Location

Ors is a village 6 kilometres east of Le Cateau. The Cemetery is 3 kilometres north-east of the church in the corner of a meadow.

You should be advised that access to this Cemetery is difficult and vehicle access is not possible. The location of this site makes wheelchair access impossible. There are 2 fields and 3 gates to negotiate before entering the cemetery. Cross the fields and go through 2 of the gates. The third gate leads out of the field to the cemetery entrance. It should also be noted that the farmer has on occasions been known to lock the gates, for example when a bull is present in the fields !

The Poet Wilfred Owen is buried in the Communal Cemetery

Ors Communal Cemetery

Historical Information

Ors was in German hands for much of the First World War but was cleared by the 6th Division on 1 November 1918. Ors British Cemetery was begun in November 1918.

It was enlarged after the Armistice when graves were brough in from Chateau Seydoux British Cemetery, Le Cateau, Flaumont Churchyard, Jenlain Churhcyard and St. Python Communal Cemetery.

The cemetery contains 107 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, six of which are unidentified.

A number of the Highland Light Infantry and Royal Engineers graves are due to the crossing of the canal near the cemetery on 4 November 1918.

Lieutenant Ralph Hardy
5th Bn attached 16th Bn Highland Light Infantry

Died on 04 November 1918 aged 24

Son of Caleb and Grace Hardy.
Born at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Chartered Accountant, apprentice to Messrs. Barstow & Millar, C.A., Edinburgh.

Grave: B 14

2nd Lieutenant Eric Lyon
1st/3rd Bn Duke of Wellington's Regiment
Attached 15th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers

Died on 04 November 1918 aged 22

Son of Ralph and Jennie Lyon, of Carr Lane, Acomb, York.

Grave: C 29

Private Reginald Chilcott 13604 1st Regiment South African Infantry Died on 17 October 1918 aged 28 Grave: A 6

Private H Van de Venter 15797 1st Regiment South African Infantry Died on 17 October 1918 Grave: A 7