The Western Front Today - Caterpillar Valley Cemetery
Caterpillar Valley cemetery sits in an area seized by the 12th Royal Scots and 9th Scottish Rifles on 14 July 1916 as part of the 1916 Somme Offensive, the Longueval Ride. It remained in Allied hands until it was captured by the Germans during the great Spring 1918 offensive. It finally fell to the Allies on 28 August 1918 when it was retaken by the 38th (Welsh) Division.
A large cemetery it contains 5,197 U.K., 214 New Zealand, 98 Australian, 19 South African, 6 Canadian and 2 Newfoundland burials, most of which are unknown. The cemetery also contains 38 special memorials.
The left-hand wall of the cemetery comprises one of the New Zealand Memorial to the Missing panels. It lists 1,205 names.
Film Footage of Caterpillar Valley Cemetery
References:
Before Endeavours Fade, Rose E.B. Coombs, After the Battle 1994
Major & Mrs Holt's Battlefield Guide - Ypres Salient, Leo Cooper 2000
'Alleyman' was British slang for a German soldier.
- Did you know?
