Commonwealth War Cemeteries

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was established in 1917, during the height of the First World War, following a parliamentary bill championed by Sir Fabian Ware. Originally known as the Imperial War Graves Commission, the organisation was founded on a revolutionary principle: that every serviceman and woman, regardless of rank, would be commemorated equally in death.

Today, the CWGC cares for cemeteries and memorials at 23,000 locations in more than 150 countries. Their mission remains unchanged: to ensure that the 1.7 million men and women who died in the service of the Commonwealth forces during the two world wars will never be forgotten.

The statistics speak to the scale of the Commonwealth’s sacrifice in this region:

• Over 580,000 Commonwealth servicemen are commemorated in France
• More than 250 CWGC cemeteries are located in the Pas-de-Calais department alone
• Artois contains some of the largest concentration cemeteries on the Western Front
• Approximately 45% of those commemorated have no known grave

Design, Symbols, and Uniformity

Walking into a CWGC cemetery, you’ll immediately recognise certain distinctive features.
The iconic white Portland stone headstones, standing in perfectly aligned rows, create a powerful visual impact.
Each headstone — whether marking the grave of a private or a general — is identical in size, a physical manifestation of equality in sacrifice.

The design philosophy was shaped by three principal architects:
Sir Edwin Lutyens, Sir Herbert Baker, and Sir Reginald Blomfield.
Together, they created spaces that blend architectural dignity with natural beauty,
incorporating carefully planned gardens that bloom throughout the seasons.

At the heart of most larger cemeteries stands the Cross of Sacrifice, designed by Blomfield,
its bronze sword pointing skyward. Many sites also feature Lutyens’ Stone of Remembrance,
bearing the inscription “Their Name Liveth For Evermore” — words chosen by Rudyard Kipling,
who himself lost a son in the Great War.

CWGC cemeteries in Artois fall into several distinct categories, each reflecting how and where Commonwealth soldiers were buried during and after the war.

Battlefield Cemeteries: These smaller sites were created near the front lines, often by fighting units who buried their fallen comrades where they fell.
They offer an intimate connection to specific actions and battles.

Concentration Cemeteries: After the Armistice, isolated graves and smaller burial grounds were brought together into larger cemeteries.
Examples such as Faubourg d’Amiens Cemetery in Arras contain thousands of burials from across the region.

Communal Cemetery Extensions: Many French village cemeteries have CWGC plots attached, where Commonwealth soldiers were buried alongside
French civilians and soldiers, reflecting a shared sacrifice.

Historical Context

The Artois region became a focal point of Commonwealth involvement on the Western Front from 1915 onwards. The strategic importance of the Vimy Ridge, overlooking the Douai plain, and the vital communication hub of Arras drew British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, South African, and Indian forces into sustained campaigns.

The Battle of Arras (April-May 1917) and the simultaneous Canadian assault on Vimy Ridge represented one of the most concentrated Commonwealth offensives of the war. The spring 1917 battles alone resulted in approximately 160,000 Commonwealth casualties, many of whom now rest in the cemeteries that dot this landscape.

Each of these cemeteries tells a unique story — tied to key battles, nations, and phases of the Great War.

Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez

One of the largest CWGC cemeteries in France, Cabaret-Rouge contains nearly 7,700 burials.
Its Canadian Memorial wall commemorates over 1,000 Canadian soldiers with no known grave.
Located near Vimy Ridge, it’s a significant site for Canadian visitors paying tribute to those who fought in April 1917.

Faubourg d’Amiens Cemetery and the Arras Battle Memorial

With more than 2,600 Commonwealth burials, this concentration cemetery highlights the cost of the Battle of Arras.
The memorial wall lists nearly 35,000 servicemen with no known grave who fell in the Arras sector between spring 1916 and August 1918.

Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery and Memorial, Haucourt

This site commemorates soldiers from the final advances of 1918, including recipients of the Victoria Cross.
The panels list over 9,000 men who fell between 8 August 1918 and the Armistice — a reflection of the fierce Hundred Days Offensive.

Dud Corner Cemetery and Loos Memorial, Loos-en-Gohelle

Named after an unexploded shell found near the site, Dud Corner holds over 1,700 burials.
The imposing Loos Memorial commemorates more than 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave, and who fell in the region from the start of trench warfare to the Battle of Loos in September 1915.

Quarry Cemetery, Vermelles

This atmospheric site lies in a former chalk quarry used as a dressing station and cemetery from 1915.
It contains over 400 burials, many from Scottish regiments, and reflects the terrain and hardship of trench warfare.

Grevillers British Cemetery and New Zealand Memorial

Located on ground captured by New Zealand forces in August 1918, this site honours soldiers of the final advances.
The memorial lists over 440 New Zealand soldiers with no known grave who fell on the Somme battlefields — making it a place of pilgrimage for New Zealand visitors.

Finding and Accessing Sites

The CWGC website (cwgc.org) provides an excellent
interactive map and search facility. You can search by location,
individual name, or regiment. The CWGC’s free mobile app also offers
GPS navigation to cemeteries and detailed information about those commemorated.

Most CWGC cemeteries in Artois are open year-round and accessible free of charge.
They are typically located on the outskirts of villages or along rural roads.
Parking is usually available near the entrance, and all sites are clearly signposted with
the distinctive CWGC green signs.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for marking and maintaining the graves of Commonwealth forces who died in the two world wars. It ensures that each of the 1.7 million people it commemorates will never be forgotten.

CWGC cemeteries commemorate servicemen from across the Commonwealth- Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and many other nations. They operate independently of individual governments and maintain the principle of equal commemoration regardless of rank.

Yes, all CWGC cemeteries are open to the public free of charge during daylight hours. They are maintained as peaceful spaces for reflection and remembrance, welcoming visitors from around the world.

The CWGC website (cwgc.org) has a comprehensive database. Search by name to find the cemetery location, then use the site plans provided in the cemetery register or on the CWGC app to locate the specific grave.

For Canadian visitors: Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, with its Canadian Memorial wall. For understanding the scale of sacrifice: Faubourg d’Amiens Cemetery and the Arras Battle Memorial. For New Zealand connections: Grevillers British Cemetery and New Zealand Memorial. For early war history: Dud Corner Cemetery and Loos Memorial, Loos-en-Gohelle. For the 1918 advances: Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery and Memorial, Haucourt. For an intimate setting: Quarry Cemetery, Vermelles. Each offers a different perspective on the Commonwealth experience in Artois.

Many visitors place poppies, photographs, or personal tributes at graves- this is welcome and encouraged. The CWGC does not arrange formal ceremonies for individual families, but they can provide information.

The tourist offices in Arras and Lens specialize in Great War heritage and can provide detailed itineraries, accommodation recommendations, and historical context. They work together on the Artois 14-18 project to help visitors discover the region’s remembrance sites.