Help required undertanding a WW1 map reference

[Squiggs]

BaronVonV8 said:

Now that is something I can't really help you with. Perhaps the Aussie cemetary was meant to be a more permanent resting place. They may have originally been buried close to where they fell, in a mass grave.

Looking at the one page of exhumation records that he is listed on there were more Brits moved from there.
Mostly they are recorded as one man (Name) with a cross. Others are unknown soldier, no cross (which seems strange?) and there are a few two men (Names) one cross shared.
So it doesn't seem like a mass grave.

Picture of Great Uncles final resting place

[BaronVonV8]

I did find this: "VAUX-SUR-SOMME COMMUNAL CEMETERY, contained three Australian graves of March-April 1918, and two United Kingdom of 1916 and 1917; and the EXTENSION, made in May-August 1918, and contained the graves of 130 Australian soldiers and 104 soldiers (mainly 58th Division and Artillery) and one airman from the United Kingdom."

As for the cross, could simply be a religious thing, as the unknown soldiers were not able to be identified, their religion wouldn't be confirmed either. Just a guess though.

[cptsideways]

The date he died was on the day/s of the battle of Albert which is just down the road. Do you have any information on the regiments movements at the time.

You might be able to locate the field hospitals on the maps which may lead to the initial grave.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Albert_%281...


But 20 years of age, sends a shiver down the spine to think what these guys went through

[Squiggs]

I haven't really delved into his movements.
I'm going to the Tower of London Poppy display next weds and was looking for info on it when I happened to come across the Commonwealth War Graves Commission - punched his details in and found a couple of documents, one of which was the exhumation record.

I now think the photo of my Great Grandma and Great Granddad at his grave was taken at the Villers-Bretonneux Millitary Cemetery shortly after his body had been moved - and very unlikely to be of them at Vaux -sur-Somme if he was first buried in a 'make shift' field hospital cemetery.
In the photo the grave has the characteristic mound of earth and a wooden cross. I guess time has moved on, the mounds have levelled and simple crosses replaced with headstones.

Anyway thanks for your help chaps.
It's amazing how the people who understand the power of the internet and know how to harness it (unlike myself) can achieve so much in such a short space of time.

Thanks again!

[Squiggs]

cptsideways said:

But 20 years of age, sends a shiver down the spine to think what these guys went through

And if he had been able to last out a further three months he might (just) still be with us today.

[extraT]

Nothing important to add, except to say this thread has been a fasinating read.

20 is no age at all. R.I.P

[cptsideways]

As we are nearing the centenary I'd thought I'd remind everyone of this memorable thread & who it was about.

[Spare tyre]

I simply can’t imagine what the whole thing must have been like


I’m very grateful for all these brave men

[anonymous-user]

OP I also have a great uncle buried over there and have been a few times. How did you get the grid ref of where he was exhumed from (as most were)? I would love to have that as my great uncle jumped in a shell hole to avoid a small shell but the shell followed him in. I’d like to know where it was.

Also I’d love to see the pic of your grandparents at his original grave if you care to share. Thanks.

[anonymous-user]

As an aside to have personal words from the family at the bottom of the gravestone cost a shilling a word I believe.