Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery

Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery is a Commonwealth war cemetery located roughly 2 km southwest of the centre of Ypres, on a road called Omloopstraat, leading off the Dikkebusseweg. The name dates back to 1915, when three batteries of Belgian field artillery were stationed at this road junction, giving the spot its distinctive designation.

How did this cemetery come to be here?

The cemetery was begun by the 8th Division in June 1917, following the Battle of Messines, although one grave in Plot III, Row A, predates that formal opening. The site continued to be used for burials until October 1918, primarily for soldiers who died at a dressing station set up in a nearby cottage.

How many graves are at the cemetery?

Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery contains 573 Commonwealth war graves from the First World War, of which 7 remain unidentified. Among those buried here are 121 members of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), making the site a notable stop for Australian visitors tracing the history of the Great War in Belgium.

What is the historical background of the site?

The cemetery's name and location are tied directly to the artillery positions established at this crossroads in 1915, when Belgian field batteries operated from the spot. Although the cemetery itself was not created until two years later, the name endured, reflecting the site's earlier military significance before British and Allied forces — including Australian units — took over its use through the later years of the conflict.

Can visitors access the cemetery?

Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery is permanently open, with no restricted visiting hours. It forms part of the wider network of war cemeteries scattered across the Ypres Salient, the area around Ypres where some of the bloodiest fighting of the First World War took place. For travellers exploring the region's Great War heritage, this cemetery offers a quieter, more intimate stop compared to larger and more frequently visited sites such as Tyne Cot or the Menin Gate in central Ypres.

Why is this site worth a visit?

Although smaller and less well known than the region's largest cemeteries, Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery provides an authentic and peaceful encounter with First World War history. Its name is a direct reminder of the role Belgian forces played in defending the Ypres Salient before the site passed into British and Allied hands. The neat rows of white headstones, typical of cemeteries maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, together with the tranquil setting on the edge of town, make this a worthwhile addition to any itinerary focused on the military history of West Flanders.