The Russian Legion Cemetery

In September 2006 members of 1914-21 visited the Russian Legion cemetery at St Hilaire-le-Grand, near Mourmelon-le-Grand in the Champagne Region of France. We paid our respects and placed some flowers at the memorial.

 

Left to Right: Ian, Stephen, Laura, Graham, Ian & Ros at the Russian Legion Memorial

The memorial was erected during the war by members of the 2nd Special Service Regiment in rememberance of their comrades.

"Children of France! When the enemy is vanquished and you are free to gather the flowers in the fields remember us your Russian friends and bring us flowers"

There are 915 Russian soldiers interred here, 426 in two ossuaries and 489 in individual graves.

The Russian Orthodox Chapel next to the Cemetery

We were a little underwhelmed by the condition of the cemetery, the grass needed cutting and was bare in patches and there were no flowers except at the memorial across the road. Sadly, compared to the immaculate Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemeteries it looked a little shabby.