Hendecourt-lès-Cagnicourt is 16 kilometres south-east of Arras and 4 kilometres south of the Arras-Cambrai main road. Dominion Cemetery is 2.5 kilometres north-east of Hendecourt-lès-Cagnicourt, in fields reached by a track signposted off the road (the D956) between Hendecourt and the main Arras to Cambrai road (the D939).
The top end of the track can get pretty muddy and be prepared that you may have to reverse down as far as you have driven up.
GPS | N | E | OSM |
---|---|---|---|
Decimal | 50.2171 | 2.9765 | Map |
Hendecourt-lès-Cagnicourt was captured by the 57th (West Lancashire) and 52nd (Lowland) Division on the night of the 1st-2nd September, 1918. Dominion Cemetery was made by Canadian units in September, 1918, after the storming by the Canadian Corps of the Drocourt-Quéant Line.
Imperial Cemetery, to the West of the village, has now been removed to HAC Cemetery, Écoust-St Mein.
The grave of one Canadian airman was brought in after the Armistice from an isolated position some kilometres to the East.
There are now over 200, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified and a special memorial is erected to a Canadian soldier believed to be buried among them.
The cemetery covers an area of 818 square metres and is enclosed by a flint and rubble wall.
426402 Sergeant Arthur Knight VC
10th Bn Canadian Infantry
Alberta Regiment
Died on 3rd September 1918 aged 32
Croix de Guerre (France)
Native of Haywards Heath, Sussex
Grave: I F 15
The London Gazette 31012
Dated 12th November 1918
For most conspicuous bravery, initiative, and devotion to duty when, after an unsuccessful attack, Sergeant Knight led a bombing section forward, under very heavy fire of all descriptions, and engaged the enemy at close quarters. Seeing that his party continued to be held up, he dashed forward alone, bayoneting several of the enemy machine-gunners and trench-mortar crews, and forcing the remainder to retire in confusion. He then brought forward a Lewis gun and directed his fire on the retreating enemy, inflicting many casualties.
In the subsequent advance of his platoon in pursuit, Sergeant Knight saw a party of about thirty of the enemy go into a deep tunnel which led off the trench. He again dashed forward alone, and, having killed one officer and two NCOs, captured twenty other ranks.
Subsequently he routed, single-handed, another enemy party which was opposing the advance of his platoon. On each occasion he displayed the greatest valour under fire at very close range, and by his example of courage, gallantry and initiative was a wonderful inspiration to all. This very gallant NCO was subsequently fatally wounded.
L/Corporal A Duncan 427584
16th Bn Canadian Infantry
Manitoba Regiment
Died on 2nd September 1918 aged 27
Son of Mr and Mrs David Duncan
of 25, March St, Peebles, Scotland
Grave: I B 15
Lieutenant Brian Loudon
15th Bn Canadian Infantry
Central Ontario Regiment
Died on 1st September 1918 aged 25
Son of the late President and Mrs James Loudon
of University of Toronto
Bachelor of Arts of University of Toronto
Grave: I D 1
A popular officer in his battalion he was killed taking the Crows Nest hill which is visible from the cemetery. Many of the other soldiers killed alongside him that day lie in this cemetery.
There is a monument to the action on the roadside near the entrance laneway to Upton Wood Cemetery on the far side of the village.
Lieutenant James Robinson
1st Bn Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Died on 2nd September 1918 aged 36
Husband of Florence Robinson
of 470, Hertford Rd, Lower Edmonton, London, England
Grave: I D 3
In memory also
of his brother Percy
killed in France
7th October 1916
Private Percy Robinson PS/10307
8th Bn Royal Fusiliers
Is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial
A Soldier of the Great War
Tank Regiment
Grave: I F 22