DRANOUTER CHURCHYARD
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
Location Information
Dranouter Churchyard is located 11.5 kilometres south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Dikkebusseweg (N375).
From Ieper town centre the Dikkebusseweg is reached via Elverdingsestraat, straight over a roundabout onto J.Capronstraat (for 30 metres), then left along M.Fochlaan. Immediately after the train station, the first right hand turning is the Dikkebusseweg.
On passing through the village of Dikkebus the road continues for 6 kilometres to the village of Loker. Continuing through the village of Loker, the road becomes Dikkebusstraat which runs for 2 kilometres to the village of Dranouter. The church and churchyard are located in the centre of the village.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
Dranoutre (now Dranouter) was occupied by the 1st Cavalry Division on 14 October 1914. It was captured by the Germans on 25 April 1918, in spite of the stubborn resistance of the 154th French Division, and it was recaptured by the 30th Division on 30 August 1918.
Dranouter Churchyard was used for Commonwealth burials from October 1914 and July 1915 when the military cemetery was begun. In 1923, 19 graves were moved from the churchyard to the military cemetery when the church was rebuilt.
Dranouter Churchyard contains 79 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.
Casualty Details: UK 79; Total Burials: 79
Dranouter Churchyard is located 11.5 kilometres south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Dikkebusseweg (N375).
From Ieper town centre the Dikkebusseweg is reached via Elverdingsestraat, straight over a roundabout onto J.Capronstraat (for 30 metres), then left along M.Fochlaan. Immediately after the train station, the first right hand turning is the Dikkebusseweg.
On passing through the village of Dikkebus the road continues for 6 kilometres to the village of Loker. Continuing through the village of Loker, the road becomes Dikkebusstraat which runs for 2 kilometres to the village of Dranouter. The church and churchyard are located in the centre of the village.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access possible via main entrance.
Historical Information
Dranoutre (now Dranouter) was occupied by the 1st Cavalry Division on 14 October 1914. It was captured by the Germans on 25 April 1918, in spite of the stubborn resistance of the 154th French Division, and it was recaptured by the 30th Division on 30 August 1918.
Dranouter Churchyard was used for Commonwealth burials from October 1914 and July 1915 when the military cemetery was begun. In 1923, 19 graves were moved from the churchyard to the military cemetery when the church was rebuilt.
Dranouter Churchyard contains 79 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.
Casualty Details: UK 79; Total Burials: 79
Lieutenant
Leslie Hall Douglas
2nd Field Coy. Royal Engineers
9th July 1915, aged 27.
Plot VI. 6.
Son of John and Dorothy Jane Douglas, of 33, Brighton Grove, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Rest, Until The Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away."
Leslie Hall Douglas
2nd Field Coy. Royal Engineers
9th July 1915, aged 27.
Plot VI. 6.
Son of John and Dorothy Jane Douglas, of 33, Brighton Grove, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Rest, Until The Day Break And The Shadows Flee Away."
Lieutenant
Kenneth Rowley Forde
3rd Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
23rd July 1915, aged 28.
Plot VI. 7.
Son of Canon Forde, LL. D., and Mrs. Forde, of 18, Salisbury Terrace, Poltrush, Co. Antrim.
Kenneth Rowley Forde
3rd Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
23rd July 1915, aged 28.
Plot VI. 7.
Son of Canon Forde, LL. D., and Mrs. Forde, of 18, Salisbury Terrace, Poltrush, Co. Antrim.
Lieutenant
Norman Ramsay
4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish), formerly Royal Field Artillery
13th November 1914, aged 34.
Plot III. D. 2.
Son of Mrs. Florence M. Ramsay, of Cams Hall, Fareham, Hants.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Part Of Our Life's Unalterable Good. J.R.Lowell."
Norman Ramsay
4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish), formerly Royal Field Artillery
13th November 1914, aged 34.
Plot III. D. 2.
Son of Mrs. Florence M. Ramsay, of Cams Hall, Fareham, Hants.
His headstone bears the inscription; "Part Of Our Life's Unalterable Good. J.R.Lowell."
Second Lieutenant
Geoffrey Staniland
1st/4th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
13th April 1915, aged 34.
Plot VI. 1.
Son of Robert William Staniland, of Hussey House, Boston, Lincs; husband of Millicent E. Staniland, of The Abbey House, Louth, Lincs.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Lord Bless Thee And Keep Thee."
Geoffrey Staniland
1st/4th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment
13th April 1915, aged 34.
Plot VI. 1.
Son of Robert William Staniland, of Hussey House, Boston, Lincs; husband of Millicent E. Staniland, of The Abbey House, Louth, Lincs.
His headstone bears the inscription; "The Lord Bless Thee And Keep Thee."
Second Lieutenant
George Heremon Wyndham
3rd Bn. Devonshire Regiment, attd. 2nd Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
24th March 1915.
Plot II. B. 16.
George Heremon Wyndham
3rd Bn. Devonshire Regiment, attd. 2nd Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
24th March 1915.
Plot II. B. 16.
Two images of Dranouter from a similar angle, taken 2 years apart. The devastation wrought in the intervening 2 years is obvious, Dranouter church and churchyard is within the square created by the roads at bottom right.
26th September 1916; Plotting reference: 28M 35 Key feature: Locre-Dranoutre Road. © IWM (BOX 163-255-53B-28M-1918)
10th August 1918; Plotting reference: 28M 35 Key feature: Locre-Dranoutre Road.
The remains of the church can be seen bottom right of the image. © IWM (BOX 163-255-53B-28M-1918)
A British supply column passing through the village of Dranouter, probably in August 1918. Note the ruins of the church in the background. © IWM (Q 61317)
