Arneke British Cemetery

• Country France
• Total identified casualties 443 Find these casualties
• Region Nord
• Identified casualties from First & Second World War
• GPS Coordinates Latitude: 50.84445, Longitude: 2.40173

Location information

The village of Arneke is approximately 50 Kms south-east of Calais and about 8 Kms north-west of the town of Cassel. Leave the village of Arneke on the D11 heading north. After 1.3 Kms turn right at the crossroads. The Cemetery is 500 metres on the right hand side.

Visiting information

ARRIVAL

The cemetery is signposted.

PARKING

It is possible to park in a layby area to the left of the main entrance.

There is space for up to 3 vehicles. The distance from the parking to the main entrance is approximately 10 metres. The ground is a combination of tarmac and compacted gravel.

ACCESS LAYOUT AND MAIN ENTRANCE

There are 2 wooden gates at the main entrance. Each gate is 90 centimetres wide, with a latch in the top right corner for the left gate and the top left corner for the right gate. Both gates open into the cemetery.

The entrance gate on the left has a 10 centimetre step up into the cemetery; the entrance on the right is ramped up to the cemetery (step-free).

The Cross of Sacrifice is in the centre of the cemetery, in line with the main entrance.

There is a stone bench seating area inside the cemetery, between the two entrance gates.

The Register Box is built into the wall at the main entrance above the stone bench.

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

The cemetery was begun by the 13th Casualty Clearing Station which moved to Arneke from the Proven area in October 1917. It was joined by the 10th and 44th Clearing Stations in April 1918. The cemetery was used by these hospitals until the end of May, and again from July to September 1918 by the 62nd (1/2nd London) Clearing Station. In November it was used for a short time by the 4th and 10th Stationary Hospitals. A few French soldiers were buried from clearing stations in April 1918 and French units buried in Plots IV and V at the north-west end of the cemetery, mainly in May and June 1918.

Arneke British Cemetery contains 435 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and five from the Second World War. There are also 126 French and five German war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.