Voormezeele Enclosures Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemeteries

Geschiedenis

The Voormezeele Enclosures are Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) burial grounds for the dead of the First World War located in the Ypres Salient on the Western Front.The cemetery grounds were assigned to the United Kingdom in perpetuity by King Albert I of Belgium in recognition of the sacrifices made by the British Empire in the defence and liberation of Belgium during the war.FoundationFounded as four enclosures, there are now three cemeteries in Voormezeele, formed by grouping separate regimental cemeteries. Additionally, there is one grave in Voormezeele's parish churchyard.Of the four enclosures, Enclosure 1 and 2 are now considered a single cemetery; the 42 graves of Enclosure 4 were concentrated into Enclosure 2; whilst Enclosure 3 is separated from 1 and 2 by the modern main road.The village and the cemeteries fell into German hands on 29 April 1918 during the Spring Offensive, falling back to the Allies in September 1918 during the Hundred Days Offensive that swept fighting away from the Salient.The cemeteries were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.Enclosures 1 and 2Enclosures 1 and 2 were in use from March 1915 until April 1918, with some graves being added by German forces during the five months the area was in their hands, more Commonwealth dead being added in September and October 1918 and an isolated Commonwealth grave from the village being concentrated after the Armistice.