Profile Image of Arras Guide

Arras War Memorial

The Arras Memorial is a World War I memorial, located in the Faubourg d’Amiens British Cemetery, in the western part of the city.

Arras_Memorial_facade

The memorial commemorates 34,785 soldiers of the forces of the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand, who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918.

Arras_Memorial_cemetery_1

Arras_Memorial_cemetery_15
The major battle in this area during this period was the Battle of Arras. The cut-off date of 7 August 1918 signifies the start of the advance to victory, and casualties after that date are listed on other memorials. Also not included here are the names of the missing dead among Canadian and Australian servicemen, who are instead listed at the Vimy Memorial and the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.

Arras_Memorial_cemetery_5

Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the memorial includes sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. Located in the same cemetery is the Arras Flying Services Memorial (commemorating 991 airmen with no known grave).

Arras_Memorial_cemetery_11

Both memorials were unveiled by Lord Trenchard on 31 July 1932. Lord Trenchard had served as the commander of Royal Flying Corps in France from 1915 to 1917. In 1918, he briefly served as the first Chief of the Air Staff before taking up command of the Independent Air Force in France. Also present at the unveiling ceremony was Richard Bell-Davies, British First World War fighter pilot and Royal Navy officer, and recipient of the Victoria Cross.

Arras_Memorial_cemetery_26

Arras_Memorial_cross

Arras_Memorial_cemetery_22

10 responses so far

10 Responses to “Arras War Memorial”

  1. […] More pictures of the Louvre-Lens museum Arras War Memorial […]

  2. […] For more information about this famous WWI memorial, click on this link :                                  http://arras-france.com/arras-war-memorial/ […]

  3. […] For more information about this famous WWI memorial, click on this link : http://arras-france.com/arras-war-memorial/ […]

  4. janis healyon 27 May 2014 at 12:37 am 4

    My ancestor Albert Tarry rests here dod 18/03/1918. Rip all.

  5. Shirley Brownon 27 Aug 2014 at 6:56 pm 5

    My Husbands uncle rests here. dod 24/4/17 May all who rest here Rip. Never to be
    Forgotten.

  6. Judith Royon 07 Oct 2014 at 2:20 am 6

    My Canadian Uncle who was a Padre with the British Troops is buried in the cemetery. One day I shall visit and pay my respects. Thanks to the French Government for this beautiful cemetery.

  7. Alan Knowsleyon 14 Jul 2015 at 9:07 pm 7

    I note that the New Zealand Memorial in Arras has been vandalised by theft of the bronze hat and pick from the memorial. Are there any plans to replace these and restore the memorial?

  8. Arras Guideon 18 Jul 2015 at 1:26 pm 8

    Hi Alan,

    I’m sure they are going to replace them soon. Unfortunately, there are more and more acts of vandalism in our War Memorials and it is such a shame.

  9. Nick Walkeron 02 Jun 2016 at 7:45 am 9

    My great uncle Joseph Long listed here. Died May 1917. Presuming died in battle of Arras. Knew nothing of him until his niece told me one day. Visited the memorial, a most moving experience. RIP Joseph – lost but now found.

  10. Brian Brownon 28 Oct 2016 at 1:16 pm 10

    My maternal grandfather fell at the battle of Arras on May 19th 1917 at the age of 29 and it is the intention of myself (from Waterford in Ireland) and my sons (from Bristol, London and Leamington Spa in the UK) to join together in paying our respects to Corporal Percy Freeland at his memorial on the hundredth anniversary of his death. We wish to thank all responsible for erecting and maintaining this cemetery.

BusinessSummaries.com