Roeux British Cemetery
Location
Roeux is a village 13 kilometres east of Arras on the D33. From Roeux, take the Chemin de Fampoux towards Fampoux. 200 metres outside the village take the track, followed by a smaller track, to the cemetery.
You will see signs for both Crump Trench and Roeux British Cemeteries as you travel between Fampoux and Roeux.
The access road is quite small and just before you drive down the final part of the track I would suggest that you either park your vehicle and walk or reverse down. Trying to turn around at the cemetery is difficult to say the least.
The small track continuing on towards the left from Crump Trench is the path down to Roeux British Cemetery about 200 metres away in the forest. Worth visiting if you don’t mind braving the vegetation!
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 50.292890 | 2.889592 | Map |
Historical Information
Roeux was built over a system of caves which helped to make its capture in 1917 exceptionally difficult. It was attacked by the 9th (Scottish) Division without success on 12th April. The chemical works close to the railway station were taken by the 51st (Highland) Division on 22nd April, and after incessant fighting the village was cleared by the same Division on 14th May.
The chemical works were lost on 16 May, and it was finally taken by the 51st Division on the following 26th August.
The infamous chemical works were on the site of the current
Carrefour supermarket next to the railway crossing.
Roeux British Cemetery was made by fighting units between April and November 1917.
The cemetery contains 350 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 31 of the burials are unidentified and 82 graves destroyed by shell fire are now represented by special memorials.
Twin Brothers
Private John Benson S/40585
2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders
Died on 3rd May 1917 aged 22
Sons of John and Catherine Benson
of 2, Middle St Lane, Grangemouth, Stirlingshire.
Both born in Falkirk
Grave: B 32
Rest brave son
Father’s and Mother’s tribute
Private James Benson S/40586
2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders
Died on 3rd May 1917 aged 22
Special Memorial: A 6
Rest brave sons
Also your brother
Rests near you
Signaller Alexander Farquharson 351691
9th Bn Royal Scots
Died on 25th May 1917 aged 32
Eldest son of the Rev David Farquharson
of Musselburgh, Midlothian.
A First Class Honours Graduate of
Edinburgh University,
Medallist in English Literature
One of 4 brothers who served
Special Memorial: C 9
Serjeant James Hill 2669
1st Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers
Died on 11th May 1917 aged 24
Son of William and Mary Hill
of Shankhill, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Husband of Mary Hill, of Belfast
Grave: C 58A