TYNE COT CEMETERY

Evening Star, Issue 19660, 13 September 1927, Page 11

TYNE COT CEMETERY

A recent cable message stated that all tho Australian visitors to the dedication of the Meuin Gate memorial at Ypres have been, impressed with the perfect condition of thoir countrymen’s graves, notably at Tyne Cot (Passchcndaele), which is a model. For the occasion of tho dedication of the Tyne Cot Cemetery on June 19 last ‘The Times’ published the following description ql tho region;—

“The Tyne Cot Cemetery ami tlio memorial lio just under the crest of the Passchendaele llidge, an objective oi the fighting in 1917. The crest commands a view over the plains of Flanders to the north and east. The nucleus of the cemetery is a few battle graves lying round the highest of several iron-concrete blockhouses, which formed a centre of resistance in the lighting. In the largo reconstructed cemetery there are buried nearly 12,000 bodies, almost all of which were brought in from the smaller battle cemeteries and isolated graves on the surrounding battlefields The graves in the upper part of the cemetery were laid in regular radiating lines in the form of an amphitheatre centring on the -high blockhouse, and below in plots divided by a broad central vista- stretching from the blockhouse clown to the entrance gateway A stopped platform of stone has been built round and over the high blockhouse, and on the top lias been erected the groat War Cross. Tims the spiritual symbol of Sacrifice crowns the material relic of the war. In the stonework of the platform an opening lias been left which will for ever leave bare to view a square mass of the original concrete. Over it has been placed an open bronze wreath modelled with the laurels and crown of Victory. Behind the semi-circular rows of graves there has been erected a high wall in the form of n groat scmi-circular apse as of an outdoor church- Its altar is the great War Stone, in the wall are set panels inscribed with the names oi .‘15,000 officers and men who fell on the y pres battlefields, and whose graves are not known, supplementing those which have been inscribed on the Alenin Gate at Ypres. Breaking into the wall in throe places arc open rows of columns. The centre group ol columns leads to a smaller scmi-circular apse, which is consecrated to the New Zealand dead. 'Flic two side groups lead to semi-circu-lar stone-paved courts surrounded by the same high inscribed wall. The apse wall is terminated at both ends with arched buildings surmounted by domes, on which are statues ol a winged female figure with head bowed ovey a wreath of Victory and Peace. The cemetery is enclosed by low walls which, near the entrance, rise m height to form an arched gateway. All the walls are built of flint work, with dressings of French stone. Flints, il well set in cement, form an unchanging and imperishable wall snriacc. In appearance the flint walls call to remembrance tne precinct walls ol some cathedrals and of many churchyards and old buildings in the chalk districts of South-east England. Their grey surfaces will be the background lor the flowers and trees which will color and shade the cemetery. From the scats round the apse wail and its buildings the Cross and its stepped platform arc seen silhouetted against the skv and below against tho battlefields of the salient as they slope down to Ypres. On a clear day can bo seen the rebuilt- roofs and spires ol Ypres, Mont Kcnnnel. Alont Bongo, and Alont Noir, the Mont cles Cat*, and more distantly tho lonely height ol Casscl. To the north lies Hoiiihoulst Forest, and below the eye reaches to villages round Dunkirk and the sand dunes. In tins peaceful sanctuary, and ou the great Alenin Gate which has risen from the ruins ol the rampart and moat of Ypres, are graven the 90,000 names of those who fell on the Ypres battlefields, but whose restingplace is unknown.”