Rifle House Cemetery is a

Commonwealth War Graves Commission The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is an intergovernmental organisation of six independent member states whose principal function is to mark, record and maintain the graves and places of commemoration of Commonwealth of Nations mil ...

burial ground for the dead of the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

located near

Ypres Ypres ( , ; nl, Ieper ; vls, Yper; german: Ypern ) is a Belgian city and municipality in the province of West Flanders. Though the Dutch name is the official one, the city's French name is most commonly used in English. The municipality co ...

on the Western Front. The cemetery grounds were assigned to the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

in perpetuity by King

Albert I of Belgium Albert I (8 April 1875 – 17 February 1934) was King of the Belgians from 23 December 1909 until his death in 1934. Born in Brussels as the fifth child and second son of Prince Philippe, Count of Flanders and Princess Marie of Hohenzollern-S ...

in recognition of the sacrifices made by the

British Empire The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts esta ...

in the defence and liberation of

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...

during the war.First World War
accessed 19 August 2006

Foundation

The cemetery takes its name from a strong point that stood in Ploegsteert Wood of which no trace now remains.
accessed 27 September 2007 Founded in November 1914, it was in use until June 1916.Commonwealth War Graves Commission
accessed 27 September 2007 The cemetery fell into German hands on 10 April 1918 during the Spring Offensive, but fell back to the Allies on 29 September 1918 as the

Hundred Days Offensive The Hundred Days Offensive (8 August to 11 November 1918) was a series of massive Allies of World War I, Allied offensives that ended the First World War. Beginning with the Battle of Amiens (1918), Battle of Amiens (8–12 August) on the Wester ...

swept north and east.Wereldoorlog I in de Westhoek
accessed 27 September 2007 The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.

Notable graves

This cemetery contains the last resting place of Rifleman Robert Barnett of the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, who died on 19 December 1914. He was 15 years old.Wereldoorlog I in de Westhoek record for Robert Barnett
accessed 27 September 2007

References

External links

* * {{Find a Grave cemetery Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries in Belgium Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front)