Silent sentinels stand guard. Rows upon rows of headstones mark the hallowed ground of R.E. Farm Cemetery. This poignant place holds the memories of those who perished during the First World War. Located near the Belgian town of Wijtschate it is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery.
R.E. Farm Cemetery is more than just a graveyard. It’s a testament to sacrifice. It’s a place where the echoes of battle still linger. The area around R.E. Farm Cemetery was a brutal battleground. The Germans and the Allies fought fiercely over Wytschaete. It changed hands several times. The fighting was exceptionally severe.
The name R.E. Farm itself is a military designation. It referred to the Ferme des douze Bonniers. This farm building remained in Allied hands until April 1918. The cemetery’s origin dates back to December 1914. The 1st Dorsets established the first cemetery on the farm’s east side. Fighting units and field ambulances used it until April 1916. A second cemetery followed in January 1915. After the Armistice the graves from the second cemetery were moved to the first one. The combined cemetery was then renamed R.E. Farm Cemetery.
R.E. Farm Cemetery contains the remains of 179 soldiers. Eleven of them remain unidentified. The identified casualties include soldiers from the United Kingdom and Canada. The meticulous design of the cemetery is the work of W C Von Berg. The serene rows of white headstones stand as a solemn tribute. Each stone holds a unique story a life cut short in the midst of conflict.
King Albert I of Belgium generously granted the cemetery grounds to the United Kingdom. This act recognized the sacrifices made by the British Empire. The Empire fought for the defense and liberation of Belgium. Today R.E. Farm Cemetery serves as a lasting symbol of remembrance and peace. It is a place to reflect on the devastating consequences of war. It is also a place to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom. Let us take a moment of silence to remember them.