Leopoldsburg War Cemetery

The Leopoldsburg War Cemetery is a Second World War military cemetery of Commonwealth servicemen located in Leopoldsburg, in the province of Limburg, Belgium. The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).^[1]

The cemetery contains 800 burials of the Second World War, of which 783 are identified and 17 are unidentified. The majority of those buried died during the liberation of Belgium and the subsequent Allied advance into the Netherlands and Germany in 1944–45.^[2]

Following the Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine in late 1944, heavy fighting occurred across Belgium as Allied forces pushed toward the German border. Casualties from field hospitals and battlefield burials across northern Belgium were later concentrated at Leopoldsburg after the war.

The town of Leopoldsburg was a significant military centre, home to a large Belgian army camp before and after both world wars. Its location made it suitable for the establishment of a permanent cemetery for Commonwealth forces who fell during operations in the region.

Most of those buried here died between September 1944 and April 1945, during operations connected with the clearing of the Scheldt, the liberation of Antwerp, and the advance into the Netherlands and the Rhineland.

The cemetery was designed according to the standard architectural principles of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It features the Cross of Sacrifice, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, and the Stone of Remembrance bearing the inscription: THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE.

The graves are arranged in uniform rows marked by Portland stone headstones, engraved with regimental badges, personal inscriptions (where chosen by families), and religious symbols.

British Army Corporal John William Harper, a member of the 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (Hallamshire Battalion), was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallant actions on 29 September 1944 during operations on the Dutch–Belgian border. He was aged 28 and is buried in Plot V. B. 15.

Royal Air Force Captain Edwin “Ted” Swales, of No. 582 Squadron RAF, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and posthumously the Victoria Cross for his conspicuous bravery on 23 February 1945 during a bombing operation over Germany. He was killed in action aged 29 and is buried in the cemetery.

British Army Major William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, eldest son and heir of the 10th Duke of Devonshire, served with the Coldstream Guards. He was killed in action on 10 September 1944 during operations in Belgium and is buried at Leopoldsburg War Cemetery.

The cemetery is located on Koningin Astridlaan in Leopoldsburg, approximately 10 kilometres north of Beringen and 25 kilometres west of Hasselt. It lies near the former Leopoldsburg military camp and is accessible to the public year-round.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Cemetery details: Leopoldsburg War Cemetery. Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials