CROISILLES RAILWAY CEMETERY
Pas De Calais
France
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.19325, Longitude: 2.88997
Location Information
Croisilles is a village about 13 kilometres south-east of Arras. Croisilles Railway Cemetery lies south-east of the village on a track, approximately 2 kilometres long, leading from the junction of Rue du Moulin and Rue de la Gare. It is signposted from the road to St-Léger (D9).
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemetery with some difficulty.
Historical Information
The 7th Division attacked Croisilles in March 1917 and took it on 2 April. It was lost on 21 March 1918 and recaptured by the 56th (London) Division on the following 28 August, after heavy fighting.
The Railway Cemetery was begun by the 21st Manchesters at the beginning of April 1917 and used by units of various divisions until January 1918. The cemetery was also used by the Germans in March 1918 and one further Commonwealth burial was made in September 1918.
The cemetery now contains 181 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. 26 of the burials are unidentified but there is a special memorial to one casualty known to be buried among them. There are also 26 German burials in the cemetery.
Total Burials: 207.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 155, Germany 18. Total 173.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 26, Germany 8. Total 34.
Croisilles Railway Cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.
A scene of destruction in Croisilles, 25 May 1917. © IWM (Q 2254)
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
Lieutenant
Richard Donaldson, M. C.
Anson Bn. attd. 188th T.M. Bty. R.N. Div.
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
5th September 1918, aged 25.
Plot II. B. 1.
Student (Arts and Science), Glasgow University, 1910-1914. Son of Richard and Margaret Frew Donaldson, of 20, Jardine St., Glasgow.
Richard Donaldson, M. C.
Anson Bn. attd. 188th T.M. Bty. R.N. Div.
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
5th September 1918, aged 25.
Plot II. B. 1.
Student (Arts and Science), Glasgow University, 1910-1914. Son of Richard and Margaret Frew Donaldson, of 20, Jardine St., Glasgow.
Second Lieutenant
Charles Francis Xavier Ennis
1st Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers
20th November 1917
Plot I. C. 5.
Charles Francis Xavier Ennis
1st Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers
20th November 1917
Plot I. C. 5.
4418 Private
Joseph McKay
6th Bn. Connaught Rangers
20th November 1917.
Plot I. C. 15.
Joseph McKay
6th Bn. Connaught Rangers
20th November 1917.
Plot I. C. 15.
37802 Lance Corporal
James Palfreyman
21st Bn. Manchester Regiment
29th June 1917, aged 36.
Plot I. A. 24.
Son of Mrs. Ellen Pimblott; husband of Clara Palfreyman, of 133, Philips Park Rd., Beswick, Manchester.
His headstone bears the inscription: "In Jesu's Keeping, Wife & Children. Till We Meet Again, Mother."
Picture courtesy of grandson, Neill Palfreyman
James Palfreyman
21st Bn. Manchester Regiment
29th June 1917, aged 36.
Plot I. A. 24.
Son of Mrs. Ellen Pimblott; husband of Clara Palfreyman, of 133, Philips Park Rd., Beswick, Manchester.
His headstone bears the inscription: "In Jesu's Keeping, Wife & Children. Till We Meet Again, Mother."
Picture courtesy of grandson, Neill Palfreyman
73687 Private
Henry Plant
19th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
15th December 1917, aged 19.
Plot I. E. 16.
Son of Mr & Mrs Plant, 7 Haydock Street, Burnley, Lancashire.
Henry Plant
19th Bn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers
15th December 1917, aged 19.
Plot I. E. 16.
Son of Mr & Mrs Plant, 7 Haydock Street, Burnley, Lancashire.
116513 Gunner
James Rawlinson
105th Bty. 22nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery
8th April 1917, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 9.
Son of James and Elizabeth Alice Rawlinson.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Peace Perfect Peace."
James Rawlinson
105th Bty. 22nd Bde. Royal Field Artillery
8th April 1917, aged 21.
Plot I. B. 9.
Son of James and Elizabeth Alice Rawlinson.
His headstone bears the inscription: "Peace Perfect Peace."
40602 Lance Corporal
Joseph Whittaker
21st Bn. Manchester Regiment
24th June 1917, aged 20.
Plot I. A.22.
Son of Mr. W. H. and Bertha Whittaker, of 79, King Edward St., Macclesfield.
His headstone bears the inscription: "He Never Failed To Do His Best May God Grant Him Eternal Rest."
Joseph Whittaker
21st Bn. Manchester Regiment
24th June 1917, aged 20.
Plot I. A.22.
Son of Mr. W. H. and Bertha Whittaker, of 79, King Edward St., Macclesfield.
His headstone bears the inscription: "He Never Failed To Do His Best May God Grant Him Eternal Rest."
Battle of Albert. British troops, blinded by gas, assisting each other to the dressing station at Croisilles, 21 August 1918. © IWM (Q 7293)
Men of the 15th Battalion, The Royal Scots, man a Lewis gun in a trench near Croisilles, 4 January 1918. © IWM Q 10609
Men of the 15th Battalion, The Royal Scots, eating dinner in a trench near Croisilles, 4 January, 1918. © IWM Q 10607
The Railway Reserve (South), Croisilles Front, October 1917. © IWM Q 55168
The Railway Reserve (North), Croisilles Front, November 1917. © IWM Q 55169
1961 - ©CWGC
1961 - ©CWGC
