Kandahar Farm Cemetery

Kandahar Farm Cemetery is a Commonwealth war cemetery from the First World War, located in the village of Nieuwkerke (formerly Neuve-Eglise), in the municipality of Heuvelland, West Flanders, roughly 14 km south of the centre of Ypres. The cemetery sits along the Nieuwkerkestraat (N314), a road linking the N365 between Ieper, Wijtschate and Mesen with Armentières across the French border, about a kilometre past the village of Wulvergem, on the left-hand side of the road.

What is the history behind this cemetery?

The cemetery takes its name from the nearby Kandahar Farm, situated close to the village of Wulverghem (today Wulvergem). For much of the war the front line ran just to the east of the village, making the surrounding area one of continued fighting and heavy losses for Commonwealth forces. The cemetery was used by divisions holding this sector of the line from November 1914 through April 1918. In April 1918, during the German spring offensive, the ground here — along with the villages of Wulverghem and Neuve-Eglise — fell into German hands. Both villages were recaptured by Allied forces in early September of that same year, after which burials resumed at the cemetery.

How many burials are there?

The cemetery now contains 443 Commonwealth burials from the First World War. Most of those laid to rest here died defending or fighting over this contested stretch of front near Wulverghem and Mesen, one of the more actively fought-over sectors of the Western Front in Flanders.

Who designed the cemetery?

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden, one of the architects who worked with the body responsible for the care of Commonwealth war graves (today known as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission) across the former battlefields of Flanders and northern France. The orderly rows of headstones and quiet, structured layout reflect the design conventions applied to Commonwealth cemeteries of this period.

How do you get there, and what should visitors know?

The cemetery lies on Nieuwkerkestraat (N314), reached from the N365 connecting Ieper with Wijtschate and Mesen, continuing on towards Armentières in France. Coming from the direction of Wulvergem, the cemetery appears about a kilometre further on, on the left-hand side of the road. In front of the cemetery, along the outside of the perimeter wall, there is parking space for up to four vehicles, making it a convenient stop for anyone touring the war cemeteries and battlefield sites of the West Flanders region.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Kandahar Farm Cemetery located? The cemetery is in the municipality of Heuvelland, in the village of Nieuwkerke, West Flanders, Belgium, about 14 km south of Ypres, along the Nieuwkerkestraat.

Where does the cemetery's name come from? It is named after the nearby Kandahar Farm, located close to the village of Wulverghem, where the front line ran for much of the First World War.

How many war graves are at the cemetery? The cemetery holds 443 Commonwealth burials from the First World War.

Is the site easy to visit? Yes, there is a small parking area in front of the cemetery with space for up to four cars, making it convenient to stop by while touring nearby Great War memorial sites.