This cemetery takes its name from regional topographical characteristics, namely 12 boscage pines. Soldiers interred here include 1,313 Britons, 12 Australians, 80 New Zealanders, 1 Indian and 1 Ceylonese who were killed at the 2nd Krithia Battles. Unknown soldiers numbering 1,953 are also interred in this cemetery. This cemetery consists primarily of soldiers that were killed in June and July. The names of the 179 unknown soldiers are inscribed on the memorial of the cemetery, which is the largest British cemetery. Most of these soldiers were killed at the 2ndKrithia Battle on May 8, 1915.

When the 29th British Division launched assaults against the front of the 9th Ottoman Division, they suffered from heavy artillery. The advance of the British from Gully Ravine came to naught while the French troops advancing on the right were not successful. The Australia and New Zealand brigades faced heavy machine gun fire and suffered heavy losses.