Bailleul Extension
Location
Bailleul is a large town in France, near the Belgian border, 14.5 kilometres south-west of Ieper and on the main road from St Omer to Lille. From the Grand Place, take the Ieper road and 400 metres along this road is a sign indicating the direction of the cemetery. Turn right into a small road and follow for approximately 400 metres.
The cemetery is on the right and the Communal Cemetery Extension is at the bottom end.
Bailleul Communal Cemetery
On leaving the cemetery please note that you are in a one-way system and cannot return directly by the way that you arrived. Follow the road round to the left and then turn right bringing you back up into the town centre.
Note the X road sign as you emerge back into the street: this is a priority from the right junction - traffic on the main road coming from your left should give way.
Historical Information
Bailleul was occupied on 14 October 1914 by the 19th Brigade and the 4th Division. It became an important railhead, air depot and hospital centre, with the 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 11th, 53rd, 1st Canadian and 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Stations quartered in it for considerable periods.
It was a corps headquarters until July 1917, when it was severely bombed and shelled, and after the Battle of Bailleul (13-15 April 1918), it fell into German hands and was not retaken until 30 August 1918.
The earliest Commonwealth burials at Bailleul were made at the east end of the communal cemetery and in April 1915, when the space available had been filled, the extension was opened on the east side of the cemetery.
The extension was used until April 1918, and again in September, and after the Armistice graves were brought in from the neighbouring battlefields.
Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension contains 4,403 Commonwealth burials of the First World War; 11 of the graves made in April 1918 were destroyed by shell fire and are represented by special memorials.
There are also 17 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War and 154 German burials from both wars.
Both the Commonwealth plot in the communal cemetery and the extension were designed by Sir Herbert Baker.
Sergeant Thomas Mottershead VC DCM 1396
20th Sqdn Royal Flying Corps
Died on 12 January 1917 aged 27
Son of Thomas and Lucy Mottershead, of Widnes; husband of Lilian Medlicott Mottershead, of 31, Lilac Avenue, Widnes, Lancs
The London Gazette No 29937, 9th February 1917
For most conspicuous bravery, endurance and skill, when attacked at an altitude of 9 000 feet [2 800 metres]; the petrol tank was pierced and the machine set on fire. Enveloped in flames, which his Observer, Lieutenant Gower was unable to subdue, this very gallant soldier succeeded in bringing his aeroplane back to our lines, and though he made a successful landing, the machine collapsed on touching the ground, pinning him beneath wreckage from which he was subsequently rescued
Though suffering extreme torture from burns, Sergeant Mottershead showed the most conspicuous presence of mind in the careful selection of a landing place, and his wonderful endurance and fortitude undoubtedly saved the life of his Observer. He has since succumbed to his injuries.
Grave: III A 126
Brigadier General Francis Johnston CB
Commanding 3rd NZ (Rifle) Brigade
Formerly North Staffordshire Regiment
Died on 7th August 1917 aged 45
Commanded the 1st New Zealand Brigade at Gallipoli.
Husband of Gwen Johnston, of 29, Bullingham Mansions, Campden Hill, London, W8
Also held Cross of the Karageorge 3rd Class (with swords) Serbia
Grave: III C 260
Brigadier General Charles Brown DSO
Commanding 1st NZ Infantry Brigade
Died on 8th June 1917
Husband of Mrs Millie Brown, of 182, Murphy St, Wellington, New Zealand
Grave: III C 265
Corporal John De Souza 11063
C Coy 8th Bn British West Indies Regiment
Died on 19th November 1917 aged 36
Son of Alexander and Marion De Souza of Venezuela;
Husband of Marion De Souza, of 74, D'Urban St, Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana
Grave: III E 55
Private Cecil Knott 7261
50th Bn Australian Infantry
Died on 20th January 1918 aged 22
Son of Robert and Julia Knott, of Dumbleyung, Western Australia
Too far away, thy grave to see
Not too far, to think of thee
Grave: III E 2
Shot at Dawn
There are three soldiers, Shot at Dawn, within the cemetery:
- Private William Roberts, Royal Fusiliers
Shot for Desertion on 29th May 1916
Grave: II B 10 - Private John Rogers, South Lancashire Regiment
Shot for Desertion on 9th March 1917
Grave: III A 3
Lance Corporal William Moon 17790
11th Bn Cheshire Regiment
Died on 21th November 1916 aged 20
Son of Mrs M Moon, of 5, Blue Coat School, Chester
Shot for Desertion
Grave: III A 219