OUTTERSTEENE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Bailleul
Nord
France
Location Information
Outtersteene is a village about 5 kilometres south-west of Bailleul. The Communal Cemetery Extension is north-east of the village on the road to Bailleul.
From Bailleul follow the D23 road to Outtersteene, the cemetery is on the right hand side of the road just as you approach the outskirts of the town.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access is possible to this cemetery via main entrance.
Historical Information
Outtersteene was captured by the III Corps on 13 October 1914 but no Commonwealth burials took place there for nearly three years. In August 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres, the 2nd, 53rd and 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Stations came to Outtersteene, and the first and last of these remained until March 1918. The hamlet was captured by the Germans on 12 April 1918, and retaken by the 9th, 29th and 31st Divisions, with the ridge beyond it, on 18 and 19 August, but the cemetery was not used again during hostilities. After the Armistice, over 900 graves of 1914 and 1918 were brought into Plots I, II and IV from the battlefields surrounding Outtersteene and from certain small cemeteries, including:-
STRAZEELE ROAD CEMETERY, STRAZEELE, about 800 metres West of Strazeele, which is North-West of Outtersteene. Here were buried 18 soldiers from Australia and one from the United Kingdom, who fell in May, June and August 1918.
CAESTRE ROAD CEMETERY, on the North side of Strazeele, containing the graves of nine soldiers from Australia, three from the United Kingdom, one from Guernsey, and two of unknown units, who fell in April 1918.
VIEUX-BERQUIN COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, on the road from Outtersteene to Vieux-Berquin. In this Extension, on the East side of the Communal Cemetery, were buried 17 soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Australia, who fell in August and September 1918.
1,147 German graves were initially concentrated into Plot III. These were later removed to Steenwerck German Cemetery.
The extension was used again in 1940, for the burial of those killed in the fighting which covered the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force to Dunkirk.
Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension now contains 1,393 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 499 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 14 casualties known or believed to be buried among them.
Second World War burials number 72, of which 23 are unidentified.
Casualty Details: UK 1142, Canada 4, Australia 240, New Zealand 2, South Africa 1, France 2, Total Burials: 1391.
The extension was designed by Sir Herbert Baker
Outtersteene is a village about 5 kilometres south-west of Bailleul. The Communal Cemetery Extension is north-east of the village on the road to Bailleul.
From Bailleul follow the D23 road to Outtersteene, the cemetery is on the right hand side of the road just as you approach the outskirts of the town.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access is possible to this cemetery via main entrance.
Historical Information
Outtersteene was captured by the III Corps on 13 October 1914 but no Commonwealth burials took place there for nearly three years. In August 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres, the 2nd, 53rd and 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Stations came to Outtersteene, and the first and last of these remained until March 1918. The hamlet was captured by the Germans on 12 April 1918, and retaken by the 9th, 29th and 31st Divisions, with the ridge beyond it, on 18 and 19 August, but the cemetery was not used again during hostilities. After the Armistice, over 900 graves of 1914 and 1918 were brought into Plots I, II and IV from the battlefields surrounding Outtersteene and from certain small cemeteries, including:-
STRAZEELE ROAD CEMETERY, STRAZEELE, about 800 metres West of Strazeele, which is North-West of Outtersteene. Here were buried 18 soldiers from Australia and one from the United Kingdom, who fell in May, June and August 1918.
CAESTRE ROAD CEMETERY, on the North side of Strazeele, containing the graves of nine soldiers from Australia, three from the United Kingdom, one from Guernsey, and two of unknown units, who fell in April 1918.
VIEUX-BERQUIN COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, on the road from Outtersteene to Vieux-Berquin. In this Extension, on the East side of the Communal Cemetery, were buried 17 soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Australia, who fell in August and September 1918.
1,147 German graves were initially concentrated into Plot III. These were later removed to Steenwerck German Cemetery.
The extension was used again in 1940, for the burial of those killed in the fighting which covered the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force to Dunkirk.
Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension now contains 1,393 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 499 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 14 casualties known or believed to be buried among them.
Second World War burials number 72, of which 23 are unidentified.
Casualty Details: UK 1142, Canada 4, Australia 240, New Zealand 2, South Africa 1, France 2, Total Burials: 1391.
The extension was designed by Sir Herbert Baker
88623 Private
William Miller Brown
100th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
25th October 1917.
Plot II. A. 16.
William Miller Brown
100th Coy. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
25th October 1917.
Plot II. A. 16.
5665 Corporal
Ernest Corby
3rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
14th April 1918, aged 32.
Plot VI. A. 1.
Son of Reuben and Catherine Corby, of "Rockdale", Tuena, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Found Near Merris 2003 A Shearer From Tuena Beloved Son Of Rueben & Catherine. Sad...So Sad."
From Tuena, NSW. A shearer prior to enlisting in January 1916, Pte Corby embarked with the 18th Reinforcements from Sydney on board HMAT Kyarra (A55) on 3 June 1916. He served in Belgium and France from September 1916. Pte Corby was appointed Lance Corporal in May 1917 and Corporal (Cpl) in October. Cpl Corby was killed in action in France on 14 April 1918, aged 32. He originally had no known grave. In 2003 a farmer uncovered the remains of four Australian soldiers in a field near the village of Merris. After historical research and forensic investigation in France and Australia, two of the four soldiers were believed to be Lieutenant Christopher Henry Duncan Champion and 5665 Corporal Ernest Corby. It was not possible to identify the other two soldiers. On 22 April 2005 the four soldiers were formally buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Outtersteene, France.
Ernest Corby
3rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
14th April 1918, aged 32.
Plot VI. A. 1.
Son of Reuben and Catherine Corby, of "Rockdale", Tuena, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Found Near Merris 2003 A Shearer From Tuena Beloved Son Of Rueben & Catherine. Sad...So Sad."
From Tuena, NSW. A shearer prior to enlisting in January 1916, Pte Corby embarked with the 18th Reinforcements from Sydney on board HMAT Kyarra (A55) on 3 June 1916. He served in Belgium and France from September 1916. Pte Corby was appointed Lance Corporal in May 1917 and Corporal (Cpl) in October. Cpl Corby was killed in action in France on 14 April 1918, aged 32. He originally had no known grave. In 2003 a farmer uncovered the remains of four Australian soldiers in a field near the village of Merris. After historical research and forensic investigation in France and Australia, two of the four soldiers were believed to be Lieutenant Christopher Henry Duncan Champion and 5665 Corporal Ernest Corby. It was not possible to identify the other two soldiers. On 22 April 2005 the four soldiers were formally buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Outtersteene, France.
85245 Serjeant
William Ellis
"D" Bty. 64th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
13th April 1918.
Plot I. F. 6.
William Ellis
"D" Bty. 64th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
13th April 1918.
Plot I. F. 6.
3043 Sergeant
Arthur Fielder
6th A. F. A. Bde. Australian Field Artillery
4th April 1918, aged 24.
Plot II. D. 37.Son of Joseph and Sarah Ann Fielder, of "The Laurels," Soberton Heath, Bishop's Waltham, Hants, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Duty Done & Victory Won."
Pte. Fielder was a labourer from Footscray, Vic prior to enlistment. He embarked with the 10th Reinforcements from Melbourne aboard HMAT Osterley on 29 September 1915. Initially transferring to the 59th Battalion, he subsequently transferred to the 15th Field Artillery Brigade and then the 6th Field Artillery Brigade where he was promoted to Sergeant. On 4 April 1918, aged 24, he died of wounds received in action at Bailleul, France.
Arthur Fielder
6th A. F. A. Bde. Australian Field Artillery
4th April 1918, aged 24.
Plot II. D. 37.Son of Joseph and Sarah Ann Fielder, of "The Laurels," Soberton Heath, Bishop's Waltham, Hants, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Duty Done & Victory Won."
Pte. Fielder was a labourer from Footscray, Vic prior to enlistment. He embarked with the 10th Reinforcements from Melbourne aboard HMAT Osterley on 29 September 1915. Initially transferring to the 59th Battalion, he subsequently transferred to the 15th Field Artillery Brigade and then the 6th Field Artillery Brigade where he was promoted to Sergeant. On 4 April 1918, aged 24, he died of wounds received in action at Bailleul, France.
333 Corporal
Nathan Goldwater
4th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
21st April 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. F. 5.
Son of Isaac and Louisa Goldwater, of 74, Leichhardt St., Waverley, New South Wales. Native of Sydney, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "A Beautiful Memory Left Behind And A Duty Nobly Done."
Nathan Goldwater was shot and mortally wounded by a sniper whilst wiring at night in front of Strazeele, it was dangerous work and they had been sniped at throughout he was brought back in to his own trenches where it was found that he had a bad wound to his back. He was then taken on a stretcher to the R.A.P. (Regimental Aid Post) where he died.
Nathan Goldwater
4th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
21st April 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. F. 5.
Son of Isaac and Louisa Goldwater, of 74, Leichhardt St., Waverley, New South Wales. Native of Sydney, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "A Beautiful Memory Left Behind And A Duty Nobly Done."
Nathan Goldwater was shot and mortally wounded by a sniper whilst wiring at night in front of Strazeele, it was dangerous work and they had been sniped at throughout he was brought back in to his own trenches where it was found that he had a bad wound to his back. He was then taken on a stretcher to the R.A.P. (Regimental Aid Post) where he died.
3288 Private
William George McGregor
32nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
26th March 1918, aged 23.
Plot II. C. 36.
Son of James and Elizabeth Ann McGregor, of Lochiel, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Gave His Life At Duty's Call Beloved By Comrades One And All."
A farmer from Lochiel, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 7th Reinforcements from Adelaide on 27 June 1916 aboard HMAT Malakuta (A57) for Devonport, England. Following training in England he proceeded to France and joined his battalion near Montauban in late November 1916. Five days later he was evacuated to England with illness and did not rejoin the 32nd Battalion until early December 1917 which was then located near Messines, Belgium. Pte McGregor was wounded in action near Messines and died of these wounds at No 2 Casualty Clearing Station eight days later on 26 March 1918. He was aged 23 years.
William George McGregor
32nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
26th March 1918, aged 23.
Plot II. C. 36.
Son of James and Elizabeth Ann McGregor, of Lochiel, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "He Gave His Life At Duty's Call Beloved By Comrades One And All."
A farmer from Lochiel, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 7th Reinforcements from Adelaide on 27 June 1916 aboard HMAT Malakuta (A57) for Devonport, England. Following training in England he proceeded to France and joined his battalion near Montauban in late November 1916. Five days later he was evacuated to England with illness and did not rejoin the 32nd Battalion until early December 1917 which was then located near Messines, Belgium. Pte McGregor was wounded in action near Messines and died of these wounds at No 2 Casualty Clearing Station eight days later on 26 March 1918. He was aged 23 years.
7540 Private
Robert McTaggart
6th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
24th April 1918.
Plot II. B. 8.
Son of Robert and Alice McTaggart, of 19 John St, North Williamstown, Vic.
A labourer from North Williamstown, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte McTaggart embarked with the 25th Reinforcements, 6th Battalion from Melbourne on HMAT Themistocles on 4 August 1917. On 24 April 1918 he was killed in action and, following the Armistice, his remains were exhumed and buried in the Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, France.
Robert McTaggart
6th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
24th April 1918.
Plot II. B. 8.
Son of Robert and Alice McTaggart, of 19 John St, North Williamstown, Vic.
A labourer from North Williamstown, Victoria prior to enlistment, Pte McTaggart embarked with the 25th Reinforcements, 6th Battalion from Melbourne on HMAT Themistocles on 4 August 1917. On 24 April 1918 he was killed in action and, following the Armistice, his remains were exhumed and buried in the Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, France.
791 Corporal
Andrew John Moore
10th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
12th May 1918, aged 31.
Plot I. F. 31.
Son of John Stirling Moore and Isabella Moore; husband of Lily Moore,
of "The Salisbury," 90, St. Martin's Lane, London, England. Native of Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia.
Picture courtesy of Judith Ann Kettle of Brisbane, Australia, Great niece of this soldier.
Andrew John Moore
10th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
12th May 1918, aged 31.
Plot I. F. 31.
Son of John Stirling Moore and Isabella Moore; husband of Lily Moore,
of "The Salisbury," 90, St. Martin's Lane, London, England. Native of Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia.
Picture courtesy of Judith Ann Kettle of Brisbane, Australia, Great niece of this soldier.
7270 Private
John Thomas Murray
8th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
15th April 1918, aged 28.
Special Memorial 4.
Son of John and Euphemia Murray, of Stawell, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "My Thoughts Roam To Where Our Hero Lies. Thy Will Be Done."
A tram conductor prior to enlisting on 3 October 1916, he embarked for overseas
with the 24th Reinforcements from Melbourne on 19 February 1917 aboard HMAT Ballarat. He served in France where he was killed in action near Hazebrouck on 15 April 1918.
John Thomas Murray
8th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
15th April 1918, aged 28.
Special Memorial 4.
Son of John and Euphemia Murray, of Stawell, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "My Thoughts Roam To Where Our Hero Lies. Thy Will Be Done."
A tram conductor prior to enlisting on 3 October 1916, he embarked for overseas
with the 24th Reinforcements from Melbourne on 19 February 1917 aboard HMAT Ballarat. He served in France where he was killed in action near Hazebrouck on 15 April 1918.
3874 Gunner
George Edward Joseph O'Brien
"X" 42 Medium Trench Mortar Bty. Australian Field Artillery
14th January 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. D. 51.
Son of Alfred Edward and Ellen Mary O'Brien, of 80, Barcombe Avenue, Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales.
An engineer prior to enlistment he embarked from Sydney with the 12th Reinforcements on board HMAT Suevic (A29) on 20 December 1915. Pte O'Brien was seriously wounded in the back on the following day, at around 2pm and as a result of these wounds, George O'Brien died on 14 January 1918, aged 20.
George Edward Joseph O'Brien
"X" 42 Medium Trench Mortar Bty. Australian Field Artillery
14th January 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. D. 51.
Son of Alfred Edward and Ellen Mary O'Brien, of 80, Barcombe Avenue, Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales.
An engineer prior to enlistment he embarked from Sydney with the 12th Reinforcements on board HMAT Suevic (A29) on 20 December 1915. Pte O'Brien was seriously wounded in the back on the following day, at around 2pm and as a result of these wounds, George O'Brien died on 14 January 1918, aged 20.
6580 Private
Lester Bryce Smith
10th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
12th May 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. F. 33.
Son of William D. and Octavia Smith, of 7, East Terrace, Mile End, South Australia. Native of Adelaide, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Called To A Higher Service, Our Dearly Loved Son."
A 22 year old clerk prior to enlisting on 17 January 1916, he embarked for overseas with the 21st Reinforcements from Melbourne on 21 October 1916 aboard HMAT Port Melbourne. While serving in France, he was wounded in action on 10 April 1917 near Boursies and evacuated to England for medical treatment. He recovered and re-joined the Battalion in Belgium on 21 October 1917. Pte Smith was killed in action near Hazebrouck, France.
Lester Bryce Smith
10th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
12th May 1918, aged 23.
Plot I. F. 33.
Son of William D. and Octavia Smith, of 7, East Terrace, Mile End, South Australia. Native of Adelaide, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Called To A Higher Service, Our Dearly Loved Son."
A 22 year old clerk prior to enlisting on 17 January 1916, he embarked for overseas with the 21st Reinforcements from Melbourne on 21 October 1916 aboard HMAT Port Melbourne. While serving in France, he was wounded in action on 10 April 1917 near Boursies and evacuated to England for medical treatment. He recovered and re-joined the Battalion in Belgium on 21 October 1917. Pte Smith was killed in action near Hazebrouck, France.
202329 Serjeant
Matthew Stewart
1st Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers
19th August 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. G. 60.
Husband of Margaret Stewart, of 29, Ardenlea St., Bridgeton, Glasgow.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Memory Keeps Our Dear One Near Us Though He Died Some Years Ago."
He was previously a sergeant with the Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) and the above photo shows him in that uniform. I believe that the crossed swords he wears signified a trainer and that, as the need for more men became critical in the last months of the war, key personnel from the home front, such as trainers, were sent to the front. In his case, this was with the KOSB. I had an emotional experience when I visited his grave in August last year and, subsequently, the staff at KOSB HQ in Berwick on Tweed were very helpful in piecing together his career and also provided copies of the War Diaries around the time of his death during the battle for Outtersteene Ridge.
Pictures courtesy of grandson, Jim Stewart
Matthew Stewart
1st Bn. King's Own Scottish Borderers
19th August 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. G. 60.
Husband of Margaret Stewart, of 29, Ardenlea St., Bridgeton, Glasgow.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Memory Keeps Our Dear One Near Us Though He Died Some Years Ago."
He was previously a sergeant with the Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) and the above photo shows him in that uniform. I believe that the crossed swords he wears signified a trainer and that, as the need for more men became critical in the last months of the war, key personnel from the home front, such as trainers, were sent to the front. In his case, this was with the KOSB. I had an emotional experience when I visited his grave in August last year and, subsequently, the staff at KOSB HQ in Berwick on Tweed were very helpful in piecing together his career and also provided copies of the War Diaries around the time of his death during the battle for Outtersteene Ridge.
Pictures courtesy of grandson, Jim Stewart
7321 Private
Albert Edgar Webber
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th February 1918, aged 32.
Plot II. A. 30.
Son of the late Albert Martin Webber and Hannah Webber; husband of Isabella Webber, of "Devonia," Buckland Rd., Nundah, Queensland. Native of Exeter England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Memory Of The Loving Husband & Father Of I.,I.B.,& E.M.Webber."
Pte. Webber emigrated to Australia in 1912 after serving in the Royal Irish Regiment for 12 years. He enlisted in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment at the age of 14 as drummer boy, and went on to serve in South Africa for two years and India for five years. He enlisted in the AIF in Brisbane on 28 August 1916, and departed from Sydney with the 24th Reinforcements to the 15th Battalion aboard HMAT Ayshire (A33) on 24 January 1917. Pte. Webber was wounded on 26 February 1918 as he made his way to the front line near the Belgian village of Hollebeke. He died of his wounds the next day at Bailleul in northern France, aged 32, and was buried in the nearby cemetery at Outtersteene.
Albert Edgar Webber
15th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th February 1918, aged 32.
Plot II. A. 30.
Son of the late Albert Martin Webber and Hannah Webber; husband of Isabella Webber, of "Devonia," Buckland Rd., Nundah, Queensland. Native of Exeter England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Memory Of The Loving Husband & Father Of I.,I.B.,& E.M.Webber."
Pte. Webber emigrated to Australia in 1912 after serving in the Royal Irish Regiment for 12 years. He enlisted in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment at the age of 14 as drummer boy, and went on to serve in South Africa for two years and India for five years. He enlisted in the AIF in Brisbane on 28 August 1916, and departed from Sydney with the 24th Reinforcements to the 15th Battalion aboard HMAT Ayshire (A33) on 24 January 1917. Pte. Webber was wounded on 26 February 1918 as he made his way to the front line near the Belgian village of Hollebeke. He died of his wounds the next day at Bailleul in northern France, aged 32, and was buried in the nearby cemetery at Outtersteene.
