Ferme-Olivier Cemetery

Ferme-Olivier Cemetery is a small First World War burial ground located roughly 7 kilometres north-west of the centre of Ypres, on the Steentjesmolenstraat (N333), a road connecting the local network to the N8 route running from Ypres to Veurne via Elverdinge. It forms part of the dense web of Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemeteries scattered across West Flanders, commemorating soldiers who fell in the fighting around Ypres between 1914 and 1918.

Where does the name come from?

The cemetery takes its name from a nearby farm ("ferme" being French for farm), which served as a landmark for troops stationed in this sector of the front. This kind of naming — after neighbouring farms, mills or crossroads — was common practice for the many smaller war cemeteries established close to the front line, in areas lacking a larger settlement to lend its name instead.

What is the history behind this site?

The cemetery was used continuously from 9 June 1915 to 5 August 1917. During that period, the 62nd, 16th, 9th, 11th, 129th and 130th Field Ambulances successively operated dressing stations nearby — medical units of the British Army responsible for first aid and the evacuation of wounded soldiers from the battlefield. This explains the steady stream of burials over more than two years spanning some of the most intense fighting around Ypres, including the periods surrounding the Second and Third Battles of Ypres.

How many burials does the cemetery hold?

The cemetery contains 408 Commonwealth burials from the First World War, six of which remain unidentified. Alongside them lie three German war graves — a less common but not unique feature among CWGC cemeteries in this region, where enemy casualties were occasionally buried as well, particularly when they died nearby or passed through the same dressing stations as wounded Allied soldiers.

What does the layout of the cemetery look like?

The centrepiece of the site is the Stone of Remembrance, positioned midway through the cemetery in line with the entrance — a standard feature of larger CWGC cemeteries, honouring all the fallen regardless of faith. The Cross of Sacrifice, the other defining element of Commonwealth cemetery design, stands in the western corner of the grounds, close to the main road, making it visible to passers-by even from outside the cemetery.

Can the cemetery be visited?

Yes, Ferme-Olivier Cemetery is permanently open, with no restricted visiting hours, as is the case with most CWGC cemeteries in Flanders. It sits in a quiet, rural setting away from the main tourist routes associated with Ypres, making it a suitable destination for visitors seeking a more intimate, reflective experience compared with the larger, more frequently visited cemeteries in the town itself, such as Ypres Reservoir Cemetery or Tyne Cot.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the cemetery located? On the Steentjesmolenstraat, about 7 km north-west of the centre of Ypres, towards Elverdinge.

From what period do the burials date? From 1915 to 1917, during the peak of fighting in this sector of the Western Front.

Is entry free? Yes, the cemetery is open to visitors year-round, free of charge.