Loading

The Chapel at the American Cemetery

Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial is a cemetery and chapel between the villages of Coton and Madingley in Cambridgeshire, England. It was opened in 1956, and commemorates American servicemen and women who died in World War II. It is administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
The cemetery dates to 1943, when it was opened as a temporary cemetery on 30.5 acres of land donated by the University of Cambridge. After the war, it was selected as the only permanent American World War II military cemetery in the British Isles.
The cemetery contains 3,809 headstones, with the remains of 3,812 servicemen, including airmen who died over Europe and sailors from North Atlantic convoys. The inscribed Wall of the Missing includes four representative statues of servicemen, sculpted by American artist Wheeler Williams. The wall records the names of 5,127 missing servicemen, most of whom died in the Battle of the Atlantic or in the strategic air bombardment of northwest Europe.

The cemetery is beautifully maintained, but is such a sad reminder of the pity of war.
Visible by: Everyone
(more information)

More information

Visible by: Everyone

All rights reserved

Report this photo as inappropriate

16 comments

Boro said:

Joli cadrage ********
7 years ago ( translate )

Amelia replied to Boro:

Thank you, Boro. +++++
7 years ago ( translate )

Nick Weall said:

Striking xx
7 years ago ( translate )

Amelia replied to Nick Weall:

We found the whole place very moving, Nick, and beautifully maintained.
7 years ago

Ulrich John said:

A very interesting series, Amelia ! Thanks for showing !
7 years ago

Amelia replied to Ulrich John:

Many thanks, Ulrich. We have visited many of the war cemeteries in Normandy both those of the allies and the German cemeteries. The latter are also very well maintained by volunteers. They are so tragic, such a waste of young lives.
7 years ago

Marie-claire Gallet said:

Interesting and very moving, Amelia !!!
7 years ago

Amelia replied to Marie-claire Gallet:

Thank you, Marie-claire. The chapel is a place for quiet meditation.
7 years ago ( translate )

Steve D said:

What a lovely shot Amelia .. one most certainly liked by me and one i am sure our friend sarah will find interesting also

Nest wishes ... Steve
7 years ago

Amelia replied to Steve D:

The tall windows have the names of every State in America together with their symbol, Steve. I found the Georgia one for our friend Sarah, but it was very high up and difficult to get a good photo of it. I'll see if I can process it a bit for her.
7 years ago

Sarah O' said:

This lovely work of Art in this place is overwhelming and rips at my heart with sadness, but such pride in the Sacrifice of so many of our dear, devoted American Service Men. My dad fought in World War 11 ... He was a United States Navy.. God Bless His life and service to our homeland, tho he was NOT killed in this endeavor. I remember him in that stark White Navy Uniform when I was a young girl. of course I love this photo. YS
7 years ago

Amelia replied to Sarah O':

It is a very peaceful and moving place, Sarah, and the feeling of sadness is often overwhelming. We have visited war cemeteries in Normandy. They are huge there, American, Commonwealth and German graves. Thousands upon thousands of young lives lost and seemingly only a few lessons learned. Nevertheless it's so important to honour all the young people who gave up their lives .....
7 years ago

Gudrun said:

While the artwork is impressive I am never at ease with symbols of war- it's our history that makes us feel like this, I suppose. Most Germans feel uncomfortable with anything military or with flag waving...
7 years ago

Amelia said:

I can understand how you feel, Gudrun, and I hope I haven't made any of my German friends uncomfortable by posting these photos I too feel very uncomfortable with jingoism. There is a need for places like this and a need to remember ,,,, quiet and restful areas of peace.

I wonder if you have read any of the anti-war poems by the Shropshire born poet Wilfred Owen?
There is one entitled 'Strange Meeting', which is very moving.

www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/47395
7 years ago

tiabunna said:

A lovely chapel with striking artwork - I presume it's done in tiles. And yes, I find myself remembering the old song "when will we ever learn?".
7 years ago