Vaulx Hill Cemetery

Description

The cemetery began with only seventeen graves in September 1918, and this part is now plot I, rows a and b. The rest of the cemetery was constructed after the Armistice when graves from other cemeteries and from the battlefields in the immediate vicinity were transferred.

The cemetery lies along the road on an elevated plateau. It is open toward the road and is further surrounded by a natural stone wall and large yews. Originally there was a double row of yew trees between the entrance and the War Stone. The ground ascends slightly, which is evident by the jumps in the wall. The entrance is formed by a landing and a stairway that have been cut out of the plateau. The graves have been laid out regularly and all of them are oriented toward the east and divided into three sections with 10, 8 and 10 rows respectively. The main axis with the War Stone and the Cross of Sacrifice lies in the middle of the cemetery, at right angles to the length. The War Stone is situated on the east side, in accordance with Lutyens’ principles.

Two almost identical buildings are situated right at the back of the cemetery. The one on the right is a shelter and the one on the left is a toolhouse. The buildings resemble rural garden houses. The style is not common for cemeteries by Lutyens. There is a kinship with the shelter at Ramscappelle Road Cemetery. However, the roof with the large overhang that is supported by concrete beams is most unusual.

The heavy natural stone detailing and the large dark yews give the cemetery a more somber character than most other cemeteries. (Geurst, 2010, p.422)

Bibliography

Geurst, J. (2010) Cemeteries of the Great War by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Rotterdam: 010 Publishers.

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Listing Reference

Client

Imperial War Graves Commission