Wieltje Farm Cemetery

Wieltje Farm Cemetery is a small Commonwealth war cemetery located to the north-east of Ieper (Ypres) in the West Flanders province of Belgium. It commemorates soldiers who died during the First World War and is one of the many cemeteries scattered across the former battlefields surrounding Ypres.

Where does the name come from and when was it established?

The name refers to the nearby village of Wieltje and to the farm beside which the cemetery was created. It was begun on 31 July 1917 — the opening day of the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele — when eight men who died that day were buried here. The cemetery was subsequently made and used by fighting units, in particular the 2nd/4th Gloucesters, between July and October 1917.

Who is buried here?

The cemetery now contains 115 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. Ten of these graves belong to unidentified soldiers, and special memorials commemorate 20 casualties whose graves were destroyed by shell fire during the fighting — in such cases the exact burial spot could not be recovered, so these men are instead named on dedicated memorials within the cemetery grounds. There is also one German war grave on the site.

What does the cemetery look like today?

Like most sites maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), Wieltje Farm Cemetery follows the organisation's characteristic style: neat rows of white headstones, closely mown lawns, and modest flower plantings. The cemetery is permanently open to visitors, without restricted hours, which is standard practice for the vast majority of CWGC sites in the Ypres area.

Why is it worth visiting?

Although smaller and less well known than the region's largest cemeteries, this site is a meaningful stop for anyone interested in the history of the First World War and the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the deadliest campaigns of the conflict. Its proximity to Ypres makes it easy to combine a visit here with other nearby memorial sites, such as Tyne Cot Cemetery or the Menin Gate. The quiet, secluded setting offers a moment of reflection away from the crowds found at larger necropolises.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Wieltje Farm Cemetery located? The cemetery lies to the north-east of the town of Ieper (Ypres), in the West Flanders province of Belgium.

How many people are buried in this cemetery? It contains 115 Commonwealth burials from the First World War, plus one German war grave.

When was the cemetery established? It was begun on 31 July 1917, the first day of the Third Battle of Ypres.

Is the cemetery open to visitors? Yes, it is open year-round, as is the case for most CWGC-maintained cemeteries in the region.

Is admission free? Yes, as with other CWGC cemeteries, entry is free and does not require booking.