Historical Information (Source: CWGC)

The cemetery was begun by the 51st (Highland) Division when Commonwealth forces took over the Arras front in March 1916 and it retained its association with that division until the summer of 1918. Almost half of the graves are those of Highland territorials and many of those remaining are of London territorials who were at Maroeuil from July to December 1916. The cemetery also contains the graves of 25 officers and men of tunnelling companies of the Royal Engineers who died in mine explosions. The cemetery was protected from observation by the crest of the hill behind it and whenever possible, bodies were brought back to it from the front line by tramway.

Maroeuil British Cemetery contains 563 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 11 German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

GEORGE HENRY WATERS (1890-1916)

158540 Sapper George Henry Waters, 256th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers was killed in action 14 September 1916. He was 26 years old and is commemorated on the Copley War Memorial and the memorial plaque in St. John the Evangelist Church, Lynesack. Photo George Waters on the right.

One of the most moving scenes in Roger Waters The Wall finds the former Pink Floyd singer visiting the grave of his grandfather, George Henry Waters, who died while fighting in France during World War I. A clip of the scene shows Waters reading the headstone then cuts back to reveal the singer standing with his children, looking down at the grave. “It’s been an ambition of mine to come here with you three,” he says. “Two great-grandsons, a great-granddaughter and a grandson.” Daughter India Waters kneels and places flower petals on the soil.