Passchendaele Memorial Garden United Kingdom

For the people of United Kingdom, the word "Passchendaele" will forever be linked to the fighting and sacrifices made by hundreds of thousands of men and women in these surroundings fields during the First World War. The graves and memorials to those who died will be found in the many war cemeteries and memorials throughout Belgium, built and cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

The design of this memorial garden is heavily influenced by the appearance of the CWGC’s cemeteries. Like them, this garden is a completive space, where people can pause and remember those who died.
The soft, flowing planting style – using roses, shrubs, flowering bulbs, clipped yews and herbaceous plants – is similar to that proposed by the great British garden designer, Gertrude Jekyll, for use in the early war cemeteries. Many of the plants used here are still in use in the CWGC’s cemeteries.

Gertrude Jekyll designed lore than 400 gardens and had a particular association with the architect Sir Edwin Luytens. Luytens was one of the principal architects for the design of the war cemeteries after the First World War.

Ther two benches in this garden are a design attributed to Luytens. These "Luytens benches" have been handmade from oak by the CWGC’s craftsmen. Luytens also used horticulture to soften the look of the stone element in the war cemeteries – ensuring "the restfulness of grass and the brightness of flowers … strike the proper note of brightness and life".

In keeping with that aim, there is nothing "gloomy" about the design of this garden. Rather than the colour and life of the plants, and the peaceful atmosphere they create, is symbolic of the life and peace we enjoy because of the service and sacrifice of those who gave their lives here a century ago.

A quote from ‘War’ by the Welsh Poet Ellis Evans (Hedd Wynn), who was killed on 31 July 1917 and is buried in CWGC Artillerie Wood Cemetery, was set into the entrance path:
War
The harps of old which one were played,
On yonder willow trees are fixed,
Boys’ sreams are on the wind relayed,
Their blood is with the deluge mixed.

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Source

• Text: Luc Van Waeyenberge
• Photos: Luc Van Waeyenberge
• Informatiebord Kasteeldomein Zonnebeke