Mont-Bernanchon British Cemetery, Gonnehem
- Country France
- Total identified casualties 168 Find these casualties
- Region Pas de Calais
- Identified casualties from First & Second World War
- GPS Coordinates Latitude: 50.57915, Longitude: 2.58493
PLEASE NOTE
Work on the south and west walls is planned for this year. The site as well as all the headstones stay accessible but work may be underway when you are visiting. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Location information
Mont-Bernanchon (also spelt as Mont-Bernenchon) is a village 8 kilometres north-north-west of Bethune. From Bethune follow the D937 road in the direction of Hazebrouck. About 6 kilometres along this road is the village of Mont Bernanchon. Just before you enter the village the Cemetery lies on the left hand side of the road, set back along a chemin d'access, approximately 100 metres from the roadside.
Visiting information
ARRIVAL
The cemetery is at the end of a grass path behind residential properties, at the junction of Route de Bethune (D937 ) and Rue de la Place (D184), Mont-Bernanchon.
The cemetery is signposted with a CWGC Cemetery direction sign pointing down the path towards the cemetery.
The cemetery is surrounded by a stone and brick wall.
PARKING
It is possible to park a single vehicle near the access track to the cemetery, at the side of the main road.
The ground is a combination of gravel and earth, with a drop kerb along the side of the road. The ground is not flat; the parking area is on a slope and care should be taken exiting vehicles, as the road is very busy.
ACCESS LAYOUT AND MAIN ENTRANCE
Access to the cemetery is at the end of a grass track that runs along the side of residential properties. The track is marked with A CWGC Cemetery direction sign.
The track is approximately 70 meters in length, and slopes slightly downwards across from the wall on right side to the agricultural field on the left side.
The main gate is a 1.20 metre wide, double width, black metal, thigh height (mid-level) gate with the opening latch on the top right-hand side. The left-hand side can be opened via a vertical handle at the bottom of the gate section. The gate opens into the cemetery. There is a metal gate-stop at the centre of the opening. There is paving from outside the entrance into the cemetery. The paving is level with the grass on either side of the entrance.
The Cross of Sacrifice is located at the rear of the cemetery, in line with the entrance gate.
There are seating areas with stone benches inside the cemetery on either side of the main entrance.
The Register Box is on the right-side wall of the main entrance, viewed from inside the cemetery.
All internal paths are grass, the ground is flat and firm.
ALTERNATIVE ACCESS
There is no alternative access into the cemetery.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The cemetery is permanently open.
History information
In April 1918, the German advance on the Lys was checked and stopped a little to the east of the village. The cemetery was begun by the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers in April 1918 and used by fighting units and the XIII Corps Burial Officer until August 1918.
Mont-Bernanchon saw fighting again during the Second World War. In late May 1940 units of the British Expeditionary Force fought a fierce and stubborn rearguard action in defence of the canal banks (the Aire-La Bassee canal is just north of the village) in order to hold up the German advance and aid the withdrawal to Dunkirk for evacuation.
Mont-Bernanchon British Cemetery contains 166 First World War burials and two from the Second World War.
The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.