The best traffic-free bike rides around Saint-Martin-Sur-Cojeul

World War I military cemetery, located in the municipality of Hénin-sur-Cojeul. More information by following these two links: https://www.ww1cemeteries.com/henin-crucifix-cemetery.html https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A9nin_Crucifix_Cemetery

This small farming village has a rich history and is known for its two Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries from the First World War. The village has a church, a castle, and a range of amenities including bars, a supermarket, a chemist and a post office. Many residents commute to nearby towns such as Arras and Bapaume for work.

The 21st Division captured Héninel on 12 April 1917 and advanced eastwards on the two following days. The 33rd Division then took over the attack. These two divisions are largely represented in the cemetery. In April 1918 this ground was lost, and the eleven German graves in Plot I, Rows D and E, were made when the cemetery was in German hands. After the Armistice, graves were brought in from a wide area round Héninel. The cemetery now contains 307 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 104 of them unidentified. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Wancourt was captured on 12 April 1917 after very heavy fighting and the advance was continued on the following days. The cemetery, called at first Cojeul Valley Cemetery, or River Road Cemetery, was opened about ten days later; it was used until October 1918, but was in German hands from March 1918 until 26 August, when the Canadian Corps recaptured Wancourt. At the Armistice, the cemetery contained 410 graves, but was very greatly increased in the following years when graves were brought in from a number of small cemeteries and isolated positions on the battlefields south-east of Arras. The cemetery now contains 1936 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 829 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 76 casualties known or believed to be buried among them, and to 20 who were buried in Signal Trench Cemetery whose graves were destroyed in later battles.

Tigris Lane Cemetery is located in Wancourt, near Arras, and was named after a nearby trench. The cemetery was established in May 1917 by the 14th (Light) Division, shortly after the village was captured on 12 April 1917, and reused during its recapture by the Canadian Corps in August 1918. It contains the graves of 119 First World War soldiers, nine of whom are unidentified. Most of the graves belong to British (86) and Canadian (33) soldiers, underlining the international commitment to the region. The sober design is by G.H. Goldsmith and its location close to the TGV railway line emphasises the contrasts between past and present in this quiet place of remembrance.

The Tilloy British Cemetery, located in Tilloy-lès-Mofflaines near Arras, is a military cemetery from the First World War with the burials of 1,644 soldiers, mainly from the British Commonwealth. The cemetery was created in April 1917, shortly after the capture of the village by Allied troops during the Battle of Arras, and was used again in August 1918 during the final liberation of the area. The site is characterized by a pentagonal shape and a brick perimeter wall. In addition to British soldiers, soldiers from Australia, Canada, South Africa and even two German soldiers are buried there, underlining the international dimension of the conflict.

Places of Interest The church of St.Leger, rebuilt, as was the whole village, after the First World War. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery. The village was situated in an area that was heavily fought over during the war. There are several military cemeteries in the area, including the Heninel-Croisilles Road Cemetery, where many soldiers who fought near Saint-Léger are buried. An interesting anecdote is that Saint-Léger and the surrounding villages changed hands several times during the war between the Allies and the German troops. This caused much destruction and suffering among the local population.

Reflection on the course for fallen tommies 💮