Bus House Cemetery

Bus House Cemetery is a small Commonwealth war cemetery located roughly 4 km south of Ypres (Ieper) town centre, on the Sint-Elooisweg, a side road off the Rijselseweg heading towards Armentières. Tucked away in quiet farmland, it sits off the main tourist circuit of the Ypres Salient, making it a fitting stop for visitors seeking a more private, reflective experience.

Where does the name come from?

The cemetery takes its name from a nearby farmhouse that soldiers during the First World War nicknamed "Bus House." The name originated from a wrecked London omnibus that had broken down in no man's land while ferrying troops toward the front line. The stranded vehicle became a distinctive landmark amid the shattered wartime landscape, and its nickname eventually passed on to the neighbouring farm buildings and, later, to the cemetery itself.

How was the cemetery established?

The cemetery was created between June and November 1917, during a period of heavy fighting in the Ypres Salient. After the war, additional graves were added: one dating from January 1915 and four more from April 1918, brought in from other burial sites across the former battlefield.

What happened here during the Second World War?

The cemetery's story does not end with the First World War. In May 1940, during the defence of Belgium against the German invasion, the British Expeditionary Force covered the withdrawal toward Dunkirk and suffered heavy casualties in the process. Some of the soldiers killed in fighting along the Ypres-Comines canal were initially buried where they fell. It was only in 1941 that their remains were exhumed from scattered sites across the surrounding commune and reburied together at Bus House Cemetery.

How many burials are there?

The cemetery now holds 206 First World War burials, 12 of them unidentified, along with 79 Second World War burials, nine of which remain unidentified. Two French war graves are also located within the grounds.

Is Bus House Cemetery worth visiting?

The cemetery remains open to the public year-round and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, one of hundreds of such sites scattered across the Ypres Salient. Unlike better-known cemeteries such as Tyne Cot or Lijssenthoek, Bus House Cemetery rarely features on standard tour itineraries, which means visitors can expect a quiet, contemplative atmosphere. It makes a fitting addition to an itinerary exploring the lesser-known corners of the Ypres Salient, particularly for those interested in tracing the marks left by both world wars on this part of Belgium.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Bus House Cemetery located? About 4 km south of Ypres town centre, on the Sint-Elooisweg, a side road off the Rijselseweg leading toward Armentières.

Where does the cemetery's name come from? From a wrecked London bus that broke down nearby during the First World War, which gave the neighbouring farmhouse its wartime nickname, "Bus House."

How many graves does the cemetery contain? 206 First World War burials, 79 Second World War burials, and 2 French war graves.

Is the cemetery open to visitors? Yes, it is open year-round and free to visit.