ST. PIERRE JEWISH CEMETERY
Marseilles
Bouches-du-Rhone
France
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 43.28696, Longitude: 5.413
Image above © Johan Pauwels
Location Information
Marseilles is the major town of the Department of Bouches-du-Rhone, and St Pierre Jewish Cemetery is approximately 3.5 kilometres from Vieux Port north-eastwards. (It is advisable to obtain a current map of the town and port). The cemetery lies within the larger St Pierre Communal Cemetery and access to the Jewish section is is via an entrance off the road "Chemin de l'Armée d'Afrique". Visitors should contact the caretaker "Concierge" at the main entrance off Rue Saint Pierre to seek assistance in finding the grave. There is no standard war pattern headstone only a small white marble plaque affixed to the base of a vertical wall located to the rear of Caveau 17.
Updated Information provided by Johan Pauwels (Summer 2025)
I visited St. Pierre Jewish Cemetery in Marseilles three times on my visit in 2025. On my first visit the caretaker
didn't know where the grave or panel was located. The second time a worker was also unaware of where the plaque was but he did know that there had been alterations to the cemetery. On my final visit the caretaker rang the local Rabbi who explained that the panels and graves from before 1920 were no longer legible and could no longer be identified and so therefore were removed. The panels that were still legible have been replaced with new panels containing the names arranged by year. The name of the English soldier doesn't appear on this one. He also told me that the archives from before 1920 had all been destroyed, and therefore all traces were lost.
Received response from the CWGC on 24th October 2025
I am afraid that unbeknownst to us, the panel was removed a few years ago during renovation; however, Private Simcovitch's name does appear on a new panel, but unfortunately, it is very difficult to find, and I am so sorry that the cemetery staff were unable to show you its location.
The Horticulture Manager has met with the Rabbi to arrange for a new stone to be put on the wall with his name on, and we are hoping that this will be done soon.
Visiting Information
The cemetery is closed on Fridays.
Images in gallery below © Johan Pauwels
J/5694 Private
Myer Simcovitch (served as Harry Wise)
40th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
22nd August 1918, aged 19.
Son of Mrs. Simcovitch, of 88, Waterloo Rd., Cheetham, Manchester.
Myer Simcovitch (served as Harry Wise)
40th Bn. Royal Fusiliers
22nd August 1918, aged 19.
Son of Mrs. Simcovitch, of 88, Waterloo Rd., Cheetham, Manchester.
