ROISEL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 49.95023, Longitude: 3.0984
Location Information
Roisel is a small town 11 kilometres east of Peronne. The Communal Cemetery is on the east side of the road to Villers-Faucon and the Cemetery Extension is immediately to the north of the Communal Cemetery.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but may be by an alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Roisel town was occupied by British troops in April 1917, and evacuated after a strong defence by the 66th (East Lancashire) Division in the evening of the 22nd March 1918. It was retaken in the following September.
Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension was begun by German troops, who buried immediately to the North of the Communal Cemetery. It was developed in October and November 1918, by the 41st, 48th, 53rd and 58th Casualty Clearing Stations, and it was completed after the Armistice by the concentration of British and German graves from the country North, East and South of Roisel.
The following were among the burial grounds from which British graves were removed to the Extension:-
BERNES CHURCHYARD, in which 49 soldiers of the 46th (North Midland) Division and the Royal Field Artillery were buried in September 1918; and the GERMAN EXTENSION, in which one soldier from the United Kingdom was buried in September 1917.
HESBECOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, in which 35 Australian soldiers and 28 from the United Kingdom were buried by the 59th (North Midland) Division in April 1917, and by Australian units in September and October 1918.
L'ABBAYE GERMAN CEMETERY, VERMAND, between the village of Vermand and the hamlet of Villecholles, which contained the graves of 300 German soldiers and ten from the United Kingdom and one from Canada who fell in April and May 1917.
ROISEL CHURCHYARD, in which one R.F.C officer was buried in August 1916.
VERMAND COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION, in which seven soldiers from the United Kingdom were buried by the enemy in March and April 1918.
There are now 878, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 120 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 12 soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Australia who are known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of two soldiers from the United Kingdom, buried in other cemeteries, whose graves could not be found on concentration. The graves of 88 soldiers of the United States Army buried here in October 1918, have been removed to another cemetery. There are also 514, German Foreign Nationals commemorated in this site, 190 being unidentified.
The cemetery covers an area of 6,010 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall on three sides.
Total Burials; 1,391.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 623, Germany 324, Australia 102, South Africa 29, Canada 6. Total 1,084.
Roisel is a small town 11 kilometres east of Peronne. The Communal Cemetery is on the east side of the road to Villers-Faucon and the Cemetery Extension is immediately to the north of the Communal Cemetery.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but may be by an alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Roisel town was occupied by British troops in April 1917, and evacuated after a strong defence by the 66th (East Lancashire) Division in the evening of the 22nd March 1918. It was retaken in the following September.
Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension was begun by German troops, who buried immediately to the North of the Communal Cemetery. It was developed in October and November 1918, by the 41st, 48th, 53rd and 58th Casualty Clearing Stations, and it was completed after the Armistice by the concentration of British and German graves from the country North, East and South of Roisel.
The following were among the burial grounds from which British graves were removed to the Extension:-
BERNES CHURCHYARD, in which 49 soldiers of the 46th (North Midland) Division and the Royal Field Artillery were buried in September 1918; and the GERMAN EXTENSION, in which one soldier from the United Kingdom was buried in September 1917.
HESBECOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, in which 35 Australian soldiers and 28 from the United Kingdom were buried by the 59th (North Midland) Division in April 1917, and by Australian units in September and October 1918.
L'ABBAYE GERMAN CEMETERY, VERMAND, between the village of Vermand and the hamlet of Villecholles, which contained the graves of 300 German soldiers and ten from the United Kingdom and one from Canada who fell in April and May 1917.
ROISEL CHURCHYARD, in which one R.F.C officer was buried in August 1916.
VERMAND COMMUNAL CEMETERY GERMAN EXTENSION, in which seven soldiers from the United Kingdom were buried by the enemy in March and April 1918.
There are now 878, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 120 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 12 soldiers from the United Kingdom and one from Australia who are known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of two soldiers from the United Kingdom, buried in other cemeteries, whose graves could not be found on concentration. The graves of 88 soldiers of the United States Army buried here in October 1918, have been removed to another cemetery. There are also 514, German Foreign Nationals commemorated in this site, 190 being unidentified.
The cemetery covers an area of 6,010 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall on three sides.
Total Burials; 1,391.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 623, Germany 324, Australia 102, South Africa 29, Canada 6. Total 1,084.
Under Construction - 1928 ©CWGC
April 1934 - ©CWGC
Second Lieutenant John Crawford Buchan, V. C.
7th Bn. Attached 8th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, killed in action 22nd March 1918 aged 25, plot II. I. 6.
Native of Alloa, Clackmannanshire.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 21st May, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When fighting with his platoon in the forward position of the battle zone, 2nd Lt. Buchan, although wounded early in the day, insisted on remaining with his men, and continually visited all his posts, encouraging and cheering his men in spite of most severe shell fire, from which his platoon was suffering heavy casualties. Later, when the enemy were creeping closer, and heavy machine-gun fire was raking his position, 2nd Lt. Buchan, with utter disregard of his personal safety, continued to visit his posts, and though still further injured accidentally, he continued to encourage his men and visit his posts. Eventually, when he saw the enemy had practically surrounded his command, he collected his platoon and prepared to fight his way back to the supporting line. At this point the enemy, who had crept round his right flank, rushed towards him, shouting out "Surrender." " To hell with surrender," he replied, and shooting the foremost of the enemy, he finally repelled this advance with his platoon. He then fought his way back to the supporting line of the forward position, where he held out till dusk. At dusk he fell back as ordered, but in spite of his injuries again refused to go to the aid post, saying his place was beside his men. Owing to the unexpected withdrawal of troops on the left flank it was impossible to send orders to 2nd Lt. Buchan to withdraw, as he was already cut off, and he was last seen holding out against overwhelming odds. The gallantry, self-sacrifice, and utter disregard of personal safety displayed by this officer during these two days of most severe fighting is in keeping with the highest traditions of the British Army."
7th Bn. Attached 8th Bn. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, killed in action 22nd March 1918 aged 25, plot II. I. 6.
Native of Alloa, Clackmannanshire.
Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," dated 21st May, 1918, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When fighting with his platoon in the forward position of the battle zone, 2nd Lt. Buchan, although wounded early in the day, insisted on remaining with his men, and continually visited all his posts, encouraging and cheering his men in spite of most severe shell fire, from which his platoon was suffering heavy casualties. Later, when the enemy were creeping closer, and heavy machine-gun fire was raking his position, 2nd Lt. Buchan, with utter disregard of his personal safety, continued to visit his posts, and though still further injured accidentally, he continued to encourage his men and visit his posts. Eventually, when he saw the enemy had practically surrounded his command, he collected his platoon and prepared to fight his way back to the supporting line. At this point the enemy, who had crept round his right flank, rushed towards him, shouting out "Surrender." " To hell with surrender," he replied, and shooting the foremost of the enemy, he finally repelled this advance with his platoon. He then fought his way back to the supporting line of the forward position, where he held out till dusk. At dusk he fell back as ordered, but in spite of his injuries again refused to go to the aid post, saying his place was beside his men. Owing to the unexpected withdrawal of troops on the left flank it was impossible to send orders to 2nd Lt. Buchan to withdraw, as he was already cut off, and he was last seen holding out against overwhelming odds. The gallantry, self-sacrifice, and utter disregard of personal safety displayed by this officer during these two days of most severe fighting is in keeping with the highest traditions of the British Army."
Click on Roll of Honour Image to enlarge
2262 Private
Edward Francis Crisp
6th Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps
5th October 1918, aged 21.
Plot III. G. 16.
Inscription: Beloved Son Of Fred And Agnes Crisp Of Richmond, Victoria Australia"
Son of Frederick W. J. and Agnes Crisp, of 252, Swan Street, Richmond, Victoria, Australia. Born at Yarrawonga, Victoria.
Studio portrait of 2262 Private (Pte) Edward Francis Crisp, 4th Reinforcements, 23rd Battalion, of Richmond, Vic, aged 18. Pte Crisp enlisted on 7 July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Hororata on 27 September 1915. He later transferred to the 6th Field Ambulance, as a stretcher bearer. He died of wounds on 5 October 1918 at Ramicourt, France. His brother, 6564 Lance Sergeant Harold Frederick Crisp MM, also served in 6th Field Ambulance.
Edward Francis Crisp
6th Field Ambulance, Australian Army Medical Corps
5th October 1918, aged 21.
Plot III. G. 16.
Inscription: Beloved Son Of Fred And Agnes Crisp Of Richmond, Victoria Australia"
Son of Frederick W. J. and Agnes Crisp, of 252, Swan Street, Richmond, Victoria, Australia. Born at Yarrawonga, Victoria.
Studio portrait of 2262 Private (Pte) Edward Francis Crisp, 4th Reinforcements, 23rd Battalion, of Richmond, Vic, aged 18. Pte Crisp enlisted on 7 July 1915 and embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Hororata on 27 September 1915. He later transferred to the 6th Field Ambulance, as a stretcher bearer. He died of wounds on 5 October 1918 at Ramicourt, France. His brother, 6564 Lance Sergeant Harold Frederick Crisp MM, also served in 6th Field Ambulance.
2885 Gunner
Ronald John Fletcher
4th Battery, Australian Field Artillery
29th September 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. M. 12.
Inscription "In Everlasting Of A Brave Beloved Son And Brother"
Son of John and Christina Fletcher, of Ivanhoe, Lake Boga, Victoria, Australia. Born at Broken Hill, New South Wales.
Studio portrait of 2885 Gunner (Gnr) Ranald John Fletcher, 4th Light Horse Regiment, of Broken Hill, NSW. A farmer prior to enlistment he embarked from Melbourne, Vic, with the 20th Reinforcements on board HMAT Port Sydney (A15) on 7 September 1916. He later transferred to the 4th Field Artillery Brigade on 24 November 1917. On the morning of 29 September 1918 Fletcher and two other men were hit by an exploding shell; they were all killed instantly, he was 28 years of age.
Ronald John Fletcher
4th Battery, Australian Field Artillery
29th September 1918, aged 28.
Plot I. M. 12.
Inscription "In Everlasting Of A Brave Beloved Son And Brother"
Son of John and Christina Fletcher, of Ivanhoe, Lake Boga, Victoria, Australia. Born at Broken Hill, New South Wales.
Studio portrait of 2885 Gunner (Gnr) Ranald John Fletcher, 4th Light Horse Regiment, of Broken Hill, NSW. A farmer prior to enlistment he embarked from Melbourne, Vic, with the 20th Reinforcements on board HMAT Port Sydney (A15) on 7 September 1916. He later transferred to the 4th Field Artillery Brigade on 24 November 1917. On the morning of 29 September 1918 Fletcher and two other men were hit by an exploding shell; they were all killed instantly, he was 28 years of age.
Members of the 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion outside their billets in the Cavalry Barracks at Ypres. Unidentified (1); 3923 Gunner Alphonsus Norman Joseph Ryan (2); unidentified (3); unidentified (4); 6965 Private (Pte) Arthur Reginald Cheetham (5); possibly (Archibald) Archie Maclaren Packer (6); 3899 Lance Corporal George Frederick Painter (7); 4485 Corporal William Fraser M.S. M. M. M. (killed in action 18 September 1918) and buried in this cemetery. Plot III. H. 12.(8); unidentified (9); unidentified (10); Clarke (11); 6571 Pte Albert Ralph (12); McKenzie (13); Roy Williams (14); 515 Corporal William James Gregor Young (15). See E01404K for position of those named in this caption.
7473 Private
John Henry Guider
4th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
11th September 1918, aged 27.
Plot I. G. 10.
Inscription "He Fought & Died For Australia Never Forgotten By Wife & Children"
Son of John and Johanna Guider; husband of Caroline Guider, of 69, Perouse Rd., Randwick New South Wales.
Studio portrait of 7473 Private (Pte) John Henry Guider, 4th Battalion, from Randwick, NSW. Pte Guider enlisted on 14 July 1917; he was killed in action on 11 September 1918 and is buried in the Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.
John Henry Guider
4th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
11th September 1918, aged 27.
Plot I. G. 10.
Inscription "He Fought & Died For Australia Never Forgotten By Wife & Children"
Son of John and Johanna Guider; husband of Caroline Guider, of 69, Perouse Rd., Randwick New South Wales.
Studio portrait of 7473 Private (Pte) John Henry Guider, 4th Battalion, from Randwick, NSW. Pte Guider enlisted on 14 July 1917; he was killed in action on 11 September 1918 and is buried in the Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.
29282 Driver
Frederick Hilton Hain
5th Battery, Australian Field Artillery
24th September 1918, aged 31.
Plot I. M. 18.
Son of Frederick William and Christina Hain. Born at West Maitland, New South Wales.
Portrait of 29282 Driver (Dvr) Frederick Hilton Hain, 5th Field Artillery, of East Maitland, NSW. Dvr Hain enlisted on 31 July 1916 and was killed in action in Roisel, France on 24 September 1918, aged 31 years.
Frederick Hilton Hain
5th Battery, Australian Field Artillery
24th September 1918, aged 31.
Plot I. M. 18.
Son of Frederick William and Christina Hain. Born at West Maitland, New South Wales.
Portrait of 29282 Driver (Dvr) Frederick Hilton Hain, 5th Field Artillery, of East Maitland, NSW. Dvr Hain enlisted on 31 July 1916 and was killed in action in Roisel, France on 24 September 1918, aged 31 years.
Group portrait of the officers and NCOs of the 1st Australian Machine Gun Company at Merris. Identified in the back row, 7th from the left is 2376 Corporal Percy Bertram Harrison who was killed on 18th September 1918, aged 27. Plot II. H. 2. Son of George and Maude Beatrice Harrison, of Kinghorn St., Mowra, New South Wales. Born at Eden, New South Wales. Inscription "He Was A Man And A Man's Death Died He For Whom ? For You And Me"
3168A Private
Frederick George Harriss
49th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
13th September 1918.
Plot III. J. 17.
Inscription "The Beloved Son Of Mrs. V. Harriss Waiting The Coming Of Our Lord"
Born at Crow’s Nest, Queensland Australia on 14 Sept 1893 son of Amos and Virginia Harriss of Ravensbourne, Queensland.
Picture courtesy of great, great niece, Wendy Holt
Studio portrait of 3168A Private (Pte) Frederick George Harriss, 49th Battalion, of Ravensbourne, Qld. A blacksmith and wheelwright prior to enlisting in August 1916, Pte Harris embarked from Sydney on board HMAT Demosthenes (A64) on 23 December 1916. Pte Harriss served on the Western Front and was killed in action in France on 13 September 1918. He was 25 years of age.
Frederick George Harriss
49th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
13th September 1918.
Plot III. J. 17.
Inscription "The Beloved Son Of Mrs. V. Harriss Waiting The Coming Of Our Lord"
Born at Crow’s Nest, Queensland Australia on 14 Sept 1893 son of Amos and Virginia Harriss of Ravensbourne, Queensland.
Picture courtesy of great, great niece, Wendy Holt
Studio portrait of 3168A Private (Pte) Frederick George Harriss, 49th Battalion, of Ravensbourne, Qld. A blacksmith and wheelwright prior to enlisting in August 1916, Pte Harris embarked from Sydney on board HMAT Demosthenes (A64) on 23 December 1916. Pte Harriss served on the Western Front and was killed in action in France on 13 September 1918. He was 25 years of age.
Studio portrait of 38037 Gunner (Gnr) Norman Gladstone Holden, 11th Field Artillery Brigade, (left) and his father Colonel (Col) Albert Thomas Holden, Chaplain 4th Class, of Kew, Vic. This is the last photo of Gnr Holden, taken in London while on leave, in March 1918. The two men embarked together, from Melbourne aboard HMAT Port Sydney (A15) on 9 November 1917. The second son in the family, Gnr Holden was killed in action in France on 29 September 1918, aged 20. Col Holden, an army chaplain since 1898, previously served in the Boer War with the Imperial Bushmen in 1900 and was a prominent figure in the Australian Methodist Church. Norman is buried in plot I. M. 9. Inscription "Our Darling Norman Loving, Brave And True He Died That We Might Live"
201842 Private
H. E. Jones
1st/8th Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
11th October 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. A. 23.
Image doed not enlarge
Son of Samuel and Jane Ellen Jones, of 20, Clee View, Highley, Kidderminster.
H. E. Jones
1st/8th Bn. Worcestershire Regiment
11th October 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. A. 23.
Image doed not enlarge
Son of Samuel and Jane Ellen Jones, of 20, Clee View, Highley, Kidderminster.
Images in this gallery © Johan Pauwels
10609 Lance Corporal
Edwin Knowles
8th Bn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
26th March 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. K. 16.
Image does not enlarge
Son of William James and Nancy Alice Knowles, of 20, Metcalfe St., Rose Grove, Burnley.
Click on Obituary below to enlarge
Edwin Knowles
8th Bn. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
26th March 1918, aged 21.
Plot I. K. 16.
Image does not enlarge
Son of William James and Nancy Alice Knowles, of 20, Metcalfe St., Rose Grove, Burnley.
Click on Obituary below to enlarge
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32499 Bombardier
Richard Herbert Reinke
12th A. F. A. Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
10th October 1918, aged 25.
Plot. I. D. 24.
Inscription "In Memory Of The Dearly Loved Son Of Mr. & Mrs. Reinke Of Blyth, S. Aus."
Son of William Frederick and Lena Maria Sophia Reinke, of Blyth, South Australia.
Studio portrait of 32499 Driver (Dvr) Richard Herbert Reinke, 6th Field Artillery Brigade, of Blyth, SA. A farmer prior to enlistment on 4 August 1916, Dvr Reinke embarked aboard RMS Osterley in February 1917. He transferred to the 12th Field Artillery Brigade as an Acting Corporal on 10 October 1917, then temporarily promoted to Bombardier (Bdr) on 15 March 1918. Bdr Reinke was wounded on 18 October 1918 when in charge of a gun at St Souplet and died of his wounds 20 October 1918 at the 41st Casualty Clearing Station.
Richard Herbert Reinke
12th A. F. A. Brigade, Australian Field Artillery
10th October 1918, aged 25.
Plot. I. D. 24.
Inscription "In Memory Of The Dearly Loved Son Of Mr. & Mrs. Reinke Of Blyth, S. Aus."
Son of William Frederick and Lena Maria Sophia Reinke, of Blyth, South Australia.
Studio portrait of 32499 Driver (Dvr) Richard Herbert Reinke, 6th Field Artillery Brigade, of Blyth, SA. A farmer prior to enlistment on 4 August 1916, Dvr Reinke embarked aboard RMS Osterley in February 1917. He transferred to the 12th Field Artillery Brigade as an Acting Corporal on 10 October 1917, then temporarily promoted to Bombardier (Bdr) on 15 March 1918. Bdr Reinke was wounded on 18 October 1918 when in charge of a gun at St Souplet and died of his wounds 20 October 1918 at the 41st Casualty Clearing Station.
241248 Private
John James Robinson
2nd/5th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
21st March 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. H. 4.
Image does not enlarge
Son of William Robinson, of 6, Railway Terrace, Burnley.
John James Robinson
2nd/5th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment
21st March 1918, aged 19.
Plot I. H. 4.
Image does not enlarge
Son of William Robinson, of 6, Railway Terrace, Burnley.
Lieutenant
Patrick Francis Ryan, D. C. M.
2nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 35.
Plot II. H. 5.
Inscription "At His Country's Altar His Life, His Love He Laid Ever Remembered"
Son of Patrick and Ellen Ryan; husband of Emma A. Ryan, of "Clutha," Stuart St., Kogarah, New South Wales. Born at Smythesdale, Victoria.
Studio portrait of Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Patrick Francis Ryan, 2nd Battalion, of Smythesdale, Vic. A station hand prior to enlisting on 18 September 1914, he first served as a corporal (regimental number 212) with B Squadron, 6th Light Horse Regiment and embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Suevic on 21 December 1914. On 5 March 1915 he was promoted to sergeant and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) on 14 January 1916 ‘for conspicuous gallantry during September 1915 in the trenches at Lone Pine (Dardanelles). When he was on one occasion for forty-eight hours continuously in charge of his Regiment bomb-throwers under heavy fire’. He was wounded in action on 26 June 1917 at Bullecourt. On 18 October 1917 he was commissioned as a Captain (Capt) with the 2nd Battalion. Capt Ryan returned to Australia on 18 October 1917. He re-enlisted on 19 February 1918 as a Private (Pte) and was assigned regimental number 53544 serving with the 3rd (NSW) Reinforcements. He embarked from Sydney aboard RMS Osterley on 8 May 1918. Pte Ryan was killed in action on 18 September 1918 in France whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion, aged 35 years.
Patrick Francis Ryan, D. C. M.
2nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
18th September 1918, aged 35.
Plot II. H. 5.
Inscription "At His Country's Altar His Life, His Love He Laid Ever Remembered"
Son of Patrick and Ellen Ryan; husband of Emma A. Ryan, of "Clutha," Stuart St., Kogarah, New South Wales. Born at Smythesdale, Victoria.
Studio portrait of Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) Patrick Francis Ryan, 2nd Battalion, of Smythesdale, Vic. A station hand prior to enlisting on 18 September 1914, he first served as a corporal (regimental number 212) with B Squadron, 6th Light Horse Regiment and embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Suevic on 21 December 1914. On 5 March 1915 he was promoted to sergeant and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) on 14 January 1916 ‘for conspicuous gallantry during September 1915 in the trenches at Lone Pine (Dardanelles). When he was on one occasion for forty-eight hours continuously in charge of his Regiment bomb-throwers under heavy fire’. He was wounded in action on 26 June 1917 at Bullecourt. On 18 October 1917 he was commissioned as a Captain (Capt) with the 2nd Battalion. Capt Ryan returned to Australia on 18 October 1917. He re-enlisted on 19 February 1918 as a Private (Pte) and was assigned regimental number 53544 serving with the 3rd (NSW) Reinforcements. He embarked from Sydney aboard RMS Osterley on 8 May 1918. Pte Ryan was killed in action on 18 September 1918 in France whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion, aged 35 years.
