The Bayeux War Cemetery stands on the outskirts of the famous town and is the last resting place of over 4,100 Commonwealth servicemen.
Many of those buried here died in medical facilities nearby while others were killed in other parts of Normandy and later buried here by the Graves Concentration Unit which was based in Bayeux following its liberation in June 1944.
Some of the graves belong to soldiers, sailors, and airmen who could not be identified and rest with headstones simply stating, ‘Known unto God’.
Among those resting here are over 500 servicemen of other nations, including Germany, while the nearby Bayeux Memorial wall remembers around 1,800 personnel who lost their lives during the battle for Normandy between June and August 1944 and have no known grave.
Behind them is a memorial park to the photographers and journalists who lost their lives during conflict, and include a stone marking the passing of Robert Capa who black and white D-Day images are legendary.
The Cemetery was completed in 1952 and is maintained to the highest standards you’d expect by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
While all those who lie here are heroes, the CWGC highlights the exploits of Londoner Sidney Bates, who landed on nearby Sword Beach on D-Day. On August 6 he singlehandedly charged advancing tanks and soldiers of the 1oth SS Panzer Division and despite being badly wounded managed to push back the enemy. Sidney died of his wounds two days later. For his courage he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest level of medal for bravery.