Somer Farm Cemetery

Somer Farm Cemetery is a small First World War burial ground on the Hollebekestraat, the road linking Ieper to Wijtschate, a few kilometres south of Ieper's town centre. It belongs to the dense network of Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemeteries scattered across West Flanders, each marking a fragment of the fighting along the Western Front.

Where does the name come from and what is the site's history?

The cemetery was begun in June 1917 and used, with interruptions, until October 1918 — effectively through to the closing months of the war. Like many CWGC cemeteries in the area, it takes its name from a nearby farm, since military map references of the time often used the closest visible landmark to label burial sites for the troops who created them.

There was once a second, similarly named cemetery nearby, but the graves there were later exhumed and moved to Wytschaete Military Cemetery after the war. That is why the surviving site is sometimes referred to as "Somer Farm Cemetery No.1."

What happened in the surrounding area?

The village of Wijtschate, then spelled Wytschaete, changed hands several times during the conflict. German forces took it in early November 1914. Commonwealth troops recaptured the village during the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917 — the offensive that led directly to this cemetery's founding. The village fell to the Germans again on 16 April 1918, during the spring Ludendorff offensive, before being finally retaken by the Allies on 28 September 1918, in the last weeks of the war.

How many burials are there?

Somer Farm Cemetery holds 91 First World War burials. Among the identified casualties, British servicemen make up the largest group with 66 graves, alongside 24 Australians. The scale and layout are typical of the smaller CWGC cemeteries around Ieper: modest in size, quiet, and designed with the restrained formality found across the Commission's sites worldwide.

Can visitors access the cemetery?

Yes, the cemetery is open to the public year-round, with no set visiting hours. The main entrance allows wheelchair access, making the site reachable for a broad range of visitors. It sits directly on the Hollebekestraat, close to its junction with the Rijselseweg (N365), the main road connecting Ieper to Armentières via Wijtschate.

Why is it worth a visit?

Somer Farm Cemetery is not among the best-known memorial sites in the region, but that relative obscurity is part of its appeal — it offers a quieter, more reflective experience than larger, more visited cemeteries such as Tyne Cot. It makes a fitting stop for anyone exploring the Ieper and Wijtschate area on a wider First World War trail, especially those following the course of the Battle of Messines and the later fighting for this stretch of the front. Visitors tend to value its unadorned, uncommercialised character and the space it gives for quiet reflection on the losses suffered in this part of Flanders.

Frequently asked questions

When was the cemetery established? In June 1917, after the surrounding area was recaptured during the Battle of Messines.

How many graves does Somer Farm Cemetery hold? 91 First World War burials.

Where exactly is it located? On the Hollebekestraat, about 6.5 km south of Ieper town centre, on the road to Wijtschate.

Is entry free? Yes, the cemetery is open to the public year-round at no cost.