grazing before enlisting in Wellington on 20 March 1916 together with his cousin Harry O'Brien and a friend named Harry Lord. All three were later to die in fighting on the Western Front in France. Following enlistment, O'Brien served as a member of the 14th Machine Gun Company. Whilst engaged in operations with his unit on the Western Front, O'Brien distinguished himself in action to the extent that he was awarded the Military Medal (MM). The citation for this award read: 'This man displayed most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations in the vicinity of Harbonnieres, east of Villers-Bretonneux, on 8 August 1918. He carried his gun forward through very heavy machine gun and rifle fire and got it into action, dispersing the enemy, thereby allowing the infantry to continue their advance. Throughout the operations, he set a splendid example to his comrades'. In later fighting at Peronne, O'Brien was wounded and on 2 September 1918 he died of these wounds. He was 23 years of age at the time of his death and is buried in the Daours Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
Captain
Douglas Hilton Skinner
"A" Company, 7th Bn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
16th July 1916, aged 24.
Plot I. B. 12.
Elder son of Hilton and Emily Catharine Skinner, of Ash Lodge, Hayes, Kent. Medical Student, B.A. Oxford and Charterhouse Officers' Training Corps.
Douglas Hilton Skinner
"A" Company, 7th Bn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
16th July 1916, aged 24.
Plot I. B. 12.
Elder son of Hilton and Emily Catharine Skinner, of Ash Lodge, Hayes, Kent. Medical Student, B.A. Oxford and Charterhouse Officers' Training Corps.
Lieutenant Colonel
Montague Bruce Stow
1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
2nd July 1916, aged 32.
Plot II. A. 7.
Son of the late Montague H. and Mrs. Stow; husband of Gladys M. C. Doughty (formerly Stow), of Napier House, Sidcup, Kent.
Montague Bruce Stow
1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment
2nd July 1916, aged 32.
Plot II. A. 7.
Son of the late Montague H. and Mrs. Stow; husband of Gladys M. C. Doughty (formerly Stow), of Napier House, Sidcup, Kent.
Captain
Brian More O'Sullivan
5th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
23rd August 1918, aged 23.
Plot VI. C. 31.
Son of Edward F. and Fannie E. O'Sullivan, of Ravenswood, Victoria, Australia. Native of Yarrawonga, Victoria.
Shown wearing an 'A' on his colour patch indicating he has seen service on Gallipoli. A medical student from Richmond, Victoria prior to enlistment, Capt O'Sullivan embarked with the rank of Second Lieutenant with the 7th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Demosthenes on 16 July 1915. Following his transfer to the 2nd Light Trench Mortar Battery he was promoted to Captain. He returned to Australia on 9 March 1917 in order to complete his medical studies. Later rejoining the 5th Battalion he re-embarked for overseas service from Melbourne on HMAT Beltana on 19 January 1918. Subsequently wounded in action, he died on 23 August 1918 as a result of his wounds
Brian More O'Sullivan
5th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
23rd August 1918, aged 23.
Plot VI. C. 31.
Son of Edward F. and Fannie E. O'Sullivan, of Ravenswood, Victoria, Australia. Native of Yarrawonga, Victoria.
Shown wearing an 'A' on his colour patch indicating he has seen service on Gallipoli. A medical student from Richmond, Victoria prior to enlistment, Capt O'Sullivan embarked with the rank of Second Lieutenant with the 7th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Demosthenes on 16 July 1915. Following his transfer to the 2nd Light Trench Mortar Battery he was promoted to Captain. He returned to Australia on 9 March 1917 in order to complete his medical studies. Later rejoining the 5th Battalion he re-embarked for overseas service from Melbourne on HMAT Beltana on 19 January 1918. Subsequently wounded in action, he died on 23 August 1918 as a result of his wounds
Lieutenant
Sydney Clezy Stockham 27th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F. 18th August 1918, aged 25. Plot IV. C. 34. From Fullarton, SA, aged 25. A clerk, Sgt Stockham enlisted on 12 February 1915 and embarked from Adelaide aboard HMAT Geelong on 31 May 1915. He was later commissioned as a Lieutenant and was wounded in France and died on 18 August 1918. His brother, 4303 Private George William Stockham, 13th Reinforcements, 5th Battalion, also of Fullerton, was killed in action on 10 May 1917 at Villers-Bretonneux, France and commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. |
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Poppies growing on the graves of British soldiers in a cemetery near Daours in June 1918.
