Tyne Cot Cemetery & Visitors Centre — Attraction in Zonnebeke

The largest Commonwealth war cemetery of the Great War. So many names, so many missing, so many without a known resting place. Such a moving cemetery, well maintained and with a register & plan (like many of the larger Commonwealth cemeteries) making it easy to find a family member's grave.

I was able to find a family member on the wall, died in 1917, and who my Uncle researched and wrote a book about 'To Grow Young'; the story, albeit very short, tells the story of Sergeant Major Fred Talbot, a cavalryman in 1914. He went to war in 1914 and was killed in 1917, a Captain in the Tank Corp.

So little is known about so many. The sheer size left me with an almost overwhelming feeling of sadness but also anger that so many gave their lives when it was so unnecessary. Listening for just a few minutes to the commentary of names as you enter the visitor centre is very poignant. I can't imagine what it must be like to hear the name of your loved one, your family member as you enter the centre. It must be so chilling.

Even on a late autumnal afternoon it was very moving to visit the cemetery. We visited, a small group of 8 friends, each there for our own reason, separated and wandered around for an hour, on a chilly afternoon with the sun falling in the west.

Tyne Cot Cemetery & Visitor is well worth visiting. It's also a good idea to pick up some leaflets, maybe even some maps, like the old trench maps, each of which provides a little more information and a little piece of a far larger jigsaw. I enjoyed our visit very much. There are toilets on the site by the main car park which is free, but there is a small charge of 50 cents for the toilets. There is also a...

The scale of this cemetery is staggering - it isn't just the number of graves but how many are unknown soldiers. I visited for several reasons. First is that my Great Grandfather fought in the 3rd Battle of Ypres and not only did he miraculously survived but so did the diary he kept of his experiences. I know that some of his comrades died and possibly buried here/named on the memorial wall so I wanted to pay my respects. There is also a memorial to the Sherwood Foresters, which several of my family members were part of so wanted to view this too. Finally my Great Uncle Charles, who was a Sherwood Forester, was killed in action locally but has no known grave. My research points to this being one of the two possible last resting places for him. It would take hours to view each grave, and we had limited time here, but I did spot a grave of an unknown Sherwood Forester and I would like to think that perhaps this is Charles and he guided me here. As with all Commonwealth War Cemeteries, this is beautifully maintained and is a fitting memorial to all those laid to rest here. There is a visitors centre along with free parking. Take tissues as you will have tears in your eyes....

As a visitor from Australia, i was both moved and at the same time horrified, at the total waste of human life. Tyne Cot is in a beautiful location that promotes peace and tranquility to visitors, but the sheer size of Tyne Cot promotes deep thought about the huge waste of life! It is simply staggering to see so many headstones.... It truly brought tears to my eyes...!

I spent several hours just walking, pausing and paying my respects, being particularly moved by the headstones simply labelled " A Soldier of the Great War.... Known Only Unto God"

As Australian i believe that this is a "pilgrimage", that everybody from my part of the world should do as a "must see". I admit i wept openly, as it brought home with great force the young age, and wide variety of nationalities that served during The Great War, Tyne Cot and the Menin Gate are two places that must be seen to feel both the reverence and the appreciation that these troops are held in. A beautiful and fitting tribute to those lost during all wars, congratulations to those who maintain Tyne Cot & all other Commonwealth War Grave...