Bethleem Farm West Cemetery, Belgium (CWGC)

BETHLEEM FARM WEST CEMETERY

West-Vlaanderen

Belgium

Picture © Werner Van Caneghem

Location Information

Bethleem Farm West cemetery is located 10 km south of Ieper town centre and 1 km south east of Mesen, on a road called the Rijselstraat, which leads from Mesen market square. (Mesen itself is located 10 km from Ieper via the N365 connecting Ieper to Armentieres).

The cemetery lies 1 km beyond Mesen market place along the Rijselstraat, on the right hand side of the road, towards a farmstead (known as Nazareth or Schnitzel Farm). Visitors to this site should note a short grassed access path which is unsuitable for vehicles.

Visiting Information

Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.

Historical Information

Bethleem Farm West Cemetery was made by units of the 3rd Australian Division (it was known to them as the '3rd Division General Cemetery'), who captured Bethleem Farm (which can be found to the north-east) on 7 June 1917 during the Battle of Messines. It continued to be used by the 14th (Light) Division until the end of 1917. There is also an East Cemetery located nearby.

There are now 165 servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in the cemetery including one casualty commemorated by special memorial whose grave in the cemetery was destroyed by shell fire. The cemetery also contains one unidentifed burial of the Second World War.

The cemetery was designed by G H Goldsmith

Total burials: 165.

Identified Casualties: Australia 113, New Zealand 27, United Kingdom 25. Total 165.

Unidentified Casualty: 1. Total 1.

Pictures in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem

German observation post and trenches on Messines Ridge wrecked by shell fire during the Battle of Messines, seen on 11th June 1917. © IWM (Q 2323)

Messines area; British troops outside a German observation post destroyed by British guns, 11th June 1917. © IWM (Q 3540)

British soldiers stand looking into the huge mine crater at Messines Ridge, blown up on the morning of the battle. Photographed on 11 June 1917. © IWM (Q 2325)

Bethleem Farm West between the wars.

Troops of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry who captured this trench near Messines, 11th June 1917. They are wearing German helmets or caps. Note a board with the sign "I. Stellung. IA Linie. II.Ab". © IWM (Q 2820)

Troops of the 12th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, who attacked on the first morning of the Battle of Messines, (7th June), pictured on the 11th June 1917. © IWM (Q 2818)