Cimetière Chinois de Nolette

About

The CWGC Noyelles-sur-Mer Chinese Cemetery is located within the area of the French village of Noyelles-sur-Mer. It contains the graves of Chinese workers who were employed as labour by the British Army during the First World War. It is the largest Chinese cemetery in France and Europe. During the First World War, Noyelles sheltered an important British rear base which became the base camp for Chinese civilian labourers. These men were recruited by the British Army in 1916 as part of the Chinese Labour Corps to handle tasks behind the Allied Lines.They were in charge of difficult and dangerous tasks such as digging trenches, clearing the battlefields of ammunition and bodies, laundering, and providing medical care for the sick soldiers, in particular those with Spanish flu.In 1921, the British government decided to build the Chinese Cemetery in Noyelles-sur-Mer. This cemetery was constructed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission who continue to care for it today.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes