JEANCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Aisne
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 49.92499, Longitude: 3.14312
Location Information
Jeancourt is a small village situated approximately halfway between Peronne and St. Quentin.
From Peronne take the D44 towards St. Quentin. At Estrees-en-Chaussee turn towards St. Quentin. On reaching Vermand turn left in the village taking the D33 through Vadencourt. At the next crossroads turn left towards Le Verguier. Go through Le Verguier onto Jeancourt. In Jeancourt follow the green Commission signs to Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension which is situated on the opposite side of the village next to the communal cemetery.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access is possible with some difficulty.
Historical Information
Jeancourt was a German hospital centre and the extension to the communal cemetery was used alternately by Commonwealth and German troops; a substantial German plot remains in the north-western part. The Commonwealth burials, made by the 59th (North Midland) Division and other fighting troops, began in April 1917, continued until February 1918, and were resumed in September 1918. Further burials were added after the Armistice when graves, almost all of March and September 1918, were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and from the following smaller cemetery:-
POEUILLY BRITISH CEMETERY, was 200 metres South of the village of Poeuilly and contained the graves of 27 soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Australia, who fell in September and October, 1918.
The extension now contains 492 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 207 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to two casualties believed to be buried among them. The extension also contains 168 German burials.
Total Burials: 660.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 181, Germany 168, Australia 99, Canada 6. Total 453.
Unitentified Casualties: 207.
The extension was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and Noel Ackroyd Rew

123 Private
John Edward Briggs
49th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
15th September 1918
Plot VI. A. 14.
John Edward Briggs
49th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
15th September 1918
Plot VI. A. 14.

7468 Private
Geoffrey Austen Cave
10th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 29.
Sp. Mem. 2.
Son of Annie Jane Cave, of 71, Fifth Avenue, St. Peters, South Australia, and the late Harold Frank Cave. Born at Adelaide, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Memory Of The Only Son Of Harold And Annie Cave, Adelaide."
Geoffrey Austen Cave
10th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 29.
Sp. Mem. 2.
Son of Annie Jane Cave, of 71, Fifth Avenue, St. Peters, South Australia, and the late Harold Frank Cave. Born at Adelaide, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Memory Of The Only Son Of Harold And Annie Cave, Adelaide."

1163 Private
John Percival Higgins Cook
46th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 22.
Plot VI. A. 8.
Husband of H. Cook, of 453, Wellfield St., Warrington, England. Born at Ballarat, Australia.
John Percival Higgins Cook
46th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 22.
Plot VI. A. 8.
Husband of H. Cook, of 453, Wellfield St., Warrington, England. Born at Ballarat, Australia.

4757 Private
Bernard Coyte
13th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 24.
Plot II. A. 25.
Son of William Henry and Elizabeth Coyte, of Borenore, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "O Lord Have Mercy On His Soul; May He Rest In Peace. Amen."
A farmer prior to enlisting in October 1915, Pte Coyte embarked from Sydney with the 15th Reinforcements on board HMAT Star of England (A15) on 8 March 1916. After further taining in Egypt, he arrrived in France for service on the Western Front in September 1916. Pte Coyte was killed in action in France on 18 September 1918.
Bernard Coyte
13th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 24.
Plot II. A. 25.
Son of William Henry and Elizabeth Coyte, of Borenore, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "O Lord Have Mercy On His Soul; May He Rest In Peace. Amen."
A farmer prior to enlisting in October 1915, Pte Coyte embarked from Sydney with the 15th Reinforcements on board HMAT Star of England (A15) on 8 March 1916. After further taining in Egypt, he arrrived in France for service on the Western Front in September 1916. Pte Coyte was killed in action in France on 18 September 1918.

792 Private
William Esther Davidson
4th Bn. Australian Machine Gun Corps
12th September 1918, aged 34.
Plot VI. A. 5.
Son of George and Margaret Anne Davidson; husband of E. Davidson, of "Clydeside," Botany St., Kensington, New South Wales. Born at Paddington, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "For Australia In Memory By His Wife E. Davidson."
A 23 year old bookmaker's clerk prior to enlisting on 29 March 1917, he embarked for overseas with the 15th Reinforcements from Melbourne on 26 November 1917 aboard SS Indarra. After arriving in Egypt he had a short period of illness before proceeding to England for further training. While under training, he spent some time with the 47th Battalion and then joined the 4th Machine Gun Battalion in France on 27 August 1918. Pte Davidson was killed in action at Bouvincourt on 12 September 1918.
William Esther Davidson
4th Bn. Australian Machine Gun Corps
12th September 1918, aged 34.
Plot VI. A. 5.
Son of George and Margaret Anne Davidson; husband of E. Davidson, of "Clydeside," Botany St., Kensington, New South Wales. Born at Paddington, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "For Australia In Memory By His Wife E. Davidson."
A 23 year old bookmaker's clerk prior to enlisting on 29 March 1917, he embarked for overseas with the 15th Reinforcements from Melbourne on 26 November 1917 aboard SS Indarra. After arriving in Egypt he had a short period of illness before proceeding to England for further training. While under training, he spent some time with the 47th Battalion and then joined the 4th Machine Gun Battalion in France on 27 August 1918. Pte Davidson was killed in action at Bouvincourt on 12 September 1918.

3299 Private
Frederick Archibald De Cean
50th Bn. Australian Infantry
13th September 1918, aged 19.
Plot II. A. 10.
Son of May Edith De Cean, of 46, Norma St., New Mile End, South Australia, and the late James Vagg De Cean.
His headstone bears the inscription; "A Brave Young Hero Who Gave His Life For His King & Country."
An 18 year old labourer prior to enlisting on 26 July 1917, he embarked for overseas with the 8th Reinforcements of the 43rd Battalion from Melbourne on 7 March 1918 aboard SS Ormonde. Following further training in Egypt and England, he joined the 50th Battalion in France on 17 August 1918. Less than a month later, Pte De Cean was killed in action on 13 September 1918 near Vendelles, France.
Frederick Archibald De Cean
50th Bn. Australian Infantry
13th September 1918, aged 19.
Plot II. A. 10.
Son of May Edith De Cean, of 46, Norma St., New Mile End, South Australia, and the late James Vagg De Cean.
His headstone bears the inscription; "A Brave Young Hero Who Gave His Life For His King & Country."
An 18 year old labourer prior to enlisting on 26 July 1917, he embarked for overseas with the 8th Reinforcements of the 43rd Battalion from Melbourne on 7 March 1918 aboard SS Ormonde. Following further training in Egypt and England, he joined the 50th Battalion in France on 17 August 1918. Less than a month later, Pte De Cean was killed in action on 13 September 1918 near Vendelles, France.

6967 Private
Vincent Donnelly
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918
Plot IV. A. 2.
Vincent Donnelly
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918
Plot IV. A. 2.

Captain
Sydney Truman Durose
"C" Coy. 2nd/7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
2nd April 1917, aged 24.
Plot II. A. 19.
Son of Arthur and Annie Maude Durose, of "Upwood," The Warren, Radlett, Herts. Born at Nottingham.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Is Sacred High In Our Memory And To God We Can Leave The Rest."
Sydney Truman Durose
"C" Coy. 2nd/7th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
2nd April 1917, aged 24.
Plot II. A. 19.
Son of Arthur and Annie Maude Durose, of "Upwood," The Warren, Radlett, Herts. Born at Nottingham.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Is Sacred High In Our Memory And To God We Can Leave The Rest."

5677 Corporal
William Egelton
13th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918
Plot II. A. 27.
William Egelton
13th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918
Plot II. A. 27.

4814 Corporal
Henry Hoey
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 27.
Plot I. A. 17.
Son of Lewis and Mary C. Hoey, of Katoomba St., Katoomba, New South Wales. Born at Brandon, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Sacred To The Memory Of A Brave Soldier."
Henry Hoey
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 27.
Plot I. A. 17.
Son of Lewis and Mary C. Hoey, of Katoomba St., Katoomba, New South Wales. Born at Brandon, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Sacred To The Memory Of A Brave Soldier."

6783 Private
Walter Charles Manser, M. M.
10th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 24,
Plot III. B. 8.
Son of David and Mary Manser, of Mount Crawford, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Father In Thy Gracious Keeping Leave We Now Thy Servant Sleeping."
Walter Charles Manser, M. M.
10th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 24,
Plot III. B. 8.
Son of David and Mary Manser, of Mount Crawford, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Father In Thy Gracious Keeping Leave We Now Thy Servant Sleeping."

2699 Private
Oliver Broughton Mathews
50th Bn. Australian Infantry
13th September 1918, aged 28.
Plot V. C. 2.
Son of Charles William and Ann Mathews, of Crystal Brook, South Australia. Born at Port Pirie, South Australia.
Oliver Broughton Mathews
50th Bn. Australian Infantry
13th September 1918, aged 28.
Plot V. C. 2.
Son of Charles William and Ann Mathews, of Crystal Brook, South Australia. Born at Port Pirie, South Australia.

7371 Private
Albert Leslie Meyer
51st Bn. Australian Infantry
15th September 1918, aged 34
Plot V. D. 10.
Son of Mrs. M. J. Meyer; husband of Mrs. L. M. Meyer, of Moora, Western Australia. Born at Ambleside, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "God Be With You Until We Meet Again."
Killed in action at Mont St. Quentin, two of his brothers also died in the war.
Albert Leslie Meyer
51st Bn. Australian Infantry
15th September 1918, aged 34
Plot V. D. 10.
Son of Mrs. M. J. Meyer; husband of Mrs. L. M. Meyer, of Moora, Western Australia. Born at Ambleside, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "God Be With You Until We Meet Again."
Killed in action at Mont St. Quentin, two of his brothers also died in the war.

24615 Private
Adam Johnson Moss
10th Bn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
21st March 1918
Plot I. B. 18.
Adam Johnson Moss
10th Bn. The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
21st March 1918
Plot I. B. 18.

7734 Lance Corporal
Murdock Ross Murray
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. A. 20.
Son of George and Margaret Murray, of Stanton Hill, Townsville, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Answered His Country's Call."
A carpenter from Stanton Hill, Qld prior to enlistment, Pte Murray embarked with the 26th Reinforcements from Sydney on HMAT Euripides on 31 October 1917. Later transferring to the 15th Battalion he was promoted to Lance Corporal and, on 18 September 1918, aged 23, he was killed in action in France. His brother Second Lieutenant James Cassie Murray, 7th Machine Gun Company was previously killed in action on 5 August 1916, also in France, he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
Murdock Ross Murray
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. A. 20.
Son of George and Margaret Murray, of Stanton Hill, Townsville, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Answered His Country's Call."
A carpenter from Stanton Hill, Qld prior to enlistment, Pte Murray embarked with the 26th Reinforcements from Sydney on HMAT Euripides on 31 October 1917. Later transferring to the 15th Battalion he was promoted to Lance Corporal and, on 18 September 1918, aged 23, he was killed in action in France. His brother Second Lieutenant James Cassie Murray, 7th Machine Gun Company was previously killed in action on 5 August 1916, also in France, he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.

1614 Sergeant
Joseph William Smith
48th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 30.
Plot II. B. 9.
Son of Joseph Ambrose Smith and Bridget Smith, of Kapunda, South Australia. Born at Port Adelaide, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "For Our Hearts Are Ever Yearning For Our Absent Soldier Boy."
Pte Smith undertook a year's part time training with the NCO club in Adelaide before enlisting as a Private on 9 December 1915. He embarked with the 2nd Reinforcements for the 48th Bn aboard HMAT A60 Aeneas at Adelaide on 11 April 1916. Promoted to Sgt in July 1917, he was killed in action in France on 18 September 1918 aged 30.
Joseph William Smith
48th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 30.
Plot II. B. 9.
Son of Joseph Ambrose Smith and Bridget Smith, of Kapunda, South Australia. Born at Port Adelaide, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "For Our Hearts Are Ever Yearning For Our Absent Soldier Boy."
Pte Smith undertook a year's part time training with the NCO club in Adelaide before enlisting as a Private on 9 December 1915. He embarked with the 2nd Reinforcements for the 48th Bn aboard HMAT A60 Aeneas at Adelaide on 11 April 1916. Promoted to Sgt in July 1917, he was killed in action in France on 18 September 1918 aged 30.

2074 Gunner
Albert Southam, M. M.
13th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
18th September 1918, aged 31.
Plot V. C. 3.
Son of Charles and Annie Elizabeth Southam, of Kyogle, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Lord Gave And The Lord Hath Taken Away."
A 28 year old sawmill worker prior to enlisting on 14 October 1915, he embarked for overseas with the 14th Reinforcements from Brisbane, Queensland on 31 January 1916 aboard HMAT Wandilla. He was transferred as a Driver to the 52 Battery of the 25th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB), then as a Gunner with the 13th FAB. Gunner Southam was killed in action on 18 September 1918 near Bellenglise, France and on 24 January 1919 was posthumously awarded the Military Medal for 'courage and initiative at Hamel/ Villers-Bretonneux on 9 August 1918'.
Albert Southam, M. M.
13th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
18th September 1918, aged 31.
Plot V. C. 3.
Son of Charles and Annie Elizabeth Southam, of Kyogle, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Lord Gave And The Lord Hath Taken Away."
A 28 year old sawmill worker prior to enlisting on 14 October 1915, he embarked for overseas with the 14th Reinforcements from Brisbane, Queensland on 31 January 1916 aboard HMAT Wandilla. He was transferred as a Driver to the 52 Battery of the 25th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB), then as a Gunner with the 13th FAB. Gunner Southam was killed in action on 18 September 1918 near Bellenglise, France and on 24 January 1919 was posthumously awarded the Military Medal for 'courage and initiative at Hamel/ Villers-Bretonneux on 9 August 1918'.

7790 Private
Harold Egbert Strongman
11th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 35.
Plot I. E. 17.
Son of James and Emily Strongman, of Norseman, Western Australia. Born in South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "As He Lived, So He Died; A Good Son And A Brave Soldier.'
A miner who had previously been rejected for military service before enlisting in March 1917, Pte Strongman left Australia for England with the 26th Reinforcements in June 1917 and arrived in France for service on the Western Front in February 1918. Pte Strongman had been wounded in the face by shell fragments whilst the 11th Battalion was in the line in the Strazeele sector in July 1918 and was evacuated to Boulogne to recover. Rejoining his unit the following month, Pte Strongman was killed in action during the Anzac Corps' attack on the Hindenburg Outpost line near Hargicourt on 18 Septemebr 1918, aged 35. 6586 Chaplain James August Sanders, 11th Battalion, wrote a letter to Pte Strongman's father:
"I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy. I was with your son the morning...he was killed. We were standing together when a hand grenade, thrown by the enemy, struck him in the head. Death was instantaneous I deeply regret his untimely death. He had proved himself a brave gallant soldier who was highly respected by all. I hope you will find some consolation in your great sorrow in the knowledge that your son died in the common cause of national righteousness and for his country's honour".
Harold Egbert Strongman
11th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 35.
Plot I. E. 17.
Son of James and Emily Strongman, of Norseman, Western Australia. Born in South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "As He Lived, So He Died; A Good Son And A Brave Soldier.'
A miner who had previously been rejected for military service before enlisting in March 1917, Pte Strongman left Australia for England with the 26th Reinforcements in June 1917 and arrived in France for service on the Western Front in February 1918. Pte Strongman had been wounded in the face by shell fragments whilst the 11th Battalion was in the line in the Strazeele sector in July 1918 and was evacuated to Boulogne to recover. Rejoining his unit the following month, Pte Strongman was killed in action during the Anzac Corps' attack on the Hindenburg Outpost line near Hargicourt on 18 Septemebr 1918, aged 35. 6586 Chaplain James August Sanders, 11th Battalion, wrote a letter to Pte Strongman's father:
"I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy. I was with your son the morning...he was killed. We were standing together when a hand grenade, thrown by the enemy, struck him in the head. Death was instantaneous I deeply regret his untimely death. He had proved himself a brave gallant soldier who was highly respected by all. I hope you will find some consolation in your great sorrow in the knowledge that your son died in the common cause of national righteousness and for his country's honour".

Lieutenant
Leslie Norman Ward, M. C.
48th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
19th September 1918, aged 25.
Plot II. B. 8.
Son of James William and Sarah Ann Ward, of Charleville, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Rest In peace Your Duty Done."
Lt Ward enlisted on the 26 July 1915 and served onthe Western Front with the 47th Battalion. He was commissioned from the ranks in November 1917 and was awarded the Military Cross for actions at Dernancourt on 5 April 1918. He was later transferred to the 48th Battalion in May 1918.
In a letter dated 15th September 1918 which accompanied the above portrait to his parents in Australia, Lt Ward wrote; "We are doing OK and move up to take over the trenches tonight. We do a big attack in a few days I think. Oh well I sincerely hope that my usual luck sticks to me through this show."
Lt Ward was killed four days later on the 19 September 1918 during an attack on a German trench at Bellenglise near Mont St Quentin.
3206 Private, Robert James Rowles of the same unit as Lieutenant Ward gave these details of his death;
"On September 19th near Bellenglise, about 11.a.m., he was walking along a sap to give some directions to his men further forward, when hearing a shell coming, he ducked, but it got him in the side and back and killed him instantly. I helped to carry him back to headquarters. I know nothing of his burial."
Leslie Norman Ward, M. C.
48th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
19th September 1918, aged 25.
Plot II. B. 8.
Son of James William and Sarah Ann Ward, of Charleville, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Rest In peace Your Duty Done."
Lt Ward enlisted on the 26 July 1915 and served onthe Western Front with the 47th Battalion. He was commissioned from the ranks in November 1917 and was awarded the Military Cross for actions at Dernancourt on 5 April 1918. He was later transferred to the 48th Battalion in May 1918.
In a letter dated 15th September 1918 which accompanied the above portrait to his parents in Australia, Lt Ward wrote; "We are doing OK and move up to take over the trenches tonight. We do a big attack in a few days I think. Oh well I sincerely hope that my usual luck sticks to me through this show."
Lt Ward was killed four days later on the 19 September 1918 during an attack on a German trench at Bellenglise near Mont St Quentin.
3206 Private, Robert James Rowles of the same unit as Lieutenant Ward gave these details of his death;
"On September 19th near Bellenglise, about 11.a.m., he was walking along a sap to give some directions to his men further forward, when hearing a shell coming, he ducked, but it got him in the side and back and killed him instantly. I helped to carry him back to headquarters. I know nothing of his burial."