Brookwood

Brookwood Military Cemetery is owned by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and is the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the United Kingdom, covering some 37 acres and containing over 5,000 Commonwealth burials. Surrounding it is Brookwood Cemetery, which is privately owned, and was opened in 1854 when it was consecrated by the Bishop of Winchester. The aim was to provide burial space for the London boroughs since their churchyards were full and there was a problem in acquiring land for new cemeteries. It is now the United Kingdom's largest burial ground with nearly 240,000 people buried there. In 1917, an area of land in this cemetery was set aside for the burial of men and women of the forces of the Commonwealth as well as Americans who had died, many of battle wounds, in the London district. This was further extended to accommodate the graves of Commonwealth casualties of the Second World War including our Allies.

There are also two plots - one British, one Canadian - of post-war service burials within the Military Cemetery which are maintained by the Commission. The Canadian Section is the last resting place of 41 service members and dependants.

Brookwood Cemetery is situated 3 miles west of Woking on the A324 towards Pirbright.

From the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Information Sheet

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