AUCHONVILLERS COMMUNAL cemetery

Auchonvillers is a village which lies about 10 kilometres north of Albert and about 16 kilometres west of Bapaume. Using the D919 from Arras to Amiens you will drive through the villages of Bucquoy, Puisieux then Serre Les Puisieux (approximately 20 kilometres south of Arras). On leaving Serre Les Puisieux, 3 kilometres further along the D919, turn left following the signs for Auchonvillers. At the crossroads in Auchonvillers carry straight on in the direction of Mailly Maillet and the cemetery will be found about 200 metres further along on the right hand side.

The cemetery contains fifteen Commonwealth burials of the First World War, grouped in a row along the northern boundary. All but two of the graves are of men of the 1st Border Regiment who died on 6th April 1916.

Further Information

This cemetery was once a French burial ground, made in the 1914-15 period when French soldiers were buried amongst the civilian graves. When the British army took over the sector in 1915 one burial was made here, and in April 1916 men from the 1st Border Regiment were buried here following a bombardment of their communication trenches. One British grave was added in 1918, and the French burials were removed in the 1920s.

The grave of a former superintendant of the Newfoundland Park is also found by the main entrance (see photo below).