Sains lès Marquion

27th September 1918

Location

Sains lès Marquion is a small village of some 300 inhabitants slightly to the south of the main Arras Cambrai Road (D 939). Coming from Arras, continue towards Cambrai, passing the Vis en Artois Memorial and the Canadian Monument at Dury. You will then reach the town of Marquion where you will turn right onto the D15 following the signs for Sains lès Marquion.

On reaching the British Cemetery at Sains lès Marquion turn right again towards the village centre.

Once again I am indebted to Michel Gravel for letting me know about this event which took place on 31 August 2008.

Background

In 2003 the Canadian author and historian Michel Gravel led a group commemorating the 14th Battalion Canadian Infantry to the village of Cagnicourt between Arras and Cambrai. His research into the Battalion's exploits resulted in the publication of a book (Tough as Nails / D'Arras à Cambrai par le chemin le plus long), which in turn has generated further interest in France.

Cagnicourt 2003

On 27th September 1918 and following the capture of Cagnicourt the 14th Battalion CEF (Royal Montreal Regiment) crossed the Canal du Nord and liberated this small village, a few hundred metres to the east, from four years of occupation by German troops.

To commemorate the success of their attack and the liberation of his village the local Maire: M Guy de Saint-Aubert organised a short programme of events.

The day started with a guided tour conducted by Michel Gravel along the canal and into the village following the attack made by the RMR.

Lt Colonel C Robinson and his Regimental Sergeant Major, CWO G Furholter were there to represent the Regiment and a number of the villagers turned out, keen to learn something about their history.

It was remarked by many of them that it had taken a Canadian writer to come over and explain the events leading up to the liberation of their village.

A more detailed description of the battle for the village plus a rough map guiding you around this three kilometre walk can be found on the following page :

The battle for Sains lès Marquion

Starting at Écluse No 2 (Lock 2) on the edge of the village we followed Michel Gravel along the canal bank as he stopped and talked his way through the various stages of the attack carried out in late September 1918.

In 1918 the canal had not yet been completed so the section to the south of the lock was dry with a small section of the wall knocked out to form a track running across it. This wee track proved highly useful to the tanks involved in the assault.

The village formed a heavily defended position and the decision was taken to sweep past the village on both sides and then have the 14th Battalion cut back on themselves taking the village from the rear. Communicating with the artillery was always difficult and some of the higher authorities felt that trying to provide a rolling barage that was going forwards in one direction but coming backwards in another was asking for problems.

The two services though were confident that it could be done and having forced their way across the canal and through the German lines on the eastern side, the 14th Battalion paused a moment before part of it about faced and swept into the village.

The attack was not without casualties and many of those who fell are buried in the local British Cemetery which marks the point where the Canadians changed direction and entered the village.

Following this very informative promenade we were invited to attend the unveiling of a plaque presented by the RMR to the village. Music was provided by the Harmonie de Marquion and the speeches were led by M de Saint-Aubert for the village and M Julien Olivier the Maire of Marquion and Councillor for the Canton of which the village is a part.

A wee group of local children came forward and with a roll of the drum unveiled the plaque which details the taking of the village.

During the traditional vin d'honneur the Canadian party were kept busy signing copies of Michel's book whilst the villagers conversed at great length about the local cemetery, what the names meant, why did some of them have a sphinx and Egypt marked on them ? Many thought it was to do with Colonial Units and were surprised to find that in fact it was to do with battles against Napoleon during his Egyptian campaign.

The display on Private James Young

One of the graves in the cemetery is that of Private Jim Young of the 7th Bn CEF (1st British Columbia Regiment). They were some of the follow through troops that day on their way towards Bourlon Wood. As most of his fallen comrades are buried near Bourlon it would appear that he had been killed at the very start of the battle. His great nephew Jim Vallance was present and it was felt that this added a personal aspect to the day.

As our host remarked: it is easy to become blasé about the cemetery. It was something that the villagers passed every day without really giving it much attention. But once you met the relatives of your liberators the graves took on a human perspective.

Sains lès Marquion British Cemetery

Next it was the turn of the Michel's party to be surprised - by the number of shells still being gathered up around the area. Whilst the number has diminished over the years there was still a good sized pile waiting to be collected.

During the meal which followed, Colonel Robinson and RSM Furholter presented the village with a regimental flag and plaque expressing the desire that they should be displayed appropriately at village events.

In his short reply M de Saint-Aubert assured the Regiment that the flag would be flown and that their sacrifice of ninety years ago would be remembered by the community.

Click on the thumbnail, it may take a moment for the photo to load

---