Alresford’s Napoleonic Graves

The existence of French detainees in Alresford was not isolated to the Napoleonic Wars; throughout the 18th century Britain remained in dispute with France. Even practically 50 years before the Napoleonic Wars, there were 300 French detainees of war living in Alresford. Over 200,000 prisoners of battle were offered Britain between 1793 and 1815, yet the graves in Arlesford are a rare instance of a burial site for these French detainees of war in England.

Located opposite the west door of the church, the graves are an emotional pointer of the lives of these people who discovered themselves in bondage in an international land. During the Napoleonic Wars, Alresford (together with 10 various other communities in Hampshire), ended up being designated parole towns, where higher-ranking French detainees were billeted and expected to follow particular regulations, including sunset to dawn time limits and take a trip constraints. In spite of their circumstances, they were treated with regard. As a motion of appreciation to the regional population for their kindness, in 1811 the French detainees gifted the church a clock for its tower.

St John’s Church in Alresford is home to the final relaxing area of 5 Napoleonic prisoners of battle. The French markers celebrate Lieutenant Pierre Garnier, aquatic Joseph Hypolite, Policeman C Lavau, Lieutenant Jean de Thiulle, and Marie Louise V Fournier, the better half of a captain in Napoleon’s military, who passed away in Arlesford between 1810 and 1812.