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Grave in Hamel Military Cemetery of Lieutenant-Colonel Ernest Charles Patrick Boyle DSO 1st Honourable Artillery Company killed in action 7th February 1917.
Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme. About 4 miles South of Villers-Bretonneux, East of Hangard village on the road to Denuin. At the end of March 1918 Hangard was at the junction of French and Commonwealth forces defending Amiens. From the 4th to the 25th April, the village and Hangard Wood was the scene of incessant fighting in thich the line was held. the 18th Division being particularly heavily engaged. On the 8th August 1918 the village was cleared by 1st and 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles who created the original extension to the communal cemetery with 51 graves. The cemetery was increased after the Armistice with graves brought in and now records 427 U.K., 72 Can., 47 Aust., 1 German burial and 17 special memorials.
. Grave in Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension of Lance Corporal Arthur William Souls 16th Battalion Cheshire Regiment M.M. who died 25th April 1918 aged 31 years, one of five sons of Mrs. Julia Souls who died in the Great War.
On the War Memorial in the church at Great Rissington, Gloucestershire are the names of five sons of one mother, perhaps the costliest sacrifice made by an English mother on the altar of freedom. They are the five sons of Mrs. Julia Souls who lived at Great Rissington with her husband William when the war broke out and afterwards went to Great Barrington near Burford where she died in 1935.
Private 17208 Albert Souls Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) formerly 17173 Worcestershire Regiment killed in action 14th March 1916 aged 20 years. Buried at Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais about 20 kilometres North of Arras. Records 763 burials. Born in Great Rissington where he resided when he enlisted at Bourton-on-Water.
Private 21686 Frederick George Souls 16th Battalion the Cheshire Regiment, killed in action 19th July 1916 aged 30 years. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme about 8 kilometres NE of Albert which commemorates 73,412 missing who fell in the Battles of the Somme in 1916 and 1917. Born in Great Rissington where he resided when he enlisted at Stow -on- the Wold, Gloucestershire.
Private 17209 Walter Davis Souls Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) formerly 17177 the Worcestershire Regiment died of wounds 2nd August 1916 aged 24 years. Buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen about 3 kilometres South of the centre of Rouen a hospital centre in the Great War. Records 3,083 burials. Born Great Rissington where he resided when he enlisted at Bourton-on-Water.
Private 21525 Alfred Souls 11th Battalion the Cheshire Regiment killed in action 20th April 1918 aged 31 years (twin of Arthur William Souls). Buried in Strand Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert Wood, West Flanders, close to the French border some 6 kilometres North of Armentieres. Records 1,044 burials. Born Great Rissington where he resided when he enlisted at Stow-on-the-Wold.
Lance Corporal 21683 Arthur William Souls Military Medal 16th Battalion the Cheshire Regiment killed in action 25th April 1918 aged 31 years (twin of Alfred Souls). Buried Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, 6 kilometres South of Villers-Bretonneux. Records 547 burials. Born Great Rissington where he resided when he enlisted at Stow-on-the-Wold.
Graves in Hangard Communal Cemetery Extension of W Masterson Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) died 27th September 1915, W Robson Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) who died 27th .September 1915, M Monachan Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) who died 27th September 1915, R C Giddings Cambridgeshire Regiment who died 30th September 1915, J McMahon Royal Irish Fusiliers who died 2nd October 1915, F J Gale Royal Engineers who died 2nd October 1915, W A Taylor Royal Engineers who died 2nd October 1915, S W Ham Royal Engineers who died 2nd October 1915 aged 18 years, P Quinn Royal Fusiliers who died on the 3rd October 1915 aged 21 years, T Caldwell Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders who died on the 9th October 1915, P Faulkner Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders who died on the 10th October 1915 aged 26 years, J C Lang Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders who died on the 14th October 1915 aged 20 years, E Pelling Gloucestershire Regiment who died on the 22nd October 1915 aged 21 years and J R Culley Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) who died on the 1st November 1915 aged 30 years, all originally buried in Fontaine les Cappy Churchyard Extension and brought some 20 kilometres South East to Hangard after the Armistice, Fontain les Cappy being West of Assevillers and about 3 kilometres South of Cappy which is on the south bank of the Somme River.
Hangard Wood British Cemetery. About 3 miles South of Villers-Bretonneux and down a track leading from the North of Hangard village which was the position of the German front line when the 13th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment) from 1st Canadian Division, supported by 4th Tank Battalion, attacked on the morning of the 8th August 1918. The Cemetery was begun by the Canadians after the August battle but was extended by them by bringing in bodies which had lain out since April 1918 and was extended further after the Armistice. Records 61 Can., 58 U.K., 17 Aust., 5 S.A. and 20 French burials.
32. Grave in Hangard Wood British Cemetery of No. 445312 Private John Bernard Croak, 13th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment), Victoria Cross, who died of wounds on the 8th August 1918 aged 26 years.
An extract from the London Gazette records “For most conspicuous bravery in attack when having become separated from his section he encountered a machine gun nest, which he bombed and silenced, taking the gun and crew prisoners. Shortly afterwards he was severely wounded, but refused to desist. Having rejoined his platoon, a very strong point, containing several machine guns, was encountered. Private Croak, however, seeing an opportunity, dashed forward alone and was almost immediately followed by the remainder of the platoon in a brilliant charge. He was the first to arrive at the trench line into which he led his men, capturing three machine guns and bayonetting or capturing the entire garrison. The perseverance and valour of this gallant soldier who was again severely wounded and died of his wounds were an inspiring example to all.”
Son of James and Cecilia Croak of New Aberdeen, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, born Little Bay Newfoundland.
Headstone bears inscription “Do you wish to show your gratitude? Kneel down and pray for his soul.”
Graves in Hangard Wood Cemetery of Fifteen casualties from the fighting in late 1916 on the Somme brought South East from the area East of Courcelette-Martinpuich-Flers including that of Second Lieutenant William Nisbet Maxwell 3rd Battalion attached 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders killed in action on the 12th October 1916. The 7th Service Battalion was part of 26th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division and on the 12th October 1916 the principal objective was to clear the Butte de Warlencourt, the Battalion to attack Snag and Tail Trenches then the Butte itself, north-east of Eaucourt l’Abbaye but suffered heavily from German machine-gun fire, a heavy German barrage which cut off all communications and a number of “short” shells from the British guns mainly because of considerable difficulties in the way of artillery observation with many scratch trenches not being marked on any maps.. The Battalion was relieved on the 13th October and in the period between the 10th and the 13th October had sustained 467 casualties of whom Lieutenant Maxwell was one. He was born in Hawick and was the husband of Annie Roper Maxwell.
Herbecourt British Cemetery, Somme. 5 miles W of Peronne, W of the village. First casualities from Artillery and Sussex Regiment who fell February and March 1917 prior to German withdrawal to Hindenburg Line. Records 51 Aust. and 8 UK burials.
Grave in Herbecourt British Cemetery of Lieutenant B R Rush MC 30th Battalion Australian Infantry AIF died 4th September 1918 aged 28 years. Headstone bears inscription “Until the Dawn And Earths Dark Shadows Flee.”
Grave in Herbecourt British Cemetery of Lieutenant S Colless MC DCM 55th Battalion Australian Infantry AIF died 1st September 1918 aged 25 years. Citation for the D.C.M. (won when he was Sergeant No. 2808) dated 22nd September 1916 records “For conspicuous gallantry during operations. He kept the teams of two guns working in the enemy’s second line, from which he was finally driven out by overwhelming bombing parties. By his fine example he kept the team steady, and covered the retreat of a company, thus saving many casualties.” Headstone bears inscription “Perfect Peace with Loved Ones Far Away, In Jesus’ Keeping He is safe.”
Hem Farm Military Cemetery, Hem-Monacu, Somme. 5 Miles W of Peronne, on private by road to Curlu. The 5th Australian Division crossed the River Somme near Hem by hastily constructed bridges to attack Peronne August 30th 1918. Records 367 UK., 138 Aust., 88 S.A., 4 Can., burials and 1 special memorial.
Grave in Hem Farm Military Cemetery of 2nd Lieutenant George Edward Cates VC 2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade. Died 9th March 1917. At the beginning of March 1917 the Battalion was in the Bouchavesnes area, about 3 miles North of Peronne. On the 8th March 1917 Lieutenant Cates was mortally wounded by a bomb which he attempted to smother with his foot. An extract from the London Gazette dated 11th May 1917 records “For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice. When engaged with some other men in deepening a captured trench this officer struck with his spade a buried bomb, which immediately started to burn. 2nd Lt. Gates in order to save the lives of his comrades, placed his foot on the bomb, which immediately exploded. He showed the most conspicuous gallantry and deotion to duty in performing the act which cost him his life but saved the lives of othes.”
Son of George and Alice Ann Cates of 39 Compton Road Wimbledon London.
Headstone bears inscription “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Paul 1/13.
Grave in Hem Farm Military Cemetery of No. 6939 Private Robert Mactier V.C. 23rd (Victoria) Battalion Australian Infantry AIF. Died 1st September 1918 aged 28 years. An extract from the London Gazette dated 13th December 1918 records “For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the morning of 1st September 1918 during the attack on the village of Mont St. Quentin. Prior to the advance of the battalion, it was necessary to clear up several enemy strong points close to our line. This the bombing patrols sent forward failed to effect, and the battalion was unable to move. Private Mactier single-handed and in daylight thereupon jumped out of the trench rushed past the block closed with and killed the machine gun garrison of eight men with his revolver and bombs and threw the enemy machine-gun over the parapet. Then rushing forward about 20 yards he jumped into another strong point held by a garrison of six men who immediately surrendered . Continuing to the next block through the trench he disposed of an enemy machine which had been enfilading our flank advancing troops and was then killed by another machine gun at close range. It was entirely due to this exceptional valour and determination of Private Mactier that the battalion was able to move on to its “jumping off” trench and carry out the successful operation of capturing the village of Mont St. Quentin a few hours later.”
Son of Robert and Christiana J Mactier of “Reitcam” Tatura Victoria Australia. Headstone bears inscription “His memory will always live in hearts that knew his worth.”
Grave in Hem Farm Military Cemetery of Private G K Rapp 41st Battalion Australian Infantry AIF. Died 1st September 1918. Headstone bears inscription “His duty nobly done.”
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