Mesen, West-Vlaanderen
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 Rijselsestraat, on the right hand side of the road, towards a farmstead. Visitors to this site should note a short grassed access path which is unsuitable for vehicles.
Bethleem Farm West Cemetery was made by units of the 3rd Australian Division who captured the farm 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 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.
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