Feuchy Chapel
Location
Wancourt is a village in the Department of the Pas-de-Calais. It lies in the valley of the Cojeul River nearly 2 kilometres south of the main road from Arras to Cambrai. Feuchy Chapel British Cemetery is situated on the south side of this road.
In other words the cemetery is actually on the Arras to Cambrai Road D 939. Coming from Arras it is just before the interchange for the autoroute.
Note that this is a very busy road. If you are coming from the direction of the autoroute/Cambrai it is illegal to cross over the central reservation.
There are roundabouts either side of the cemetery so use these and the parking area next to the cemetery.
Historical Information
Wancourt was captured on 12 April 1917 after very heavy fighting, lost in March 1918, and retaken by the Canadian Corps on the following 26 August. The cemetery was begun by the VI Corps Burial Officer in May 1917, used at intervals until March 1918, and again in August and September 1918.
Looking west towards the wood at Tilloy les Mofflaines
Just in front is the white cross of the village's CWGC Cemetery
At the Armistice, it contained 249 graves, all in the present Plot I. It was then enlarged when 834 graves (mainly of April and May 1917) were brought in from the battlefields of Fampoux, Roeux, Monchy and Wancourt, and from a few smaller burial grounds.
There are now 1,103 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 578 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 14 casualties known or believed to be buried among them.
Other special memorials record the names of 6 casualties buried in Feuchy Chapel Quarry Cemetery, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Private William Wilson S/40863
9th Bn The Black Watch
Royal Highlanders
Died on 28th March 1918 aged 19
Son of William and Phoebe Wilson, of 2 Abbey Rd, Coldstream, Berwickshire
Beloved son
Of William and Phoebe Wilson
Coldstream
Death before dishonour
Grave: III F 3
Private O Tuddenham G/44
9th Bn Royal Fusiliers
Died on 9th April 1917
Grave: II H 17
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Commemorating 1917 and 1918
12th (Eastern) Division Memorial
A short distance further along the road towards the autoroute (that is towards Cambrai) there is a memorial cross dedicated to the men of the 12th Division who fought here in April 1917.
Almost opposite is one of the Touring Club de France marker stones commemorating the position where the German advance of Spring 1918 was halted.
Arras 1917