Querrieu British Cemetery
Historical Information (Source: CWGC)
The cemetery was opened at the end of March 1918 by the 3rd Australian Division and was used by some of the divisions which took part in the defence of Amiens against the German advance. It was closed in August 1918.
Querrieu British Cemetery contains 187 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and the grave of one Second World War airman. There are also 12 German burials. The cemetery was designed by G H Goldsmith.
VICTORIA CROSS
Lieutenant Colonel Christopher BUSHELL - 7th Bn. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
Died 08 August 1918 Age 30
Country of Service: United Kingdom
Awards: Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order, Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Citation
An extract from The London Gazette No. 30667, dated 30th Apl., 1918, records the following:- For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in command of his battalion. Lt. Col. Bushell personally led "C" Company of his battalion, who were co-operating with an Allied regiment in a counter-attack, in face of very heavy machine gun fire. In the course of this attack he was severely wounded in the head, but he continued to carry on, walking about in front of both English and Allied troops encouraging and re-organising them. He refused even to have his wound attended to until he had placed the whole line in a sound position, and formed a defensive flank to meet a turning movement by the enemy. He then went to brigade headquarters and reported the situation, had his wound dressed, and returned to the firing line, which had come back a short distance. He visited every portion of the line, both English and Allied, in the face of terrific machine-gun and rifle fire, exhorting the troops to remain where they were, and to kill the enemy. In spite of his wounds this gallant officer refused to go to the rear, and had eventually to be removed to the dressing station in a fainting condition. To the magnificent example of energy, devotion and courage shown by their Commanding officer is attributed the fine spirit displayed and the keen fight put up by his battalion not only on the day in question but on each succeeding day of the withdrawal."
Grave Reference: E. 6.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Lieutenant Francis J. BURTENSHAW - 41st Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F. - Died 15 May 1918 Age 25 - INSCRIPTION: THE LORD IS OUR , DEFENSE
A farmer prior to his enlistment on 15 November 1915 he embarked from Sydney on 18 May 1916 on board HMAT Demosthenes.
Pilot Officer Roger William BURTON - Service Number: 78440 - 85 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve -Died 20 May 1940 Age 26
INSCRIPTION: WINGS OF THE MORNING
Roger William Burton was born on 28th October 1913 in Stoke Newington, London. Burton applied for a five year appointment with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1937, and went forward for pilot training with the Reserve Flying School of De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd on 27th June 1937.
With the outbreak of the Second World War, Burton, was mobilised, and by then a qualified pilot, saw service as a Pilot Officer (No.78440) with 85 Squadron, flying in Hurricane fighter aircraft. As such he was posted to France. Burton was only in action for a short period, fighting during the period that the Royal Air Force was heavily outnumbered and outgunned, suffering heavy losses, and just prior to the evacuation of Dunkirk, Burton was himself killed in action on 20th May 1940 when performing a ground attack, he was jumped on and shot down.
Hawker Hurricane Mk I VY-P
Written off on Combat Operations (Ground strafing), Arras, France 20.5.1940. Shot down by Bf.109s while ground strafing enemy columns east of Arras and crashed near Querrieu, north-east of Amiens. According to the official Air Ministry file into the incident (File AIR 81/637): "Pilot Officer R W Shrewsbury and Pilot Officer R W Burton: report of deaths; Hurricane crashed near Arras, France, 20 May 1940"
