LE PEUPLIER MILITARY CEMETERY
Caestre
Nord
France
Location Information
Caestre is a village in the Department of the Nord, on the main road between Cassel and Bailleul, and the hamlet of Le Peuplier is nearly 2 kilometres from Caestre.
From the church in Caestre, take the D942 and turn first right onto the D161. Le Peuplier Military Cemetery can be clearly seen from the main road on the right hand side.
Historical Information
The cemetery was used by fighting units from the beginning of May to the end of August 1918 for the burial of casualties sustained during the German offensive.
There are now 106 First World War burials in the cemetery.
Casualty Details: UK 61, Australia 45, Total Burials: 106
The cemetery was designed by J R Truelove
Caestre is a village in the Department of the Nord, on the main road between Cassel and Bailleul, and the hamlet of Le Peuplier is nearly 2 kilometres from Caestre.
From the church in Caestre, take the D942 and turn first right onto the D161. Le Peuplier Military Cemetery can be clearly seen from the main road on the right hand side.
Historical Information
The cemetery was used by fighting units from the beginning of May to the end of August 1918 for the burial of casualties sustained during the German offensive.
There are now 106 First World War burials in the cemetery.
Casualty Details: UK 61, Australia 45, Total Burials: 106
The cemetery was designed by J R Truelove
243 Sergeant
Alfred Keith Beck
3rd Field Coy. Australian Engineers
5th June 1918.
Row A. 14.
Son of Alfred Henry and Kate Mary Beck; native of Launceston, Tasmania.
Alfred Keith Beck
3rd Field Coy. Australian Engineers
5th June 1918.
Row A. 14.
Son of Alfred Henry and Kate Mary Beck; native of Launceston, Tasmania.
3521 Driver
Walter Raymond Franklin
2nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th May 1918, aged 23.
Row C. 3.
Son of George Horsley Franklin and Margaret Ellen Franklin; native of Randwick, New South Wales.
Walter was the second youngest of 4 brothers who served in WW1, and the only son not to return home.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Greater Love Hath No Man."
3911, Sergeant W. Rees, gave the following description of Walter's death;
"I saw him blown to pieces by a 5.9 (Shell) while we were in a trench in front of Sec-Bois, near Borre. The shell blew him out of all recognition. His remains were buried at the roadside in front of Sec-Bois, I saw the grave and it had a wooden cross on it. Two other men were buried alongside him."
Picture courtesy of Ken Franklin
Walter Raymond Franklin
2nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th May 1918, aged 23.
Row C. 3.
Son of George Horsley Franklin and Margaret Ellen Franklin; native of Randwick, New South Wales.
Walter was the second youngest of 4 brothers who served in WW1, and the only son not to return home.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Greater Love Hath No Man."
3911, Sergeant W. Rees, gave the following description of Walter's death;
"I saw him blown to pieces by a 5.9 (Shell) while we were in a trench in front of Sec-Bois, near Borre. The shell blew him out of all recognition. His remains were buried at the roadside in front of Sec-Bois, I saw the grave and it had a wooden cross on it. Two other men were buried alongside him."
Picture courtesy of Ken Franklin
4319 Private
Emil Henry Janetzki
1st Australian Pioneers
13th July 1918, aged 22.
Row D. 6.
Son of Caroline Wilhelmine and the late Johann G. Janetzki.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Peace Perfect peace, Fond Memories."
From Murtoa, Vic. A labourer prior to enlistment, Pte Janetzki embarked with the 12th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Suevic on 21 June 1917. On 13 July 1918 he was killed in action in France, aged 22.
6297 Private
David Joseph King
12th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st May 1918
Row A. 7.
A mechanic from Ulverstone, Tasmania prior to enlistment, Pte King embarked with the 20th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Botanist on 24 August 1916. While serving in France, he was wounded in action and evacuated to England. Following his recovery he rejoined his unit and, on 1 May 1918, was killed in action
David Joseph King
12th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st May 1918
Row A. 7.
A mechanic from Ulverstone, Tasmania prior to enlistment, Pte King embarked with the 20th Reinforcements from Melbourne on HMAT Botanist on 24 August 1916. While serving in France, he was wounded in action and evacuated to England. Following his recovery he rejoined his unit and, on 1 May 1918, was killed in action
5612 Driver
Albert Garnet Lowry
1st Bty., 1st Bde. Australian Field Artillery
28th May 1918, aged 21.
Row C. 7.
Son of Albert and Emma Lowry, of 48, Wheatland Road, Malvern, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Father In Thy Gracious Keeping Leave We Now Our Loved One Sleeping."
5493 Gunner, H. W. Sutton witnessed the shell burst that killed Albert Lowry;
"I saw them both killed (Lowry & Drew) about 28th May, near Caestre between 4.30 and 5.p.m., they were at tea at the time. A shell landed in the dug-out and killed them instantaneously. Another man was killed by the same shell but I forgot his name (The third man was Driver Sanders). They were both blown far away, I heard the shell pitch and saw the casualty. I helped to bury the three the same night in a little cemetery which is set aside for our men." (All three men now lie side by side in Row C. 7/8/9.)
Albert Garnet Lowry
1st Bty., 1st Bde. Australian Field Artillery
28th May 1918, aged 21.
Row C. 7.
Son of Albert and Emma Lowry, of 48, Wheatland Road, Malvern, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Father In Thy Gracious Keeping Leave We Now Our Loved One Sleeping."
5493 Gunner, H. W. Sutton witnessed the shell burst that killed Albert Lowry;
"I saw them both killed (Lowry & Drew) about 28th May, near Caestre between 4.30 and 5.p.m., they were at tea at the time. A shell landed in the dug-out and killed them instantaneously. Another man was killed by the same shell but I forgot his name (The third man was Driver Sanders). They were both blown far away, I heard the shell pitch and saw the casualty. I helped to bury the three the same night in a little cemetery which is set aside for our men." (All three men now lie side by side in Row C. 7/8/9.)
2374 Lance Corporal
John Cameron Mackenzie
12th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st May 1918, aged 31.
Row A. 5.
Son of William Gordon MacKenzie and Mary Gordon MacKenzie, of Cooroy, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori."
John Cameron Mackenzie
12th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st May 1918, aged 31.
Row A. 5.
Son of William Gordon MacKenzie and Mary Gordon MacKenzie, of Cooroy, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori."
11373 Gunner
Joseph Bonaventure McDuff
102nd Howitzer Bty. 2nd Bde., Australian Field Artillery
29th April 1918, aged 29.
Row B. 7.
Son of John and Elizabeth McDuff; husband of Ethel Louisa McDuff, of Crimea Street, Parramatta, New South Wales; native of Deniliquin, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Till The Dawn Breaks And Dark Shadows Flee, Till We Meet Again."
From Parramatta, NSW. A labourer prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard the RMS Osterley on 15 January 1916. He was killed in action near Caestre, France.
Joseph Bonaventure McDuff
102nd Howitzer Bty. 2nd Bde., Australian Field Artillery
29th April 1918, aged 29.
Row B. 7.
Son of John and Elizabeth McDuff; husband of Ethel Louisa McDuff, of Crimea Street, Parramatta, New South Wales; native of Deniliquin, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Till The Dawn Breaks And Dark Shadows Flee, Till We Meet Again."
From Parramatta, NSW. A labourer prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard the RMS Osterley on 15 January 1916. He was killed in action near Caestre, France.
2130 Private
David McFarlane, M. M.
12th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st May 1918.
Row A. 4.
Son of David and Mary Elizabeth McFarlane; native of Woodside, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Father In Thy Gracious Keeping Leave We Now Our Loved One Sleeping."
David McFarlane, M. M.
12th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st May 1918.
Row A. 4.
Son of David and Mary Elizabeth McFarlane; native of Woodside, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Father In Thy Gracious Keeping Leave We Now Our Loved One Sleeping."
3393 Private
John Philip O'Donaghoe
1st Australian Pioneers
3rd May 1918, aged 22.
Row B. 10.
Son of John Philip and Blanche O'Donaghoe; native of Moorilda, New South Wales.
A storeman from Marrickville, NSW, prior to enlistment, Pte O'Donaghoe embarked with the 8th Reinforcements, 1st Pioneer Battalion, from Sydney aboard HMAT Beltana (A72) on 25 November 1916. He was killed in action in France on 3 May 1918, aged 22.
2488A, Private W. J. Carr described the circumstances of Jack O'Donaghoe's death;
"Little Jack O'Donaghoe and George Young got hit by the same shell and killed outright between Caestre and Croix-Rouge. they were killed while waiting to be relieved at a M. G. (Machine Gun) emplacement and it was bad luck, because they were due to be relieved half hour before. I did not see that but my mate, Cpl. Lander brought them out. They are buried together at a little cemetery near North Borre. I have seen the graves and there are crosses up."
George Young is now buried in Row B. 8. at La Peuplier Military Cemetery
John Philip O'Donaghoe
1st Australian Pioneers
3rd May 1918, aged 22.
Row B. 10.
Son of John Philip and Blanche O'Donaghoe; native of Moorilda, New South Wales.
A storeman from Marrickville, NSW, prior to enlistment, Pte O'Donaghoe embarked with the 8th Reinforcements, 1st Pioneer Battalion, from Sydney aboard HMAT Beltana (A72) on 25 November 1916. He was killed in action in France on 3 May 1918, aged 22.
2488A, Private W. J. Carr described the circumstances of Jack O'Donaghoe's death;
"Little Jack O'Donaghoe and George Young got hit by the same shell and killed outright between Caestre and Croix-Rouge. they were killed while waiting to be relieved at a M. G. (Machine Gun) emplacement and it was bad luck, because they were due to be relieved half hour before. I did not see that but my mate, Cpl. Lander brought them out. They are buried together at a little cemetery near North Borre. I have seen the graves and there are crosses up."
George Young is now buried in Row B. 8. at La Peuplier Military Cemetery
34381 Gunner
Ernest Frederick Parker
102nd Howitzer Bty. 2nd Bde. Australian Field Artillery
2nd May 1918, aged 34.
Row C. 1.
Son of George and Marion Ada Parker.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Behold Thou Hast Made My Days As It Were A Span Long." (Biblical - Psalm 39)
29921 Gunner, N. L. Bowen described the incident which led to Ernest Parker's death;
"He came from Western Australia and had been an Interstate Tennis and Cricket player. he wore glasses. On the 2nd May, we were at Croix-Rouge in action. Parker was killed by a shell while in the office, which landed right outside. I buried his body at a cemetery about 1km from where the railway from Caestre to Borre crosses the road to Croix-Rouge."
18391 Gunner, William Reece added that another man named Irvine (3331 Gunner, Robert Fenton Irvine, 2nd Bde. Australian Field Artillery) was killed by the same shell and both men were buried side by side. Today, both men are still side by side in Row C. 1 and 2 of this cemetery.
Ernest Frederick Parker
102nd Howitzer Bty. 2nd Bde. Australian Field Artillery
2nd May 1918, aged 34.
Row C. 1.
Son of George and Marion Ada Parker.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Behold Thou Hast Made My Days As It Were A Span Long." (Biblical - Psalm 39)
29921 Gunner, N. L. Bowen described the incident which led to Ernest Parker's death;
"He came from Western Australia and had been an Interstate Tennis and Cricket player. he wore glasses. On the 2nd May, we were at Croix-Rouge in action. Parker was killed by a shell while in the office, which landed right outside. I buried his body at a cemetery about 1km from where the railway from Caestre to Borre crosses the road to Croix-Rouge."
18391 Gunner, William Reece added that another man named Irvine (3331 Gunner, Robert Fenton Irvine, 2nd Bde. Australian Field Artillery) was killed by the same shell and both men were buried side by side. Today, both men are still side by side in Row C. 1 and 2 of this cemetery.
4267 Private
Walter Lorne Pattison, M. M.
2nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th May 1918, aged 29.
Row C. 4.
Son of Robert Bailey Pattison and Bridget Pattison; husband of Daisy Pattison, of 68. Princes Street, Dawes Point, Sydney, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Lord gave And The Lord Hath Taken Away."
A coal lumper prior to enlisting in Millers Point, NSW, on 20 September 1915, Pte Pattison embarked from Sydney, NSW, aboard HMAT Aeneas on 30 December 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal for his actions at Zonnebeke, Belgium, on the 7th November 1917 and was killed in action on 4 May 1918, aged 29.
Walter Lorne Pattison, M. M.
2nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
4th May 1918, aged 29.
Row C. 4.
Son of Robert Bailey Pattison and Bridget Pattison; husband of Daisy Pattison, of 68. Princes Street, Dawes Point, Sydney, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Lord gave And The Lord Hath Taken Away."
A coal lumper prior to enlisting in Millers Point, NSW, on 20 September 1915, Pte Pattison embarked from Sydney, NSW, aboard HMAT Aeneas on 30 December 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal for his actions at Zonnebeke, Belgium, on the 7th November 1917 and was killed in action on 4 May 1918, aged 29.
2885 Private
Allan Hector Ross
1st Australian Pioneers
29th June 1918, aged 31.
Row B. 16.
Son of John and Emily Ross; native of Waurn Ponds, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Gone, Not Forgotten. One Of Australia's Best."
Allan Hector Ross, 9th Reinforcements, 7th Battalion, of Bellmont via Geelong, Vic. Pte Ross enlisted on 1 July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Star of Victoria on 10 September 1915. He was killed in action on 29 June 1918 at Strazeele near Hazebrouck, France, while serving with the 1st Pioneer Battalion.
Allan Hector Ross
1st Australian Pioneers
29th June 1918, aged 31.
Row B. 16.
Son of John and Emily Ross; native of Waurn Ponds, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Gone, Not Forgotten. One Of Australia's Best."
Allan Hector Ross, 9th Reinforcements, 7th Battalion, of Bellmont via Geelong, Vic. Pte Ross enlisted on 1 July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Star of Victoria on 10 September 1915. He was killed in action on 29 June 1918 at Strazeele near Hazebrouck, France, while serving with the 1st Pioneer Battalion.
Lieutenant
Leslie Ellis Short
1st Bde. Australian Field Artillery
28th April 1918, aged 26.
Row B. 1.
Son of James and Susannah Short, of 48, Frederick Street, Unley, South Australia; native of Foots Cray, Victoria, Australia. promoted through the ranks.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Hath Fought The Good Fight."
Mortally wounded by a shell while at the Gun-Pits near Strazeele, he was taken to a Dressing Station but died there. His reported last words after being hit were "Pick me up."
Leslie Ellis Short
1st Bde. Australian Field Artillery
28th April 1918, aged 26.
Row B. 1.
Son of James and Susannah Short, of 48, Frederick Street, Unley, South Australia; native of Foots Cray, Victoria, Australia. promoted through the ranks.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Hath Fought The Good Fight."
Mortally wounded by a shell while at the Gun-Pits near Strazeele, he was taken to a Dressing Station but died there. His reported last words after being hit were "Pick me up."
German prisoners on the station platform at Caestre awaiting to be entrained, 15 April 1918. © IWM (Q 10935)
First Battle of Kemmel. Composite battalion (troops of the Wiltshire, Warwickshire Regiments, Northumberland Fusiliers and others) resting by the roadside. Caestre, 17 April 1918. © IWM (Q 8724)
