ST. PIERRE CEMETERY
& AMIENS FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY
(La Nécropole Nationale d"Amiens)
Amiens
Somme
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 49.90969, Longitude: 2.32841
Picture © Johan Pauwels
Location Information
St. Pierre Cemetery is situated on the north-eastern outskirts of Amiens, on the northern side of the main road to Albert. The cemetery will be found in the suburb of Rivery on the left hand side of the D929 Amiens to Albert road.
At the back of the cemetery is the Commonwealth Plot.
Visiting Information
For your information, the opening time for St Pierre Communal Cemetery is 8:00 to 18:00.
Historical Information
During part of August 1914, Amiens was the British Advanced Base. It was captured by the Germans on 31 August, and retaken by the French on the following 13 September. The German offensive which began in March 1918 had Amiens for at least one of its objectives but the Battle of Amiens (8 - 11 August 1918) is the Allied name for the action by which the counter offensive, the Advance to Victory, was begun.
The 7th General Hospital was at Amiens in August 1914; the 56th (South Midland) Casualty Clearing Station from April to July 1916; the New Zealand Stationary Hospital from July 1916 to May 1917; the 42nd Stationary Hospital from October 1917 to March 1919; and the 41st Stationary Hospital in March 1918, and again in December 1918 and January 1919.
The Commonwealth plot in St. Pierre Cemetery was first used in September 1915 and closed in October 1919, but shortly afterwards 33 graves of 1918 were brought in from positions in or near the city.
During the Second World War, Amiens was again a British base, and G.H.Q. reserve was accommodated in the area south-west of the town. There was heavy fighting in and around Amiens when the Germans broke through the Somme line and took the town on 18 May 1940. Much damage was done, but although all the houses to the west of the cathedral were completely destroyed by the bombardment, the cathedral itself and the church of St. Germain l'Ecossais survived. Amiens was retaken by the British Second Army on 31 August 1944. Nos. 25 and 121 General Hospitals were posted there in October 1944, remaining until April 1945.
St. Pierre Cemetery contains 676 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 82 from the Second World War.
Total Burials: 758.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 559, Australia 93, Canada 10, New Zealand 3, India 2, South Africa 1. Total 668.
World War One Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 5, Australia 2, Unknown 1. Total 8.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 57, Canada 12, Australia 9, New Zealand 1. Total 79.
World War Two Unidentified Casualties: 3.
The Commonwealth plot was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Captain Wilfred Clement Von Berg. M. C.
Cemetery images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
World War One Roll Of Honour
Captain
William Forsyth, T. D.
1st/7th Bn. Gordon Highlanders
20th October 1915, aged 50.
Plot V. A. 8.
Son of Ebenezer and Helen Nelson Forsyth, of Blackburn, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire; husband of Mary Rennie Forsyth, of 37, Selsdon Rd., West Norwood, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "At Rest"
William Forsyth, T. D.
1st/7th Bn. Gordon Highlanders
20th October 1915, aged 50.
Plot V. A. 8.
Son of Ebenezer and Helen Nelson Forsyth, of Blackburn, Cockburnspath, Berwickshire; husband of Mary Rennie Forsyth, of 37, Selsdon Rd., West Norwood, London.
His headstone bears the inscription "At Rest"
Second Lieutenant
A. E. Glew
24th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
8th September 1916.
Plot V. B. 5.
A. E. Glew
24th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
8th September 1916.
Plot V. B. 5.
Lieutenant
A. J. Hamar
55th Squadron, 9th wing, Royal Flying Corps
8th April 1917.
Plot VI. A. 8
Son of Mr. W. Hamar, of Hillcrest, Knighton, Radnorshire.
A. J. Hamar
55th Squadron, 9th wing, Royal Flying Corps
8th April 1917.
Plot VI. A. 8
Son of Mr. W. Hamar, of Hillcrest, Knighton, Radnorshire.
Captain
James Lusk, Mentioned in Despatches
Adjt. 1st/6th Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
28th December 1915, aged 37.
Plot VI. A. 1.
Croix de Chevalier, Legion D'Honneur. Mentioned in Despatches. Son of John and Jessie Colville Lusk. B.A.(Cantab.). Staff Captain, Scottish Rifle Bde. (T.F.), Falkirk, Scotland, 1914-15.
James Lusk, Mentioned in Despatches
Adjt. 1st/6th Bn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
28th December 1915, aged 37.
Plot VI. A. 1.
Croix de Chevalier, Legion D'Honneur. Mentioned in Despatches. Son of John and Jessie Colville Lusk. B.A.(Cantab.). Staff Captain, Scottish Rifle Bde. (T.F.), Falkirk, Scotland, 1914-15.
Second Lieutenant
Edward William Mather
1st (Northumberland) Field Company, Royal Engineers
13th October 1916.
Plot VI. B. 5
Son of E. W. and Ada Mather; husband of H. A. Mather, of Brookville, Edenderry, King's Co.
Edward William Mather
1st (Northumberland) Field Company, Royal Engineers
13th October 1916.
Plot VI. B. 5
Son of E. W. and Ada Mather; husband of H. A. Mather, of Brookville, Edenderry, King's Co.
Brigadier General
Colquhoun Grant Morrison, Companion of St. Michael & St. George"
President of Claims Commission, General Staff. Late 1st (Royal) Dragoons
23rd May 1916, aged 56.
Plot V. B. 7.
Son of Lt. Col. R. F. Morrison, 5th Lancers, and Jane, his wife (daughter of Colquhoun Grant, of Kinchurdy, Scotland); husband of Vera Morrison (nee Sawyer), of Sesame Club, 49, Grosvenor St., London, W.I.
Colquhoun Grant Morrison, Companion of St. Michael & St. George"
President of Claims Commission, General Staff. Late 1st (Royal) Dragoons
23rd May 1916, aged 56.
Plot V. B. 7.
Son of Lt. Col. R. F. Morrison, 5th Lancers, and Jane, his wife (daughter of Colquhoun Grant, of Kinchurdy, Scotland); husband of Vera Morrison (nee Sawyer), of Sesame Club, 49, Grosvenor St., London, W.I.
Major
Allen Llewellen Palmer
1st Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry
15th November 1916, aged 34.
Plot VI. A. 6.
Son of Brig. Gen. George Palmer and Madeleine Palmer, of "Berryfield," Bradford-on-Avon. Served as Captain, 14th Hussars, in the South African Campaign. Native of Trowbridge
Allen Llewellen Palmer
1st Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry
15th November 1916, aged 34.
Plot VI. A. 6.
Son of Brig. Gen. George Palmer and Madeleine Palmer, of "Berryfield," Bradford-on-Avon. Served as Captain, 14th Hussars, in the South African Campaign. Native of Trowbridge
Captain
David Wilson M. C.
24th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
30th July 1916, aged 23.
Plot V. A. 5.
Son of the Rev. David Wilson, M.A. and May Wilson, of 14, Tavistock Square, London, W.C.I.
David Wilson M. C.
24th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
30th July 1916, aged 23.
Plot V. A. 5.
Son of the Rev. David Wilson, M.A. and May Wilson, of 14, Tavistock Square, London, W.C.I.
Images in gallery below © Thierry Grier
Some of the 79 World War Two Graves
Pictures © Johan Pauwels
World War Two Roll of Honour
R/207383 Sergeant
Harry Frederick Bottomley
625 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th April 1944, aged 19.
Plot 7. B. Collective Grave 11-13.
Son of Francis K. Bottomley and Elsie V. Bottomley, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Harry Frederick Bottomley
625 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
11th April 1944, aged 19.
Plot 7. B. Collective Grave 11-13.
Son of Francis K. Bottomley and Elsie V. Bottomley, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
416651 Warrant Officer
Hubert George Carlyle
463 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force
25th June 1944, aged 30.
Plot 2. E. 13.
Son of Leslie Morton Carlyle and Amy Carlyle, of Flinders Park, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Only Those Who Knew Him Knew The Sacrifice He Made"
Hubert was born in Cornwall, England, and the family emigrated to Australia in the 1920's. He was a teacher but signed up to serve in the RAAF at the outbreak of war.
Stationed at RAF Waddington as a navigator with 463 Lancaster squadron, he was on a mission to bomb the V1 rocket site at Prouville when he was shot down.
Hubert George Carlyle
463 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force
25th June 1944, aged 30.
Plot 2. E. 13.
Son of Leslie Morton Carlyle and Amy Carlyle, of Flinders Park, South Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "Only Those Who Knew Him Knew The Sacrifice He Made"
Hubert was born in Cornwall, England, and the family emigrated to Australia in the 1920's. He was a teacher but signed up to serve in the RAAF at the outbreak of war.
Stationed at RAF Waddington as a navigator with 463 Lancaster squadron, he was on a mission to bomb the V1 rocket site at Prouville when he was shot down.
J/26545 Flying Officer
John Duncan
77 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
15th March 1944, aged 19.
Plot 3. D. 13.
Son of Robert John ana Mary Anne Duncan, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Memory Is Dear To Those He Left Behind"
John Duncan
77 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
15th March 1944, aged 19.
Plot 3. D. 13.
Son of Robert John ana Mary Anne Duncan, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Memory Is Dear To Those He Left Behind"
J/88618 Pilot Officer
Lionel Percy Facey-Crowther
50 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th June 1944, aged 21.
Plot 4. D. 11.
Son of Cecil Clinton Facey-Crowther and Sarah Louisa Facey-Crowther.
His headstone bears the inscription "Nothing But Well And Fair, And What May Quiet Us In A Death So Noble">>> Milton
Lionel Percy Facey-Crowther
50 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
25th June 1944, aged 21.
Plot 4. D. 11.
Son of Cecil Clinton Facey-Crowther and Sarah Louisa Facey-Crowther.
His headstone bears the inscription "Nothing But Well And Fair, And What May Quiet Us In A Death So Noble">>> Milton
J/5667 Flight Lieutenant
John Hodgson
403 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
2nd June 1944, aged 22.
Plot 7. D. 13.
Son of John and Susanna Hodgson; husband of Doreen Lydia Hodgson, of Southgate, Middlesex.
His headstone bears the inscription "Missed By All That Knew Him. Love, Doreen And Susan"
Photograph supplied by Aircrew Remembered
John Hodgson
403 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
2nd June 1944, aged 22.
Plot 7. D. 13.
Son of John and Susanna Hodgson; husband of Doreen Lydia Hodgson, of Southgate, Middlesex.
His headstone bears the inscription "Missed By All That Knew Him. Love, Doreen And Susan"
Photograph supplied by Aircrew Remembered
405107 Flying Officer
William Kirk
Royal Australian Air Force
20th June 1944, aged 25.
Plot 2. B. 11.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Kirk, of Wynnum, Queensland, Australia; husband of Lila Kirk, of Wynnum.
Portrait of 405107 Flying Officer (FO) William Kirk of Brisbane, Qld, who was a RAAF air gunner in a Mitchell medium bomber of No. 180 Squadron RAF with the Second Tactical Air Force. FO Kirk was lost on operations over France on 20 June 1944 and is buried in the St Pierre Cemetery in AmiensRAAF 17.
William Kirk
Royal Australian Air Force
20th June 1944, aged 25.
Plot 2. B. 11.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Kirk, of Wynnum, Queensland, Australia; husband of Lila Kirk, of Wynnum.
Portrait of 405107 Flying Officer (FO) William Kirk of Brisbane, Qld, who was a RAAF air gunner in a Mitchell medium bomber of No. 180 Squadron RAF with the Second Tactical Air Force. FO Kirk was lost on operations over France on 20 June 1944 and is buried in the St Pierre Cemetery in AmiensRAAF 17.
411510 Flight Sergeant
Norman Archibald McAllister
149 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force
15th March 1944, aged 22.
Plot 3. C. Collective Grave 11-13.
Son of Archibald and Mary Jemima McAllister, of Leeton, New South Wales, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Duty Nobly Done"
Studio portrait of 411510 Aircraftman, later Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) Norman Archibald McAllister, RAAF, of Leeton, NSW. He was a farmer prior to enlisting in May 1941. McAlllister trained with the Empire Air Training Scheme and was then attached to 149 Squadron RAF. He was a crew member of Stirling MkIII aircraft serial number EJ124, radio call sign OJ-C. With seven crew members on board, EJ124 left RAF station Lakenheath, Suffolk, England on the night of 15 March 1944 for operations over France. The aircraft crashed near Amiens and all on board were killed. Flt Sgt McAllister was 23 years of age. Another Australian was onboard this Stirling when it was lost, 409210 Pilot Officer Duncan John Munro who is also buried in this cemetery.
Norman Archibald McAllister
149 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force
15th March 1944, aged 22.
Plot 3. C. Collective Grave 11-13.
Son of Archibald and Mary Jemima McAllister, of Leeton, New South Wales, Australia.
His headstone bears the inscription "His Duty Nobly Done"
Studio portrait of 411510 Aircraftman, later Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) Norman Archibald McAllister, RAAF, of Leeton, NSW. He was a farmer prior to enlisting in May 1941. McAlllister trained with the Empire Air Training Scheme and was then attached to 149 Squadron RAF. He was a crew member of Stirling MkIII aircraft serial number EJ124, radio call sign OJ-C. With seven crew members on board, EJ124 left RAF station Lakenheath, Suffolk, England on the night of 15 March 1944 for operations over France. The aircraft crashed near Amiens and all on board were killed. Flt Sgt McAllister was 23 years of age. Another Australian was onboard this Stirling when it was lost, 409210 Pilot Officer Duncan John Munro who is also buried in this cemetery.
39392 Group Captain
Percy Charles Pickard, D. S. O. & 2 Bars, D. F. C. & Mentioned in Despatches
Commanding 140 Wing. Royal Air Force
18th February 1944, aged 28.
Plot 3. B. 13.
Czechoslovakian Military Cross. Son of Percy and Jenny Pickard; husband of Dorothy Pickard, of Highlands, Southern Rhodesia.
His headstone bears the inscription "At The Rising And Going Down Of The Sun We Will Always Remember Him"
Group Captain Percy Pickard
He was a determined, courageous & expert pilot (who had flown 41 different types of aircraft, participating in over a hundred sorties in the course of the war); & a gifted commanding officer.
His achievements include commanding 51 Squadron in Operation Biting when in February 1942 a German Würzburg radar apparatus was seized from a station on the French coast near Bruneval; & in February 1944 also commanding in Operation Jericho when Amiens prison was bombed, thus securing the release of a considerable number of members of the French Resistance held there by the Germans — a raid in which he was shot down & killed, aged 28.
Additional information courtesy of Nicholas Philpot
Percy Charles Pickard, D. S. O. & 2 Bars, D. F. C. & Mentioned in Despatches
Commanding 140 Wing. Royal Air Force
18th February 1944, aged 28.
Plot 3. B. 13.
Czechoslovakian Military Cross. Son of Percy and Jenny Pickard; husband of Dorothy Pickard, of Highlands, Southern Rhodesia.
His headstone bears the inscription "At The Rising And Going Down Of The Sun We Will Always Remember Him"
Group Captain Percy Pickard
He was a determined, courageous & expert pilot (who had flown 41 different types of aircraft, participating in over a hundred sorties in the course of the war); & a gifted commanding officer.
His achievements include commanding 51 Squadron in Operation Biting when in February 1942 a German Würzburg radar apparatus was seized from a station on the French coast near Bruneval; & in February 1944 also commanding in Operation Jericho when Amiens prison was bombed, thus securing the release of a considerable number of members of the French Resistance held there by the Germans — a raid in which he was shot down & killed, aged 28.
Additional information courtesy of Nicholas Philpot
R/149654 Warrant Officer Class II
Donald John Scott
44 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
20th May 1944, aged 22.
Plot 7. D. 11.
Son of James and Winnifred Scott, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "My Son. He Gave His Life That We Might Live In Freedom. Now He Rest In Peace"
Donald John Scott
44 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
20th May 1944, aged 22.
Plot 7. D. 11.
Son of James and Winnifred Scott, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
His headstone bears the inscription "My Son. He Gave His Life That We Might Live In Freedom. Now He Rest In Peace"
J/5831 Flight Lieutenant
John Rutherford Sterne, D. F. C.
174 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
16th August 1943.
Plot I. C. 11.
John Rutherford Sterne, D. F. C.
174 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
16th August 1943.
Plot I. C. 11.
Original Grave Marker
