SOUPIR CHURCHYARD

UK - 36
UNIDENTIFIED - 6

HISTORY

The village was cleared by the Brigade of Guards on the 14th September 1914, and on the same day, and for some days later, heavy fighting took place at the Farm of La Cour de Soupir, near the head of the valley North-West of the village. Dressing Stations were established at Soupir Chateau and at the Farm. The village was in German hands again between the 2nd-6th November 1914, and it was during the greater part of the War very close to the front line. Soupir French National Cemetery, close to the Chateau, was begun during the War. It contains the graves of nearly 5,700 French and over 11,000 German soldiers; and Soupir Italian Cemetery contains 586 graves. Soupir Churchyard, which was classified as an historical monument by the French Government in the 1920s, contains on the South side the graves of 36 soldiers from the United Kingdom who fell in September and October 1914, and of whom six are unidentified. Two of these graves, destroyed by shell-fire, are now represented by special Memorials. 

LOCATION

Soupir is a village and commune in the Department of Aisne, Northern France, situated on the northern side of the D925 road from Soissons to Guignicourt, approximately 20 kilometres east of Soissons. Take the D967 from Laon towards Fismes and after passing the "1st Loyal North Lancs Memorial" at Cerny-en-Laonnois (17 kilometres), and after a further 1.5 kilometres, the Vendresse British Cemetery is on your right followed by the village of Vendresse-Beaulne. Turn right after entering the village along the 'Rue de Beaulne' (D88). Follow this road for 6.5 kilometres until you reach the village of Soupir. The churchyard is behind the church which is on the left side of the main road.