Rue-du-Bacquerot Cemetery

Who rests beneath the silent stones of Rue-du-Bacquerot Cemetery? Here, along the Rue-du-Bacquerot in Laventie, France, lies a poignant reminder of World War I. The Rue-du-Bacquerot (13th London) Cemetery, also known as the Red House Cemetery, whispers tales of courage and sacrifice. This small cemetery, enclosed by rubble walls, holds the remains of 192 Commonwealth soldiers from the Great War. One soldier rests unidentified, his story lost to time. Established in November 1914 by the 1st Royal Irish Rifles, Rue-du-Bacquerot Cemetery soon became the final resting place for soldiers of the 13th London Regiment, the Kensingtons. The cemetery’s name, Red House Cemetery, originates from a ruined house across the road, a stark reminder of the war’s destruction. The house has since been rebuilt, but the name remains, a link to a turbulent past. By July 1916, the gates of Rue-du-Bacquerot Cemetery closed, marking the end of an era. Within its 1,516 square meters, it holds stories of young lives cut short. This isn’t the only Rue-du-Bacquerot Cemetery in Laventie. Another, larger cemetery exists down the road, a testament to the scale of the conflict in this area. But here, at the 13th London Cemetery, the atmosphere is intimate. It offers a moment of reflection, a chance to connect with the individual lives impacted by war.