NIEUWKERKE (NEUVE-EGLISE) CHURCHYARD
West-Vlaanderen
Belgium
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 50.74562 Longitude: 2.8257
© Werner Van Caneghem
Location Information
Nieuwkerke (Neuve-Église) Churchyard is located 12 Kms south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Kemmelseweg (N331) which connects Ieper to Kemmel and onto Nieuwkerke.
From Ieper town centre the Kemmelseweg is reached via the Rijselsestraat, through the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort) and straight on towards Armentieres (N336). 900 metres after the crossroads is the right hand turning onto the Kemmelseweg (made prominent by a railway level crossing).
After passing the village of Kemmel the N331 continues for 4 Kms towards Nieuwkerke. On reaching Nieuwkerke the first right hand turning leads onto Kemmelstraat. The churchyard is located 80 metres along the Kemmelstraat on the left hand side of the road and facing the Market Place.
Historical Information
Nieuwkerke (also known as Neuve-Eglise) was captured by the Germans on from 14 April 1918, after a stubborn defence by the 49th (West Riding) and 33rd Division, and remained in their hands until it was retaken by the 36th (Ulster) Division on 2 September. The churchyard was used by field ambulances and fighting units at intervals during the war, particularly, in the early days, by the Cavalry and the 5th Division.
During the Second World War, the British Expeditionary Force was involved in the later stages of the defence of Belgium following the German invasion in May 1940, and suffered many casualties in covering the withdrawal to Dunkirk.
Nieuwkerke Churchyard contains 92 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and ten from the Second World War. There are also four war graves of other nationalities within the churchyard.
Total Burials: 108.
World War One Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 75, Australia 10, New Zealand 5, Canada 1, India 1. Total 92.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 10, Belgium 3, France 1. Total 14.
Commonwealth plot designed by William Harrison Cowlishaw
Dedications
6880 Private Frederick William Blake, 1st Bn. East Surrey Regiment, 21st January 1915. Husband of Eliza Matilda Wallace, father of Robert ,Albert, Winifred and Frederick. Son of Alfred and Frances Blake.
Remembered by great niece, Pam Delaney
Images in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
Ruins of Neuve-Eglise church, Belgium.
The ruins of the church at Neuve-Eglise.
Neuve-Eglise, April 1916. Taken from the Church. © IWM Q 50763
The ruined church at Neuve Eglise, November 1916. © IWM Q 4554
British cavalry unit crossing a bridge over a communication trench near Neuve Eglise, 7 May 1917. © IWM Q 6184
The Advance in Flanders. Troops of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 36th Division, advancing from Ravelsburg Ridge to the outskirts of Neuve Eglise, 1 September 1918. © IWM Q 7022
World War Two Burials
Cemetery Images © Werner Van Caneghem
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Belgian World War Two Roll of Honour
From left to right
Soldat Isldore Theodore De Prince, Belgian Army, died 27th May 1940. Plot II. A. 15.
Soldat William Georges Corneille Mazeure, Belgian Army, died 27th May 1940. Plot II. A. 14.
Soldier Ferdinand Varhaege, Belgian Army, died 25th May 1940. Plot II. A. 16.
From left to right
Soldat Isldore Theodore De Prince, Belgian Army, died 27th May 1940. Plot II. A. 15.
Soldat William Georges Corneille Mazeure, Belgian Army, died 27th May 1940. Plot II. A. 14.
Soldier Ferdinand Varhaege, Belgian Army, died 25th May 1940. Plot II. A. 16.
