Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuile

Historical Information (Source: CWGC)

Vendhuile (Vend'huile) was very nearly reached in the Battle of Cambrai 1917. It was taken by the 27th and 30th American Divisions at the end of September 1918, and cleared by the 12th and 18th Divisions on 30 September. After the fight, men of the 18th Division were buried by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division in Plot I, Row A, of Unicorn Cemetery (the name is taken from the Divisional mark of the 50th Division). The rest of the cemetery was formed after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields, isolated sites and from small cemeteries of 1917 and 1918.

 

The cemetery now contains 1,008 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 409 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to ten casualties known or believed to be buried among them. There are also special memorials to eight casualties buried in Lempire British Cemetery whose graves could not be found on concentration. The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

 

Served with

  • United Kingdom (536)
  • Australian (60)
  • Indian (3)

Served in

  • Army (598)
  • Air Force (1)
Unicorn Cemetery, Vendhuile
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VICTORIA CROSS

Corporal Lawrence Carthage WEATHERS - 1153 - 43rd Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.

Died 29 September 1918 Age 28

Country of Service: Australian

Awards: Victoria Cross

 

Weathers Roll Of Honour
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NAA Item Number 1935408
PDF – 12,1 MB

Citation

An extract from The London Gazette, No. 31082, dated 24th Dec., 1918, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on the 2nd September, 1918, north of Peronne, when with an advanced bombing party. The attack having been held up by a strongly held enemy trench, Cpl. Weathers went forward alone under heavy fire and attacked the enemy with bombs. Then, returning to our lines for a further supply of bombs, he again went forward with three comrades, and attacked under very heavy fire. Regardless of personal danger, he mounted the enemy parapet and bombed the trench, and, with the support of his comrades, captured 180 prisoners and three machine guns. His valour and determination resulted in the successful  capture of the final objective, and saved the lives of many of his comrades." 

Grave Reference: III. C. 5.

(Source: Wikipedia)