Mailly Wood Cemetery (French: cimetière de Mailly Wood) is a military cemetery with casualties from the First World War, located in the French village of Mailly-Maillet (Somme). It is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
| Mailly Wood Military Cemetery | |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth War Graves Commission | |
 Entrance with the Cross of Sacrifice on the far side of the enclosure | |
| Used for those deceased 1915-1918 | |
| Established | 1916 |
| Location | 50°04′29″N 2°35′57″E / 50.0748°N 2.5992°E |
| Designed by | Sir Reginald Blomfield |
| Burials by nation | |
| Burials by war | |
Design edit
It was designed by the British architect Reginald Blomfield.[1] The site covers an area of 2,099 m² and is surrounded by a brick wall covered by white capstones. There is a Cross of Sacrifice (a feature designed by Blomfield for cemeteries containing 40 or more graves). It stands centrally against the northwest wall. The Stone of Remembrance (designed by Lutyens) stands against the northeast wall.
Memorials edit
Most of the burials are of British soldiers. There are also New Zealanders and South Africans.[2] 60 of the burials are unidentified.
There is a Duhallow Block, a special memorial for those whose graves have been lost. It commemorates 6 soldiers whose graves were destroyed by shell fire.[1]
Distinguished soldiers edit
- One Victoria Cross recipient is buried in the cemetery: he is Harold John Colley who was killed in 1918. He was also awarded the Military Medal.[3]
Access edit
The cemetery is located in the fields 450 m southwest of the village church. It is reached by a track which can be difficult to pass in winter.[1]
Related site edit
About 1,250 m north of Mailly Wood is a smaller military cemetery known as Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension. This is adjacent to the village cemetery.[4]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Mailly Wood Cemetery". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
- ^ "Mailly Wood Cemetery". New Zealand History.
- ^ "Harold John Colley". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
- ^ "Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 29 December 2022.