Jonchery-sur-Vesle British Cemetery

Description

The cemetery was constructed entirely after the Armistice. It is one of the five cemeteries that were elaborated by assistant architect Truelove in the Champagne region. The materialization is in line with the local building tradition with honey-coloured limestone. The shelter displays great similarity to the building at Chambrecy British Cemetery.

On the east side, in front of the field with graves, an elevated plateau has been realized. The entrance axis runs from the entrance to the Cross of Sacrifice in the middle and on to the shelter with a storage space. It is notable that the Cross of Sacrifice is not situated in the middle, in front of the graves, but halfway between the entrance and the shelter. In front of the Cross of Sacrifice, two rows with graves have been omitted.

Another remarkable feature is the stone strip that connects the entrance to the Cross and the shelter and continues on to a plateau outside the cemetery. The octagonal basement of the Cross of Sacrifice is incorporated in a rectangle of bands and four plant beds. This surface is linked to the edge of the plateau, which lies a little higher than the field with graves. The entrance has been incorporated into a natural stone wall that surrounds the cemetery and, curving inward, is slightly raised at the entrance. The gateway is exceptional finely detailed. A large tree adjoins the entrance. (Geurst, 2010, p.334)

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