HANGARD COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 49.82408, Longitude: 2.51924
Location Information
Hangard is a village 5 kilometres south of Villers-Bretonneux. Hangard Communal Cemetery is a little east of the village on the north side of the road to Demuin and the Extension is on the west side of the Communal Cemetery.
Visiting Information
The location or design of this site makes wheelchair access impossible.
Historical Information
At the end of March 1918, Hangard was at the junction of the French and Commonwealth forces defending Amiens. From 4 to 25 April, the village and Hangard Wood were the scene of incessant fighting, in which the line was held and the 18th Division were particularly heavily engaged. On 8 August, the village was cleared by the 1st and 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles.
The original extension to the communal cemetery was made by the Canadian Corps in August 1918. It consisted of 51 graves in the present Plot I. It was greatly increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in, mainly from the battlefields of Hangard and Hangard Wood and from the following smaller cemeteries :-
ANDECHY GERMAN CEMETERY, on the West side of Andechy village, contained one Irish soldier.
BEAUFORT-EN-SANTERRE GERMAN CEMETERY (later removed), from which one Scottish soldier was brought.
BELLOY-EN-SANTERRE COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION (later removed), which contained one soldier from the United Kingdom and one from Australia.
FONTAINE-LES-CAPPY CHURCHYARD EXTENSION (later removed), which was used for the burial of 22 soldiers from the United Kingdom in 1915.
GENTELLES FRENCH MILITARY CEMETERY, CACHY (later removed), on the road between the two villages. It contains the graves of over 200 French soldiers and 48 from the United Kingdom, who fell in April, 1918.
HANGARD MILITARY CEMETERY, a French extension (later removed) on the East side of the Communal Cemetery, containing, in addition to French graves, those of 38 soldiers from the United Kingdom, 18 from Canada, and 12 from Australia, who fell in April and August, 1918.
HANGEST GERMAN CEMETERY (later removed), opposite Hangest Communal Cemetery, contained the grave of one soldier from the United Kingdom.
HARBONNIERES GERMAN CEMETERY (later removed), at the East end of the village, from which were brought the graves of six soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Australia.
HERLEVILLE GERMAN CEMETERY (later removed), from which were brought the graves of two soldiers from the United Kingdom.
LE QUESNEL CHATEAU CEMETERY (later removed), in the wood on the South side of the village, contained one British grave.
SAULCHOY-SUR-DAVENESCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTN. (later removed), contained the graves of two R.A.F. officers.
SOURDON FRENCH MILITARY CEMETERY (later removed), between Sourdon and Chirmont, contained the graves of 250 French soldiers and one Canadian Airman.
WIENCOURT-L'EQUIPEE GERMAN CEMETERY (later removed), at the East end of the village, contained the grave of one soldier from the United Kingdom.
The extension now contains 563 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 294 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to eight casualties known to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate nine casualties buried in Fontaine-les-Cappy Churchyard Extension and Gentelles French Military Cemetery, whose graves could not be found on concentration. Certain graves in Plots II, III, and IV, identified collectively but not individually, are marked by headstones inscribed with the words "Believed to be buried near this spot.".
The extension was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens & George Hartley Goldsmith
Total Burials: 564.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 191, Canada 51, Australia 28, Germany 1. Total 271.
Unidentified Casualties: 294.
4151 Corporal
David Briggs
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th April 1918, aged 28.
Plot II. A. 17.
A farmer from American River, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 13th Reinforcements of the 10th Battalion on 11 January 1916 aboard HMAT Borda (A30) for Suez. In late February 1916 he was transferred to the 50th Battalion which relocated to the Western Front, France, in early June 1916. Pte Briggs was wounded in action near Fleurbaix on 6 July 1916 and was able to rejoin his unit four weeks later. He was wounded in action on a second occasion in mid-August 1916 which resulted in his evacuation to England for treatment and recuperation before rejoining the battalion in late January 1917. Pte Briggs was appointed Lance Corporal (L Cpl) on 17 April 1917. L Cpl Briggs was wounded in action on a third occasion near Messines on 10 June 1917, was treated in Boulogne and rejoined his unit in mid-September 1917. He was promoted to Corporal (Cpl) on 15 November 1917. Cpl Briggs was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux on 25 April 1918.
David Briggs
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th April 1918, aged 28.
Plot II. A. 17.
A farmer from American River, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 13th Reinforcements of the 10th Battalion on 11 January 1916 aboard HMAT Borda (A30) for Suez. In late February 1916 he was transferred to the 50th Battalion which relocated to the Western Front, France, in early June 1916. Pte Briggs was wounded in action near Fleurbaix on 6 July 1916 and was able to rejoin his unit four weeks later. He was wounded in action on a second occasion in mid-August 1916 which resulted in his evacuation to England for treatment and recuperation before rejoining the battalion in late January 1917. Pte Briggs was appointed Lance Corporal (L Cpl) on 17 April 1917. L Cpl Briggs was wounded in action on a third occasion near Messines on 10 June 1917, was treated in Boulogne and rejoined his unit in mid-September 1917. He was promoted to Corporal (Cpl) on 15 November 1917. Cpl Briggs was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux on 25 April 1918.
2646 Private
David William Carman
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th April 1918, aged 19.
Plot II. A. 18.
Son of David and Elizabedh Carman, of Kelvin Grove, Lockleys, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Gave His Life For Freedom."
A farmer form Port Broughton, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 6th Reinforcements from Adelaide on 23 October 1916 aboard HMAT Port Melbourne (A16) for Devonport, England. Following training at Codford he proceeded to France and joined his battalion on the Western Front near Armentieres. Pte Carman was wounded in action at Westhoek Ridge, Belgium, on 25 September 1917 and was evacuated to England for treatment and recuperation before rejoining his unit near Corbie in early April 1918. Pte Carman was killed in action near Villers-Bretonneux on 25 April 1918 and is buried in the Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension, France. He was aged 19 years. His older brother, 521 Lance Corporal Clement Claude Carman, 27th Battalion, was killed in action near Montauban on 5 November 1916 and his oldest brother 5063 Pte Roland Clarence Carman, 10th Battalion, was killed in action near Bapaume on 8 April 1917. They were aged 21 and 23 years respectively. Both have no known grave and they are commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
David William Carman
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th April 1918, aged 19.
Plot II. A. 18.
Son of David and Elizabedh Carman, of Kelvin Grove, Lockleys, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Gave His Life For Freedom."
A farmer form Port Broughton, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 6th Reinforcements from Adelaide on 23 October 1916 aboard HMAT Port Melbourne (A16) for Devonport, England. Following training at Codford he proceeded to France and joined his battalion on the Western Front near Armentieres. Pte Carman was wounded in action at Westhoek Ridge, Belgium, on 25 September 1917 and was evacuated to England for treatment and recuperation before rejoining his unit near Corbie in early April 1918. Pte Carman was killed in action near Villers-Bretonneux on 25 April 1918 and is buried in the Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension, France. He was aged 19 years. His older brother, 521 Lance Corporal Clement Claude Carman, 27th Battalion, was killed in action near Montauban on 5 November 1916 and his oldest brother 5063 Pte Roland Clarence Carman, 10th Battalion, was killed in action near Bapaume on 8 April 1917. They were aged 21 and 23 years respectively. Both have no known grave and they are commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
697291 Gunner
Frederick Thomas Mort
376th Bty. 169th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
24th April 1918.
Plot I. F. 5.
Frederick Thomas Mort
376th Bty. 169th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
24th April 1918.
Plot I. F. 5.
Second Lieutenant
W. E. Ogilvie
9th (Pioneer) Bn. Border Regiment
27th September 1915, aged 21.
Plot II. G. 20.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Qui Ante Diem Periit Sed Miles, Sed Pro Patria Ad Vitam." (Translates to 'Who died before his time - but a soldier, but for his country.' - From the poem 'Clifton Chapel' by Henry Newbold.)
W. E. Ogilvie
9th (Pioneer) Bn. Border Regiment
27th September 1915, aged 21.
Plot II. G. 20.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Qui Ante Diem Periit Sed Miles, Sed Pro Patria Ad Vitam." (Translates to 'Who died before his time - but a soldier, but for his country.' - From the poem 'Clifton Chapel' by Henry Newbold.)
7520 Private
Fred Petty
34th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
30th March 1918, aged 43.
Plot 11. H. 11.
Born 13th June, 1874 in Eccleshill, Yorkshire England. Late of Croydon, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Enlisted for active service abroad at Victoria Barracks, Sydney NSW, Australia on 13th March, 1917. Service No: 7520. He was a member of the 34th Battalion Australian Infantry,
A. I. F.
He sailed for England on 10th May, 1917 and then left England for France on 3rd December, 1917.
Private Fred Petty was killed in action 30th March, 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Picture courtesy of Granddaughters Dawn & Deidre & Great Granddaughter Julie.
Fred Petty
34th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
30th March 1918, aged 43.
Plot 11. H. 11.
Born 13th June, 1874 in Eccleshill, Yorkshire England. Late of Croydon, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Enlisted for active service abroad at Victoria Barracks, Sydney NSW, Australia on 13th March, 1917. Service No: 7520. He was a member of the 34th Battalion Australian Infantry,
A. I. F.
He sailed for England on 10th May, 1917 and then left England for France on 3rd December, 1917.
Private Fred Petty was killed in action 30th March, 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Picture courtesy of Granddaughters Dawn & Deidre & Great Granddaughter Julie.
3459 Private
Carl George Louis Perrott
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th April 1918, aged 21.
Plot II. F.2.
Eldest Son of John Louis and Olivia Elizabeth Perrott, of Albert Park, Woodville, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Dearly Loved Eldest Son Of J.L.& O.E.Perrott Of Albert Park."
Memorial card of 3459 Private (Pte) Carl George Louis Perrott, 50th Battalion from Woodville, South Australia. A 20 year old tram conductor prior to enlisting on 20 January 1917, he embarked for overseas with the 9th Reinforcements from Adelaide on 10 February 1917 aboard HMAT Seang Bee. Following further training in England, he joined the 50th Battalion in France in August 1917. Pte Perrott was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux, France on 25 April 1918.
Carl George Louis Perrott
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th April 1918, aged 21.
Plot II. F.2.
Eldest Son of John Louis and Olivia Elizabeth Perrott, of Albert Park, Woodville, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Dearly Loved Eldest Son Of J.L.& O.E.Perrott Of Albert Park."
Memorial card of 3459 Private (Pte) Carl George Louis Perrott, 50th Battalion from Woodville, South Australia. A 20 year old tram conductor prior to enlisting on 20 January 1917, he embarked for overseas with the 9th Reinforcements from Adelaide on 10 February 1917 aboard HMAT Seang Bee. Following further training in England, he joined the 50th Battalion in France in August 1917. Pte Perrott was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux, France on 25 April 1918.
21683 Lance Corporal
Arthur William Souls
16th Bn. Cheshire Regiment
25th April 1918, aged 31.
Plot I. G. 7.
Son of William and Julia Annie Souls, of Great Barrington, Burford, Oxon. Born at Great Rissington, Bourton-on-the-Water, Glos. Four of his brothers, Albert, twin Alfred, Frederick George and Walter Davis Souls also fell.
Albert died on 14th March 1916, aged 20 and is buried in Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery French Extension in France.
Alfred died on 20th April 1918, aged 31 and is buried in the Strand Military Cemetery in Belgium.
Frederick George died on 19th July 1916, aged 30 and commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.
Walter Davis died on 2nd August 1916, aged 24 and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen in France.
Arthur William Souls
16th Bn. Cheshire Regiment
25th April 1918, aged 31.
Plot I. G. 7.
Son of William and Julia Annie Souls, of Great Barrington, Burford, Oxon. Born at Great Rissington, Bourton-on-the-Water, Glos. Four of his brothers, Albert, twin Alfred, Frederick George and Walter Davis Souls also fell.
Albert died on 14th March 1916, aged 20 and is buried in Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery French Extension in France.
Alfred died on 20th April 1918, aged 31 and is buried in the Strand Military Cemetery in Belgium.
Frederick George died on 19th July 1916, aged 30 and commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.
Walter Davis died on 2nd August 1916, aged 24 and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen in France.
4906 Private
John Henry West
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th April 1918, aged 25
Plot II. A. 16.
Son of John Henry and Annie Frances West, of The Glanville Hotel, Glanville, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Memory Of The Dearly Loved Son Of Mr. & Mrs. West."
His brother Robert (Known as Bert) gave the following details of John's death;
"I was near my brother at the time of his death, he was killed on the night of April 25th, 1918 in the recapture of Villers-Bretonneux by machine gun fire. He did not suffer and was buried on the battlefield. When we came out I made a cross and erected it. I have written to my people telling them the circumstances."
Pte John Henry West from Glanville, South Australia. A 22 year old plumber prior to enlisting on 8 November 1915, he embarked for overseas with the 15th Reinforcements of 10th Battalion from Adelaide on 9 March 1916 aboard RMS Mongolia. While in Egypt, he transferred to the 50th Battalion on 28 April 1916 and embarked for France on 5 June 1916. On 16 August 1916 he suffered a gunshot wound to his left hand and was in hospital in France until 11 September 1916. In mid-June 1917 he injured his left ankle and broke his left fibula and was sent to hospital in England on 12 July 1917. After rejoining the 50th Battalion in France on 5 March 1918, he was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux on 25 April 1918.
John Henry West
50th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th April 1918, aged 25
Plot II. A. 16.
Son of John Henry and Annie Frances West, of The Glanville Hotel, Glanville, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Memory Of The Dearly Loved Son Of Mr. & Mrs. West."
His brother Robert (Known as Bert) gave the following details of John's death;
"I was near my brother at the time of his death, he was killed on the night of April 25th, 1918 in the recapture of Villers-Bretonneux by machine gun fire. He did not suffer and was buried on the battlefield. When we came out I made a cross and erected it. I have written to my people telling them the circumstances."
Pte John Henry West from Glanville, South Australia. A 22 year old plumber prior to enlisting on 8 November 1915, he embarked for overseas with the 15th Reinforcements of 10th Battalion from Adelaide on 9 March 1916 aboard RMS Mongolia. While in Egypt, he transferred to the 50th Battalion on 28 April 1916 and embarked for France on 5 June 1916. On 16 August 1916 he suffered a gunshot wound to his left hand and was in hospital in France until 11 September 1916. In mid-June 1917 he injured his left ankle and broke his left fibula and was sent to hospital in England on 12 July 1917. After rejoining the 50th Battalion in France on 5 March 1918, he was killed in action at Villers-Bretonneux on 25 April 1918.
Captured German Tank Elfriede put out of action and captured by "A" Company 1st Battalion Tank Corps, one kilometre from Villers, Bretonneux on the Hangard en Santerre Road, during the first German tank attack, 24th April, 1918. Only 20 of these tanks were built, the track being shorter then the body, they carried 8 heavy machine guns and a 57 mm. quick-firing gun. © IWM (Q 29583)
Captured German Tank Elfriede put out of action and captured by "A" Company 1st Battalion Tank Corps, one kilometre from Villers, Bretonneux on the Hangard en Santerre Road, during the first German tank attack, 24th April, 1918. Only 20 of these tanks were built, the track being shorter then the body, they carried 8 heavy machine guns and a 57 mm. quick-firing gun. © IWM (Q 29578)
