Dutch memorial cemetery Mill Hill

The Dutch memorial cemetery at Mill Hill is a small, quiet plot in north London where Dutch servicemen and seamen who died in the Second World War are buried. It lies inside Mill Hill Cemetery in the London Borough of Barnet and serves as the Dutch National War Memorial in Great Britain.

What is this place?

It is not a separate cemetery but a dedicated section of a larger one. Mill Hill Cemetery began as a municipal burial ground for the Borough of Paddington: the council bought land here in 1933 and opened it in 1936 as "Paddington New Cemetery". After the war, Paddington gave a small piece of ground in the north of the cemetery, roughly half an acre, to the Netherlands War Graves Commission. That became the place of remembrance for Dutch people who died between 1940 and 1945.

Who is buried here?

Most sources say 254 Dutch war dead rest in the plot. The majority were merchant seamen, and their graves were brought together from across the United Kingdom. Larger memorial stones also list roughly 180 to 185 further names of people buried elsewhere in the country. Sources give slightly different figures, so treat the numbers as approximate.

The memorial and its opening

The centrepiece is a bronze figure of a dying man by the sculptor Cor van Kralingen. The monument is inscribed "In Memory of the Netherlands War Victims 1940-45". The plot was officially opened on 12 May 1965 by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, with the Duke of Gloucester present. Queen Juliana visited in April 1972.

Are there other war graves at Mill Hill?

Yes. The same cemetery also holds a Commonwealth war graves plot maintained by the CWGC, with 53 Second World War graves, mostly in section C. One visit lets you see two distinct places of remembrance.

Is it worth visiting?

This is not a sightseeing attraction in the usual sense but a place for reflection. If you are interested in Second World War history, the story of merchant seamen, or Anglo-Dutch relations, it is a lesser-known stop away from central London's crowds. Be quiet and respectful, as you would anywhere in a working cemetery.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. It is part of an active municipal cemetery, so there are no tickets. Check the cemetery operator's website for gate opening times.

When was the Dutch memorial created? The plot opened in 1965, while Mill Hill Cemetery itself dates from 1936.

Who made the sculpture? The bronze figure of a dying man is by Cor van Kralingen.

How many Dutch casualties are buried here? The figure most often given is 254, mainly merchant seamen.

How do I get there? Mill Hill is in the north London borough of Barnet. Public transport is the easiest option, and a mapping app will give the best route on the day of your visit.