PÉRONNE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Somme
France
Roll of Honour
Listed by Surname
Location Information
From Bapaume take the N17 to Peronne. On entering Péronne, turn right towards the hospital. On reaching the hospital, which will be on the right, take the small road opposite and the communal cemetery is at the end of this road on the left. The extension is on the south-west side of the cemetery.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access is possible.
There is a car park for the use of visitors.
Historical Information
Péronne was taken by the German on 24 September 1914. On 18 March 1917, the 40th and 48th Divisions captured the town, but it was recovered by the Germans on the 23rd March 1918. It changed hands for the last time on 1 September 1918, when it was taken by the 2nd Australian Division
The cemetery extension was begun by the 48th (South Midland) Division in March 1917, used by the Germans in 1918, and resumed by Australian units in September 1918. At the Armistice it contained 177 graves, now in Plots I and II. It was then enlarged when graves were brought in from the battlefields north and east of Peronne and from the following small cemeteries in the area:-
AIZECOURT-LE-HAUT CHURCHYARD EXTENSION, which contained the graves of 18 soldiers from the United Kingdom and two from South Africa who fell in March 1918.
CARTIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY AND GERMAN EXTENSION, which contained the graves of 5,250 German soldiers, two from the United Kingdom and one from Australia.
COPSE TRENCH CEMETERY, ALLAINES, between Allaines and Moislains. Here were buried 64 soldiers from the United Kingdom (mainly 14th Black Watch and 12th Somerset Light Infantry) who fell in September 1918.
DRIENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY, on the South side of the village, made by the 74th (Yeomanry) Division in September 1918, and contained the graves of 20 soldiers from the United Kingdom.
LIERAMONT COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION, in which 63 soldiers from the United Kingdom were buried by the Germans in 1916-1918 and by the 58th (London) Division in September 1918.
MADAME MILITARY CEMETERY, Clery-sur-Somme (the origin of this name is uncertain, but the Germans had a "Maidan Trench" opposite), near the road to Bouchavesnes, where 56 soldiers from the United Kingdom (mainly 33rd Division) were buried in January-March 1917 (Three of these were moved to Serre Road Cemetery No.2, Beaumont-Hamel, and 53 to Peronne).
MOISLAINS BRITISH CEMETERY, a little South-West of the village, contained the graves of 54 soldiers of the 47th London) Division who fell in September 1918.
MOISLAINS CHURCHYARD, which contained the graves of three soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Canada.
MOISLAINS GERMAN HOSPITAL CEMETERY, at the North-East end of the village, contained the graves of 38 soldiers of the Empire, who fell in 1917 and 1918, and 281 Germans.
TEMPLEUX-LA-FOSSE GERMAN CEMETERY, on the East side of the village, contained the graves of 34 soldiers from the United Kingdom. Of these 33 were buried by their comrades in September 1918.
VAUX WOOD BRITISH CEMETERY, VAUX-SUR-SOMME, within Eastern edge of the wood. Here were buried, in September 1918, 25 soldiers from the United Kingdom (mainly of the London Regiment).
There are now 1,595 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in the extension. 224 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to seven casualties known or believed to be buried among them, and ten buried in other cemeteries whose graves could not be found. The extension also contains five Second World War burials. There are 97 German war graves, 68 being unidentified.
The adjoining communal cemetery contains the grave of one airman of the First World War, killed in August 1914.
The extension was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield
Dedications
2900 Private Alfred William Ford, 55th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F. Killed in action 1st September 1918, aged 21.
"Gone but not forgotten"
Remembered by Jennifer Barry-Cotter
From Bapaume take the N17 to Peronne. On entering Péronne, turn right towards the hospital. On reaching the hospital, which will be on the right, take the small road opposite and the communal cemetery is at the end of this road on the left. The extension is on the south-west side of the cemetery.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access is possible.
There is a car park for the use of visitors.
Historical Information
Péronne was taken by the German on 24 September 1914. On 18 March 1917, the 40th and 48th Divisions captured the town, but it was recovered by the Germans on the 23rd March 1918. It changed hands for the last time on 1 September 1918, when it was taken by the 2nd Australian Division
The cemetery extension was begun by the 48th (South Midland) Division in March 1917, used by the Germans in 1918, and resumed by Australian units in September 1918. At the Armistice it contained 177 graves, now in Plots I and II. It was then enlarged when graves were brought in from the battlefields north and east of Peronne and from the following small cemeteries in the area:-
AIZECOURT-LE-HAUT CHURCHYARD EXTENSION, which contained the graves of 18 soldiers from the United Kingdom and two from South Africa who fell in March 1918.
CARTIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY AND GERMAN EXTENSION, which contained the graves of 5,250 German soldiers, two from the United Kingdom and one from Australia.
COPSE TRENCH CEMETERY, ALLAINES, between Allaines and Moislains. Here were buried 64 soldiers from the United Kingdom (mainly 14th Black Watch and 12th Somerset Light Infantry) who fell in September 1918.
DRIENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY, on the South side of the village, made by the 74th (Yeomanry) Division in September 1918, and contained the graves of 20 soldiers from the United Kingdom.
LIERAMONT COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION, in which 63 soldiers from the United Kingdom were buried by the Germans in 1916-1918 and by the 58th (London) Division in September 1918.
MADAME MILITARY CEMETERY, Clery-sur-Somme (the origin of this name is uncertain, but the Germans had a "Maidan Trench" opposite), near the road to Bouchavesnes, where 56 soldiers from the United Kingdom (mainly 33rd Division) were buried in January-March 1917 (Three of these were moved to Serre Road Cemetery No.2, Beaumont-Hamel, and 53 to Peronne).
MOISLAINS BRITISH CEMETERY, a little South-West of the village, contained the graves of 54 soldiers of the 47th London) Division who fell in September 1918.
MOISLAINS CHURCHYARD, which contained the graves of three soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Canada.
MOISLAINS GERMAN HOSPITAL CEMETERY, at the North-East end of the village, contained the graves of 38 soldiers of the Empire, who fell in 1917 and 1918, and 281 Germans.
TEMPLEUX-LA-FOSSE GERMAN CEMETERY, on the East side of the village, contained the graves of 34 soldiers from the United Kingdom. Of these 33 were buried by their comrades in September 1918.
VAUX WOOD BRITISH CEMETERY, VAUX-SUR-SOMME, within Eastern edge of the wood. Here were buried, in September 1918, 25 soldiers from the United Kingdom (mainly of the London Regiment).
There are now 1,595 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in the extension. 224 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to seven casualties known or believed to be buried among them, and ten buried in other cemeteries whose graves could not be found. The extension also contains five Second World War burials. There are 97 German war graves, 68 being unidentified.
The adjoining communal cemetery contains the grave of one airman of the First World War, killed in August 1914.
The extension was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield
Dedications
2900 Private Alfred William Ford, 55th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F. Killed in action 1st September 1918, aged 21.
"Gone but not forgotten"
Remembered by Jennifer Barry-Cotter
1876 Corporal, Alexander Henry Buckley, V. C.
54th Bn. Australian Infantry. Killed in action 1st September 1918, aged 27. Plot II. C. 32.
Son of James and Julia Buckley, of Homebush, New South Wales. Born at Gulargambone, New South Wales.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Dearly Loved And Sadly Missed By His Parents Sister And Brothers."
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 14th Dec., 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice at Peronne during the operations on the 1st/2nd Sept., 1918. After passing the first objective his half company and part of the company on the flank were held up by a machine gun nest. With one man he rushed the post shooting four of the occupants and taking 22 prisoners. Later on reaching a moat, it was found that another machine gun nest commanded the only available footbridge. Whilst this was being engaged from a flank Cpl. Buckley endeavoured to cross the bridge and rush the post, but was killed in the attempt. Throughout the advance he had displayed great initiative, resource and courage, and by his efforts to save his comrades from casualties, he set a fine example of self-sacrificing devotion to duty."
The 5 World War Two Burials, 1 is Unidentified.
Click on Individual Headstone for Details
Shot at Dawn
70715 Private, William Robinson, 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), executed for desertion 10th April 1917. Son of Joseph Robinson, of 3, Church Alley, Chesterfield, Derbys. Plot III. B. 22. He had gone missing in March 1917 in order to avoid taking part in an attack — & was tried later in the same month. (Putkowski,p.168)
70715 Private, William Robinson, 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), executed for desertion 10th April 1917. Son of Joseph Robinson, of 3, Church Alley, Chesterfield, Derbys. Plot III. B. 22. He had gone missing in March 1917 in order to avoid taking part in an attack — & was tried later in the same month. (Putkowski,p.168)
Original graves at what is now Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension
- All images were taken in February 1919.
Six crosses, four of which have plaques in the shape of Australia, marking the graves of soldiers of the 25th Battalion killed in action on 2 September 1918. From left to right the graves are those of 3657, Private (Pte) John William Thompson; 6871, Pte James Crichton Stewart; 5406, Pte Alfred Solomon Smith; 385, Sergeant William Henry Hartnup, MM; 3690, Pte Wilfred John Gould; 3593, Pte John Loftus Bergin. Note an unidentified soldier is marked on the same cross as Pte Smith and an unknown soldier is marked on the same cross as Pte Gould.
All are now interred at Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension.
View at the burial service of the officers and men of the 53rd Battalion, in the battles of Mont St. Quentin and Péronne on 1st September 1918. Identified is Major Chaplain Greville, 56th Battalion, 14th Brigade, (extreme left). These graves are now part of Péronne Communal Cemetery Extension.
A wounded soldier of the British 66th Division helped through the streets of Peronne, after returning from the Battle of St Quentin, part of the Battle of the Somme during the German Spring Offensive, 23 March 1918. © IWM (Q 10779)
