LEBUCQUIÈRE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Pas De Calais
France
Location Information
Lebucquière is a village 8 kilometres east of Bapaume and about 2 kilometres south of the main straight road from Bapaume to Cambrai.
From Bapaume take the N30 in the direction of Cambrai. After passing the village of Beugny continue for approximately 1 kilometre. Turn right onto the D18 and continue for 1.7 kilometres. Turn left at the CWGC signpost, then right following the second CWGC signpost into a lane. 300 metres down the lane, Lebucquiere Communal Cemetery Extension will be found situated behind the old communal cemetery.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemetery is possible with some difficulty.
Historical Information
Lebucquiere village was occupied by Commonwealth forces on 19 March 1917, following the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. It was recaptured by the Germans on 23 March 1918, after fierce resistance by the 19th (Western) Division, and was finally reoccupied by the 5th Division on 3 September 1918.
The communal cemetery extension was begun on 24 March 1917 and was used by the 1st Australian Division and other units for almost a year. After the reoccupation of the village in September 1918, it was used again for a fortnight. At the Armistice, the cemetery contained 150 burials, but it was then greatly enlarged when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields.
The extension now contains 774 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 266 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials 20 casualties known or believed to be buried among them and to one soldier buried in Bertincourt German Military Cemetery, whose remains could not be found on concentration.
Casualty Details: UK 685, Canada 1, Australia 66, New Zealand 21, South Africa 1, Germany 5, Total Burials: 779
The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker
Lebucquière is a village 8 kilometres east of Bapaume and about 2 kilometres south of the main straight road from Bapaume to Cambrai.
From Bapaume take the N30 in the direction of Cambrai. After passing the village of Beugny continue for approximately 1 kilometre. Turn right onto the D18 and continue for 1.7 kilometres. Turn left at the CWGC signpost, then right following the second CWGC signpost into a lane. 300 metres down the lane, Lebucquiere Communal Cemetery Extension will be found situated behind the old communal cemetery.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemetery is possible with some difficulty.
Historical Information
Lebucquiere village was occupied by Commonwealth forces on 19 March 1917, following the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. It was recaptured by the Germans on 23 March 1918, after fierce resistance by the 19th (Western) Division, and was finally reoccupied by the 5th Division on 3 September 1918.
The communal cemetery extension was begun on 24 March 1917 and was used by the 1st Australian Division and other units for almost a year. After the reoccupation of the village in September 1918, it was used again for a fortnight. At the Armistice, the cemetery contained 150 burials, but it was then greatly enlarged when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields.
The extension now contains 774 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 266 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials 20 casualties known or believed to be buried among them and to one soldier buried in Bertincourt German Military Cemetery, whose remains could not be found on concentration.
Casualty Details: UK 685, Canada 1, Australia 66, New Zealand 21, South Africa 1, Germany 5, Total Burials: 779
The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker
4539 Private
Alfred Burrill
1st/4th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
10th July 1916.
Plot II. A. 21.
Alfred Burrill
1st/4th Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
10th July 1916.
Plot II. A. 21.
59315 Sapper
George William Byres
New Zealand Engineers
18th September 1918.
Plot III. B. 14.
Son of William and Marie Byres, of Wellington Rd., Marton, New Zealand.
George William Byres
New Zealand Engineers
18th September 1918.
Plot III. B. 14.
Son of William and Marie Byres, of Wellington Rd., Marton, New Zealand.
Captain
Austin Basil Clarke, M. C.
Royal Army Medical Corps. attd. 1st/9th Bn. London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles)
23rd November 1917, aged 25.
Plot I. B. 13.
Son of Albert Bleckly Clarke and Mary Clarke, of Woodlands, Topsham, Devon. Native of Shebbear, Devon.
His headstone bears the inscription; "One Who Never Turned His Back But Walked Straight Forward."
Austin Basil Clarke, M. C.
Royal Army Medical Corps. attd. 1st/9th Bn. London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles)
23rd November 1917, aged 25.
Plot I. B. 13.
Son of Albert Bleckly Clarke and Mary Clarke, of Woodlands, Topsham, Devon. Native of Shebbear, Devon.
His headstone bears the inscription; "One Who Never Turned His Back But Walked Straight Forward."
41A Private
Charles Menzies Duff
11th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
8th April 1917.
Plot III. C. 30.
Pictures courtesy of Allen Duff (Great Grandson)
There is a larger image of Charles in the gallery below
Charles Menzies Duff
11th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
8th April 1917.
Plot III. C. 30.
Pictures courtesy of Allen Duff (Great Grandson)
There is a larger image of Charles in the gallery below
Lieutenant
Grant Gall
3rd Bn. Royal Scots, attd. 3rd Field Survey Coy. Royal Engineers
21st March 1918, aged 25.
Plot II. A. 23.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Gall, of 3, Plewlands Gardens, Edinburgh. Mus.B.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will Be Done."
Grant Gall
3rd Bn. Royal Scots, attd. 3rd Field Survey Coy. Royal Engineers
21st March 1918, aged 25.
Plot II. A. 23.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Gall, of 3, Plewlands Gardens, Edinburgh. Mus.B.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Thy Will Be Done."
61612 Private
Vernon Lawrence Green
1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
6th September 1918, aged 21.
Plot IV. C. 15.
Son of Robert William and Elizabeth Emily Green, of Wanganui, New Zealand.
Vernon Lawrence Green
1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
6th September 1918, aged 21.
Plot IV. C. 15.
Son of Robert William and Elizabeth Emily Green, of Wanganui, New Zealand.
5380 Private
Ambrose Leslie Harvey
55th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
2nd April 1917, aged 20.
Plot I. B. 6. (Coll.)
Son of Thomas P. and Margaret Harvey, of 33, Lombard St., Glebe, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of Sydney.
Pte Harvey enlisted on 10 January 1916 and was killed in action in France, on 2 April 1917. He had five years pre-war service in the junior cadets and was employed as a clerk at Anthony Hordern prior to enlistment. A cousin, N76219 Sapper (Spr) Oswald Wolf, Engineers Depot, Moore Park, also enlisted but died in Sydney on 31 May 1917 from double pneumonia before embarking for overseas.
3298 Lance Corporal, S. C. Graham, gave these details about the death of Leslie Ambrose;
"He was killed instantly at Doignies on 2/4/17 by machine gun fire, and I, later on in the afternoon, carried his body out for burial. From his wounds, I feel sure he died without suffering. I helped to carry him to Beaumetz and he was then taken to Lebucquiere close to Doignies. We collected the bodies at Beaumetz and they were all taken by transport to an old French cemetery at Lebucquiere."
Ambrose Leslie Harvey
55th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
2nd April 1917, aged 20.
Plot I. B. 6. (Coll.)
Son of Thomas P. and Margaret Harvey, of 33, Lombard St., Glebe, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of Sydney.
Pte Harvey enlisted on 10 January 1916 and was killed in action in France, on 2 April 1917. He had five years pre-war service in the junior cadets and was employed as a clerk at Anthony Hordern prior to enlistment. A cousin, N76219 Sapper (Spr) Oswald Wolf, Engineers Depot, Moore Park, also enlisted but died in Sydney on 31 May 1917 from double pneumonia before embarking for overseas.
3298 Lance Corporal, S. C. Graham, gave these details about the death of Leslie Ambrose;
"He was killed instantly at Doignies on 2/4/17 by machine gun fire, and I, later on in the afternoon, carried his body out for burial. From his wounds, I feel sure he died without suffering. I helped to carry him to Beaumetz and he was then taken to Lebucquiere close to Doignies. We collected the bodies at Beaumetz and they were all taken by transport to an old French cemetery at Lebucquiere."
172908 Gunner
William Oliver Hayward
"B" Bty. 124th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
11th September 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. G. 14.
William was the husband of my Dad’s Grandma’s sister. He was born in Manchester in 1891 to Samuel and Elizabeth Hayward and lived in the Openshaw area. On the 18th April 1915 he married Sarah Ann Bannister – both were living at 1126 Ashton Old Road. William was a tram guard and his name is on the memorial at Hyde Road Bus Garage, where employees of the Manchester tram system are commemorated.
Picture courtesy of Vanessa Human, Great Great niece of this soldier. I would love to hear from any relatives of William.
William Oliver Hayward
"B" Bty. 124th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
11th September 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. G. 14.
William was the husband of my Dad’s Grandma’s sister. He was born in Manchester in 1891 to Samuel and Elizabeth Hayward and lived in the Openshaw area. On the 18th April 1915 he married Sarah Ann Bannister – both were living at 1126 Ashton Old Road. William was a tram guard and his name is on the memorial at Hyde Road Bus Garage, where employees of the Manchester tram system are commemorated.
Picture courtesy of Vanessa Human, Great Great niece of this soldier. I would love to hear from any relatives of William.
5777 Private
William Leat
13th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
4th September 1918, aged 29.
Plot II. H. 20.
Son of James and Martha Leat, of 29, Cummings St., Gray's Inn Rd.; husband of Ann Helena Leat, of 71, Harrison St., Gray's Inn Rd., London.
Picture courtesy of great granddaughter, Kym Tobie.
William Leat
13th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
4th September 1918, aged 29.
Plot II. H. 20.
Son of James and Martha Leat, of 29, Cummings St., Gray's Inn Rd.; husband of Ann Helena Leat, of 71, Harrison St., Gray's Inn Rd., London.
Picture courtesy of great granddaughter, Kym Tobie.
Lieutenant
Douglas Meldrum Watson Leith, M. C.
4th Bn. Gordon Highlanders
21st March 1918, aged 26.
Plot IV. A. 16.
Son of Margaret Leith, of Kelvin House, 15, West Hill, Highgate, London, and the late Rev. John Watson Leith, B.D. Minister of O'Meldrum, Aberdeenshire.
Douglas Meldrum Watson Leith, M. C.
4th Bn. Gordon Highlanders
21st March 1918, aged 26.
Plot IV. A. 16.
Son of Margaret Leith, of Kelvin House, 15, West Hill, Highgate, London, and the late Rev. John Watson Leith, B.D. Minister of O'Meldrum, Aberdeenshire.
3555 Private
Stanley Alexander Littleboy
9th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th April 1917, aged 24.
Plot III. C. 27.
Son of William George and Margaret Littleboy, of Swan Terrace, Windsor, Brisbane, Queensland. Native of Brisbane, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "His Country Called, He Answered."
Stanley Alexander Littleboy
9th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th April 1917, aged 24.
Plot III. C. 27.
Son of William George and Margaret Littleboy, of Swan Terrace, Windsor, Brisbane, Queensland. Native of Brisbane, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "His Country Called, He Answered."
3975 Lance Corporal
Broughton Taylor Luscombe
4th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th April 1917, aged 26.
Plot II. B. 25.
Son of Robert Snelling Taylor Luscombe and Mary Eleanor Luscombe; husband of Nina Luscombe, of 2 Flat, The Mansions, Manly, New South Wales. Native of Muswellbrook, New South Wales. His brother Keith Taylor Luscombe also fell and is commemorated at Albert Communal Cemetery Extension.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Memory Of My Husband St.Matt.6-3."
Lance Corporal Luscombe was killed along with 9 others at Velu Railway Station when the enemy exploded a mine, there were several other men injured in the blast. All the bodies were recovered and originally buried nearby.
Broughton Taylor Luscombe
4th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th April 1917, aged 26.
Plot II. B. 25.
Son of Robert Snelling Taylor Luscombe and Mary Eleanor Luscombe; husband of Nina Luscombe, of 2 Flat, The Mansions, Manly, New South Wales. Native of Muswellbrook, New South Wales. His brother Keith Taylor Luscombe also fell and is commemorated at Albert Communal Cemetery Extension.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Memory Of My Husband St.Matt.6-3."
Lance Corporal Luscombe was killed along with 9 others at Velu Railway Station when the enemy exploded a mine, there were several other men injured in the blast. All the bodies were recovered and originally buried nearby.
Second Lieutenant
Roderick Kyrle Matheson
3rd Bn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) attd. 20th Bn. Manchester Regiment
8th September 1916, aged 18.
Plot II. F. 24.
Son of Sir Alexander Perceval Matheson and Lady Eleanor Matheson, of Ardarun, Littlehampton. Enlisted Sept., 1914, in 20th Bn. Royal Fusiliers. His brothers Ian Kenneth Matheson and Alexander Perceval Matheson also fell. They are commemorated at Etaples Military Cemetery and Oudenaarde Communal Cemetery respectively.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Son Of Sir Alexr. & Lady Matheson Ardarun, Littlehampton England."
Roderick Kyrle Matheson
3rd Bn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) attd. 20th Bn. Manchester Regiment
8th September 1916, aged 18.
Plot II. F. 24.
Son of Sir Alexander Perceval Matheson and Lady Eleanor Matheson, of Ardarun, Littlehampton. Enlisted Sept., 1914, in 20th Bn. Royal Fusiliers. His brothers Ian Kenneth Matheson and Alexander Perceval Matheson also fell. They are commemorated at Etaples Military Cemetery and Oudenaarde Communal Cemetery respectively.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Son Of Sir Alexr. & Lady Matheson Ardarun, Littlehampton England."
235336 Private
Douglas Walter John Mickleburgh
41st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
5th December 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. E. I.
Picture courtesy of Dave Brady
Douglas Walter John Mickleburgh
41st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
5th December 1917, aged 24.
Plot I. E. I.
Picture courtesy of Dave Brady
2/1894 Serjeant
Alexander Muir
New Zealand Field Artillery
26th September 1918, aged 33.
Plot IV. B. 33
Son of James and Margaret Muir, of Brookby, Auckland, New Zealand.
Alexander Muir
New Zealand Field Artillery
26th September 1918, aged 33.
Plot IV. B. 33
Son of James and Margaret Muir, of Brookby, Auckland, New Zealand.
4909A Private
Alfred Nathan
60th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th March 1917, aged 22.
Plot II. G. 11.
Son of Rachel Nathan, of 13, Ellison St., London, E1. and the late Michael Nathan.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Deeply Mourned By His Sorrowing Parents And Brothers."
Alfred Nathan
60th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th March 1917, aged 22.
Plot II. G. 11.
Son of Rachel Nathan, of 13, Ellison St., London, E1. and the late Michael Nathan.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Deeply Mourned By His Sorrowing Parents And Brothers."
2821A Private
Harold Thomas Page
9th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th April 1917, aged 19.
Plot III. C. 26.
Son of Joseph and Hannah Mary Page, of "Avondale," 4th Avenue, Cooparoo, Brisbane, Queensland. Native of Dalby, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Sacred Heart Of Jesus Have Mercy On His Soul, Heart Of Mary Pray For Him."
Harold Thomas Page
9th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
20th April 1917, aged 19.
Plot III. C. 26.
Son of Joseph and Hannah Mary Page, of "Avondale," 4th Avenue, Cooparoo, Brisbane, Queensland. Native of Dalby, Queensland.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Sacred Heart Of Jesus Have Mercy On His Soul, Heart Of Mary Pray For Him."
2/2896 Corporal
Edward John Parker
12th Bty. New Zealand Field Artillery
26th September 1918, aged 24.
Plot IV. B. 12.
Son of John and Marian Parker, of Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand.
Edward John Parker
12th Bty. New Zealand Field Artillery
26th September 1918, aged 24.
Plot IV. B. 12.
Son of John and Marian Parker, of Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand.
13086 Lance Serjeant
Joseph Peatfield, M. M.
7th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
5th September 1918.
Plot III. D. 25.
Joseph Peatfield, M. M.
7th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
5th September 1918.
Plot III. D. 25.
180 Sergeant
Leslie John Shaw Smith
55th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
2nd April 1917, aged 27.
Plot I. B. 6. (Coll.)
Son of Frederick and Emily Smith, of 83, Granville Rd., Blackburn, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Hath Done What He Could From Sorrowing Parents, Blackburn, Eng."
L/Sgt Smith emigrated to Australia aged 21, and was an electrician at the department store Anthony Hordern and Sons Ltd, Sydney. He enlisted at Sydney on 21 August 1914 and joined the 3rd Battalion. Wounded at Gallipoli, he later transferred to the 55th Battalion on 13 February 1916 and was killed in action at Velu, near Bapaume, France on 2 April 1917.
Leslie John Shaw Smith
55th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
2nd April 1917, aged 27.
Plot I. B. 6. (Coll.)
Son of Frederick and Emily Smith, of 83, Granville Rd., Blackburn, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Hath Done What He Could From Sorrowing Parents, Blackburn, Eng."
L/Sgt Smith emigrated to Australia aged 21, and was an electrician at the department store Anthony Hordern and Sons Ltd, Sydney. He enlisted at Sydney on 21 August 1914 and joined the 3rd Battalion. Wounded at Gallipoli, he later transferred to the 55th Battalion on 13 February 1916 and was killed in action at Velu, near Bapaume, France on 2 April 1917.
Second Lieutenant
Herbert Walter Tilbury
7th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
5th September 1918, aged 21.
Plot II. A. 40.
Son of Mr. W. G. Tilbury, of 63, Victoria Rd. South, Southsea, Hants. Native of Portsmouth.
His headstone bears the inscription; "His Life For His Country, His Soul To God."
Herbert Walter Tilbury
7th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
5th September 1918, aged 21.
Plot II. A. 40.
Son of Mr. W. G. Tilbury, of 63, Victoria Rd. South, Southsea, Hants. Native of Portsmouth.
His headstone bears the inscription; "His Life For His Country, His Soul To God."
Second Lieutenant
Robert Ernest Vernede
5th Bn. attd. 12th Bn. Rifle Brigade
Plot III. D. 16.
Husband of C. H. Vernede, of The Paper Mill, Standon, Herts. A noted poet and author.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Poet And Author."
Robert Ernest Vernede
5th Bn. attd. 12th Bn. Rifle Brigade
Plot III. D. 16.
Husband of C. H. Vernede, of The Paper Mill, Standon, Herts. A noted poet and author.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Poet And Author."
March 1917: A view through a shell hole in a house in the main square, of the ruins of Bapaume. Note the horse and wagon on the left and the horse and soldiers in the foreground.
