Bayeux War Cemetery
| Bayeux War Cemetery | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Year established: | 1944 |
| Country: | France |
| Location: | Bayeux, Calvados |
| Coordinates: | |
| Type: | Public |
| Owned by: | Commonwealth War Graves Commission |
| Number of gravesites: | 4,648 |
| Number of unknowns: | 1 |
| Website: | Bayeux War Cemetery |
The Bayeux War Cemetery is the largest Second World War cemetery of Commonwealth soldiers in France, located in Bayeux, Normandy.[1][2] The cemetery contains 4,648 burials, mostly of the Invasion of Normandy. Opposite this cemetery stands the Bayeux Memorial which commemorates more than 1,800 casualties of the Commonwealth forces who died in Normandy and have no known grave.[3]
The cemetery grounds were assigned to the United Kingdom in perpetuity by France in recognition of the sacrifices made by the British Empire in the defence and liberation of France during the war. In addition to the Commonwealth burials, there are 366 graves of German soldiers.
History
The CWGC is responsible for marking and maintaining the graves of those members of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars. Of the 18 Commonwealth cemeteries in Normandy containing 22,000 casualties of the invasion, Bayeux is largest. [3]
Although there was not a particular battle fought in Bayeux itself, casualties were brought to this cemetery from around the region. This includes field hospitals and soldiers who died on Sword Beach.
The Bayeux Memorial was erected in white stone facing the cemetery. The Latin epitaph along the frieze of the memorial is reference to William the Conqueror and the Invasion of England in 1066. The translation reads: “We, once conquered by William, have now set free the Conqueror’s native land.” On this memorial are engraved the names of the 1,808 men of the Commonwealth who died in the Battle of Normandy and who have no known grave.
Location
The cemetery is located in Bayeux, in the Calvados commune of France, on the Bayeux-Falaise road (D.6). It is located 24 kilometres north-west of Caen and 13 kilometres south of Arromanches-les-Bains. The cemetery can be accessed any time, and tours of the cemetery are available through companies offering tours of historic Invasion of Normandy locations in the area. The cemetery is easy to find, and plenty of parking is available.
"We Rest Here"
The following members of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals are buried here.
| Headstone | Service Number | Rank and Name | Grave Location |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
A67998 | LCpl J.C. Butcher | IV.A.17. |
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B132344 | Sigmn A. Crotin | IV.F.22. |
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Lt G. Hobson | IV. B. 18. | |
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B32729 | Sigmn J.A. Lawrie | IV. D. 3. |
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F66354 | Sigmn G.H. Matheson | IV. D. 1. |
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Lt D.M. Philp | IV. E. 5. | |
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G3983 | Sigmn B.A. Rickard | IV. B. 24. |
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B31816 | Sigmn H.M. Tree | IV. A. 18. |
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G224435 | Sigmn W. Watson | IV. B. 21. |
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B84573 | Sigmn R. Wiggins | IV. B. 22. |
The following members of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals are commemorated here.
| Engraved Name | Service Number | Rank and Name | Inscription Location |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Lt A. Beauregard | Panel 27 Column 3 | |
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M101928 | Sigmn R. Burkett | Panel 21, Column 2. |
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K66278 | LCpl W.L. Cole | Panel 21, Column 2. |
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M26514 | Sigmn H.K. Farrell | Panel 21, Column 2. |
 |
L27470 | Cpl N.A. Hauk | Panel 21, Column 2. |
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C36071 | Sigmn S.P. Larocque | Panel 21, Column 2. |
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M10152 | Cpl J.N. McDonald | Panel 21, Column 2. |
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B62750 | Cpl M.H. Mitchell | Panel 21, Column 2. |
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F26415 | LCpl E.A. Peters | Panel 21, Column 2. |