Multi-national project to exhume and recover First World War casualties in Belgium is complete

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has supported a largely unprecedented joint project to exhume and recover World War One casualties from a site in Belgium.

A multi-national field operations team, consisting of Commonwealth, German, French and Belgian experts were deployed for ten days and in support of Monument Vandekerckhove.

The exhumation, which took place at Palingbeek Golf Course in Ypres, was completed successfully last week after a focused archaeological excavation, and the recovery of 22 sets of war casualty remains (and associated artefacts). 

All casualty remains and artefacts have now been secured and will be handed to the Belgian Police, prior to being transferred to the War Heritage Institute (WHI), who will confirm national identification of each casualty. 

Once that is complete, they will subsequently be transferred to the CWGC and national partner agencies. The CWGC and its partners will confirm individual identification where possible and ensure final appropriate reburial and commemoration for all casualties recovered.

The field team from the CWGC, VDK and DCMA was led by Doctor Stephan Naji, the Head of the CWGC’s Global Recovery Unit, based in Beaurains, France and by Bert Heyvaert, senior archaeologist at Monument Vandekerckhove, specialised in conflict archaeology.

Rich Hills, the CWGC’s Director of Commemorations said: “The CWGC is indebted to its international and local partners and specifically the heritage authorities in Flanders and Belgium for their immeasurable assistance throughout the life of this recovery project – it has certainly set a benchmark for potential future operations in the region. 

“The CWGC will now ensure that any casualties subsequently identified as Commonwealth, will be buried and cared for in perpetuity.”

Flemish Minister for Heritage Ben Weyts said: "Flanders is honoured to have taken on a coordinating and supportive role in this truly unique international collaboration.

"It is almost unprecedented since the Second World War for such a diverse international team to conduct joint excavations, united in their commitment to honouring and preserving the memory of fallen soldiers. Together, we are ensuring that these individuals are laid to rest with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Steve Maertens, War Graves Department Officer (WHI), said: “The War Graves Department of the War Heritage Institute was responsible for coordinating with the various international graves services involved and is very proud of this unique collaboration. Upon completion of the archaeological and anthropological survey, the War Graves Department will, in consultation with its international colleagues, oversee the transfer of the finds to the respective national organisations.” 

The CWGC is responsible for global recovery of all Commonwealth world war casualties; specifically in Belgium it carries out this role in support of the Flanders Heritage Agency (FHA) and the WHI who are the lead authorities, but who have also provided an immense amount of assistance throughout the project.

In 2023, the CWGC was contacted by specialist archaeological partners at Monument Vandekerckhove who, on behalf of the FHA and WHI Golf club De Palingbeek and in accordance with FHA-guidelines, had been leading on initial archaeological surveys of the potential development area. The detailed research carried out by Monument Vandekerckhove, had identified some 10 zones of interest where there was a high likelihood of Commonwealth, German and French War casualties scattered across the site of a contemporary trench system.

Since 2023, the CWGC has worked closely with its partners at the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge (VDK) and Direction de la mémoire, de la culture et des archives (DCMA) to plan an opportunity project which would facilitate the recovery of Commonwealth, German, French and other casualties from a specific zone of interest. A Joint Agreement was signed between the three organisations in 2024 and the project commenced on 31st March 2025. 

On 7th April, the Joint Project Team was honoured to receive a visit on site, from His Excellency Martin Kotthaus, German Ambassador to Belgium; Mr Ben Weyts, Deputy Minister-Pres-ident of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister of Budget and Finance, Flemish Periphery, Immovable Heritage and Animal Welfare; and, Ms. Katrien Desomer, Mayor of Ypres. 

The Joint Project Team are extremely grateful for the engagement of Ambassador Kotthaus, Minister Weyts and Mayor Desomer and their ongoing support. The team would also like to express its thanks to Mr. Dirk Vermunicht, President of Palingbeek Golf Course for generously hosting the visit.

Mr Hills added: “The CWGC wishes to reiterate its sincere gratitude to the FHA, WHI, Monument Vandekerckhove, VDK, DCMA, and the landowners who collective support, professionalism and guidance has all helped to make this remarkable project a success.”