Wellington Cemetery
Location
Rieux-en-Canbresis is a village nine kilometres north-east of Cambrai. Wellington Cemetery is 800 metres north of the village, 50 metres from the traffic lights on the D118, Cauchy-Iwuy-Rieux-en-Canbresis road.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 50.209685 | 3.345203 | Map |
Historical Information
The village was captured in October 1918, in the Pursuit to the Selle, and the cemetery was made by battalions of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment immediately after.
On 11th October 1918 a counter-attack by German tanks came over that hill
It was then increased by the concentration of graves from a wide area,
mainly South of Rieux, including :
- Vendegies-Sur-Ecaillon German Cemetery, which was a small cemetery at the crossing of the Chaussee Brunehaut and the Vendegies-Bermerain road. It contained the grave of one soldier from the United Kingdom who fell in October 1918.
- Verchain-Maugre Communal Cemetery contained three soldiers from the United Kingdom, who fell in October 1918.
There are now over 300, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, over 80 are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 20 soldiers from the United Kingdom, known or believed to be buried among them.
Another special memorial bears the name of a soldier from the United Kingdom, buried in Vendegies-sur-Ecaillon German Cemetery, whose grave could not be found.
The cemetery covers an area of 769 square metres and is enclosed by a low brick wall.
On the occasion of the inauguration of their plaque opposite the cemetery on 23rd September 2017
members of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada stand next to their thirteen casualties
Private Ernest Wellington 3106600
19th Bn Canadian Infantry
Died on 11th October 1918 aged 33
Grave: I D 4
L/Corporal A Pickles 307825
1/7th Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regiment
(West Riding Regiment)
Died on 11th October 1918 aged 28
Son of Naylor and Violet Pickles
of Shelf, Yorks
Husband of Eunice Pickles
of Waitati, New Zealand
Grave: I E 4
Private John Berry 34193
1/4th Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regiment
(West Riding Regiment)
Died on 11th October 1918 aged 18
Son of Albert and Eliza Berry
of 8, Bernard St., Harpurhey, Manchester
Grave: I G 1/10
Remembrance
Is a fragrant flower
Watered by the tears of love
Corporal Cecil Arnold 862590
19th Bn Canadian Infantry
Died on 11th October 1918 aged 22
Son of Joseph and Louisa Arnold
of 58, Hazelton Avenue, Toronto, Canada
Born at Barwell, Leicestershire, England
Grave: II F 4
L/Corporal J Maguire 153080
6th Dragoon Guards
Carabineers
Died on 11th October 1918 aged 26
Son of John and Mary Maguire
of 148, King St., Pollokshaws, Glasgow
Born at Eaglesham, Glasgow
Grave: Special Memorial
Who was buried by the enemy
In Vendegies sur Ecaillon German cemetery
But whose grave is now lost
Corporal William Kilner 24767
49th Bn Machine Gun Corps
Died on 11th October 1918 aged 25
Son or Mrs. Jane Reid
of 204, Manchester Rd., Milnsbridge, Huddersfield
Grave: II B 1
My son where e’er thou be
There may I be when life is done