Soupir Churchyard
Location
Soupir is a village and commune in the Department of Aisne, Northern France, situated on the northern side of the D925 road from Soissons to Guignicourt, approximately 20 kilometres east of Soissons. Take the D967 from Laon towards Fismes and after passing the “1st Loyal North Lancs Memorial” at Cerny-en-Laonnois (17 kilometres), and after a further 1.5 kilometres, the Vendresse British Cemetery is on your right followed by the village of Vendresse-Beaulne. Turn right after entering the village along the ‘Rue de Beaulne’ (D88). Follow this road for 6.5 kilometres until you reach the village of Soupir. The churchyard is behind the church which is on the left side of the main road.
If coming from Soissons take the D925 until you reach the village.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 49.406842 | 3.599256 | Map |
The village of Soupir
Historical Information
The village was cleared by the Brigade of Guards on 14th September 1914 and on the same day, and for some days later, heavy fighting took place at La Cour de Soupir farm, near the head of the valley north-west of the village. Dressing stations were established at Soupir Chateau and at the farm. The village was in German hands again between 2nd and 6th November 1914 and for much of the war it remained very close to the front line.
Soupir Churchyard contains 36 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, Six of which are unidentified. Two graves destroyed by shell-fire are now represented by special memorials.
Lieutenant Walter Hill
3rd Bn North Staffordshire Regiment
Attached to the 1st Bn
Died on 25th September 1914 aged 22
Son of the Rev Canon Rowland Hill and Mrs E Hill
of 19, Glendinning Avenue, Weymouth.
Born at Dorchester
Grave: B 1
Qui ante diem periit
sed miles sed pro patria
2nd Lieutenant Paul Girardot
2nd Bn Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
Died on 17th September 1914 aged 18
Son of Lt Col I Girardot
(43rd Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry)
and Mary R. Girardot
of Trevaughan, Carmarthen
Grave: C 3
In most loving memory
of my beloved child — Mother
Lieutenant Reginald Worthington
2nd Bn Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
Died on 16th September 1914 aged 27
Son of George and Eveline Worthington
of Dyson’s Wood, Kidmore, Oxon
Grave: C 2