Battle of the Yser
Amiens, Amiens Cathedral
Lieutenant Leo McCartin MC 22nd Battalion (Victoria)
Lieutenant Leo Aloysius McCartin MC, 22nd Battalion (Victoria) was killed by a sniper on 18 August 1918 at Herleville, France. [AWM P04109.001]
One who defended Amiens, sacrificed his blood on the Somme, and whose name is closely associated with a local village, was Lieutenant Leo Aloysius McCartin MC (Military Cross), 22nd Battalion, of Geelong, Victoria. On 18 August 1918, during the Australian advance across the uplands of the Somme, Lieutenant McCartin was killed in action by a sniper near the village of Herleville, 34 kilometres east of Amiens. Earlier that year, on 9 April, he had defended the city near the village of Laviéville, 23 kilometres north-east of Amiens, near Albert. At this time, according to Charles Bean, Australia’s official historian, virtually 27 kilometres of front east of Amiens was being held by Australian troops against the great German advance towards Amiens which began on 21 March 1918.
Flying Officer Patrick Leo McCartin, RAAF, 75 Squadron RAF, killed over Germany on 20 November 1944, was named for his uncle Lieutenant Leo Aloysuis McCartin MC, killed in action, Herleville, France, August 1918. [AWM P04003.001]
At dawn on 9 April, a heavy enemy bombardment came down on the Australians at Laviéville and destroyed the telephone wires to the front line. A group of men led by Lieutenant McCartin, ran out under fire and attempted to establish a signal lamp in the front line to re-establish communications. This failed owing to fog and intense shell burst so McCartin, single-handedly and at great personal risk, repaired the phone lines under intense fire. In recommending him for the award of the Military Cross his commanding officer referred to McCartin’s bravery, coolness and to the outstanding example he set to others.
After he was killed on 18 August 1918, Leo McCartin wad buried near the crucifix at the village of Herleville. The battle moved on and his grave was lost. McCartin’s name is remembered on the walls of the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux where the view is back towards Amiens, the city and the cathedral for which he fought. Sadly, his nephew was also killed in action, 26 years later. Named Leo in his honour, Flying Officer Patrick Leo McCartin RAAF, 75 Squadron RAF, died over Germany in his Lancaster bomber on 20 November 1944.
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© 2008 Department of Veterans' Affairs and Board of Studies NSW :: Last update - November 2008