FRECHENCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 49.96438, Longitude: 2.43763
Image above © Thierry Grier
Location Information
Frechencourt is a village in the Somme department of France and is approximately 12 kilometres north-east of Amiens.
From Amiens head along the D929 towards Albert. At the village of Querrieu turn left along the D30 towards St Gratien and then first right along a minor road towards Frechencourt. Just before you reach the village there is a Commission road sign directing you to turn right towards the Communal Cemetery. The Commission plot is at the rear of the cemetery.
Historical Information
The communal cemetery was used by Commonwealth troops from April to August 1918 and contains 57 burials of the First World War.
Total Burials: 57.
Identified Casualties: Australia 49, United Kingdom 8. Total 57.
The commonwealth plot as designed by Arthur James Scott Hutton
Images in this gallery © Thierry Grier
Lieutenant
Reginald McClure Abernethy
5th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
22nd May 1918.
Row D. 8.
Son of William McClure Abernethy and Margaret Abernethy, of Shepparton, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "I Will Give Thee A Crown Of Life Rev. 2.10."
Reginald Abernethy can be seen in the image below, second from the right which was taken on 23rd April 1917. He would be killed one month later.
Reginald McClure Abernethy
5th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
22nd May 1918.
Row D. 8.
Son of William McClure Abernethy and Margaret Abernethy, of Shepparton, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "I Will Give Thee A Crown Of Life Rev. 2.10."
Reginald Abernethy can be seen in the image below, second from the right which was taken on 23rd April 1917. He would be killed one month later.
Informal portrait of officers outside the 105th Howitzer Battery Headquarters' dugout, the position being the first one occupied by the Battery on coming down to the Somme in April 1918. The howitzers were behind the bank on the immediate left. The position was taken over from a British Battery on 9 April 1918. The 14th Battery position was about 200 yards to the right. Left to right: Lieutenant (Lt) J. F. Strachan; Lt Rene Anthony Ulcoq MC; Captain (Capt) C. C. C. Wren MC, Officer Commanding, 14th Battery (foreground); Lt Miles Burnett Connor (in doorway); Lt Reginald McClure Abernethy, 14th Battery (killed in action by an aerial bomb near Amiens on 22 May 1918); Major G. H. Parker, Officer Commanding. Capt Wren is holding a toy, celluloid 'Kewpie' doll that has a ribbon around its middle.
21125 Gunner
Charles James Brett
11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
5th April 1918, aged 28.
Row. A. 7.
Son of Charles and Mary Brett, of The Street, Dallington, Sussex, England. Native of Brightling, Sussex.
Charles James Brett
11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
5th April 1918, aged 28.
Row. A. 7.
Son of Charles and Mary Brett, of The Street, Dallington, Sussex, England. Native of Brightling, Sussex.
Lieutenant
Robert Dingwall Buttercase (Served as Robert D. Butters)
41st Battery, 11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
5th April 1918, aged 36.
Row. A. 3.
Robert Dingwall Buttercase (Served as Robert D. Butters)
41st Battery, 11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
5th April 1918, aged 36.
Row. A. 3.
34053 Gunner
Rupert Henry Crespin
11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
5th April 1918, aged 20.
Row. A. 11.
Son of the late Godwin George and Eliza Jane Crespin. Native of Kew, Victoria, Australia.
Rupert Henry Crespin
11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
5th April 1918, aged 20.
Row. A. 11.
Son of the late Godwin George and Eliza Jane Crespin. Native of Kew, Victoria, Australia.
30205 Gunner
Reginald William Earp
10th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
20th April 1918, aged 19.
Row. B. 18.
Son of Charles Anthony and Elizabeth Frances Earp, of Newcastle, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dearly Loved Son Of Charles And Francis Of Newcastle, N. S. W."
Reginald William Earp
10th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
20th April 1918, aged 19.
Row. B. 18.
Son of Charles Anthony and Elizabeth Frances Earp, of Newcastle, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "Dearly Loved Son Of Charles And Francis Of Newcastle, N. S. W."
20080 Gunner
Clarence Gribble
11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
5th April 1918, aged 24.
Row. A. 12.
Son of Edwin and Mary Jane Gribble, of Wandiligong, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory Of Our Dear Son"
Clarence Gribble
11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
5th April 1918, aged 24.
Row. A. 12.
Son of Edwin and Mary Jane Gribble, of Wandiligong, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Loving Memory Of Our Dear Son"
33303 Gunner
Harold Henry Jacob
11th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
Killed in action at Millencourt on 9th April 1918, aged 19.
Row B. 12.
Son of Frederick Henry and Sarah Jacob, of 34, Clanscreen St., North Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "Also Pte. H.G. Jacob 6th Batt. Died At Sea 2/5/15 From Wounds. Duty Done."
(Herbert Gordon Jacob is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial.)
Click on image to enlarge
Harold Henry Jacob
11th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
Killed in action at Millencourt on 9th April 1918, aged 19.
Row B. 12.
Son of Frederick Henry and Sarah Jacob, of 34, Clanscreen St., North Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the following inscription; "Also Pte. H.G. Jacob 6th Batt. Died At Sea 2/5/15 From Wounds. Duty Done."
(Herbert Gordon Jacob is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial.)
Click on image to enlarge
Images in this gallery © Johan Pauwels
21142 Bombardier
Louis Gerald Leyland
11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
24th April 1918, aged 22.
Row. D. 14.
Son of James and Susan Leyland, of Barcaldine, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Lord Gave And The Lord Hath Taken Away"
Louis Gerald Leyland
11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
24th April 1918, aged 22.
Row. D. 14.
Son of James and Susan Leyland, of Barcaldine, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Lord Gave And The Lord Hath Taken Away"
Captain
Archibald Farquhar Martin
11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
5th April 1918.
Row. A. 2.
Son of George and Mary Rachel Martin, of 27, Eltham Avenue, Darling Point, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of Dunedin, New Zealand.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Lord Bless Thee And Keep Thee"
Archibald Farquhar Martin
11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
5th April 1918.
Row. A. 2.
Son of George and Mary Rachel Martin, of 27, Eltham Avenue, Darling Point, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of Dunedin, New Zealand.
His headstone bears the inscription "The Lord Bless Thee And Keep Thee"
Lieutenant
Herbert William McBean
40th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
9th May 1918, aged 26.
Row. D. 11.
Son of John A. and Isabel McBean, of Scottsdale, Tasmania.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of The Dearly Loved Son Of Mr/ & Mrs. McBean, Scottsdale"
Herbert William McBean
40th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
9th May 1918, aged 26.
Row. D. 11.
Son of John A. and Isabel McBean, of Scottsdale, Tasmania.
His headstone bears the inscription "In Memory Of The Dearly Loved Son Of Mr/ & Mrs. McBean, Scottsdale"
2430A Gunner
Frederick Platten
11th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
24th April 1918
Row D. 13.
Frederick Platten
11th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
24th April 1918
Row D. 13.
871 Gunner
Henry William Purnell, M. M.
5th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
29th May 1918, aged 24.
Plot D. 2.
Son of Robert and Helen Purnell, of Hermitage Rd., Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
William Purnell's Military Medal citation reads; "At Ribemont on 16 May 1918, Gunner Purnell with two others endeavoured at great personal risk to himself, to put out blazing ammunition, exploding charges, and primers in a gun pit. The heat and fumes drove him back repeatedly but each time he returned and continued his efforts, at one time rolling clear of the conflagration shells which had become dangerously hot. Finding that it was impossible to put out the fire, he with two others went into the blaze again and manhandled the gun clear of the fire. This man's courage undoubtedly was of great assistance in preventing the destruction of the Howitzer."
Harry Purnell was killed by a premature shell burst whilst on the guns at the battery position to the right of the Albert Road, about 2 kilometres past Franvillers.
Henry William Purnell, M. M.
5th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
29th May 1918, aged 24.
Plot D. 2.
Son of Robert and Helen Purnell, of Hermitage Rd., Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
William Purnell's Military Medal citation reads; "At Ribemont on 16 May 1918, Gunner Purnell with two others endeavoured at great personal risk to himself, to put out blazing ammunition, exploding charges, and primers in a gun pit. The heat and fumes drove him back repeatedly but each time he returned and continued his efforts, at one time rolling clear of the conflagration shells which had become dangerously hot. Finding that it was impossible to put out the fire, he with two others went into the blaze again and manhandled the gun clear of the fire. This man's courage undoubtedly was of great assistance in preventing the destruction of the Howitzer."
Harry Purnell was killed by a premature shell burst whilst on the guns at the battery position to the right of the Albert Road, about 2 kilometres past Franvillers.
9465 Sergeant
Leslie Thomas Sheils
5th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
13th July 1918, aged 28.
Row B. 9.
Son of William and Elizabeth Sheils; husband of Ivy Ursula Sheils, of Una St., Harris Park, New South Wales. Native of Bobundarah, Cooma, New South Wales.
The headstone bears the inscription "As The Ivy Clings To The Oak Our Memory Clings To Thee."
Studio portrait of 9465 Private (later Sergeant) Leslie Thomas Sheils, 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance (later 5th Brigade Australian Field Artillery) of Harris Park, NSW, brother of 6345 Private Edward Michael Sheils, died of wounds on 10 April 1917, and is buried in Bapaume Australian Cemetery. A foreman prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard the HMAT Malakuta (A57) on 16 March 1916. He was killed in action on 13 July 1918 at Méricourt, France, aged 28.
One Sergeant Goodliffe gives the following description of the death of Leslie Sheils and another man, Gunner W. A. Hair in the same incident; "These two men were killed at the same time in Méricourt l'Abbé on 13th July. They were in a dugout which was hit by a shell, they were buried but were soon dug out. Sheils was alive when he was got out, but he had struggled a great deal to get himself out, and was exhausted and he died near the spot where the incident occurred. hair had evidently been killed instantly. They would be buried at Frechencourt on the Somme." Gunner William Angus Ilett Hair is now buried in the next grave to Leslie Sheils, Row B. 8.
Leslie Thomas Sheils
5th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
13th July 1918, aged 28.
Row B. 9.
Son of William and Elizabeth Sheils; husband of Ivy Ursula Sheils, of Una St., Harris Park, New South Wales. Native of Bobundarah, Cooma, New South Wales.
The headstone bears the inscription "As The Ivy Clings To The Oak Our Memory Clings To Thee."
Studio portrait of 9465 Private (later Sergeant) Leslie Thomas Sheils, 1st Light Horse Field Ambulance (later 5th Brigade Australian Field Artillery) of Harris Park, NSW, brother of 6345 Private Edward Michael Sheils, died of wounds on 10 April 1917, and is buried in Bapaume Australian Cemetery. A foreman prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard the HMAT Malakuta (A57) on 16 March 1916. He was killed in action on 13 July 1918 at Méricourt, France, aged 28.
One Sergeant Goodliffe gives the following description of the death of Leslie Sheils and another man, Gunner W. A. Hair in the same incident; "These two men were killed at the same time in Méricourt l'Abbé on 13th July. They were in a dugout which was hit by a shell, they were buried but were soon dug out. Sheils was alive when he was got out, but he had struggled a great deal to get himself out, and was exhausted and he died near the spot where the incident occurred. hair had evidently been killed instantly. They would be buried at Frechencourt on the Somme." Gunner William Angus Ilett Hair is now buried in the next grave to Leslie Sheils, Row B. 8.
Second Lieutenant
Stanley Herd Smith
2nd Bn. Tank Corps
27th May 1918, aged 20.
Row. D. 5.
Son of John and Elizabeth Smith, of Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone.
Stanley Herd Smith
2nd Bn. Tank Corps
27th May 1918, aged 20.
Row. D. 5.
Son of John and Elizabeth Smith, of Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone.
1342A Bombardier
Frederick Maxwell Veness, M. M.
10th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
5th April 1918, aged 21.
Row. B. 14.
Son of Daniel Frederick William Veness and Amy Letitia Veness, of 136, Peel St., Bathurst, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "Though Lost To Sight To Memory Dear"
Frederick Maxwell Veness, M. M.
10th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
5th April 1918, aged 21.
Row. B. 14.
Son of Daniel Frederick William Veness and Amy Letitia Veness, of 136, Peel St., Bathurst, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription "Though Lost To Sight To Memory Dear"
18525 Gunner
Wilfred Skinner Witney
10th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
29th April 1918, aged 21.
Row. D. 17.
Son of John Edward and Martha Mary Witney. Native of Merriwa, New South Wales.
Wilfred Skinner Witney
10th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
29th April 1918, aged 21.
Row. D. 17.
Son of John Edward and Martha Mary Witney. Native of Merriwa, New South Wales.
A portion of the communal cemetery at Frechencourt, Department of the Somme, France on the Amiens to Albert Road, showing graves of soldiers of the 4th Australian Division Field Artillery Brigade and others. Names include 4306 Gunner George Benson Todd from Launceston, Tasmania; 2430A Gunner Frederick Platten from Brisbane, Queensland; and 21142 Bombardier Louis Gerald Leyland from Barcaldine, Queensland who were all in the 11th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery and were all killed in action on 24 April 1918. Also included is 18948 Gunner Harry Twyford Truman, 5th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery from Sydney, NSW who was killed in action on 19 April 1918.
A view of a group of lorries at the railhead at Frechencourt. The lorry on the left bears the mark of the 10th Motor Ambulance Convoy, and the vehicle next to it, First Division. Frechencourt, March 1917. © IWM (Q 4823)
