A quiet Belgian woodland became the final resting place for thousands of missing soldiers.

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Tucked away in the Ypres Salient, the Berks Cemetery Extension serves as a solemn monument to the First World War. While it began as a modest site for recuperating troops, it evolved into a significant memorial, housing the remains of those lost in battle and honoring thousands with no known grave.

Established by Commonwealth forces in June 1916, the Berks Cemetery Extension was initially created as a secondary site to the Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks) Cemetery in the village of Ploegsteert. During the conflict, the nearby woods functioned as a peaceful sector where units could rest and reorganize after intense combat elsewhere on the Western Front. Because of this relative calm, the site was uniquely positioned to serve as a place of respite.

The site gained lasting significance following the Armistice, when King Albert I of Belgium granted the grounds to the United Kingdom in perpetuity. This gesture acknowledged the immense contributions of the British Empire toward the liberation and defense of the nation. The cemetery's current layout, crafted by architect Harold Chalton Bradshaw, reflects this commemorative purpose. Bradshaw, who also designed the Cambrai Memorial in France, shaped the site into the landmark it remains today.

A major transformation occurred in 1930, when the cemetery was substantially expanded. This decision was driven by the inability to secure the Rosenberg Chateau Military Cemetery and its extension for permanent use. Consequently, graves from those locations were relocated to the Berks site. Today, the cemetery also hosts the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing, a structure that pays tribute to over 11,000 British and Empire servicemen who perished in the region but lack a marked burial site.

It is important to distinguish this site from the smaller Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks) Cemetery, which sits directly across the road. While the two are neighbors, their histories and functions remain distinct. The Berks Cemetery Extension stands as a testament to the scale of the sacrifices made during the First World War, preserving the memory of those who served within the Ypres Salient.

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