SOLFERINO FARM CEMETERY
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.87736, Longitude: 2.845
© Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
The cemetery is located to the north-west of the town of Ieper near a village called Brielen.
From the station turn left and drive along M.Fochlaan to the roundabout, turn right and go to the next roundabout. Here turn left into M.Haiglaan and drive to the traffic lights. Straight over the lights and follow the N8 direction Veurne. Through the village of Brielen and for approx another 1 Km to the first turning on the right past the farm. This is a street called Kapellestraat, into this street and the cemetery is approx 500 metres on the right.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but maybe by an alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Solferino Farm was given its name by French troops who held this part of the line early in 1915. The cemetery, which is opposite the site of the farm, was begun by Commonwealth forces in October 1917 and was used by the units fighting in this sector until August 1918.
The cemetery now contains 296 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and a small plot of three German war graves from this period. There are also five burials from the Second World War, dating from the Allied retreat to Dunkirk in May 1940.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and John Reginald Truelove
Total Burials: 304.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 293, Germany 3, Canada 2. Total 298.
World War One Unidentified Casualty: 1.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 4. Total 4.
World War Two Unidentified Casualty: 1.
The cemetery is located to the north-west of the town of Ieper near a village called Brielen.
From the station turn left and drive along M.Fochlaan to the roundabout, turn right and go to the next roundabout. Here turn left into M.Haiglaan and drive to the traffic lights. Straight over the lights and follow the N8 direction Veurne. Through the village of Brielen and for approx another 1 Km to the first turning on the right past the farm. This is a street called Kapellestraat, into this street and the cemetery is approx 500 metres on the right.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to this site is possible, but maybe by an alternative entrance.
Historical Information
Solferino Farm was given its name by French troops who held this part of the line early in 1915. The cemetery, which is opposite the site of the farm, was begun by Commonwealth forces in October 1917 and was used by the units fighting in this sector until August 1918.
The cemetery now contains 296 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and a small plot of three German war graves from this period. There are also five burials from the Second World War, dating from the Allied retreat to Dunkirk in May 1940.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and John Reginald Truelove
Total Burials: 304.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 293, Germany 3, Canada 2. Total 298.
World War One Unidentified Casualty: 1.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 4. Total 4.
World War Two Unidentified Casualty: 1.
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
L/509 Driver
Edward Hoyle
"C" Bty. 157th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
25th November 1917, aged 38.
Plot II. B. 36.
Husband of Rhoda Hoyle, of 204, Accrington Rd., Burnley.
Edward Hoyle
"C" Bty. 157th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
25th November 1917, aged 38.
Plot II. B. 36.
Husband of Rhoda Hoyle, of 204, Accrington Rd., Burnley.
M2/116933 Private
William John Stubbs
35th Ammunition Sub. Park. Army Service Corps.
31st October 1917, aged 37.
Plot I. D. 30.
Myself and my brother along with 2 cousins, all grandchildren of William
John Stubbs made the long awaited journey to visit his final resting place in June 2010. It was a promise made to his children: Dorothy, Bessie, Georgina and Windsome Stubbs that we would go and visit their much loved father's grave finally fulfilled. It was a very emotional journey, but what a very beautiful resting place this is for our loved ones. Thanks to the people of Belgium and those who take care of the cemeteries with such loving care, it is much appreciated.
Picture courtesy of Dorothy Williams-Crosby
William John Stubbs
35th Ammunition Sub. Park. Army Service Corps.
31st October 1917, aged 37.
Plot I. D. 30.
Myself and my brother along with 2 cousins, all grandchildren of William
John Stubbs made the long awaited journey to visit his final resting place in June 2010. It was a promise made to his children: Dorothy, Bessie, Georgina and Windsome Stubbs that we would go and visit their much loved father's grave finally fulfilled. It was a very emotional journey, but what a very beautiful resting place this is for our loved ones. Thanks to the people of Belgium and those who take care of the cemeteries with such loving care, it is much appreciated.
Picture courtesy of Dorothy Williams-Crosby
L/214 Bombardier
John Thomas
"C" Bty. 157th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
5th November 1917, aged 26.
Plot II. A. 11.
Son of Albert E. and Julia Thomas, of 21, Whittlefield St., Burnley, Lancs.
John Thomas
"C" Bty. 157th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
5th November 1917, aged 26.
Plot II. A. 11.
Son of Albert E. and Julia Thomas, of 21, Whittlefield St., Burnley, Lancs.
Infantry crossing the Yser Canal at Brielen by a foot bridge on the way to the line, 3 August 1917. © IWM Q 6000
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
The breech and a shell of a 12inch howitzer on railway mounting. Brielen, 1 August 1917. © IWM Q 7811
Battle of Pilckem Ridge. Men of a Pioneer Battalion in light railway trucks and others moving away towards the line. Brielen, 31 July 1917. © IWM Q 5712
Lieutenant Colonel Butler, Irish Guards, General Staff Officer II, 4th Divisional Artillery, at Brielen, May 1915. Captain Leggett (killed) on way back from a reconnaissance of the trenches. © IWM Q 56697
1914; The road into Ypres from Brielen, showing carts, etc just thrown into the ditch after being broken by shell fire. 4th Division Batteries were in hedges on the left and right of this road and Royal Artillery Brigade Headquarters in a cottage just to the right. © IWM Q 56724
