St Symphorien Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery
Encyclopedia
The St Symphorien military cemetery is a First World War burial ground 2 km east of Mons
in the Belgian
province of Hainaut. It was created and maintained by the German army from August 1914 until November 1918, when it passed into Allied hands, and it contains the graves of 229 Commonwealth servicemen and 284 German soldiers. The cemetery is overlooked by a "granite obelisk some seven metres high", commemorating the dead from both sides in the Battle of Mons
(August 1914) as well as a Commonwealth Cross of Sacrifice
. There is an additional German monument to the dead of the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
from the same battle. John Parr and George Lawrence Price
are buried here, traditionally believed to be the first and last Commonwealth soldiers killed in action during the First World War. St Symphorien also contains the grave of the first Iron Cross
recipient of World War I.
Mons
Mons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,...
in the Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
province of Hainaut. It was created and maintained by the German army from August 1914 until November 1918, when it passed into Allied hands, and it contains the graves of 229 Commonwealth servicemen and 284 German soldiers. The cemetery is overlooked by a "granite obelisk some seven metres high", commemorating the dead from both sides in the Battle of Mons
Battle of Mons
The Battle of Mons was the first major action of the British Expeditionary Force in the First World War. It was a subsidiary action of the Battle of the Frontiers, in which the Allies clashed with Germany on the French borders. At Mons, the British army attempted to hold the line of the...
(August 1914) as well as a Commonwealth Cross of Sacrifice
Cross of Sacrifice
The Cross of Sacrifice was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield for the Imperial War Graves Commission and is usually present in Commonwealth war cemeteries containing 40 or more graves. It is normally a freestanding four point limestone Latin cross in one of three sizes ranging in height from 18 to...
. There is an additional German monument to the dead of the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
Middlesex Regiment
The Middlesex Regiment was a regiment of the British Army. It was formed in 1881 as part of the Childers Reforms when the 57th and 77th Regiments of Foot were amalgamated with the county's militia and rifle volunteer units.On 31 December 1966 The Middlesex Regiment was amalgamated with three...
from the same battle. John Parr and George Lawrence Price
George Lawrence Price
Private George Lawrence Price was a Canadian soldier. He is traditionally recognized as the last soldier of the British Empire to be killed during the First World War....
are buried here, traditionally believed to be the first and last Commonwealth soldiers killed in action during the First World War. St Symphorien also contains the grave of the first Iron Cross
Iron Cross
The Iron Cross is a cross symbol typically in black with a white or silver outline that originated after 1219 when the Kingdom of Jerusalem granted the Teutonic Order the right to combine the Teutonic Black Cross placed above a silver Cross of Jerusalem....
recipient of World War I.