A 1917 German bunker. Now situated in the middle of a modern housing estate (Rue des Canadiens 2). Just a stones-throw from the famous chemical works in Roeux (now a shop and parking lot). This area was the scene of gruesome fighting at the end of April 1917, not in the least by soldiers of the Suffolks during the greater Battle of Arras (2nd Battle of the Scarpe).

The property is situated 200 metres to the North West of where the Chateau Lesage once stood. The large German bunker built in 1917 has been incorporated into a neighbour’s garden nearby. The digging of the foundation of a new wall revealed evidence of the areas’ turbulent past. 

The house was built dead centre to the 11th Suffolk line of attack – “near the chemical works”. Shortly after starting the work they came across the remains of a British soldier. The body was in a contorted position and there were a number of artefacts in the immediate vicinity. These included a British helmet, a ‘Cambs Suffolks’ shoulder badge and a spoon on which the number ‘7203’ had been scratched. Also a pocket watch was found that still showed the time at 4:45am. Given the attack started at 4:25am the soldier had faced the danger of enemy fire for 20 minutes before he was killed.