The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Small wooden grave cross. Written in pencil on the cross piece is, 'Hier Liegt Ein Tapferer Englischer Krieger' (Here lies a brave English warrior).
This cross was found on the battlefield of Dernancourt. On 5 April 1918 a company from 48 Battalion AIF under the command of Captain D G C Cummings were engaged in battle with elements of the German Army's 50th (Prussian) Reserve Division. The battalion had held the railway embankment on the left of the sector (shown in the diorama in the gallery) but was nearly surrounded by the Germans. The unit made a fighting withdrawal with a few men lining the ravine on its left until it was out of danger of encirclement. When the Allies' advance recaptured the ground seven months later, two small wooden crosses were found on the edge of the ravine. C E W Bean, the official historian, regarded this cross as 'one of the most valuable relics in the Memorial' because 'it is a monument to a magnificent fight, and the tribute comes from the most important source, the men against whom the Australians (48th Bn) were fighting'.
A length of wood from a grave cross with remnants of green paint and bearing the inscription in pencil, 'AN UNKNOWN TOMMY'. Portion of one of two crosses found on the battlefield of Dernancourt. On
Cross shaped metal plate, made from a biscuit tin. The inscription is recorded in raised detail and reads: 'In / Memory / of / No 1243 / Cpl D McVay / (Yank) / D Coy / 23 Batt / A.I.F. / Killed / in /
Large wooden cross manufactured of timber which was originally whitewashed or white painted, but which is now grey in colour. The words 'ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF OFFICERS N.C.O.S & MEN 49TH BN A.I.F.
Roughly made wooden cross with a central tin plaque. This wooden cross was a temporary marker for the grave of Sergeant Reginald Sydney Davies, DCM and Medaille Militaire. He was killed in action at
Cross shaped metal plate, made from a biscuit tin. The inscription is recorded in raised detail and reads: 'In / memory / of / No.743 P[te] C G H HAMPSON / D Coy 23 Batt / AIF / KILLED / IN / ACTION /
Wooden horizontal dedication panel from a cross. A dado that would have accommodated the crosses' vertical support has been cut through the middle of the reverse side of the panel. The dedication 'Pa
