Four Australians laid to rest

22 April 2005

In March 2003, a farmer near Merris, in northern France, discovered skeletal remains buried in a communal grave. Among the artifacts recovered were Australian pennies and Australian Imperial Forces Rising Sun collar badges suggesting Australian soldiers from the First World War. Subsequent forensic investigation and historical research conducted in France and Australia identified two of the four soldiers as: Lieutenant Christopher Champion and Corporal Ernest Corby 5665.

As the other two sets of remains could not be identified with any certainty, they were buried as An unknown Australian soldier.

On Friday 22 April two years after they were found the four soldiers were formally buried at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Outtersteene, just to the south of Bailleul.

Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension

The service was conducted by Principal Chaplain Greg Flynn, RC of the Australian Army in the presence of Australian Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, Australian Ambassador to France, HE Penny Wensley along with other Australian, French and Commonwealth dignitaries and local officials.

Lieutenant C.H.D. Champion

Lieutenant Christopher Champion was born on 15 September 1892 at Launceston, Tasmania.

The son of the Reverend Arthur Hammerton and Mary Champion, he completed his education at The King�s School, Parramatta, where his father had been the headmaster.

Chris Champion was a farmer at Bungendore, New South Wales at the time of his enlistment as a private soldier on 1 July 1915. He embarked with the 30th Battalion on the troopship Beltana on 9 Nov 1915 for training in Egypt.

He was promoted to Second Lieutenant, transferred to the 3rd Battalion on 12 March 1916 and embarked for France, arriving in Marseilles on 28 March 1916.

On 29 June he was once again promoted, this time to the rank of Lieutenant.

Wounded at Pozieres on 16 August 1916 he was evacuated to England, returning to his unit in December. He was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig�s Despatch of 7th November 1917 for:

during the period 26 February 1917 to 30 September 1917.

Lieutenant Champion was commanding B Company, 3rd Battalion in the defence of Hazebrouck, defending the area between Strazeele and Merris when he was killed in action just after 19:00 hours on 14 April 1918.

The 3rd Battalion history records that:

Throughout the day he had fought bravely and well, and the quick and effective repelling of the enemy attacks was due in very great measure to his inspiring leadership, coolness and initiative.

Lieutenant Champion�s actions at Strazeele were mentioned in despatches on 18 April 1918.

Corporal C E W Corby

Corporal Christopher Ernest (Ernie) William Corby was born on 11 September 1885 at Laggan, the second son of Reuben and Catherine (�Kate�) Corby of Tuena, in New South Wales.

A shearer by trade, he travelled to Sydney in December 1915, and visited the Sydney Town Hall Recruiting Depot on 30 December. He was enlisted on 17 January 1916 into the 18th Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion Australian Imperial Forces.

Corporal Corby completed training in Australia and embarked on HMAT A55 Kyarra on 3 June 1916, disembarking at Plymouth on 3 August. On 16 September 1916 he proceeded to France, and was taken on strength to the 3rd Battalion in Belgium on 5 October 1916.

Ernie Corby was promoted to Lance Corporal on 13 May 1917, and Corporal on 12 October that year. Two weeks later, on 27 October, Corporal Corby proceeded on leave to England, rejoining his unit on 10 November 1917, as a member of Lt Champion's B Company.

Corporal Ernest Corby was killed in action near �Gutzer� farm shortly after 10:30 hours on the morning of 14 April 1918.

Historical Context

On 21 March 1918, the Germans launched a major offensive against the junction of the British 3rd and 5th Armies at St Quentin. The 5th Army was overwhelmed in the attack and Australian and New Zealand forces immediately rushed to the area to stem the German advance.

On 8 April 1918, the 1st Australian Division began to move south from Flanders to the assistance of the other Australian and allied forces in blunting the German offensive. The following day the Germans launched another major offensive against part of the allied line in the Lys Valley which was weakly held by two Portuguese divisions.

The Battle of the Lys

The Lys River runs about ten kilometres to the south of Strazeele and Merris. The Portuguese withdrew in disarray and the 1st Australian Division was ordered to return north to plug the gap left in the line and halt the advancing Germans.

Randwick to Hargicourt � A History of the 3rd Battalion, by E Wren, Sydney, 1935 describes the actions in which both Lieutenant Champion and Corporal Corby lost their lives.

At 10.20 am, taking advantage of a lull in the fighting, Lt C Champion, commanding B Company, ordered Lt C Prescott and his platoon of 20 men to attack Gutzer farm, about 100 yards out in front. A sniper posted in this farmhouse picked off Sergeant Jack Mott, Frank Guest, and Ernie Corby, but subsequently was himself killed by one of our snipers.

The last effort of the enemy to pierce our line was made at 7.00 pm A party, estimated at 150, attacked B Company on the left, but was annihilated by a withering fire from rifles and Lewis guns. The company commander, Lt C Champion...was fatally wounded during the action.

Throughout the day he had fought bravely and well, and the quick and effective repelling of the enemy attacks was due in very great measure to his inspiring leadership, coolness and initiative.

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