Masnieres British Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery
Encyclopedia
Masnieres British Cemetery is a small Commonwealth War Graves Commission
(CWGC) burial site for British and Commonwealth troops killed during the First World War Battle of Cambrai (1918)
between September–October 1918. It also contains a number of German graves, although these are mostly unidentified.
The cemetery is located near to the village of Marcoing
, 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Cambrai. Opened by the III Corps Burial Officer in October 1918, the cemetery covers an area of 995 square metre and is enclosed by a stone rubble wall. Its grounds were assigned to the British Empire
in perpetuity by the French state in recognition of the sacrifices made by the Allies in the defence of France
during the war.
The Masnieres Newfoundland Memorial, which commemorates the Royal Newfoundland Regiment's losses in 1917 in the Battle of Cambrai is located nearby, but is not a part of the cemetery.
The Royal Newfoundland Regiment are honoured by 5 overseas memorials: the Beaumont Hamel Memorial, the Gueudecourt Memorial, the Monchy-le-Preux Memorial and the Masnières Memorial.
VC
MM
, who was killed in action just south of Cambrai on 1 October 1918, three days after his Victoria Cross action. A second Victoria Cross holder, Henry Tandey
VC, DCM
, MM, had his ashes scattered in the cemetery at his request following his death in 1977.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an intergovernmental organisation of six independent member states whose principal function is to mark, record and maintain the graves, and places of commemoration, of Commonwealth of Nations military service members who died in the two World Wars...
(CWGC) burial site for British and Commonwealth troops killed during the First World War Battle of Cambrai (1918)
Battle of Cambrai (1918)
The Battle of Cambrai was a battle between troops of the British First, Third and Fourth Armies and German Empire forces during the Hundred Days Offensive of the First World War. The battle took place in and around the French city of Cambrai, between 8 and 10 October 1918...
between September–October 1918. It also contains a number of German graves, although these are mostly unidentified.
The cemetery is located near to the village of Marcoing
Marcoing
-References:*...
, 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of Cambrai. Opened by the III Corps Burial Officer in October 1918, the cemetery covers an area of 995 square metre and is enclosed by a stone rubble wall. Its grounds were assigned to the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
in perpetuity by the French state in recognition of the sacrifices made by the Allies in the defence of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during the war.
The Masnieres Newfoundland Memorial, which commemorates the Royal Newfoundland Regiment's losses in 1917 in the Battle of Cambrai is located nearby, but is not a part of the cemetery.
The Royal Newfoundland Regiment are honoured by 5 overseas memorials: the Beaumont Hamel Memorial, the Gueudecourt Memorial, the Monchy-le-Preux Memorial and the Masnières Memorial.
Notable graves
The cemetery contains the grave of Thomas NeelyThomas Neely
Thomas Patrick Neely VC MM was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
VC
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
MM
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
, who was killed in action just south of Cambrai on 1 October 1918, three days after his Victoria Cross action. A second Victoria Cross holder, Henry Tandey
Henry Tandey
Henry Tandey VC, DCM, MM was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
VC, DCM
Distinguished Conduct Medal
The Distinguished Conduct Medal was an extremely high level award for bravery. It was a second level military decoration awarded to other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to non-commissioned personnel of other Commonwealth countries.The medal was instituted in 1854, during the Crimean...
, MM, had his ashes scattered in the cemetery at his request following his death in 1977.