LAVENTIE MILITARY CEMETERY

La Gorgue

Nord

France

General Directions: Laventie and La Gorgue are adjoining towns. Laventie Military Cemetery is on the north-east outskirts of Laventie. From Laventie, head north out of the town on the D166. Approximately 1 kilometre along this road turn right at the first junction and follow the small road for 400 metres. The Cemetery is on the right hand side. 

The towns of Laventie and La Gorgue fell into German hands in the Battles of the Lys in April, 1918, and they were retaken by British troops early in the following September. Laventie Military Cemetery was begun (in Plot II) in the latter half of June, 1916, by the 61st (South Midland) Division (whose graves are associated particularly with the Attack at Fromelles, 19th July, 1916), and carried on by other Divisions holding this front; in June, 1917-April, 1918, the Portuguese Corps buried in it. It was used again in September, 1918; and after the Armistice British, Indian and Chinese graves were brought in from other cemeteries and from the neighbouring battlefields, as well as a number of Portuguese. All the 176 Portuguese graves have, however, been removed to Richebourg-l'Avoue Portuguese National Cemetery.

Of the burial grounds from which graves were removed to Laventie Military Cemetery: Englos Churchyard contained a United Kingdom grave of October, 1918. Haubourdin Communal Cemetery contained 11 United Kingdom graves of 1914. Laventie (Rue Du  Patronnage) German Cemetery contained the graves of a number of Portuguese soldiers buried by the enemy in 1918. Lestrem Communal Cemetery contained the graves of four British officers of the Indian Army and two United Kingdom soldiers. Roubaix Communal Cemetery (Place Chaptal) contained 13 United Kingdom graves and one Australian, nine of which were originally in Roubaix (Rue Joffroy) German Cemetery, between Roubaix and Lannoy. Tressin Churchyard contained one Australian Flying Corps grave of October, 1918, and one United Kingdom grave of November, 1918. 

Casualty Details: UK 468, Australia 5, India 71, Germany 3, Total Burials: 546

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