Croisilles Railway Cemetery
Location
Croisilles is a village about 13 kilometres south-east of Arras. Croisilles Railway Cemetery lies south-east of the village on a track, approximately 2 kilometres long, leading from the junction of Rue du Moulin and Rue de la Gare. It is signposted from the road to St-Léger (D9).
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 50.193028 | 2.889941 | Map |
Historical Information
The 7th Division attacked Croisilles in March 1917 and took it on 2nd April. It was lost on 21st March 1918 and recaptured by the 56th (London) Division on the following 28th August, after heavy fighting. The Railway Cemetery was begun by the 21st Manchesters at the beginning of April 1917 and used by units of various divisions until January 1918.
The cemetery was also used by the Germans in March 1918 and one further Commonwealth burial was made in September 1918. The cemetery now contains 181 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. 26 of the burials are unidentified but there is a special memorial to one casualty known to be buried among them. There are also 26 German burials in the cemetery.
Croisilles Railway Cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.
Three officers from the Royal Munster Fusiliers
1st Bn Royal Munster Fusiliers
2nd Bn Royal Munster Fusiliers
1st Bn Royal Munster Fusiliers
All were killed on the opening day of the Battle of Cambrai. That morning the 16th (Irish) Division attacked Tunnel Trench in a subsidiary operation at Fontaine les Croisilles. The trench ran for 1500 metres and had a deep underground gallery running under it.
In theory the 2nd Battalion were with 1st Division in Belgium so perhaps MacDaniel was attached to the 1st Battalion. Or it is an error.
Private Tom Parker 49582
21st Bn Manchester Regiment
Died on 25th July 1917 aged 34
Son of W. and M. Parker
of Howe St., Carlisle
Husband of Eleanor Parker
of Manor Flat, Manor Rd., Fleetwood, Lancs.
Grave: I A 4
Some day, some time
We’ll understand
Serjeant Arthur Brown 280286
4th Bn London Regiment
Royal Fusiliers
Died on 4th June 1917 aged 19
Son of George and Adaline Brown
of 4, Belgrade Rd., Stoke Newington, London
Native of Hackney, London
Previously wounded in 1915
Grave: II B 13
Till the barrage lifts