R. E. FARM CEMETERY
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.76696, Longitude: 2.86069
Location Information
R. E. Farm Cemetery is located 9.5 Kms south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Rijselseweg N365, which connects Ieper to Wijtschate, Mesen and on to Armentieres.
From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg, (N365).
On reaching the village of Mesen the first right hand turning leads onto Mesenstraat, towards Wulvergem. On reaching the village of Wulvergem the first right hand turning at the church leads onto Wulvergemstraat. 500 metres along this road lies the junction with Vrooilandstraat. The cemetery itself lies 500 metres beyond this junction on the left hand side of the Wulvergemstraat.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemetery is possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
Wytschaete (now Wijtschate) was in Allied hands until 1 November 1914, from June 1917 to April 1918, and from 28 September 1918 onwards. It was the scene of exceptionally severe fighting in November 1914 and April 1918.
"R.E. Farm" was the military name given to the Ferme des douze Bonniers. This building remained in Allied hands until April 1918. In December 1914 the 1st Dorsets began a cemetery (No.1) on the east side of the farm, which was used by fighting units and field ambulances until April 1916, and occasionally in 1917. In January 1915, the same battalion began another cemetery (No.2) on the west side of the farm. This cemetery was little used and after the Armistice, the 23 graves it contained were moved into No.1, which was then renamed.
R.E. Farm Cemetery contains 179 First World War burials, 11 of them unidentified.
The cemetery was designed by W C Von Berg.
R. E. Farm Cemetery is located 9.5 Kms south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Rijselseweg N365, which connects Ieper to Wijtschate, Mesen and on to Armentieres.
From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg, (N365).
On reaching the village of Mesen the first right hand turning leads onto Mesenstraat, towards Wulvergem. On reaching the village of Wulvergem the first right hand turning at the church leads onto Wulvergemstraat. 500 metres along this road lies the junction with Vrooilandstraat. The cemetery itself lies 500 metres beyond this junction on the left hand side of the Wulvergemstraat.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this cemetery is possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
Wytschaete (now Wijtschate) was in Allied hands until 1 November 1914, from June 1917 to April 1918, and from 28 September 1918 onwards. It was the scene of exceptionally severe fighting in November 1914 and April 1918.
"R.E. Farm" was the military name given to the Ferme des douze Bonniers. This building remained in Allied hands until April 1918. In December 1914 the 1st Dorsets began a cemetery (No.1) on the east side of the farm, which was used by fighting units and field ambulances until April 1916, and occasionally in 1917. In January 1915, the same battalion began another cemetery (No.2) on the west side of the farm. This cemetery was little used and after the Armistice, the 23 graves it contained were moved into No.1, which was then renamed.
R.E. Farm Cemetery contains 179 First World War burials, 11 of them unidentified.
The cemetery was designed by W C Von Berg.
HM King George V, on Wytschaete Ridge in Belgium on 4 July 1917 during a tour of the Western Front. © IWM (Q 5586)
A British soldier looks out across the Douve Valley, as shells explode on the village of Messines, 8th June, 1917. © IWM Q 2295
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
Soldiers of the 11th Regiment Hussars (Prince Albert's Own) at Wulverghem. Church in background. 23rd October 1914. © IWM (Q 51144)
Bivouac of the 11th Regiment Hussars (Prince Albert's Own) at Wulverghem, 23rd October 1914. Units came back from the Messines line in turn to rest. © IWM (Q 51178)
Bivouac of the 11th Regiment Hussars (Prince Albert's Own) at Wulverghem, 23rd October 1914. © IWM (Q 51169)
Ruined village of Wulverghem.
A Corporal checking shells arriving on a light railway. Wytschaete, 11 August 1917. © IWM (Q 5871)
