A quiet Belgian railway cutting holds the stories of over 850 fallen soldiers

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

In short: Tucked away in the Ypres Salient, Larch Wood Cemetery serves as a permanent memorial to the First World War. Established by Commonwealth troops in 1915, this site evolved from a battlefield burial ground into a final resting place for hundreds, including notable figures and those whose exact graves remain a mystery.

The cemetery originated in April 1915, created by soldiers serving on the Western Front. It remained active until April 1918, serving primarily those who perished defending the strategic Hill 60. Following the Armistice, the site grew significantly as authorities consolidated remains from various smaller churchyards and German-run burial plots across the region, including sites like Ghistelles and Wervik. King Albert I of the Belgians granted the land to the United Kingdom in perpetuity to honor the contribution of the British Empire to the nation's defense.

Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens—the architect behind the Thiepval Memorial and the London Cenotaph—the cemetery holds the remains of more than 850 individuals. Among the buried are Lieutenant John Eden, brother of the former Prime Minister and Earl of Avon, and Rifleman Clarence Eastwood Peel. Peel’s story gained modern prominence through his nephew, the playwright Alan Bennett, who documented his personal quest to uncover his uncle's history and final resting place in a radio monologue.

Eighty-six graves at the site are designated as special memorials. These markers commemorate soldiers known to be buried within the cemetery whose exact locations were lost to subsequent combat or could not be definitively verified. These headstones feature the inscription 'Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out,' a phrase from Sirach 44:13 recommended by Rudyard Kipling. This site stands as a testament to the scale of loss during the conflict and the enduring effort to preserve the memory of those who served.

The cemetery remains a significant historical landmark, reflecting the complex process of post-war recovery and commemoration. By centralizing graves from diverse locations like Oudenburg and Zantvoorde, the site provides a singular point of reflection for the sacrifices made during the defense and liberation of Belgium. It continues to be maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, ensuring the site remains a permanent fixture of the landscape.

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