Commonwealth War Cemetery Seaforth (Cheddar Villa)

This cemetery was originally named Cheddar Villa Cemetery after the name the English gave to the farm. On the 25th and 26th of April 1915 severe fighting took place in this area during the Second battle of Ypres and the fallen were burried on the spot in this location.

After the request of the commanding officer of the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders in 1922, as more than 100 of the burrials are from this regiment, the name was changed into Seaforth Cemetery.

In total there are 148 memorials in the cemetery of which 21 are unknown, 19 burrials have been destroyed by shell fire during the Great War and they are commemorated by special memorials. There is also 1 Canadian Soldier burried here.

On the back side of the cemetery is a plaque that commemorates 23 soldiers and officiers that fell in the same battle but where it is not known where they are burried (picture 3). They are officially listed on the the Menin Gate.

In the centre of the cemetery is a large space with 2 large stone markers also known as Duhallow blocks which commemorate the 75 and 18 non commisioned officers (picture 4 and 5) and soldiers that are burried in 2 mass graves. These soldiers are all having a headstone on the sides but no grave beneath it.

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Source

• Text: Gio Theunissen
• Photos: Luc van Waeyenberge