Forest-l'Abbaye Churchyard
Location
Forest-l’Abbaye is situated on the southern edge of the Forest of Crécy in the Département of the Somme.
It is well signalled from the two major roads heading north from Abbeville, D1001 to Boulogne sur Mer and the D 928 to Hesdin.
From Crécy en Ponthieu follow the D 111 in the direction of Forest l’Abbaye. The church has a small parking area.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 50.207399 | 1.823771 | Map |
Historical Information
Forest-l’Abbaye Churchyard contains one Commonwealth burial of the First World War just to the left at the gate.
The village is well known for its floral displays and is one of the less than 300 towns and villages of France that carries the accolade of 4 Rosettes.
The church is an historic site dating from the XII century and was an outpost created by the Templars – if you look at the altar stone you can see their mark alongside a map of France. This may account for an old legend talking of treasure buried beneath the building.
Despite damage caused by the Spanish in 1635 (At which time the Authie river a few kilometres to the north was the frontier between France and the Spanish Netherlands) the interior survived.
The church possesses a relic of Saint Blaise, the patron saint of healers and you will note that whilst the bell tower is made of wood the choir inside is made of stone.
The Forest of Crécy is noted for its game and is the largest forest in the Somme. The Ponthieu area was part of the Norman-English territories and both Edward III and Henry V passed by this way.
There are numerous walks within the forest all of which are signposted. On the far side is the Battlefield of Crécy of 1346. A small museum in the town explains the details as well as those of the V1 Buzz Bomb launch site in the wood at nearby Ligescourt.
The single grave is right by the gate
Private Ernest Shelly 28377
8th Bn East Surrey Regiment
Died on 5th January 1917