St. Pierre Cemetery, Amiens
There are 676 Commonwealth casualties buried from the First World War in the cemetery. 82 casualties are buried here from the Second World War.
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The first burials in this plot were interred in September 1915. The cemetery was used for burials until late in 1919.
The British Expeditionary Force made its Advanced Base in the city of Amiens when the British Expeditionary Force was deployed in August 1914. The German Army captured the city for a short time between 31st August to 13th September. It was retaken on 13th by the French Army. During the rest of the war there were British Casualty Clearing Stations and Stationary Hospitals based in the city.
- 56th (South Midland) Casualty Clearing Station (April to July 1916)
- New Zealand Stationary Hospital (July 1916 to May 1917)
- 42nd Stationary Hospital (October 1917 to March 1919)
- 41st Stationary Hospital (March 1918, December 1918, January 1919)
Second World War
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When the British Expeditionary Force was in France from September 1939 the city of Amiens was again used as a headquarters and base for the British force. Amiens was captured by the German Army on 18th May 1940. It remained under German occupation until 31st August 1944. The British Second Army recaptured the city on that day.
Operation Jericho
On 18th February 1944 a low-level Allied bombing raid was carried out by Mosquito and Hawker Typhoon aircraft to blow a hole in the wall of Amiens Prison. The intention was to facilitate more than 700 French Resistance and political prisoners being held there by the Germans to make an escape.
One of the aircraft which took part in the raid was shot down and the pilot and navigator were killed. They are both buried in St. Pierre Cemetery, a short distance from Amiens Prison. The prison is still a prison and is located on the D929 a few hundred metres south of this cemetery. They are:
- Group Captain Percy Charles Pickard, DSO & 2 Bars, DFC. Pilot, Royal Air Force, Aged 28. Grave reference: Plot 3, Row B, Grave 13.
- Flight Lieutenant John Alan Broadley, DSO, DFC, DFM. Navigator, Royal Air Force. Aged 23. Grave reference: Plot 3, Row A, Grave 11.
Cemetery Design
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The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwyn Lutyens.
Visitor Information
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The Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery is located in a plot at the far end of the civilian cemetery.
Opening Hours
The gate to the civilian cemetery is open for access at the following times.
- Winter (16 November to 14 March): open 08.00 to 17.00 hours daily.
- Summer (15 March to 15 November): open 08.00 to 18.30 hours daily.
Visitors are requested not to enter the cemetery grounds 15 minutes before the closing time.
Contact telephone number: +33 (0)3 22 97 13 00
Location of St. Pierre Cemetery
Latitude N 49° 54' 42 " ; Longitude E 2° 19' 40"
The cemetery is situated in the north-east of Amiens on the north side of the D929 main road to Albert.
Parking
There is public parking at the roadside for cars. Visitors should be careful when moving about by parked vehicles as this road is quite busy. There is a pedestrian crossing to access the cemetery if you have to park on the other side of the road.
Related Topics
Cemeteries and Memorials on the Somme Battlefields
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Cemeteries on the Somme Battlefields
Momuments and Memorials on the Somme Battlefields
Tourist Information for the Somme & Picardie
For information about visiting the city of Amiens and Picardie, see our page at:
Tourist Information for the Somme & Picardie
Acknowledgements
Commonwealth War Graves Commission