Bethleem Farm West Cemetery
- Country Belgium
- Total identified casualties 165 Find these casualties
- Region West-Vlaanderen
- Identified casualties from First & Second World War
- GPS Coordinates Latitude: 50.75857, Longitude: 2.90662
Location information
Bethleem Farm West cemetery is located 10 km south of Ieper town centre and 1 km south east of Mesen, on a road called the Rijselstraat, which leads from Mesen market square. (Mesen itself is located 10 km from Ieper via the N365 connecting Ieper to Armentieres). The cemetery lies 1 km beyond Mesen market place along the Rijselstraat, on the right hand side of the road, towards a farmstead (known as Nazareth or Schnitzel Farm). Visitors to this site should note a short grassed access path which is unsuitable for vehicles.
Visiting information
ARRIVAL
The cemetery is in agricultural fields at the end of a grass track leading from a farm access road.
PARKING
It is possible to park in a small turning/passing area with a compacted gravel surface. The ground is flat and firm with space for 1 vehicle. The turning area is approximately 250 metres from the road (Rijselstraat).
From the parking area is a concrete and cobblestone track, then a grass track approximately 50 metres long leading to the entrance of the cemetery.
Ground is flat and firm.
ACCESS LAYOUNT AND MAIN ENTRANCE
The cemetery is surrounded by a brick wall approximately 1.2 metres high.
The main entrance to the cemetery is through an opening in the brick wall at the end of the grass track. There are two white stone bollards in a gap between brick pillars, with a clear space of 90 cm between. There is stone paving a the entrance level with the grass on either side.
The Register Box is on the left-hand side of the main entrance, mounted into the wall above a stone shelf against the stone bollard.
The Cross of Sacrifice is at the rear of the cemetery.
There is no seating in the cemetery.
ALTERNATIVE ACCESS
There is no alternative entrance or access into the cemetery.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The cemetery is permanently open.
The ground can become very muddy and difficult to navigate during and after periods of heavy rain.
History information
Bethleem Farm West Cemetery was made by units of the 3rd Australian Division (it was known to them as the '3rd Division General Cemetery'), who captured Bethleem Farm (which can be found to the north-east) on 7 June 1917 during the Battle of Messines. It continued to be used by the 14th (Light) Division until the end of 1917. There is also an East Cemetery located nearby.
There are now 165 servicemen of the First World War buried or commemorated in the cemetery including one casualty commemorated by special memorial whose grave in the cemetery was destroyed by shell fire. The cemetery also contains one unidentifed burial of the Second World War.
The cemetery was designed by G H Goldsmith.