AUCHONVILLERS MILITARY cemetery

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 the village centre follow the CWGC signs for Auchonvillers Military Cemetery which is on the outskirts of the village on the right hand side.

  From the outbreak of the war to the summer of 1915, this part of the front was held by French troops, who began the military cemetery in June 1915. It continued to be used by Commonwealth field ambulances and fighting units but burials practically ceased with the German withdrawal in February 1917. After the Armistice, 15 of the graves in Plot II Row M were brought in from scattered positions east of the cemetery. The cemetery now contains 528 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, the French graves having been removed to other burial grounds. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

Further Information

There are a large number of men from the 252nd Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers buried here. They worked on the Hawthorn Mine prior to 1st July 1916. This unusual grave is among them: