Dominion Cemetery, Hendecourt-les-Cagnicourt

Historical Information (Source: CWGC)

Hendecourt-les-Cagnicourt was captured by the 57th (West Lancashire) and 52nd (Lowland) Division on the night of the 1st-2nd September, 1918. Dominion Cemetery was made by Canadian units in September, 1918, after the storming by the Canadian Corps of the Drocourt-Queant Line; IMPERIAL CEMETERY, to the West of the village, has now been removed to H.A.C. Cemetery, Ecoust-St. Mein. The grave of one Canadian airman was brought in after the Armistice from an isolated position some kilometres to the East.

There are now over 200, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified and a special memorial is erected to a Canadian soldier believed to be buried among them. The cemetery covers an area of 818 square metres and is enclosed by a flint and rubble wall.

 

Served with

  • Canadian (211)
  • United Kingdom (16)

Served in

  • Army (227)
Dominion Cemetery
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VICTORIA CROSS

Sergeant Arthur George KNIGHT - 426402 - 10th Bn. Canadian Infantry

Died 03 September 1918

Country of Service: Canadian

Awards: Victoria Cross

Knight Service File 5223 05
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Knight London Gazette
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Citation

An extract from the "London Gazette," No. 31012, dated 12th Nov., 1918, records the following :- "For most conspicuous bravery, initiative, and devotion to duty when, after an unsuccessful attack, Serjt. Knight led a bombing section forward, under very heavy fire of all descriptions, and engaged the enemy at close quarters. Seeing that his party continued to be held up, he dashed forward alone, bayoneting several of the enemy machine-gunners and trench-mortar crews, and forcing the remainder to retire in confusion. He then brought forward a Lewis gun and directed his fire on the retreating enemy, inflicting many casualties. In the subsequent advance of his platoon in pursuit, Serjt. Knight saw a party of about thirty of the enemy go into a deep tunnel which led off the trench. He again dashed forward alone, and, having killed one officer and two N.C.O.s., captured twenty other ranks. Subsequently he routed, single-handed, another enemy party which was opposing the advance of his platoon. On each occasion he displayed the greatest valour under fire at very close range, and by his example of courage, gallantry and initiative was a wonderful inspiration to all. This very gallant N.C.O. was subsequently fatally wounded." 

Grave Reference: I. F. 15.

(Source: Wikipedia)