History
The Saint Peter’s Chapel dates back to the middle of the 13th century, but is badly neglected by the 19th century and has to be demolished. It has also become too small for the number of parishioners and the church administration wishes to replace it with a larger place of worship. Opposing views on whether or not to demolish the chapel cause the situation to drag on for more than 50 years. In the end, it is preserved and restored.
After the fights in eastern Brabant, the city of Tienen decides to bury the Belgian fallen soldiers in the chapel. The municipal excavation service, headed by Léonard Reynaerts, a Red Cross volunteer, gives 145 fallen soldiers a final resting place in the building. Most of them belong to the 22nd line regiment that suffered heavy losses on 18 August 1914. Its then commander, Colonel Guffens, is buried among his soldiers at his request in 1943. After the war, some of the fallen are taken back to their former places of residence. Other dead are given a resting place in the chapel, which brings the current number of graves to 143.
The necropolis is one of the most impressive cemeteries in Belgium. It does not fall under the supervision of the War Graves Department but was and still is maintained by the city of Tienen.
Casualties
143 First World War
Description
On 18 August 1928, after six years of restoration, the cemetery is officially inaugurated. The gravestones, positioned side by side and made of white stone, are sober and identical for all ranks. The flat tombstones are embellished with a Belgian helmet and an oak leaf motif. The light falling through the stained-glass windows creates quite an atmosphere in the chapel.