Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension Explained

Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension
Body:Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Coordinates:50.0861°N 2.5963°W
By Country:Allied Powers
By War:World War I

Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension is a military cemetery with casualties from the First World War, located in the French village of Mailly-Maillet (Somme).It was constructed as an annex to the existing village cemetery from which it is separated by a hedge.

The Extension contains 126 First World War burials,[1] mainly British, but there are 3 New Zealanders and 1 Canadian.There are 2 men who in 1916 were shot at dawn for desertion.

History

The Extension was originally built in June 1915 by French units. However, the French were relieved by Commonwealth units the same year. The Extension then took on a Commonwealth character. The graves of 51 French and 2 German prisoners of war were transferred to other cemeteries.[2]

Design

It was given its present form after the conflict by the British architect W C Von Berg.There is a Cross of Sacrifice (a feature designed for cemeteries containing 40 or more graves).

See also

There is another military cemetery in the village, Mailly Wood.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Commission . Commonwealth . Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension . 13 November 2023 . Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
  2. Web site: Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension .