HARGICOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Aisne
France
Location Information
Hargicourt Communal Cemetery Extension is a small cemetery detached from the civil cemetery but in its proximity, and is located on the north side of the small town of Hargicourt.
The cemetery can be reached from the direction of Cambrai on the N44, Cambrai to St Quentin road. In the village of Bellicourt, turn onto the D337, passing Bellicourt British Cemetery on the right side of the road. Follow the road around to the left, signposted Hargicourt. On arriving in Hargicourt turn right following the CWGC sign onto Rue Caron. After 250 metres turn right on to Rue Due Cimitiere Protestant, also indicated with a CWGC sign. After about 100 metres turn left past the civil cemetery onto the track where Hargicourt Communal Cemetery Extension is located.
If approaching from Peronne on the D6, follow the road around to the left into the centre of Hargicourt. Turn left at the CWGC signpost onto Rue Caron and follow directions as given above.
Historical Information
Hargicourt was occupied by British troops in April, 1917, lost on the 21st April, 1918, and recaptured by Australian troops on the 18th September, 1918.
The Cemetery was made in August, 1917, and January, September and October, 1918, beyond a German Extension of the Protestant Communal Cemetery; the 177 German graves have been removed, and the British Extension is now isolated.
There are now over 70, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.
The Extension covers an area of 348 square metres and is enclosed by a low flint and brick wall.
Casualty Details: UK 61, Australia 12, Total Burials: 73
Hargicourt Communal Cemetery Extension is a small cemetery detached from the civil cemetery but in its proximity, and is located on the north side of the small town of Hargicourt.
The cemetery can be reached from the direction of Cambrai on the N44, Cambrai to St Quentin road. In the village of Bellicourt, turn onto the D337, passing Bellicourt British Cemetery on the right side of the road. Follow the road around to the left, signposted Hargicourt. On arriving in Hargicourt turn right following the CWGC sign onto Rue Caron. After 250 metres turn right on to Rue Due Cimitiere Protestant, also indicated with a CWGC sign. After about 100 metres turn left past the civil cemetery onto the track where Hargicourt Communal Cemetery Extension is located.
If approaching from Peronne on the D6, follow the road around to the left into the centre of Hargicourt. Turn left at the CWGC signpost onto Rue Caron and follow directions as given above.
Historical Information
Hargicourt was occupied by British troops in April, 1917, lost on the 21st April, 1918, and recaptured by Australian troops on the 18th September, 1918.
The Cemetery was made in August, 1917, and January, September and October, 1918, beyond a German Extension of the Protestant Communal Cemetery; the 177 German graves have been removed, and the British Extension is now isolated.
There are now over 70, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.
The Extension covers an area of 348 square metres and is enclosed by a low flint and brick wall.
Casualty Details: UK 61, Australia 12, Total Burials: 73
2764 Private
Alfred Henry Davis
57th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th September 1918, aged 21.
Row B. 10.
Son of William Henry and Lily Davis, of 16, Duke St., Kensington, South Australia. Native of Adelaide, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Memory Of Our Dear Son & Brother; Gone But Not Forgotten."
Alfred Henry Davis
57th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th September 1918, aged 21.
Row B. 10.
Son of William Henry and Lily Davis, of 16, Duke St., Kensington, South Australia. Native of Adelaide, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Memory Of Our Dear Son & Brother; Gone But Not Forgotten."
2768 Private
Martin Daniel Pianta
5th Australian Pioneers
29th September 1918
Row B. 11.
A labourer from Stawell, Vic prior to enlistment, Pte Pianta embarked with the 6th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Ulysses on 27 October 1915. Later transferring to the 5th Pioneer Battalion, he died of wounds on 29 September 1918.
Martin Daniel Pianta
5th Australian Pioneers
29th September 1918
Row B. 11.
A labourer from Stawell, Vic prior to enlistment, Pte Pianta embarked with the 6th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Ulysses on 27 October 1915. Later transferring to the 5th Pioneer Battalion, he died of wounds on 29 September 1918.
25th September 1918; Looking towards Hargicourt and Cologne Farm from the hill near Le Templeux. The area shown was advanced over by the Australian troops in the attack on the Hindenburg Outpost Line, on 18 September 1918. Note several tents in the background (centre).
Original graves of four British soldiers buried by the Germans with their own dead in a cemetery near Hargicourt. (Now Hargicourt British Cemetery) The graves are marked with wooden crosses. The grave (far left) is marked 'Wall (Mansch) C. E. 351893 E' and is the grave of 351895 Private (Pte) F T Wall 9th Battalion (Bn) Manchester Regiment (Regt). (Note the service number on the cross is incorrect). The second grave is marked 'H. Ibert C. E. 38384 E. L. R'. The third grave is marked 'T. Massey P. M. 241913 5 E. L. R.' and is the grave of 241913 Pte T Massey 2nd/5th Bn East Lancashire Regt. These three crosses also bear the words 'Hier ruht der engl. Soldat' (here lies the English soldier). The last cross bears the words 'Hier ruht ein engl. Soldat unb.' (here lies an unknown English soldier). Other crosses can be seen in the background.
1st October 1918; Unidentified English and Australian troops enjoying the luxury of a cup of hot coffee at the YMCA stall, established in one of the ruined buildings of Hargicourt, when the fighting for the main Hindenburg Defence System was progressing on the Le Catelet-Nauroy line.
19th September 1918; A German machine gunner lying dead at his post in a trench near Hargicourt. He had courageously fought to the last, using his gun with deadly effect against the advancing Australian troops. Note the spent cartridges right foreground.
