Gentbrugge Communal Cemetery

Gentbrugge Communal Cemetery is a municipal cemetery in Gentbrugge, a former independent municipality in the province of East Flanders that was merged into the city of Ghent on 1 January 1977. Today Gentbrugge exists as a district of Ghent, and the cemetery itself lies on the south-eastern edge of the city, just off the N445 road.

Where exactly is it located?

The cemetery sits south-east of Ghent's city centre, in the immediate vicinity of the former municipality of Gentbrugge, at approximately 51.045°N, 3.760°E. Its position along the N445 makes it reasonably easy to reach both for local residents and for visitors from outside Ghent who are tracing sites connected to the region's wartime history.

What is the history behind this site?

Gentbrugge Communal Cemetery primarily serves its ordinary function as a municipal burial ground for the local community. Its particular historical significance, however, is tied to events of the Second World War. In May 1940, during the defence of Belgium against the German invasion, the British Expeditionary Force took part in operations covering the withdrawal of Allied forces toward Dunkirk. This fighting caused heavy casualties among Allied troops across Belgium, including in the area around Ghent.

What can be found on the cemetery grounds?

Within the cemetery grounds lies a Belgian "pelouse d'honneur" — a plot of honour — which contains four Commonwealth war graves from the Second World War. These graves are located in the Belgian Plot of Honour, directly adjacent to Plot K. This section of the cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the organisation responsible for the upkeep and documentation of Commonwealth war graves worldwide.

The presence of these graves means that, despite its everyday civilian character as a communal cemetery, the Gentbrugge site also functions as a place of remembrance for the events of 1940 and for the soldiers who died defending Belgium and covering the retreat to Dunkirk.

Who is this site of interest to?

Gentbrugge Communal Cemetery is likely to interest visitors following the history of the Second World War in Belgium, and in particular those tracing the campaign of the British Expeditionary Force in 1940. It also fits naturally into the broader historical landscape of East Flanders, a region where numerous cemeteries and memorials commemorate the victims of both World Wars. For residents of Ghent and the Gentbrugge district, the cemetery remains first and foremost a burial ground for the local community, in continuous use since the days when Gentbrugge was still an independent municipality.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gentbrugge a separate town? Not since 1977. Gentbrugge was an independent municipality until 1 January 1977, when it was merged into the city of Ghent, and it now functions as one of its districts.

Are there war graves at this cemetery? Yes. The Belgian Plot of Honour, next to Plot K, contains four Commonwealth war graves from the Second World War, maintained by the CWGC.

How do you get there? The cemetery lies south-east of Ghent's city centre, just off the N445 road, making it accessible from both the city centre and surrounding areas.