Moeuvres Communal Cemetery Extension

Description

The extension of the municipal cemetery was begun by German troops and later continued by the British. After the Armistice, graves were transferred from various battlefields.

The cemetery has its own entrance. To the left of the entrance there is the part with 93 original German graves in a mass grave. The layout is further straightforward, with an entrance area, a small gateway building, an entrance axis oriented toward the Cross and a second axis oriented toward the War Stone on the east side. The graves have been placed facing the east.

The frontal area is a consequence of the convex and concave staggering of the wall around the cemetery, and it accommodates the slanting line of the road, similar to the situation at Brown’s Copse Cemetery. The gateway building of grey-brown and white natural stone has a natural stone roof and combines the motifs of the temple and the arch of triumph. A similar building occurs at a cemetery by the architects Holden and Cowlishaw: Savy British Cemetery, and the building was applied in brick at several cemeteries, such Monchy British Cemetery. The difference in height with the road is accommodated by two steps between plant beds. There are several large trees adjoining the gateway building, and on the west side. (Geurst, 2010, p.365)

Bibliography

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

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Listing Grade

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Listing Reference

Client

Imperial War Graves Commission