PERNOIS BRITISH CEMETERY
Halloy-Les-Pernois
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.04565, Longitude: 2.19113
Location Information
Pernois and Halloy are villages on either side of the secondary road about 16 kilometres south-west of Doullens. Pernois British Cemetery is just south of this road.
Historical Information
Pernois British Cemetery was opened towards the end of April 1918, during the German advance, for burials from No.4 Casualty Clearing Station. The cemetery was closed in August.
The cemetery contains 403 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 17 German war graves.
Total Burials: 420.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 335, Australia 63, Germany 16, India 4. Total 418.
Unidentified Casualties: Germany 1, United Kingdom 1. Total 2.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and William Harrison Cowlishaw
Dedications
4526 Private James Albert Ahern, 53rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F. 27th April 1918, aged 29.
Remembered with honour by great nephew, Patrick Flood.
279A Private Theo Varian, 51st Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F. 6th May 1918, aged 32.
"We understand the sacrifice"
Remembered by his great, great, great nephew, Captain Colin Varian
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
3005 Driver
John Aldred
14th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
24th April 1918, aged 24.
Plot I. A. 1.
Son of Mrs. F. Aldred (now Woolmer) and the late Mr. C. Aldred, of Sydney, New South Wales.
Click on image to enlarge
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Memory The Beloved Son Of Mrs. F. Woolmer."
A labourer prior to enlistment on 9 July 1915, Dvr Aldred died of wounds on 24 April 1918, aged 24.
His brother, Fred was also serving in the same battalion and told wrote to his family to say that John was killed at about 4.30.a.m. on the 24th April, having been hit in the head by a piece of shrapnel. He was admitted to No.4 Casualty Clearing Station at Pernois was but was found to be dead on arrival.
John Aldred
14th Bde. Australian Field Artillery
24th April 1918, aged 24.
Plot I. A. 1.
Son of Mrs. F. Aldred (now Woolmer) and the late Mr. C. Aldred, of Sydney, New South Wales.
Click on image to enlarge
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Loving Memory The Beloved Son Of Mrs. F. Woolmer."
A labourer prior to enlistment on 9 July 1915, Dvr Aldred died of wounds on 24 April 1918, aged 24.
His brother, Fred was also serving in the same battalion and told wrote to his family to say that John was killed at about 4.30.a.m. on the 24th April, having been hit in the head by a piece of shrapnel. He was admitted to No.4 Casualty Clearing Station at Pernois was but was found to be dead on arrival.
Portrait of five siblings of the Aldred family of Kogarah, Sydney, and their mother, Frances. The men are attired in uniforms of the Citizen Military Forces. Identified back row, left to right; Charles Aldred (1889-1967), John Aldred (1893-1918) and Frederick Aldred (1896-1960). Seated front row, left to right; William Aldred (1898-1962), Frances Woolmer (nee Aldred) (1866-1956) and Francis Margaret Aldred (1891-1975).
The following information and images are provided by John Aldred, Great Nephew to John Aldred and Grandson Fred Aldred who survived the war.
Fred Aldred was my Grandfather. Fred named his son (my father) and I John in his memory, and it is an honour to carry his name.
“On 24th April 1918, the day and evening to follow would be very noteworthy as the dates on which the recapture of Villers Bretonneux by Australian and British troops occurred. The unit diary records that at 3:45am on 24th April, the enemy opened up with a heavy bombardment which would last practically all day. The Brigades batteries near Corbie and Bonnay were heavily shelled. Driver John Aldred was said to have been sleeping in a barn at 4:30am when he was struck in the head by a flying splinter of a shell which had burst in the courtyard of the billets. John was evacuated first to the Dressing station (probably the Advanced Dressing Station north of Bonnay near the Albert Road, before crossing to Franvillers). He was transported then to the 4th Casualty Clearing Station at Halloy-les-Pernois, about 19 miles further distant, but he was found to be dead on arrival at the CCS. Driver John Aldred was buried in the Pernois British Cemetery, adjacent to the 4th CCS.
Witnesses from the Brigade expressed much concern for John’s brother, Fred, who was believed to have been working out with the gun batteries at the time. Fred is said to have gone to Pernois to attend the funeral. He gathered John’s possessions and wrote to advise the family at home of what had happened.
Driver Frederick Aldred continued to work with the 14th Field Artillery Brigade and survived the war. He arrived back in Australia in May 1919 and was discharged from the A.I.F. in Sydney on 24th August 1919.”
My father John (known as Jack) enlisted and served in the Royal Australian Navy in WW2 from 1942 to 1946. I can only imagine the father/son conversations that took place around the dinner table regarding Dad’s desire to enlist and serve and Fred’s reservations at the possibility of losing another close family member.
“All gave some. Some gave all”.
Lest We Forget.
Thank you.
“On 24th April 1918, the day and evening to follow would be very noteworthy as the dates on which the recapture of Villers Bretonneux by Australian and British troops occurred. The unit diary records that at 3:45am on 24th April, the enemy opened up with a heavy bombardment which would last practically all day. The Brigades batteries near Corbie and Bonnay were heavily shelled. Driver John Aldred was said to have been sleeping in a barn at 4:30am when he was struck in the head by a flying splinter of a shell which had burst in the courtyard of the billets. John was evacuated first to the Dressing station (probably the Advanced Dressing Station north of Bonnay near the Albert Road, before crossing to Franvillers). He was transported then to the 4th Casualty Clearing Station at Halloy-les-Pernois, about 19 miles further distant, but he was found to be dead on arrival at the CCS. Driver John Aldred was buried in the Pernois British Cemetery, adjacent to the 4th CCS.
Witnesses from the Brigade expressed much concern for John’s brother, Fred, who was believed to have been working out with the gun batteries at the time. Fred is said to have gone to Pernois to attend the funeral. He gathered John’s possessions and wrote to advise the family at home of what had happened.
Driver Frederick Aldred continued to work with the 14th Field Artillery Brigade and survived the war. He arrived back in Australia in May 1919 and was discharged from the A.I.F. in Sydney on 24th August 1919.”
My father John (known as Jack) enlisted and served in the Royal Australian Navy in WW2 from 1942 to 1946. I can only imagine the father/son conversations that took place around the dinner table regarding Dad’s desire to enlist and serve and Fred’s reservations at the possibility of losing another close family member.
“All gave some. Some gave all”.
Lest We Forget.
Thank you.
1159 Private
Stanley Gordon Dawtrey
38th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th April 1918, aged 25.
Plot I. A. 23.
Son of James and Ann Dawtrey, of Gibson Rd., Sandringham, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Lord Giveth The Lord Taketh Away Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord."
A tailor prior to enlistment, Pte Dawtrey embarked from Melbourne on HMAT Runic on 20th June 1916. On 25th April 1918 he died of wounds received in action.
Died of Wounds at Pernois after being hit by a fragment of gas shell which exploded against a wall close to where he had been standing whilst on guard at Heilly.
Stanley Gordon Dawtrey
38th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th April 1918, aged 25.
Plot I. A. 23.
Son of James and Ann Dawtrey, of Gibson Rd., Sandringham, Victoria, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Lord Giveth The Lord Taketh Away Blessed Be The Name Of The Lord."
A tailor prior to enlistment, Pte Dawtrey embarked from Melbourne on HMAT Runic on 20th June 1916. On 25th April 1918 he died of wounds received in action.
Died of Wounds at Pernois after being hit by a fragment of gas shell which exploded against a wall close to where he had been standing whilst on guard at Heilly.
2770 Lance Corporal
Cyril Norman Gamlen
32nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
28th April 1918, aged 24.
Plot I. B. 13.
Son of Robert Charles and Rhoda Sarah Jane Gamlen, of Justin St., Cootamundra, New South Wales. Native of Donald, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Memory Of The Beloved Son Of R. & J. Gamlen Of Broken Hill Aged 24."
Cyril Norman Gamlen
32nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
28th April 1918, aged 24.
Plot I. B. 13.
Son of Robert Charles and Rhoda Sarah Jane Gamlen, of Justin St., Cootamundra, New South Wales. Native of Donald, Victoria.
His headstone bears the inscription; "In Memory Of The Beloved Son Of R. & J. Gamlen Of Broken Hill Aged 24."
44027 Private
Ernest Llewellin Godbehear
10th Bn. Essex Regiment
22nd May 1916, aged 18.
Plot I. D. 22.
His headstone bears the inscription; "His Brave Young Life He Gave His Loved Ones To Save."
Ernest Llewellin Godbehear
10th Bn. Essex Regiment
22nd May 1916, aged 18.
Plot I. D. 22.
His headstone bears the inscription; "His Brave Young Life He Gave His Loved Ones To Save."
4069 Private
Arthur Henry Jeffery
32nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
6th May 1918, aged 20.
Plot I. C. 7.
Son of William Thomas Jeffery and Ellen Jane Jeffery, of 3, Prentice St., Strood, Rochester, England. Native of Higham, Kent, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "A Loving Thought A Silent Tear Keeps His Memory Ever Dear."
A farm hand from Maylands, Western Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 10th Reinforcements from Fremantle on 28 October 1916 aboard HMAT Port Melbourne for Devonport, England. Following training in England he joined his battalion on the Western Front near Racquinghem, France. Pte Jeffery was hospitalised in October 1917 due to accidental injuries received during training and rejoined his unit in early December. He was hospitalised a week later due to illness and rejoined his unit near Corbie, France, on 29 April 1918. Pte Jeffery was accidentally killed during a training exercise on 6 May 1918 and is buried in the Pernois British Cemetery. He was aged 20 years. His brother, 1052 Lance Corporal William Thomas Jeffery, 28th Battalion, initially served in Gallipoli and was subsequently killed in action near Pozieres, France, on 29 July 1916, his body was never identified and he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
3562 Private R. G. Hall, witnessed the death of Arthur Jeffery;
"During a practice stunt just outside Pernois, when we were throwing live bombs, a piece killed him. He was taken to the 41st. C. C. S., the first on the hill on the left hand side and was buried there and he had a regimental funeral."
Arthur Henry Jeffery
32nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
6th May 1918, aged 20.
Plot I. C. 7.
Son of William Thomas Jeffery and Ellen Jane Jeffery, of 3, Prentice St., Strood, Rochester, England. Native of Higham, Kent, England.
His headstone bears the inscription; "A Loving Thought A Silent Tear Keeps His Memory Ever Dear."
A farm hand from Maylands, Western Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 10th Reinforcements from Fremantle on 28 October 1916 aboard HMAT Port Melbourne for Devonport, England. Following training in England he joined his battalion on the Western Front near Racquinghem, France. Pte Jeffery was hospitalised in October 1917 due to accidental injuries received during training and rejoined his unit in early December. He was hospitalised a week later due to illness and rejoined his unit near Corbie, France, on 29 April 1918. Pte Jeffery was accidentally killed during a training exercise on 6 May 1918 and is buried in the Pernois British Cemetery. He was aged 20 years. His brother, 1052 Lance Corporal William Thomas Jeffery, 28th Battalion, initially served in Gallipoli and was subsequently killed in action near Pozieres, France, on 29 July 1916, his body was never identified and he is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.
3562 Private R. G. Hall, witnessed the death of Arthur Jeffery;
"During a practice stunt just outside Pernois, when we were throwing live bombs, a piece killed him. He was taken to the 41st. C. C. S., the first on the hill on the left hand side and was buried there and he had a regimental funeral."
254669 Private
Albert Jones
2nd/4th Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
2nd August 1918, aged 19.
Plot III. C. 6.
Son of Mr. H. Jones and Mrs. M. C. Jones, of 33, Cobden Rd., Leytonstone, Essex.
His headstone bears the inscription; "A Light Is From Our Household Gone A Voice We Loved Is Stilled."
Albert Jones
2nd/4th Bn. London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
2nd August 1918, aged 19.
Plot III. C. 6.
Son of Mr. H. Jones and Mrs. M. C. Jones, of 33, Cobden Rd., Leytonstone, Essex.
His headstone bears the inscription; "A Light Is From Our Household Gone A Voice We Loved Is Stilled."
Lieutenant
David Knight
33rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
8th May 1918.
Plot I. C. 11.
From Lakemba, NSW. Lt Knight enlisted on 1 February 1916 and died of wounds in France on 8 May 1918.
2043 Private, Ernest Velvick gave the following details:
"2nd/Lt. Knight was wounded by a bomb, he was hit in the calf of the leg and in the side. One of the boys, L/Cpl. Devitt carried him to the C.C.S. I was lying in a shell hole wounded myself. I did not see him hit but he came over (on the fellows back) and spoke to me. When I got to the C.C.S. one of the boys told me he was there. We were to the right of Morlancourt. It happened at night."
The officer commanding 4th C.C.S. (France), gave the following details:
"He was admitted to the C.C.S., under my command on 8/5/18 with S.W. Leg L and back pene. Died 2.15.p.m, 8/5/18. Buried 9/5/18 in British Cemetery."
David Knight
33rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
8th May 1918.
Plot I. C. 11.
From Lakemba, NSW. Lt Knight enlisted on 1 February 1916 and died of wounds in France on 8 May 1918.
2043 Private, Ernest Velvick gave the following details:
"2nd/Lt. Knight was wounded by a bomb, he was hit in the calf of the leg and in the side. One of the boys, L/Cpl. Devitt carried him to the C.C.S. I was lying in a shell hole wounded myself. I did not see him hit but he came over (on the fellows back) and spoke to me. When I got to the C.C.S. one of the boys told me he was there. We were to the right of Morlancourt. It happened at night."
The officer commanding 4th C.C.S. (France), gave the following details:
"He was admitted to the C.C.S., under my command on 8/5/18 with S.W. Leg L and back pene. Died 2.15.p.m, 8/5/18. Buried 9/5/18 in British Cemetery."
2937 Private
David John Morgan
60th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
28th April 1918, aged 23.
Plot I B. 10.
Son of Thomas and Gwendoline Morgan, of "Gwenville," Gordon St., Hurstville, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of Helensburgh, New South Wales.
1st generation born in Australia to Welsh parents from Glamorgan, Wales
Picture courtesy of John Barry Morgan, great nephew of David John Morgan
David John Morgan
60th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
28th April 1918, aged 23.
Plot I B. 10.
Son of Thomas and Gwendoline Morgan, of "Gwenville," Gordon St., Hurstville, Sydney, New South Wales. Native of Helensburgh, New South Wales.
1st generation born in Australia to Welsh parents from Glamorgan, Wales
Picture courtesy of John Barry Morgan, great nephew of David John Morgan
The Lord Mayor of London, Colonel Sir Charles Wakefield addressing the 5th Battalion, London Regiment, London Rifle Brigade, Halloy, 9th June 1916. © IWM (Q 632)
