Flers was captured on 15 September 1916 by the 41st British Division and the New Zealand Division during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, which was the first significant combat action in the world to showcase tank warfare. The village was captured by the Germans during their 1918 Spring Offensive, but was recaptured by the 10th West Yorks and 6th Dorsets of the 17th British Division by the end of August 1918.
The cemetery contains a total of 776 graves, including 493 from the United Kingdom, 155 from Australia, and 122 from New Zealand. 296 graves are unmarked. Special memorials are dedicated to 15 soldiers (8 from Australia, 5 from the United Kingdom, and 2 from New Zealand) believed to be buried among the unknown.