Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial

The American Battle Monument Commission (ABMC) that was established following the First World War has many sites here in Europe that Americans hardly know about. Through all of the travel and especially here in London, I have seen multiple war memorials and cemeteries honoring the people that sacrificed their lives for the country they fought for. It was so refreshing to go and visit an American site. The cemetery, 30.5 acres in extent, was constructed on the site of a temporary cemetery established in 1944 on land donated by the University of Cambridge. After the war, it was selected as the only World War II cemetery in the British Isles. A high portion of those buried at the site were temporarily interred in England and Northern Ireland and represent American service men and women who served as crew members of British based American aircraft. Most of the others died in the invasions of North Africa and France as well as the training areas of the United Kingdom and the waters of the Atlantic.  

On the stonewall leading to the chapel every name is carved in with their home state and ranking. Leading up to the chapel was a beautiful long pond lined with flowers. Inside the chapel the dedication read, “INTO THY HANDS O LORD”. The words FAITH and HOPE in bronze letters are set into the chancel rail. I absolutely loved what was read on the exterior chapel pediment. It said,

“TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY. 1941-1945”