Lone Tree Cemetery

Lone Tree Cemetery is named after the nearby 'Lone Tree Crater', which is also called the 'Spanbroekmolen crater' or 'Pool of peace'. The Spanbroekmolen crater is one of the 19 craters that were created on 7 June 1917, during the famous Mine Battle. However, the mine at the Spanbroekmolen is said to have exploded a few seconds later than planned, causing the men of the 'Royal Irish Rifles (36th Ulster Division)', who left the trenches too early at the indicated time of 03.10, to be hit by their own mine.
(Inventory of Immovable Heritage)

Lone Tree Cemetery was opened in June 1917 after the first day (June 8, 1917) of the Battle of Messines. 88 soldiers are buried here, 79 of whom have been identified. The cemetery is located a stone's throw from the Lone Tree Crater, better known as the 'Pool of Peace'.
Almost all the soldiers died the moment they left their trenches and were mowed down by the air displacement and falling debris caused by the explosion of the Lone Tree Mine. This mine went off a few seconds later than the other mines in the area. Hence this sad balance.
The Lone Tree Crater was later renamed the 'Pool of Peace'.
Watch out for the electrical wiring along the narrow path that leads you to the cemetery.