St. Charles De Percy War Cemetery
- Country France
- Total identified casualties 707 Find these casualties
- Region Calvados
- Identified casualties from Second World War
- GPS Coordinates Latitude: 48.92763, Longitude: -0.80225
Location information
St. Charles de Percy is a village 44 kilometres south-west of Caen. Take the N175 south-westwards from Villers Bocage; after 5 kilometres take the left fork, the D577, towards Vire. After 15 kilometres, go through the little hamlet of La Ferroniere; turn left onto the D56 and right again after a few hundred metres. The War Cemetery will then be found on the left hand side.
Visiting information
ARRIVAL
The route to the cemetery is signposted.
PARKING
It is possible to park in a parking area off the main road, approximately 25 metres from the main entrance at the service entrance to the cemetery. There is space for up to three vehicles.
The ground is firm and flat and consists of tarmac surface topped with loose gravel.
ACCESS, LAYOUT AND MAIN ENTRANCE
A kerb, approximately 250 mm high, separates the road from the grassed area un front of the entrance. A flagstone path leads from the parking area across grass to the cemetery entrance; a combination of paving stones alternating with grass.
The main entrance has a walled alcove and archway built in a semi-circle with a stone shelter attached at either side. The main gate is in the centre. There is a step up from the pathway to the entrance gate leading into the rectangular-shaped cemetery.
The main gate is blue, metal and of medium height, approximately 1 metre tall. The width of the entire gate is over 5 metres, with the central section a double gate approximately 1.50 metres wide. The double gate opens inwards by lifting a latch. There is a step down from the entrance building into the cemetery.
The Cross of Sacrifice is in the centre of the cemetery.
The internal paths are grass, the ground is flat.
The Register Box is at located inside the left-hand shelter building. Both shelters have timber benches inside.
There are seating areas located in the cemetery opposite the Cross of Sacrifice.
ALTERNATIVE ACCESS
There is a entrance close to a green service building on the right-hand side of the cemetery.
The service entrance is adjacent to the parking area. A double gate is 1.50 metres wide and is opened by sliding a latch mid-height on the gate, which is approximately 1.5 m tall, opening inwards into the cemetery. The ground is grass and compacted earth.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The cemetery is permanently open.
History information
The Allied offensive in north-western Europe began with the Normandy landings of 6 June 1944.
St Charles de Percy War Cemetery is the southernmost of the Normandy cemeteries. The majority of those buried here died in late July and early August 1944 in the major thrust made from Caumont l'Evente towards Vire, to drive a wedge between the German 7th Army and Panzer Group West.
The cemetery contains 809 Second World War burials.