Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Gary Mitchell

101 years ago today, from the 8th to 11th August 1918, The Battle of Amiens began, the crucial Allied breakthrough counter-offensive, launched on the Western Front around Amiens, in the Somme sector. The Allies made effective use of infantry, artillery, tanks and aircraft, which led to an unprecedented advance (about 12 kilometres by early afternoon of the first day) and vast numbers of German prisoners.
8 soldiers of the 1st A.I.F. who fell during this battle are memorialised, or awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery.
Corporal Herbert William Bowen (M.M.), 19th Battalion, labourer from First Street, Boolaroo, New South Wales, fell on the 11th August 1918, age 31.
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1659779/
Born in Sydney, New South Wales about 1886 to John Tulip (died 1932) and Margaret Hannah (died 1946) Bowen nee Soulsby; husband of Isabel Bowen (married in England 17.4.1918, died?).
Herbert’s name has been inscribed on the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Memorialised at his parent’s gravesite at Sandgate Cemetery. ANGLICAN 2-117. 53.
Herbert’s name has been inscribed on the Boolaroo District Roll of Honour, Book of Gold, Newcastle South Public School Roll of Honour, Sulphide Corporation Pty Ltd Cockle Creek Works Roll of Honour and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.
Private William Henry Burgess, 3rd Battalion, labourer from William Street, Stockton, New South Wales, fell on the 9th August 1918, age 25.
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1678837/
Also known as Bluey, he was born, I believe, in Newcastle 1893 to John Joseph (died 1929) and Kathleen (Kate, died 1914) Burgess.
William is resting at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, France. Plot XX Row D Grave 2.
Memorialised with his younger brother John Charles at his parent’s gravesite at Sandgate Cemetery. CATHOLIC 1-07. 67.
Younger brother Joseph Vincent Burgess also served 1st A.I.F.
William’s name is inscribed on the St. Mary's-Marist Bros' School (Newcastle) Honour Roll, Stockton War Memorial, Stockton Goose Club Roll of Honour Board and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.
Sergeant Edward Grey Curley, 13th Battalion, bridge builder from 11 Hunter Street, Merewether (The Junction), New South Wales, fell on the 8th August 1918, age 33.
https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1726260/
Also known as Teddy, he was born at Walgett, New South Wales 1885, the son of Edward William (died 1939) and Ellen (died 1941) Curley; husband of Ada Curley nee Cleary (married 1908, died 1962?) of 5 Dent Street, Merewether, New South Wales and 465 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, N.S.W.
Mr Curley, a father of one, is resting at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France. Plot I Row E Grave 20.
Edward’s name is inscribed on the Merewether (Mitchell Park) Memorial Gates, The Junction Soldiers' Memorial, Cooks Hill Lifesaving and Surf Club Memorial and the Newcastle South Public School Roll of Honour.
There is no memorial inscription on his parent’s headstone, so I have placed poppies to honour his service and supreme sacrifice 100 years ago. CATHOLIC 2-57. 34.
Bombardier Maurice Dix, 5th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery from 98 Denison Street, Hamilton, New South Wales (with sister), fell on the 9th August 1918, age 29.
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1724587
Born at Greta, New South Wales 1889 to Thomas (died 1893) and Elizabeth (died 1892) Dix; Elspeth Wilson, adopted mother (age 4 years, 7 months), of "Stone House", Newcastle Road, Wallsend, N.S.W.
There is no headstone at his parent’s grave, therefore no memorial inscription, and I recently had the great honour to place 2 memorial crosses, one for Maurice and one for older brother Thomas, and joining me was Great Niece Kaye Thomas and Great Great Niece Louise Waugh. METHODIST 1 (WESLEYAN) B SE.39.
Resting at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France. Plot I Row A Grave 2.
Maurice’s name has been inscribed on the Hamilton (Gregson Park) War Memorial, Hamilton Municipal District Roll of Honor, Wallsend Municipal & District Roll of Honor, Wallsend (Wallsend Park) Soldiers' Memorial and the Wallsend (Federal Park) War Memorial. Name would be inscribed on the Hamilton Central League Football Club Roll of Honour (not located).
Private Richard Griffiths Jones, 59th Battalion, cutter from "Strathroy", Cabarita, New South Wales, fell on the 8th August 1918, age 27.
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1642240/
Born at Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria 1891 to William Griffiths (died 1919) and Mary Ann (died?) Jones nee Andrewartha of 33 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, New South Wales.
Richard’s name has been inscribed on the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Memorialised at his father’s gravesite at Sandgate Cemetery. ANGLICAN 1-08. 33.
His name has been inscribed on the Cooks Hill St. John's Anglican Church Honor Roll, The Junction Soldiers' Monument, Book of Gold and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.
Private George Stanley Mann, 30th Battalion, railway fettler from Little Denison Street, Carrington, New South Wales, died of wounds on the 28th October 1918, severely wounded (GSW head) on the 8th August 1918, age 25.
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1648917/
Born at West Maitland, New South Wales 1893 to Thomas William (died 1934) and Amy Louisa (died 1931) Mann.
George is resting at Llanelly (St Ellyw) Churchyard, No 2 Extension, Wales, United Kingdom. (South Wales non-conformist grave site). Over 1000 towns-people attended the funeral.
Memorialised at his parent’s gravesite at Sandgate Cemetery. METHODIST 1 (WESLEYAN) B NW. 52.
George’s name has been inscribed on the Carrington Football Club Roll of Honor, Carrington Memorial Gates, Tighes Hill Methodist Church Roll of Honour, Tighes Hill Public School Honor Roll, Carrington Methodist Church Roll of Honour, Carrington M.U.I.O.O.F. Roll of Honour and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.
Private Alfred Alexander Reed, 19th Battalion, blacksmith from Mounter Street, Mayfield East, New South Wales and Giggins Street, North Waratah, N.S.W., fell on the 8th August 1918, age 23.
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1652990/
Born at North Waratah, New South Wales 1895 to Edward (died 1935) and Margaret (died?) Reed of 25 Omara St, Tighes Hill, N.S.W.
Alfred is resting at Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux, France. Plot IX Row E Grave 2.
Memorialised at his father’s and grandparent’s gravesite at Sandgate Cemetery. ANGLICAN 1-69. 46.
Alfred’s name has been inscribed on the Waratah Park Memorial Gates, Tighes Hill Public School Honor Roll, Tighes Hill Pride of Ferndale Branch G.U.O.O.F. Roll of Honour, Newcastle South Public School Roll of Honour, Book of Gold and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.
Private William Weston, 35th Battalion, miner from Victoria Street, Teralba, New South Wales, fell on the 8th August 1918, age 29.
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1666291/
Born at Stockton, New South Wales 1890 to Mrs Martha Ann Dudley nee Weston, adopted son of Charles W and Hannah Weston.
William is resting at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France. Plot VII Row I Grave 3.
Memorialised at his adopted parent’s gravesite at Sandgate Cemetery. ANGLICAN 1-44. 5.
William’s name has been inscribed on the Teralba Soldiers' Memorial, Teralba Public School Roll of Honour, Book of Gold and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.
Research is continuing to locate other fallen soldiers of the 1st A.I.F. who fell during this battle.
If you recognise a name, tell us a story.
For more detail, see World War 1 War Heroes Memorialised in Sandgate Cemetery.