Ration Farm Military Cemetery

Amidst the fields of France, lies Ration Farm Military Cemetery. It’s a place of quiet remembrance, a stark contrast to the battles that once raged nearby. Ration Farm Military Cemetery stands as a testament to the sacrifices made during the First World War, particularly in this corner of Nord, France. The cemetery’s name, Ration Farm, hints at its wartime role. It was a vital supply point, a place where troops could receive their rations, often under the cover of darkness. The original cemetery, Ration Farm Old Military Cemetery, was established near the farm buildings in February 1915. It served as the final resting place for soldiers, mainly from the 6th Division, until October 1915. At the time of the Armistice, it held 73 graves. These graves were later relocated to Plot VI of the current cemetery in April 1923, at the behest of French authorities. The current Ration Farm Military Cemetery, initially known as Ration Farm New Military Cemetery, began operations in October 1915 and remained active until October 1918. The cemetery grew significantly after the Armistice. Graves were brought in from isolated locations and smaller cemeteries scattered across the former battlefields. These included Chapel Farm Cemetery near Bois Grenier and Ferme-du-Biez Military Cemetery near La Chapelle-d’Armentieres. The original burials are primarily located in Plots I to V. Among the relocated graves are those of numerous Australian soldiers who perished in the devastating Attack at Fromelles on July 19, 1916. Today, Ration Farm Military Cemetery holds the remains or commemorates 1,313 Commonwealth servicemen from the First World War. Sadly, 677 of those buried here remain unidentified. Special memorials stand in remembrance of six casualties known or believed to be among them. The cemetery’s design, a peaceful oasis amidst the scars of war, is the work of the renowned architect Sir Herbert Baker.