Namps-au-Val British Cemetery

Historical Information (Source: CWGC)

At the end of March 1918, when the German offensive in Picardy began, the 41st, 50th and 55th Casualty Clearing Stations came to Namps-au-Val, remaining until the middle of April. Almost all the burials in the cemetery were carried out by them, but nine graves in Plot II, Row D, were brought after the Armistice from CONTY FRENCH MILITARY CEMETERY.

The cemetery contains 408 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and one from the Second World War. There are also 16 French war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

 

Served with

  • Australian (57)
  • Canadian (24)
  • South African (1)
  • United Kingdom (320)

Served in

  • Air Force (3)
  • Army (399)
Namps Au Val BC
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VICTORIA CROSS

Captain Gordon Muriel FLOWERDEW - Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)

Died 31 March 1918 Age 32

Country of Service: Canadian

Awards: Victoria Cross

Flowerdew File
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Flowerdew London Gazette
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Citation

An extract from the Second Supplement to the London Gazette, No. 30648, of 24th April, 1918, records the following:  "For most conspicuous bravery and dash when in command of a squadron detailed for special service of a very important nature. On reaching the first objective, Lt. Flowerdew saw two lines of the enemy, each about sixty strong, with machine guns in the centre and flanks, one line being about two hundred yards behind the other. Realising the critical nature of the operation and how much depended upon it, Lt. Flowerdew ordered a troop under Lt. Harvey, V.C. to dismount and carry out a special movement while he led the remaining three troops to the charge. The squadron (less one troop) passed over both lines, killing many of the enemy with the sword; and wheeling about galloped at them again. Although the squadron had then lost about 70 per cent of its numbers, killed and wounded, from rifle and machine gun fire directed on it from the front and both flanks, the enemy broke and retired. The survivors of the squadron then established themselves in a position where they were joined, after much hand-to-hand fighting, by Lt. Harvey's party. Lt. Flowerdew was dangerously wounded through both thighs during the operation, but continued to cheer on his men. There can be no doubt that this officer's great valour was the prime factor in the capture of the position." 

Grave Reference: I. H. 1.

(Source: Wikipedia)


Lance Corporal Augustus Brockwell HALL  -  Service Number: 1135  -  33rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.  -  Died 01 April 1918  Age 23

Son of A. W. and Jessie Hall, of Glen Iffer, New South Wales. Native of Manilla, New South Wales.

INSCRIPTION: HE FOUGHT FOR LIBERTY & JUSTICE

 

NAA Item Number 3007188 Hall
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Roll of Honor Hall
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Red Cross Hall
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A farmer before enlisting in January 1916. He left Australia for England in May 1916 and arrived in France as a reinforcement for the 3rd Battalion in September 1916.

Returning to the 33rd Battalion in July 1917 he was promoted to Lance Corporal in February 1918. He was mortally wounded in the stomach during the 33rd Battalion's attack on Hangard Wood near Villers-Bretonneux on 30 March 1918 and died the following day, aged 22 years.