LA PLUS DOUVE FARM CEMETERY
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.75293 Longitude: 2.86468
© Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery is located 10.5 Kms south of Ieper town centre on a road leading from the Rijselseweg (N365) which connects Ieper to Wijtschate, and on to Armentieres.
From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg. On reaching the town of Mesen the first right hand turning leads onto the Nieuwkerkestraat (N314). 2 Kms along the Nieuwkerkestraat lies the left hand turning onto Plus Douve.
The cemetery lies 800 metres along the Plus Douves on the right hand side of the unsurfaced road beyond the farm. The unsurfaced road is used by Heavy Goods Vehicles to service the farm and should not be obstructed.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to site possible - maybe by an alternative entrance.
Historical Information
In the valley of the river Douve, north of Ploegsteert Wood, were two farms. La Petite Douve was the object of a successful raid by the 7th Canadian Infantry Battalion in November 1915 and La Plus Douve, which was generally within the Allied lines, was used at times as a battalion headquarters. It was also known as Ration Farm because battalion transport could approach it at night with rations.
La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery was begun in April 1915 by the 48th (South Midland) Division and continued in use until May 1918, when it fell into German hands.
The cemetery contains 336 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden and William Harrison Cowlishaw
Total Burials: 345.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 101, Canada 88, Australia 86, New Zealand 61, Germany 9. Total 345.
La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery is located 10.5 Kms south of Ieper town centre on a road leading from the Rijselseweg (N365) which connects Ieper to Wijtschate, and on to Armentieres.
From Ieper town centre the Rijselsestraat runs from the market square, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and directly over the crossroads with the Ieper ring road. The road name then changes to the Rijselseweg. On reaching the town of Mesen the first right hand turning leads onto the Nieuwkerkestraat (N314). 2 Kms along the Nieuwkerkestraat lies the left hand turning onto Plus Douve.
The cemetery lies 800 metres along the Plus Douves on the right hand side of the unsurfaced road beyond the farm. The unsurfaced road is used by Heavy Goods Vehicles to service the farm and should not be obstructed.
Visiting Information
Wheelchair access to site possible - maybe by an alternative entrance.
Historical Information
In the valley of the river Douve, north of Ploegsteert Wood, were two farms. La Petite Douve was the object of a successful raid by the 7th Canadian Infantry Battalion in November 1915 and La Plus Douve, which was generally within the Allied lines, was used at times as a battalion headquarters. It was also known as Ration Farm because battalion transport could approach it at night with rations.
La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery was begun in April 1915 by the 48th (South Midland) Division and continued in use until May 1918, when it fell into German hands.
The cemetery contains 336 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden and William Harrison Cowlishaw
Total Burials: 345.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 101, Canada 88, Australia 86, New Zealand 61, Germany 9. Total 345.
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
27th November 1917; A view of La Douve Farm looking north towards Messines, in Belgium. This farm was captured by the 39th Australian Battalion in the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917. The brick wall on the right is all that remains of the farmhouse and the destroyed vehicles in the centre indicate the site of the farm buildings.
1811 Private
George Bryant Ayliffe
27th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th June 1916, aged 19.
Plot I. C. 6.
Son of Leonora Mary Ayliffe, of 5, Marlborough St., Malvern, South Australia, and the late Henry Charles Hamilton Ayliffe.
George Bryant Ayliffe
27th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
29th June 1916, aged 19.
Plot I. C. 6.
Son of Leonora Mary Ayliffe, of 5, Marlborough St., Malvern, South Australia, and the late Henry Charles Hamilton Ayliffe.
127074 Gunner
James Raymond Clapham
294th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
21st June 1917, aged 19.
Plot III. A. 3.
Son of Joseph and Ruth Clapham, of 128, Malsis Rd., Keighley, Yorks.
James Raymond Clapham
294th Siege Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery
21st June 1917, aged 19.
Plot III. A. 3.
Son of Joseph and Ruth Clapham, of 128, Malsis Rd., Keighley, Yorks.
3496 Private
Ernest Cooper Davey
57th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th February 1918, aged 20.
Plot III. C. 9.
Son of William and Sarah Davey, of 179, Don St., Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. Native of Corop, Victoria.
Ernest Cooper Davey
57th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th February 1918, aged 20.
Plot III. C. 9.
Son of William and Sarah Davey, of 179, Don St., Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. Native of Corop, Victoria.
5371 Private
Walter William Haynes
32nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th November 1917.
Plot III. C. 20.
Son of Mary Ann and the late Benjamin Haines. Native of Nairne, South Australia.
Walter William Haynes
32nd Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
27th November 1917.
Plot III. C. 20.
Son of Mary Ann and the late Benjamin Haines. Native of Nairne, South Australia.
5105 Private
Robert Thomas Heard
57th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
21st March 1918, aged 28.
Plot III. B. 5.
Son of Robert and Mary Ann Heard, of 34, Carpenter St., Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
Robert Thomas Heard
57th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
21st March 1918, aged 28.
Plot III. B. 5.
Son of Robert and Mary Ann Heard, of 34, Carpenter St., Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
R/213 Private
Edward Gordon McAuley
57th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
2nd March 1918, aged 26.
Plot III. C. 11.
Son of William and Lucy Mould McAulay, of 55, Clarke St., Newton, Geelong, Victoria. Australia.
Pictures courtesy of great, great nephew, Gary Tucker
Edward Gordon McAuley
57th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
2nd March 1918, aged 26.
Plot III. C. 11.
Son of William and Lucy Mould McAulay, of 55, Clarke St., Newton, Geelong, Victoria. Australia.
Pictures courtesy of great, great nephew, Gary Tucker
2433 Private
George Trevitt Thurgarland
27th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st July 1916, aged 28.
Plot I. C. 11.
Son of Henry Babington Thurgarland, and Elizabeth Ann Thurgarland, of Mission Station, Point McLeay, South Australia.
George Trevitt Thurgarland
27th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
1st July 1916, aged 28.
Plot I. C. 11.
Son of Henry Babington Thurgarland, and Elizabeth Ann Thurgarland, of Mission Station, Point McLeay, South Australia.
2755 Private
Harold Milton Wise
57th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th February 1918, aged 23.
Plot III. C. 7.
Son of John Maraling Wise and Mary McDonald Wise, of Tyers St., Portland, Victoria, Australia. Native of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
Harold Milton Wise
57th Bn. Australian Infantry, A. I. F.
25th February 1918, aged 23.
Plot III. C. 7.
Son of John Maraling Wise and Mary McDonald Wise, of Tyers St., Portland, Victoria, Australia. Native of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
Plotting reference: 28M 21 22 27 28 Key feature: Mont Vidaigne, Mont Rouge, Locrestraat, Locre Chateau, La Douve. © IWM (BOX 164-919-53B-28M-1918)
A British soldier looks out across the Douve Valley, as shells explode on the village of Messines, 8th June, 1917. © IWM Q 2295
