Écurie Communal Cemetery
Location
The village of Écurie is approximately five kilometres north of Arras and the Communal Cemetery is on the eastern side of the village. The British graves are on each side of the main path from the entrance to the Calvary at the southern end of the cemetery.
From the main Arras — Béthune road roundabout (N 25 / D 937) take the exit for the village. You will see a Canadian cross on your left and a transport base on your right. Continue into the village passing the church and Mairie. The cemetery is on your right.
Behind the church and tucked into the left corner of the square is an RCAF Memorial. To reach the two local WW1 cemeteries continue past this cemetery and turn left at the roundabout and continue straight on along the track — do not enter the Arras Express.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 50.32955 | 2.77222 | Map |
The local church and war memorial
Historical Information
Écurie spent much of its time on the front line during the Great War, during which it was completely destroyed. It saw much fighting in 1915 as the French attacked (and finally took) a complex system of trenches and tunnels known as the Labyrinthe in the open fields along the road towards Neuville Saint Vaast.
On the 9th April 1917 it marked the dividing line between the Canadian Corps (to the west) and the 51st (Highland) Division (to the east). In the Spring of 1918 the Canadian Corps were back again during the German offensives of March and April.
There are a number of Great War burial sites within a ten minutes drive, including the largest German Military Cemetery in France. The Canadian Vimy Memorial Park is within easy reach and should be considered something not to be missed.
The village was on the route of retreat by the BEF in 1940 as it fell back from Arras to Dunkerque.
There are two memorials within the village. One is in commemoration of the 15th Battalion Canadian Infantry (48th Highlanders of Canada) and the other is to the crew of an RCAF Halifax shot down over the village in 1944.
One of it’s crew members is buried within this cemetery.
3247448
6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
Died on 23 May 1940 aged 19
Son of Robert and Bridget Taylor
of Glasgow.
2822594
6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
Died on 23 May 1940 aged 20
Son of Alexander and Margaret McKenzie
of Grantown-on-Spey, Morayshire
2823406
6th Bn Seaforth Highlanders
Died on 23 May 1940 aged 21
Son of Matthew and Rebecca Wotton Bleakley
of Paisley, Renfrewshire
2734730
2nd Bn Welsh Guards
Died on 01 September 1944 aged 25
Son of John and Mary Williams
of Bodorgan, Anglesey
2735480
2nd Bn Welsh Guards
Died on 01 September 1944 aged 27
Son of John and Margaret Williams
Husband of Winifred Williams
of Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
Sergeant Maurice Taylor 1616111
427 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died on 13 June 1944 aged 20
Son of Benjamin and Lucy Taylor
of Wimbush, Essex
Grave: East of main path
Signalman Kenneth Stone 2581090
5th Div. Sigs.
Royal Corps of Signals
Died on 22 May 1940 aged 21
Son of Walter and Annie Stone
of Ely, Cardiff
Grave: East of main path