The 2nd South Lancashires and the 1st Wiltshires (rearguard units of the 7th Brigade, 3rd Division) were attacked at Solesmes on the evening of 25 August 1914, as the British Expeditionary Force retreated from Mons. On 19-21 October 1918, the 62nd (West Riding) Division, followed by the 61st (South Midland) Division, captured and cleared the town after severe fighting in the streets. Solesmes British Cemetery was begun by the 4th and 34th Casualty Clearing Stations in November 1918 and used by them until March 1919.  The cemetery contains 138 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, and two war graves of other nationalties.  The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.