Solesmes Communal Cemetery

Nord

Location Information:

Solesmes is a town some 18 kilometres east of Cambrai, or 9 kilometres north-west of Le Cateau. The Communal Cemetery is on the eastern outskirts of the town, beside the road (D43) to Ovillers.

Historical Information:

The 2nd South Lancashires and the 1st Wiltshires were attacked at Solesmes on the evening of 25 August 1914 and on 19-21 October 1918, the 62nd (West Riding) Division, followed by the 61st (South Midland) Division, captured and cleared the town after severe fighting in the streets. The north-west corner of Solesmes Communal Cemetery was used by the Germans who buried Commonwealth soldiers and airmen who died in August 1914, May 1917 or October 1918. Rows A and B, in the north-east corner, were made by Commonwealth troops in October and November 1918. The cemetery contains 30 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, five of which are unidentified.