Sainte Marie Cemetery

​​Le Havre was a key port facility during the First World War for the deployment of soldiers and supplies. It would also be crucial in the casualty evacuation process. Most of the burials within the cemetery reflect this, with 1,690 identified and 8 unidentified burials. During the Second World War, the port would once again be used by the Allies. In 1940, during the fall of France, men of the 51st Highland Division retreated to the area of St Valery and Le Havre for evacuation. Thousands were captured during this period, with men being killed or dying of wounds in this area, where they were then buried. 

​For the 51st Highland Division, this area lived long in the memory. In September 1944, they would return to liberate St Valery and Le Havre. They would suffer more casualties, who are buried in the plots of this cemetery. 

​In total, there are 364 identified burials with a further 59 unidentified. They are within the cemetery divisions of 64 and 67. Casualties range from 1940, and many RAF air crews of the period following this were killed on operations. ​There is a small number of D-Day 6 June 1944 casualties buried within here. This includes two glider pilots and men of the 12th Devonshire Regiment. They were glider-borne infantry of the 6th Airlanding Brigade. Several burials from 10-12 September 1944 are from the liberation of Le Havre. The final location in the region of Normandy to be liberated. 

​These plots are cared for and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.​