The journey Mr and Mrs Brooker undertook in 1998 to visit Lijssenthoek Cemetery began in Amsterdam. Three train transferrs were necessary to take them to the village nearest the cemetery. No taxis were available for the final 4 kms so they began walking. Fortunately a passerby offered a lift and they arrived at their destination. They express the view that this was a worthwhile journey and there was a great sense of satisfaction being there - it was a special place, beautifully maintained and it was a consolation that New Zealanders graves' were tended so carefully so far from home. A man visiting the cemetery offered to take they back to the train station for the return journey to Amsterdam.

New Zealand lost 18,166 service men and women, out of a population of approximately 1,089,825, in World War I. Nearly all those killed were buried overseas. AWMM