Cayeux Military Cemetery
Location
Cayeux-en-Santerre is a village and commune situated on the River Luce in the department of the Somme.
Coming from Amiens on the D1029 (E44), in the direction of St Quentin, turn right after Larmotte Warfusée towards Bayonvillers and Harbonnières (the D337). At Harbonnières take the D41 towards Caix. At Caix take the D76 to Cayeux. Cayeux Military Cemetery is situated on the side of the road to Beaucourt-en-Santerre, approximately 1.5 kilometres outside of Cayeux.
Alternatively turn right at Villers-Bretonneux towards Crucifix Corner Cemetery. Follow this road over the Autoroute as far as Démuin British Cemetery where you take the second left following the sign for Aubercourt and Cayeux. Just after the church you will see the sign turning you right and go straight on at the junction immediately afterwards. Follow this road for a kilometre. You will have a wooded hill on your left and the junction is sign posted on the next bend. Be warned—it is a track. Entrance to the cemetery is through the trees via a flight of steps.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 49.8142 | 2.59424 | Map |
The track leading to the cemetery
Historical Information
Cayeux village, which had been in the hands of Commonwealth forces for some time, was lost on 27th March 1918 during the great German advance, but recaptured by the Canadian Corps on the following 8th August.
The cemetery was begun by French troops. It was used in March, April and May 1917 by the 36th Casualty Clearing Station, and again for a few burials in March and August 1918. It was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brought in, mainly from the battlefields to the north and from the following cemetery:
- Marcelcave French Military Cemetery, was at the North-West corner of the village, contained the body of one British soldier.
The cemetery now contains 216 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 114 of which are unidentified. French and German graves have been removed to other cemeteries.
The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.
Private M Molloy 26186
2nd Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Died on 3rd April 1917 aged 18
Son of Anne Molloy
of Wheelwright Lane, Tullamore, King’s County
Grave: I A 14
Private Allan Gourlie 27234
16th Bn Highland Light Infantry
Died on 6th April 1917 aged 33
Son of James Gourlie
of Wester Farm, Mount Vernon, Glasgow
Grave: I B 7
Captain Alexander Drysdale MC
17th Bn Highland Light Infantry
Died on 15th April 1917 aged 33
Son of John and Jane Drysdale
of Belmar, Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire
Native of Glasgow
Grave: I D 1
Petty Officer D McDonald CZ/2016
Nelson Battalion RND
Royal Naval Reserve
Died on 13th November 1916
Grave: I F 16