Historical  Information (Source: CWGC)

Neuvilly was captured by the 17th Division temporarily on 10 October 1918, and taken finally on 17 October. Burials in two of the three cemeteries made after the fighting were later removed to other burial grounds; buried in the third, the extension to the communal cemetery, are casualties from the period 10 October to 2 November 1918, most of them belonging to the 17th Division, and many to the 12th Manchesters.

Neuvilly Communal Cemetery Extension contains 101 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, six of them unidentified. There is also one burial of the Second World War. The extension was designed by W H Cowlishaw.  The adjoining Communal Cemetery contains one First World War burial.

Citation

An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 31067, dated 13th Dec., 1918, records the following:- " For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice during the clearing of the village of Neuvilly, on 12th October, 1918, when, with a party of about seven men under an officer, he was the first to enter a house from the back door, and shot 2 Germans as they attempted to get out by the front door. A minute later a fall of masonry blocked the door by which the party had entered. The only exit into the street was under fire at point-blank range. The street was also swept by fire of machine guns at close range. Observing that an enemy sniper was causing heavy casualties to a party in a house across the street, Pte. Lester exclaimed, " I'll settle him," and, dashing out into the street, shot the sniper at close quarters, falling mortally wounded at the same instant. This gallant man well knew it was certain death to go into the street, and the party opposite was faced with the alternative of crossing the fire-swept street or staying where it was and being shot one by one. To save their lives he sacrificed his own."

Grave Reference: B. 15.

(Source: Wikipedia)