Lone Tree Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery

Like the Spanbroekmolen cemetery nearby, Lone Tree Cemetery was established in 1917 at the start of the Battle of Messines.^[1] Most of the burials are of men from the Royal Irish Rifles 36th (Ulster) Division^[2] who died on the first day of the battle.^[3] Most graves are of soldiers who went "over the top" early in the morning of 7 June 1917.

Some of the men buried here were actually killed by the explosion of the mine placed by the British Royal Engineers under Lone Tree hill^[4] at Spanbroekmolen, which was blown around 15 seconds later than planned. The Spanbroekmolen mine formed part of a series of mines under the German lines. It was charged with 91,000 pounds (41,000 kg) of ammonal and set 88 feet (27 m) below ground, at the end of a gallery 1,710 feet (520 m) long.^[5] When detonated on 7 June 1917, its blast formed the "Lone Tree Crater" with a diameter of 250 feet (76 m) and a depth of 40 feet (12 m).^[5] The crater at Lone Tree was acquired in 1929 by the Toc H foundation in Poperinge, today recognised as the Pool of Peace memorial.^[6][7][8]

The cemetery was designed by J. R. Truelove.^[2] The cemetery grounds were assigned to the United Kingdom in perpetuity by King Albert I of Belgium in recognition of the sacrifices made by the British Empire in the defence and liberation of Belgium during the war.^[9]

• Cemetery details. Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
• Lone Tree Military Cemetery at Find a Grave