Polygon Wood, near the village of Zonnebeke, was the location of a number of battles during the First World War, beginning in late 1914.

[1] It had been held by the Germans since April 1915 but was captured by the Australian 5th Division in the Battle of Polygon Wood, which took place in the period from September to October 1917.

[2] Abandoned during the German spring offensive in March–April 1918, the area was the scene of further fighting in September 1918 when it was seized by the 9th (Scottish) Division.

There are special memorials to seventeen British soldiers and thirteen New Zealanders who are known to be among those unnamed.

The path from the road to the main part of the cemetery is bisected by a Cross of Sacrifice.