Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery

Written by Mike
Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery.  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains all its cemeteries to the highest standards.  Work was being undertaken to replace part of the lawns when this picture was taken.  April 27, 2002.  (02-24-30) Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains all its cemeteries to the highest standards. Work was being undertaken to replace part of the lawns when this picture was taken. April 27, 2002. (02-24-30)

Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery is situated 0.5km north west of Gommecourt, to the west of the D6 road to Foncquevillers.

Foncquevillers was in British hands in 1915 and 1916. 

On July 1, 1916 the northern part of Gommecourt was attacked by the 46th (North Midland) Division and the southern part of the village by the 56th (London Division). 

The attack met with temporary success, but this was unable to be sustained. 

Gommecourt was to remain a German-held salient until February 27, 1917 when they evacuated it.  The village was not retaken by the Germans during their offensive of March 1918 – though it remained only just inside the British lines.

Many of those from the 46th (North Midland) Division killed in the day’s fighting are buried in Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery. 

Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery was made after the Armistice by the collection of graves from smaller burial grounds and from the battlefields of July 1916, March 1917 and March to August 1918 in the area. 

Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery contains a total of 749 graves of which 465 are unknown – almost two thirds of the total.  Special memorials are erected to ten soldiers from the United Kingdom thought to be buried among them.

Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery is enclosed by a rubble wall and is planted with white and scarlet thorn trees.

Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery Fact Panel

Country Known Graves Unknown Graves Total Graves
United Kingdom 227 465 692
New Zealand 56 - 56
Australia 1 - 1
Total 284 465 749
Area 3,218 square yards
Mike

Mike

Mike McCormac has been a photographer since about ten years old.  He's a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, and lives in a village in the hills near Paphos in Cyprus.

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