UNICORN CEMETERY
Vend'huile
Aisne
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 49.99663, Longitude: 3.18192
Location Information
Vendhuile is a village about 19 kilometres north of St Quentin and 24 kilometres south-east of Péronne. Unicorn Cemetery is about 3 kilometres south-west of Vendhuile on the west side of the road to the villages of Lempire and Ronssoy.
Historical Information
Vendhuile (Vend'huile) was very nearly reached in the Battle of Cambrai 1917. It was taken by the 27th and 30th American Divisions at the end of September 1918, and cleared by the 12th and 18th Divisions on 30 September. After the fight, men of the 18th Division were buried by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division in Plot I, Row A, of Unicorn Cemetery (the name is taken from the Divisional mark of the 50th Division). The rest of the cemetery was formed after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields, isolated sites and from the following small cemeteries of 1917 and 1918:-
LA PAURELLE BRITISH CEMETERY, RONSSOY, contained 110 graves of soldiers from the United Kingdom. It was in a hamlet on the Basse Boulogne-Epehy road. It was begun by 1/5th Gloucesters in April 1917 and used by cavalry and infantry units until February 1918. After the recapture of Ronssoy by the 18th Division on the 18th September 1918, it was used again by the 6th Northamptons.
BASSE-BOULOGNE BRITISH CEMETERY, LEMPIRE, contained the graves of 67 soldiers from the United Kingdom and Australia. It was made by the 103rd Labour Company after the capture of Basse-Boulogne on the 18th September 1918, by the 6th Northamptons. It was a little East of the hamlet of Basse-Boulogne.
LEMPIRE BRITISH CEMETERY, originally contained the graves of 118 soldiers from the United Kingdom, one from Australia, 15 American soldiers and 40 German prisoners. It was made by the 18th Division Burial Officer after the Division had cleared Lempire on the 19th September 1918. It was on the Eastern side of Lempire village.
LEMPIRE and VEND'HUILE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSIONS, contained respectively the graves of seven and six soldiers from the United Kingdom.
The cemetery now contains 1,008 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 409 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to ten casualties known or believed to be buried among them. There are also special memorials to eight casualties buried in Lempire British Cemetery whose graves could not be found on concentration.
Total Burials: 1,008.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 536, Australia 60, India 3. Total 599.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 171, Australia 18, Canada 1, India 1, Unknown 218. Total 409.
The cemetery was designed by Charles Henry Holden and William Harrison Cowlishaw
Dedications
G/14474 Private William Frank Saunders, 7th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 19th September 1918, aged 18.
Remembered by nephew Raymond Saunders
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1153 Corporal Lawrence Carthage Weathers, V. C.
43rd Bn. Australian Infantry. A. I. F.
Died of wounds on 29th September 1918, aged 28.
Plot III. C. 5.
Son of John Joseph and Ellen Frances Johanna Weathers; husband of Annie E. Weathers, of "Te Kopuru," Main Avenue, Frewville, South Australia. Native of North Wairo, New Zealand.
His headstone bears the inscription "Sweet Jesus Grant To Him Eternal Rest"
Citation:
An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31082, dated 24th Dec., 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 2nd September, 1918, north of Peronne, when with an advanced bombing party. The attack having been held up by a strongly held enemy trench, Cpl. Weathers went forward alone under heavy fire and attacked the enemy with bombs. Then, returning to our lines for a further supply of bombs, he again went forward with three comrades, and attacked under very heavy fire. Regardless of personal danger, he mounted the enemy parapet and bombed the trench, and, with the support of his comrades, captured 180 prisoners and three machine guns. His valour and determination resulted in the successful capture of the final objective, and saved the lives of many of his comrades."
Picture © Johan Pauwels
Lieutenant
Thomas Henry Liddon Addis
4th Bn. attd. 2nd Bn., Royal Dublin Fusiliers
21st March 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. E. 20.
Son of William Edward and Rachael Addis, of 5, Lebanon Park, Twickenham, Middx.
His headstone bears the inscription "Faithful Unto Death"
Thomas Henry Liddon Addis
4th Bn. attd. 2nd Bn., Royal Dublin Fusiliers
21st March 1918, aged 20.
Plot II. E. 20.
Son of William Edward and Rachael Addis, of 5, Lebanon Park, Twickenham, Middx.
His headstone bears the inscription "Faithful Unto Death"
506 Private
Leslie Philip Frost
3rd Bn. Australian Machine Gun Corps
29th September 1918, aged 25.
Plot I. D. 2.
Son of Alfred Ernest and Annie Elizabeth Frost, of White Horse Rd., Blackburn, Victoria, Australia. Native of South Melbourne.
His headstone bears the inscription "Duty Nobly Done"
Leslie's story is a heart-breaking testament to the sacrifice and dedication of soldiers during World War I. Born in South Melbourne to Alfred and Annie Frost, Leslie developed an early interest in craftsmanship, transitioning from his work as an orchardist to becoming a skilled piano maker. At the age of 22, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on September 30, 1916, marking the beginning of a journey that would take him into the brutal realities of war.
On December 16, 1916, Leslie embarked on the HMAT A7 Medic from Port Melbourne, bound for England. There, he underwent intense training, enduring both the physical and psychological strain that soldiers of the time faced. Despite the hardships, Leslie showed remarkable resilience, especially during the fierce battles of the Ypres offensives and other engagements in France. He fought in key battles such as Messines and Passchendaele, and after being wounded at the Battle of Broodseinde, he returned to the front lines, driven by a strong sense of duty.
Leslie's ultimate sacrifice came during the Battle of St. Quentin Canal, where he was killed just weeks before the war’s end on September 29th, 1918. His death was a tragic loss, but his bravery and commitment were unwavering. The inscription on his gravestone, “Duty Nobly Done,” speaks volumes about his dedication to his comrades and the cause he fought for, standing as a lasting tribute to his legacy.
All Pictures courtesy of Graeme Brown, Grand Nephew of L.P Frost.
The photo's of the cemetery were taken on April 2012. The Black & White portraits are from the families personal collection.
Leslie Philip Frost
3rd Bn. Australian Machine Gun Corps
29th September 1918, aged 25.
Plot I. D. 2.
Son of Alfred Ernest and Annie Elizabeth Frost, of White Horse Rd., Blackburn, Victoria, Australia. Native of South Melbourne.
His headstone bears the inscription "Duty Nobly Done"
Leslie's story is a heart-breaking testament to the sacrifice and dedication of soldiers during World War I. Born in South Melbourne to Alfred and Annie Frost, Leslie developed an early interest in craftsmanship, transitioning from his work as an orchardist to becoming a skilled piano maker. At the age of 22, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on September 30, 1916, marking the beginning of a journey that would take him into the brutal realities of war.
On December 16, 1916, Leslie embarked on the HMAT A7 Medic from Port Melbourne, bound for England. There, he underwent intense training, enduring both the physical and psychological strain that soldiers of the time faced. Despite the hardships, Leslie showed remarkable resilience, especially during the fierce battles of the Ypres offensives and other engagements in France. He fought in key battles such as Messines and Passchendaele, and after being wounded at the Battle of Broodseinde, he returned to the front lines, driven by a strong sense of duty.
Leslie's ultimate sacrifice came during the Battle of St. Quentin Canal, where he was killed just weeks before the war’s end on September 29th, 1918. His death was a tragic loss, but his bravery and commitment were unwavering. The inscription on his gravestone, “Duty Nobly Done,” speaks volumes about his dedication to his comrades and the cause he fought for, standing as a lasting tribute to his legacy.
All Pictures courtesy of Graeme Brown, Grand Nephew of L.P Frost.
The photo's of the cemetery were taken on April 2012. The Black & White portraits are from the families personal collection.
3070 Private
Gordon Henry Gibson
38th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F
29th September 1918, aged 23.
Plot III. B. 6.
Gordon joined the A.I.F. in January 1917 and sailed from Melbourne, Australia on the ship "Ballarat", arriving in the UK on 26th April 1917. From there his unit proceeded to France.
Gordon was the eldest son of Louise and William Gibson of 74 Victoria Street, Footscray, Victoria, Australia. His younger siblings were Arthur, Bert, and Alma (my mother).
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Duty Done"
Picture courtesy of Barbara Paterson, niece.
Gordon Henry Gibson
38th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F
29th September 1918, aged 23.
Plot III. B. 6.
Gordon joined the A.I.F. in January 1917 and sailed from Melbourne, Australia on the ship "Ballarat", arriving in the UK on 26th April 1917. From there his unit proceeded to France.
Gordon was the eldest son of Louise and William Gibson of 74 Victoria Street, Footscray, Victoria, Australia. His younger siblings were Arthur, Bert, and Alma (my mother).
His headstone bears the inscription "Greater Love Hath No Man Duty Done"
Picture courtesy of Barbara Paterson, niece.
189659 Gunner
James Howlett
3rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
5th October 1918, aged 33.
Plot I. A. 16.
Son of Thomas and Mary Ann Howlett, of Quorn; husband of Eliza Howlett, of 6, Sarson St., Quorn, Loughborough.
His headstone bears the inscription "Peace Perfect Peace"
Died in the Field Hospital at Bellenglise 5th October 1918, aged 33. From Quorn, Leics. Husband to Eliza and father to Thomas James (Jim) who was my grandfather
Picture attached - Steven Howlett, Great Grandson of James Howlett
James Howlett
3rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
5th October 1918, aged 33.
Plot I. A. 16.
Son of Thomas and Mary Ann Howlett, of Quorn; husband of Eliza Howlett, of 6, Sarson St., Quorn, Loughborough.
His headstone bears the inscription "Peace Perfect Peace"
Died in the Field Hospital at Bellenglise 5th October 1918, aged 33. From Quorn, Leics. Husband to Eliza and father to Thomas James (Jim) who was my grandfather
Picture attached - Steven Howlett, Great Grandson of James Howlett
203118 Lance Corporal
William Pearce
1st/5th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment.
26th April 1917.
Plot II. F. 21.
Son of Benjamin Pearce from Winford, Somerset.
Picture courtesy of Mike Pearce, great nephew of this soldier.
67707 Private
Sidney William Richmond
11th Bn. Royal Fusiliers. Formerly 31773, East Surrey Regt.
28th September 1918
Plot IV. D. 30.
His headstone bears the inscription "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out"
Sidney William Richmond
11th Bn. Royal Fusiliers. Formerly 31773, East Surrey Regt.
28th September 1918
Plot IV. D. 30.
His headstone bears the inscription "Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out"
Second Lieutenant
John Arthur Perrot Whinney
Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars
22nd June 1917, aged 20.
Plot II. F. 1.
Son of Sir Arthur Whinney, K.B.E., of Lee Place, Charlbury, Oxon.
John Arthur Perrot Whinney
Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars
22nd June 1917, aged 20.
Plot II. F. 1.
Son of Sir Arthur Whinney, K.B.E., of Lee Place, Charlbury, Oxon.
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
An Australian official photographer, believed to be Capt G H Wilkins (later Sir Hubert Wilkins, the polar explorer) and his assistant sets up his camera and tripod on a tank near Ronssoy on the Western Front. IWM (E(AUS) 3915)
