Niepppe-Bois ( Rue-Du-Bois) British Cemetery, Vieux-Berquin, France.

Above: The cemetery in which Yarrawonga boy Patrick Meehan lies buried.

The Battle of Hazebrouck (one of the Battles of the Lys), including the Defence of Nieppe Forest, lasted from 12 to 15 April 1918. The line east of Nieppe Forest was defended against overwhelming forces by the 29th and 31st Divisions, the latter including the 4th Guards Brigade. Although Vieux-Berquin village was lost on 13 April, the rest of the line was held until the 1st Australian Division had detrained and arrived on the field. The 1st Division reached Hazebrouck on 12 April, only just in time to fill a great breach and stop the German advance.Further German attacks towards the critical logistics centre of Hazebrouck were slowed by the defending British troops, before being stopped by the Australian 1st Division occupying a defensive position 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the town on 13 April.
The cemetery was used from April until September 1918. The grave of one British officer who fell in 1915 was brought to this cemetery after the Armistice from LA MOTTE-AUX-BOIS COMMUNAL CEMETERY. The cemetery was used again during the Second World War for the burial of casualties of the battles covering the withdrawal to Dunkirk in May 1940. Nieppe-Bois (Rue-du-Bois) British Cemetery now contains 70 First World War burials and 33 from the Second World War. The cemetery was designed by A J S Hutton.
The Australian soldiers who were laid to rest in this cemetery were:
BERGIN FELIX JOSEPH
Australian Sergeant Australian Infantry A.I.F. 8th Bn. Age: 27 Date of Death: 16/04/1918 Service No: 15 B.25.

BOYD ANDREW
Australian Corporal Australian Infantry A.I.F. 8th Bn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 14/04/1918 Service No: 3032 B.21.
DAVIES FREDERICK CHARLES
Australian Private Australian Infantry A.I.F. 8th Bn. Age: 26 Date of Death: 14/04/1918 Service No: 774 B.23.
EAMES ROBERT LESLIE
Australian Private Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery 2nd Age: 21 Date of Death: 17/04/1918 Service No: 3143 B.16.
ELLIOT HAROLD ROBINSON
Australian Sergeant Australian Infantry A.I.F. 8th Bn. Date of Death: 19/04/1918 Service No: 3490 B.12.

GLASSPOOL WILLIAM MERVYN
Australian Private Australian Infantry A.I.F. 8th Bn. Age: 38 Date of Death: 14/04/1918 Service No: 1024 B.22.

GRAY F L
Australian Lieutenant Australian Infantry A.I.F. 8th Bn. Date of Death: 18/04/191 B.15.

GUNN IRA WARREN
Australian Sergeant Australian Infantry A.I.F. 8th Bn. Age: 23 Date of Death: 16/04/1918 Service No: 408 B.14.

KEATING HENRY ERNEST
Australian Private Australian Machine Gun Corps 1st Bn. Age: 20 Date of Death: 16/04/1918 Service No: 3418 B.24.
MEEHAN PATRICK
Australian Lance Corporal Australian Infantry A.I.F. 7th Bn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 15/04/1918 Service No: 6319 B.17.

PARFREY WILLIAM THOMAS
Australian Private Australian Infantry A.I.F. 8th Bn. Age: 22 Date of Death: 14/04/1918 Service No: 554 B.20.

PIERPOINT C E
Australian Private Australian Infantry A.I.F. 8th Bn. Date of Death: 16/04/1918 Service No: 6840 B.13.

ROBERTSON ALLAN COUPAR
Australian Sergeant Australian Infantry A.I.F. 8th Bn. Age: 27 Date of Death: 14/04/1918 Service No: 354 B.11.

SMITH GEORGE FREDERICK
Australian Private Australian Infantry A.I.F. 8th Bn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 14/04/1918 Service No: 3428 B.19.

WOOD C
Australian Private Australian Infantry A.I.F. 8th Bn. Date of Death: 04/04/1918 Service No: 6627 B.18.
Patrick Meehan was the only member of the 7th Battalion to be killed here.