Givenchy-En-Gohelle Canadian Cemetery, Souchez
- Country France
- Total identified casualties 127 Find these casualties
- Region Pas de Calais
- Identified casualties from First World War
- GPS Coordinates Latitude: 50.3842, Longitude: 2.75867
PLEASE NOTE
The road from the village is in very bad condition. It has many ruts which are a risk for cars. It is better to park at the end of the rue du 19 mars 1962.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
Location information
The Canadian Cemetery stands on the western slopes of Vimy Ridge above the village of Souchez. The Cemetery is best reached by car or by foot from the village of Souchez, which is situated on the D937 Arras-Bethune road. Starting from the village square, the cemetery is signposted by CWGC directional signs and is approximately 3 kilometres outside of the village.
Visiting information
ARRIVAL
The cemetery is remote; approximately 850 metres from the junction of rue de Givenchy and Rue du 19 Mars 1962. The cemetery is enclosed within a stone wall.
There is a CWGC Cemetery Direction sign at the junction of the two roads, indicating the track leading to the cemetery. The single lane track is uneven and steep in places and may be difficult to turn a vehicle around.
PARKING
There is a single vehicle width earth and stone track leading to the main entrance and along the front of the cemetery.
ACCESS LAYOUT AND MAIN ENTRANCE
The main gate is in the left-hand corner of the cemetery, next to the Cross of Sacrifice, located on a raised plinth built into the wall.
The gate is a mid-level, thigh height, black metal gate. The gate is 80 centimetres wide, has a top left side twist ring handle. The gate opens into the cemetery. There is stone paving in front of the gate and inside the cemetery. The paving is level with the track outside the cemetery and the grass inside.
The Register Box is inside the cemetery entrance and built into the wall below the Cross of Sacrifice.
There are stone bench seating areas against the internal walls on both sides of 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
Givenchy-en-Gohelle was taken by the 2nd Canadian Division on the 13th April 1917 and remained in British hands during the rest of the War.
The Canadian Cemetery was begun by the Canadian Corps, under the name of C.D. 20, in March, 1917, and used until May; two further graves were added in March, 1918.
There are now over 150, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly one-fifth are unidentified and special memorials are erected to 15 Canadian soldiers believed to be buried among them.
The cemetery covers an area of 308 square metres and is enclosed by a low rubble wall.