https://www.facebook.com/407123423225116/

WW1 Australian War Graves in UK & Ireland, near Sydney, New South Wales (2026)

11/09/2026

Died on this date – 11 September…..

Remembering the 8 Australian WW1 deaths on this date buried in UK & Ireland – their stories have been told previously….

Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich, Norfolk – Private Frank Gillespie, 284, 32nd Battalion, Australian Infantry. He died on 11th September, 1916 from wounds received in action in France, cardiac failure & lung haemothorax.

Headstone photo – Find a Grave – Jennifer Hart
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/norwich---norfolk.html

&
Efford Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon – Private Leslie William Stowers-Jackson, 737, 40th Battalion, Australian Infantry. He died on 11th September, 1916 from Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.

Headstone photo – Find a Grave
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/o---y.html

&
Camberwell Old Cemetery, London – Private Arthur Bates, 1005, 41st Battalion, Australian Infantry. He died on 11th September, 1917 from Peritonitis.

Panel photo – Find a Grave – Julia&keld
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/camberwell-old.html

&
Tower Hill Memorial, Greater London – Second Engineer Allan Collins, Mercantile Marine S.S. Vienna. He drowned on 11th September, 1917 – Killed in action as a result of enemy action. S.S. Vienna torpedoed.

Panel photo – Benjidog Historical Research Resources
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/a---c1.html

&
All Souls Cemetery, Kensal Green, London – Worker Frederick William Coare, 849, Australian Munition Worker. He died on 11th September, 1918 from Chronic nephritis, cellulitis (boils on legs & thighs) & Uraemia.

Headstone photo – Len Scott
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/kensal-green--all-souls.html

&
Chichester Cemetery, West Sussex – Corporal Harold John Paine, 4832, 53rd Battalion, Australian Infantry. He died on 11th September, 1918 from wounds received in action – extensive superficial burns & toxaemia.

Headstone photo – Allan Noble
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/chichester.html

&
Botley Cemetery, Oxfordshire – Lance Corporal James Percy Riley, 2126, 35th Battalion, Australian Infantry. He died on 11th September, 1918 from wounds received in action – GSW left thigh & amputation.

Headstone photo – Find a Grave – Stephen Potts
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/botley.html

&
Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, Folkestone, Kent – Private Edward Robinson, 986, 8th Battalion, Australian Infantry. He died on 11th September, 1918 from wounds received in action – gunshot wound to knee (later amputated & contracted Septic Pneumonia & septicaemia).

Headstone photo – Paul Kendall
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/shorncliffe.html

Lest We Forget

10/09/2026

Died on this date – 10th September…… Lancelot Louis Murray Thompson was born on 6th September, 1881 at Forest Lodge, Glebe, Sydney, New South Wales to parents William Murray Thompson & Elizabeth Thompson (nee Staader).

He enlisted in the Scottish Horse at Green Point on 25th September, 1901 & was issued a soldier number of 38243. Trooper Thompson served to 26th March, 1902 with South African (Boer) War.

Lancelot Louis Murray Thompson married Jessie/Janet Grant Cummin/Cumming. They had 4 children between 1904 & 1913.

The 1909 & 1910 Australian Electoral Rolls show that Lancelot Thompson & his family lived in Queensland.

The 1913 Australian Electoral Rolls show that Lancelot Thompson & his family lived in South Annandale, Sydney, New South Wales.

On 28th October, 1914 Lancelot Louis Murray Thompson enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) as a 33 year old, married, Farmer from South Granville, New South Wales.

Lancelot Thompson was posted as Trooper with 7th Light Horse Regiment from 28th October, 1914. He was promoted to Corporal from 14th December, 1914 & promoted on 19th December, 1914 to Sergeant.

Corporal Lancelot Thompson (name & rank as listed on Embarkation Roll), Service number 196, embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on HMAT Ayrshire (A33) on 20th December, 1914 with the 2nd Light Horse Brigade, 7th Light Horse Regiment “A” Squadron.

He proceeded to join M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) at Gallipoli on 15th May, 1915.

Sergeant Lancelot Thompson was wounded at Anzac on 14th July, 1915. He was transferred to H.M.H.S. (His Majesty’s Hospital Ship) Gascon on 13th July, 1915* with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to Head & fractured Skull (Note: *Date as listed on Casualty Form – Active Service) & disembarked at Malta on 18th July, 1915. Sergeant Thompson was admitted to Auberge de Baviere Hospital at Malta on 18th July, 1915 with Shell wound Skull. He was discharged from Military Hospital Baviere, Malta on 18th August, 1915 for transfer to England on 20th August, 1915.

On 27th August, 1915 Sergeant Lancelot Thompson was admitted to King George’s Hospital, Stamford Street, London, England. He was reported to be seriously ill on 6th September, 1915.

Sergeant Lancelot Louis Murray Thompson died on 10th September, 1915 at King George Hospital, Stamford Street, London, England from wounds received in action – gunshot wound in Head.

He was buried in All Saints Cemetery, Nunhead, Greater London, England.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/nunhead.html

Headstone photo – Roberto Lagnado
Australian War Graves photo – Neil Bright

09/09/2026

Died on this date – 9th September…… John Cunningham was born at Tarbolton, South Ayrshire, Scotland in 1875 to parents Alexander Gemmell Cunningham & Margaret Cunningham (nee Spiers). (Some family trees on Ancestry have recorded his date of birth as 7th August, 1875 while others have recorded his date of birth as 8th July, 1875.)
Margaret Cunningham, mother of John Cunningham, died on 6th July, 1895 at 17 Elmbank Street, Newton on Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland.
Alexander Gemmell Cunningham, father of John Cunningham, died on 27th March, 1899 at St Quivox, Ayrshire, Scotland.
According to information provided by his widow, Annie Cunningham, for the Roll of Honour – she stated that John Cunningham was a Bugler in Ayr (Scotland) Volunteers when he was 16 years old. She also stated that John Cunningham came to Australia when he was 35 years old & his “Calling” (as listed in information sheet) was listed as Gardener.
A “John Cunningham”, aged 34, Agricultural Labourer, was a passenger on S.S. Armadale which departed from the port of London, England on 12th October, 1910 bound for Fremantle, Western Australia.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 30th December, 1915 at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia under the name of “John Shields”. He stated he was a 40 year old, single, Woodcutter from Boulder, Western Australia.
Private John “Shields”, Service number 3964, embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia on HMAT Miltiades (A28) on 12th February, 1916 with the 7th Infantry Brigade, 28th Battalion, 9th Reinforcements.
On 29th May, 1916 Private “Shields” embarked from Alexandria for overseas on H. T. Tunisian & disembarked at Marseilles, France on 5th June, 1916. He proceeded to join his Unit on 10th July, 1916 & was taken on strength of 28th Battalion on 14th July, 1916 from 9th Reinforcements.
He was absent from Tattoo from 9 pm on 8th September, 1916 to 7 am on 9th September, 1916 & absent again from 1.30 pm until 2 pm on 9th September, 1916. He was awarded 7 days Field Punishment No. 2 & forfeited 8 days pay.
Private John “Shields” declared on 24th October, 1916, while in France, that his correct name was John Cunningham.
Private John Cunningham was to be Corporal (temporary) from 26th December, 1916 vice 379 Corporal Sullivan wounded. He was promoted to Corporal, while in France, from 18th January, 1917.
From 25th January, 1917 Corporal John Cunningham was to be Temporary Sergeant. He was promoted to Sergeant, while in France, from 6th March, 1917.

Sergeant John Cunningham was wounded in action on 3rd May, 1917 & was admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance with multiple shrapnel wounds. He was transferred & admitted to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station on 4th May, 1917 then transferred to Ambulance Train on 5th May, 1917. Sergeant Cunningham was transferred & admitted to 9th General Hospital at Rouen, France on 5th May, 1917 with G.S.W. (gunshot wounds) to Arms – fractured left – severe. He embarked for England on Hospital Ship Western Australia on 17th May, 1917.
He was admitted to 2nd London General Hospital, England on 17th May, 1917 & was transferred to Holborn Military Hospital at Mitcham on 6th June, 1917. Sergeant Cunningham was discharged to Furlo from 4th August, 1917 to 18th August, 1917 & was to report to Depot at Weymouth on 18th August, 1917.
Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. From 1916 onwards training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located on the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire & also the county of Dorset. Later Training & Convalescing Units were combined under the one Command Depot.
Sergeant Cunningham was written up for an Offence while posted at Monte Video, Dorset on 18th August, 1917 – Overstaying furlough from 6pm on 18th August, 1917 till 10.40 pm on 22nd August, 1917. He was severely reprimanded by Colonel R. S. Browne & forfeited 5 days pay.
The Hospital Admissions form for Sergeant John Cunningham recorded he was posted to No. 2 Australian Command Depot at Weymouth, Dorset on 23rd August, 1917 with G.S.W. right Forearm (injured 3rd May, 1917). “Ulna fractured. Good result. Good use arm except for pain in use. Short course of heavy exercise.” He was medically classified on 9th September, 1919 & again on 27th November, 1917 as B1 A4 (fit for overseas training camp when passed dentally fit).
He was transferred to No. 2 Command Depot at Tidworth, Wiltshire on 1st January, 1918. He was taken on strength of Permanent Cadre of No. 2 Command Depot at Tidworth on the same date.
On 13th April, 1918 Sergeant Cunningham was transferred to 28th Battalion from No. 2 Command Depot. He was marched in to No. 4 Command Depot at Weymouth. Dorset on the same day.
The records for the next of kin for Sergeant John Cunningham were changed on 29th April, 1918 from his sister to his daughters – Margaret & Agnes Cunningham, 11 William Street, Fremantle, Western Australia.
He was marched in to Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill, Wiltshire on 9th May, 1918 from No. 4 Command Depot.
On 1st June, 1918 Sergeant Cunningham proceeded overseas to France from Overseas Training Brigade to rejoin his Unit. He was admitted to A.I.B.D. (Australian Infantry Base Depot) at Havre, France on 4th June, 1918. Sergeant Cunningham proceeded from A.I.B.D. on 8th June, 1918 & rejoined 28th Battalion in France on 15th June, 1918.

Sergeant John Cunningham was wounded in action in France (2nd occasion) on 11th August, 1918 & was admitted to 1st Australian Field Ambulance with shrapnel wound/s to Back. He returned to duty on 11th August, 1918.
On 2nd September, 1918 Sergeant John Cunningham was wounded in action in France (3rd occasion) & was admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance with multiple shrapnel wounds. He was transferred & admitted to 53rd Casualty Clearing on 3rd September, 1918 then transferred to Ambulance Train. Sergeant Cunningham was admitted to 9th General Hospital at Rouen, France on 3rd September, 1918 with multiple G.S.W. (gunshot wounds). He embarked for England on Hospital Ship St. Andrew on 7th September, 1918.
He was admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, England with G.S.W. - multiple severe.

Sergeant John Cunningham died at 5 pm on 9th September, 1918 at 1st Southern General Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, England from wounds received in action - multiple shell wounds.
He was buried on 13th September, 1918 in Lodge Hill Cemetery, Birmingham, West Midlands, England – Grave No. 545 Section B 10.

His name is now remembered on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Screen Wall B10. 545 as those in this Plot do not have headstones.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/-lodge-hill.html

Panel photo – Find a Grave – Myra Mason
Cemetery photos – CWGC

08/09/2026

Died on this date – 8 September…..

Remembering the 7 Australian WW1 deaths on this date buried in UK & Ireland – their stories have been told previously….

Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent – Lieutenant Reginald Argyle Davey, H.M.S. Campania, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Australian born). He drowned on 8th September, 1916 at Scapa Flow, North Sea in an accident in a Kite Balloon.

Panel photo – Brad Evans
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/chatham.html

&
Cambridge City Cemetery, Cambridgeshire – Lance Corporal Alan Dendy, R/10187, Kings Royal Rifle Corps (Australian born). He died on 8th September, 1916 from wounds.

Headstone photo – Find a Grave - Len
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/city.html

&
Earlham Road Cemetery, Norfolk, Norwich – Private Frederick Edward Edwards, 2142, 27th Battalion, Australian Infantry. He died on 8th September, 1916 from wounds received in action in France - Gunshot wounds to abdomen & General Peritonitis.

Headstone photo – Find a Grave – Jennifer Hart
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/norwich---norfolk.html

&
Tower Hill Memorial, London – Able Seaman Henry Sydney Williams, S.S. Newholm, Mercantile Marine (Australian born). He drowned on 8th September, 1917 as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine (or struck a mine).

Panel photo – Benjidog Historical Research Resources
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/t---y.html

&
Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol – Private Walter Barton Bamford, 7693, 1st Battalion, Australian Infantry. He died on 8th September, 1918 from wounds received in action – GSW to left side – severe fleshy; acute Septicaemia & Heart Failure.

Headstone photo – John M
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/arnos-vale.html

&
Lodge Hill Cemetery, Birmingham – Bombardier Esmond Thomas Green, 4211, Australian Field Artillery. He died on 8th September, 1918 from wounds received in action - 1. G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to left Ear & right Neck 2. Septic Meningitis.

Panel photo – Myra Mason
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/-lodge-hill.html

&
St. Margaret’s Cemetery, Rochester, Kent – Munition Worker Howard John Reed, 69. He died on 8th September, 1918 – cause not known.

Headstone photo – Kyle Tallett
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/rochester---st-margarets.html

Lest We Forget

07/09/2026

Died on this date – 7 September…..

Remembering the 5 Australian WW1 deaths on this date buried in UK & Ireland – their stories have been told previously….

Wandsworth (Earlsfield) Cemetery, London – Corporal Thomas Gooda, 919, 7th Battalion, Australian Infantry. He died on 7th September, 1915 from wounds received in action at Gallipoli Peninsula – GSW to Back.

Headstone Photo – Neil Bright
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/wandsworth-earlsfield.html

&
Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton, Hampshire – Private George William Lawford, 5395, 28th Battalion, Australian Infantry. He died on 7th September, 1916 from Cerebro Spinal Meningitis at Sea.

Panel photo – Find a Grave – Julia&keld
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/k---l.html

&
St. Mary the Virgin Churchyard, Harefield, Middlesex – Private Frederick Bertram Menzie, 6315, 12th Battalion, Australian Infantry. He died on 7th September, 1917 from Tuberculosis of Lungs.

Headstone photo – courtesy of Peter Bennett
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/l---n.html

&
Leighterton Church Cemetery, Gloucestershire – Lieutenant Geoffrey Dunster Allen, Australian Flying Corps. He died on 7th September, 1918 as a result of a flying accident.

Headstone photo – William Young
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/leighterton.html

&
Tidworth Military Cemetery, Wiltshire – Private Ernest Alfred Neale, 62335, 27th Battalion, Australian Infantry. He died on 7th September, 1919 from Cholecystitis Appendicitis.

Headstone photo – Selena Hardie
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/n---s1.html

Lest We Forget

06/09/2026

Died on this date – 6th September…… James Kennedy was born at Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland on 24th February, 1892 to parents John and Barbara Baxter Kennedy (nee Fowlie).

John Kennedy, Blacksmith, aged 44, his wife Barbara, aged 40 & 3 sons – James , aged 20; Thomas, aged 16 & William, aged 14 & daughter – Mary, aged 17, departed from the port of London on 26th October, 1912 on Waipara, bound for Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

On 29th May, 1915 James Kennedy enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) as a 23 year old, single, Iron Moulder from Norman Street, East Brisbane, Queensland.

Private James Kennedy, Service number 1636, embarked from Brisbane, Queensland on HMAT Aeneas (A60) on 29th June, 1915 with 7th Infantry Brigade, 25th Infantry Battalion, 1st Reinforcements.

He embarked from Alexandria to join M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) at Gallipoli Peninsula on 4th September, 1915.

On 9th January, 1916 Private Kennedy disembarked from Mudros at Alexandria from HT Hororata (after the evacuation of Gallipoli).

Private Kennedy proceeded to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) from Alexandria on 14th March, 1916 & disembarked at Marseilles, France on 19th March, 1916. He was transferred to 2nd Trench Mortar Battery at Armentieres on 19th April, 1916 and taken on strength the same day in France. His rank was changed to Gunner.

On 7th December, 1916 Gunner Kennedy was sent sick to Hospital. He was admitted to 5th General Hospital at Rouen, France on 9th December, 1916 with influenza. Gunner Kennedy embarked for England on Hospital Ship St. Andrew from Rouen on 29th December, 1916.

He was admitted to Tidworth Military Hospital, Wiltshire on 31st December, 1916 then transferred to No. 3 Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford, England from 21st February, 1917 to 5th March, 1917 with Dysentry. Gunner Kennedy was discharged to Furlough & on completion was to report to No. 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs.

James Kennedy, aged 25, of 21 Kings Crescent, Aberdeen, married Helen Robertson Jaffray, aged 26, of 21 King’s Crescent, Aberdeen on 8th March, 1917 at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, King Street, Aberdeen, Scotland.

Gunner Kennedy was marched in to No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire on 21st March, 1917 & medically classified as B. 1 A. (Fit for light duties).

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located on the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire & Dorset. Later Training & Convalescing Units were combined under the one Command Depot.

He was admitted to Tidworth Military Hospital, Wiltshire on 28th March, 1917 then transferred to Delhi Hospital on 29th March, 1917 with Dysentry. Gunner Kennedy was admitted to 1st Southern General Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham on 11th April, 1917 until 8th May, 1917.

On 10th May, 1917 Gunner Kennedy was marched in from Australian Headquarters, London. He was medically classified as B. 1. A. 4 (Fit for Overseas Training Camp when passed dentally fit).

Gunner Kennedy proceeded overseas to France on 14th June, 1917. He was marched in from England to the AGBD (Australian General Base Depot) at Rouelles on 15th June, 1917. Gunner Kennedy was marched out to 2nd Division Artillery on 19th June, 1917 & taken on strength with V.2/A. Battery in France on 21st June, 1917.

He was transferred to & taken on strength with 4th AMTM Battery in France on 2nd March, 1918.

On 5th April, 1918 Gunner Kennedy was promoted to Temporary Bombardier to complete establishment.

T/Bombardier James Kennedy reported sick on 19th June, 1918. His rank reverted back to Gunner on being evacuated sick on 19th June, 1918. He was admitted to 15th Australian Field Ambulance then transferred to 61st Casualty Clearing Station. Gunner Kennedy was admitted to 11th Convalescent Depot at Rouen on 4th July, 1918 then transferred to Buchy. He was transferred on 20th July, 1918 & admitted to 3rd Stationary Hospital. Gunner James Kennedy was invalided to England from France on 27th July, 1918 aboard Hospital Ship Gloucester Castle.

He was admitted to Reading War Hospital, Reading, England on 28th July, 1918 with Dysentry (severe).

Gunner James Kennedy died at 4.45 pm on 6th September, 1918 at Reading War Hospital (also known as Royal Berks Hospital, Reading) from Dysentry & Exhaustion. Gunner Kennedy’s Father-in-law – Mr A. Jaffray & brother were present at the time of his death.

He was buried on 11th September, 1918 at Nellfield Cemetery, Aberdeen, Scotland – Plot number 895 and has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

From the burial report of Gunner James Kennedy – “The deceased soldier was buried privately from the residence of his father-in-law, Mr A. Jaffray, 21 Kings Crescent, Aberdeen. Firing Party, Bugler and Pallbearers were in attendance, and the “Last Post” was sounded at the graveside, where The Rev. Erskine Hill, officiated. The grave will be turfed, and an oak cross erected by the A.I.F., London. Administrative Headquarters, A.I.F. London, were represented at the funeral.”

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/nellfield.html

CWGC Headstone photo courtesy of Mhairi Shewan – 2020

05/09/2026

My feature Cemetery/Churchyard this week is …

Bower Old Churchyard, Bower, Caithness-shire, Scotland

From Commonwealth War Graves Commission : “The churchyard, containing the ruins of the former Parish Church, lies in an isolated position between Bower and Scarmclett. It includes a Western extension called the New Burial Ground.”
There are 8 Commonwealth War Graves in this Churchyard.

There is 1 WW1 Australian War Grave located here:

James Simpson was born at Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland around 1890.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 10th September, 1914 as a 24 year old, single, Carpenter from Northam, Western Australia. James Simpson stated on his Attestation Papers that he had previously served with 5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders for 4 years.

Private James Simpson, Service number 835, embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia on HMAT Ascanius (A11) on 31st October, 1914 with the 11th Infantry Battalion, “G” Company. He embarked from Alexandria on H.M.T. Suffolk on 2nd March, 1915 to join M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) at the Gallipoli Peninsula.

On 6th September, 1915 Private Simpson was admitted to Casualty Clearing Station at Gallipoli Peninsula with Debility. He was transferred to Mudros then on to Alexandria via Hospital Ship. Private Simpson was admitted to Hospital at Heliopolis on 11th September, 1915 & discharged to duty on 26th October, 1915.

Private Simpson was admitted back to Hospital on 9th November, 1915 & then transferred to Convalescent Hospital. He was discharged on 5th December, 1915 & rejoined his Unit on 24th December, 1915.

He returned to Alexandria & was appointed Lance Corporal on 6th February, 1916 then appointed Corporal on 1st March, 1916 with 11th Battalion.

On 29th March 1916 Corporal Simpson embarked from Alexandria to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) & disembarked at Marseilles, France on 5th April, 1916.

He was transferred to 3rd Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery on 9th May, 1916 from 11th Battalion while in France.

Corporal James Simpson was wounded in action in France on 3rd July, 1916 at Fleurbaix. He was admitted to Casualty Clearing Station with gunshot wound/s to neck then transferred & admitted to Hospital at Boulogne, France on 8th July, 1916. Corporal Simpson was reported to be seriously ill on 14th July, 1916. He was transferred to England on 17th July, 1916 on Hospital Ship St. Dennis.

On 18th July, 1916 Corporal Simpson was admitted to Military Hospital, Chatham, England with shrapnel wounds to right arm, leg & neck. The Hospital Admissions form records that Corporal Simpson had a compound fracture of tibia. He developed Septicaemia from tibia & pneumonia on right side.

Corporal James Simpson died at 1 pm on 26th July, 1916 at Chatham Military Hospital, England from wounds received in action in France – G.S.W. multiple – right arm, leg & neck.

He was buried in Bower Old Churchyard, Bower, Caithness-shire, Scotland.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/bower.html

Photos:

Aerial view

Streetview x 2

Churchyard photos - CWGC

05/09/2026

Died on this date – 5th September…… William Sullivan was born at South Shields, Durham, England on 21st May, 1885 to parents James & Eleanor Sullivan (nee Johnson).

He joined the Merchant Marine (date unknown).
Merchant Mariners
During World Wars I and II, men who were professional sailors became caught up in the life-and-death struggles against Germany and her allies. Though they were not combatants, merchant mariners made a vital contribution to the outcome of both conflicts, transporting men and resources that were essential to the war effort. Merchant ships were either unarmed or lightly armed. They carried heavy, sometimes highly explosive or combustible cargoes, and were slower and less manoeuvrable than naval ships. Tens of thousands of merchant seamen lost their lives as enemy submarines, surface vessels, aircraft and mines took a heavy toll on Allied shipping.
(Information from Anzac Portal)

The 1911 England Census recorded Mr William Sullivan as a 25 year old, single, Seagoing Engineer listed with his parents at 16 Queen Street, South Shields. His parents were listed as Mr James Sullivan (Shipyard Driller, aged 50) & Mrs Elenor Sullivan (aged 46). James & Elenor Sullivan had been married for 27 years & had only had one child.

William Sullivan was listed as Second Engineer on S.S. Echunga (date he joined – unknown).

The Australian Navy - Extract of Merchant Ships Employed in Government War-Service – Appendix No. 6:

"ECHUNGA Under charter, the Echunga left Sydney in April, 1915, for Calcutta via Port Kembla, Albany and Colombo. Loading gunnies and rice at Calcutta in June, she then sailed for Buenos Aires, and thence, with a cargo of maize, by way of Rio Janerio, Pernambuco, St. Vincent, and Madeira, to Hull. This was followed by a voyage to New York and Savannah for war-material, which was taken to Vladivostock round the Cape. After docking at Nagaski, she returned to Melbourne, loaded flour for Bordeaux, and eventually in February, 1917, was taken over by the Admiralty at Middleborough and converted to an oil-tanker. Her Australian officers and crew (except 27 who joined the British forces) thereupon returned to Australia. During her voyaging as a cargo-steamer she carried neither wireless nor gun, and though on at least one occasion chased by a submarine up the English Channel, she suffered no damage from enemy craft.

Her career as a tanker was brief and adventurous. On the 13th of April, 1917, a submarine attacked her with gun-fire off the north-west coast of Scotland, but she was rescued. Her end came, however, on the 5th of September when, forty miles N. by E. from Ushant Island, she was torpedoed and sunk, nine lives being lost."

On 5th September, 1917 S.S. Echunga was en route from Port Arthur, Texas for England when she was torpedoed by German submarine U - 52 and sunk.

Second Engineer William Sullivan died on 5th September, 1917. He was drowned as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine. S.S. Echunga was torpedoed & sunk by German submarine U-52 and sunk 40 miles N by E from Ushant (Ouessant), France.

Second Engineer Sullivan was one of nine crew members to die on 5th September, 1917.

All nine crew members are remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, Greater London, England as they have no known grave.

As S.S. Echunga was an Australian vessel - the nine crew members are remembered on the Commemorative Roll Book, located in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. The Commemorative Roll records the names of those Australians who died during or as a result of wars in which Australians served, but who were not serving in the Australian Armed Forces and therefore not eligible for inclusion on the Roll of Honour.

All nine crew members are also remembered on the Australian Merchant Seaman First World War Memorial Commemorative Plaque, located at the Australian War Memorial.

SHIELDS ENGINEER LOST AT SEA
"Among members of the crew who were lost on a steamer which has been sunk were Herbert Leonard Raffray, the chief engineer, and William Sullivan, second engineer.
Sullivan belonged to South Shields, his parents, Mr and Mrs James Sullivan, residing in Queen Street, of that town. He served his apprenticeship at South Shields, and afterwards followed the vocation of a sea-going engineer. He entered the service of the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company in 1914, and rose to the rank of second engineer two years later. He took his chief’s ticket some time before that. The “St. Helen’s Court Bulletin”, published by the A.S.P. Co., says: “Both were steady and capable engineers, and it will be difficult indeed to fill the places of such devoted colleagues. They mad the last sacrifice in their devotion to duty.” Sullivan was a member of the Hadrian Lodge of Freemasons."
(The Shields Daily News, Tynemouth, Northumberland, England – 30 November, 1917)

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/r---s1.html

WW1 Australian War Graves in UK & Ireland

11/09/2026

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