Sir Reginald Blomfield was one of the three principal architects appointed by the Imperial War Graves Commission to shape the design of its cemeteries and memorials after the First World War. By the time he joined the Commission’s work, Blomfield was already a respected figure in British architecture, known for his measured use of classical forms and for his ability to combine clarity, proportion and restraint in his buildings. His approach aligned well with the Commission’s aim to create sites that were dignified, orderly and permanent.
Blomfield’s preference for simple classical design is evident in several of the Commission’s most recognisable features. He was responsible for the Cross of Sacrifice, a tall stone cross with a bronze sword superimposed on its face, intended to provide a single unifying element across cemeteries of all sizes. The design was deliberately straightforward, avoiding elaborate symbolism while still marking the site as a place of military commemoration. The Cross became one of the Commission’s defining architectural components and remains present in almost every Commonwealth cemetery.
He also designed a number of major memorials, including the Menin Gate at Ypres, which commemorates tens of thousands of soldiers with no known grave. The structure’s arches, symmetry and restrained ornament reflect Blomfield’s belief that classical architecture could convey solemnity without excess. His work provided a counterbalance to the more abstract tendencies of Lutyens and the heavier imperial style favoured by Baker, giving the Commission a broad architectural vocabulary.
Blomfield’s contribution helped establish the visual identity of the Commission’s cemeteries and memorials. His emphasis on proportion, clarity and classical order ensured that the sites would remain legible and dignified even as they aged. Alongside Lutyens and Baker, he played a central role in defining how the Commonwealth commemorates its war dead, and his designs continue to shape the landscape of remembrance across the world.
