PLOEGSTEERT WOOD MILITARY CEMETERY
Hainaut
Belgium
GPS Coordinates - Latitude: 50.73711, Longitude: 2.90041
Location Information
Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery is located 12.5 Kms south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Rijselseweg N365, which connects Ieper to Wijtschate, Mesen, Ploegsteert 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.
2 Kms after Mesen lies the left hand turning onto Rue St.Yvon. Immediately after passing Prowse Point Military Cemetery lies a right hand turning onto a small road track (unsuitable for vehicles). 1.2 Kms after this junction lies the cemetery, along the track leading into the wood.
Visiting Information
This cemetery is located in the wood at Ploegsteert and access is only possible via a track in the woods to which motor vehicles are not allowed - a post is in position preventing vehicle access.
Historical Information
Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery was made by the enclosure of a number of small regimental cemeteries.
Plot II was originally the SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY CEMETERY, made by the 1st Battalion in December 1914. The 32 graves it contains, as well as ten in Plot I, are from that battalion.
Plot IV, the BUCKS CEMETERY, was made by the 1st/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, in April 1915. 11 of the 20 graves it contains are from that battalion.
Plot III contains 16 graves of the 1/5th Gloucesters, made between April and May 1915, and in Plots III and I there are 12 graves of the 8th Loyal North Lancs from October to December 1915. However, these plots were known as CANADIAN CEMETERY, STRAND, from the 28 Canadian graves of June to October 1915 in Plot III, and from the trench running nearby.
The cemetery as a whole was used sparingly in 1916, and again by the New Zealand Division in July and August 1917. It was in German hands between 10 April and 29 September 1918.
Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery contains 165 First World War burials.
The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.
Total Burials: 165.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 116, Canada 28, New Zealand 18, Australia 1. Total 163.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 1, Unknown 1. Total 2.
Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery is located 12.5 Kms south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Rijselseweg N365, which connects Ieper to Wijtschate, Mesen, Ploegsteert 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.
2 Kms after Mesen lies the left hand turning onto Rue St.Yvon. Immediately after passing Prowse Point Military Cemetery lies a right hand turning onto a small road track (unsuitable for vehicles). 1.2 Kms after this junction lies the cemetery, along the track leading into the wood.
Visiting Information
This cemetery is located in the wood at Ploegsteert and access is only possible via a track in the woods to which motor vehicles are not allowed - a post is in position preventing vehicle access.
Historical Information
Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery was made by the enclosure of a number of small regimental cemeteries.
Plot II was originally the SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY CEMETERY, made by the 1st Battalion in December 1914. The 32 graves it contains, as well as ten in Plot I, are from that battalion.
Plot IV, the BUCKS CEMETERY, was made by the 1st/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, in April 1915. 11 of the 20 graves it contains are from that battalion.
Plot III contains 16 graves of the 1/5th Gloucesters, made between April and May 1915, and in Plots III and I there are 12 graves of the 8th Loyal North Lancs from October to December 1915. However, these plots were known as CANADIAN CEMETERY, STRAND, from the 28 Canadian graves of June to October 1915 in Plot III, and from the trench running nearby.
The cemetery as a whole was used sparingly in 1916, and again by the New Zealand Division in July and August 1917. It was in German hands between 10 April and 29 September 1918.
Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery contains 165 First World War burials.
The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.
Total Burials: 165.
Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 116, Canada 28, New Zealand 18, Australia 1. Total 163.
Unidentified Casualties: United Kingdom 1, Unknown 1. Total 2.
24452 Lance Corporal
William Benjamin Allen
"C" Company, 13th Bn. Canadian Infantry
11th July 1915, aged 27.
Plot III. B. 12.
Inscription "Loved By All Who Knew Him He Nobly Died That We Might Live"
Son of William and Sarah Allen, of Paget Cottages, Albion Rd., Rowhedge, Essex.
William Benjamin Allen
"C" Company, 13th Bn. Canadian Infantry
11th July 1915, aged 27.
Plot III. B. 12.
Inscription "Loved By All Who Knew Him He Nobly Died That We Might Live"
Son of William and Sarah Allen, of Paget Cottages, Albion Rd., Rowhedge, Essex.
Second Lieutenant
Charles Frederick Robert Barnett
5th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
19th April 1915, aged 35.
Plot III. D. 9.
Son of F. C. C. Barnett, of Lark Hill, Abingdon, Berks; husband of Cicely Frances Barnett, of 2, Berkeley Villas, Cheltenham. Joined 4th Aug.1914.
A picture of his headstone can be seen in the gallery below.
Charles Frederick Robert Barnett
5th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
19th April 1915, aged 35.
Plot III. D. 9.
Son of F. C. C. Barnett, of Lark Hill, Abingdon, Berks; husband of Cicely Frances Barnett, of 2, Berkeley Villas, Cheltenham. Joined 4th Aug.1914.
A picture of his headstone can be seen in the gallery below.
Second Lieutenant
Leslie Heron Beauchamp
8th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
6th October 1915, aged 21.
Plot III. E. 2.
Inscription "In Loving Remembrance"
Son of Sir Harold Beauchamp and Lady Beauchamp, of "The Grange," Highland Park, Wellington, New Zealand.
Leslie Heron Beauchamp
8th Bn. South Lancashire Regiment
6th October 1915, aged 21.
Plot III. E. 2.
Inscription "In Loving Remembrance"
Son of Sir Harold Beauchamp and Lady Beauchamp, of "The Grange," Highland Park, Wellington, New Zealand.
Captain
Frank Seymour Bradshaw
1st Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
19th December 1914
Plot II. C. 6.
Nephew of Captain A Bradshaw of Newell House, Grimston Avenue, Folkestone.
Frank Seymour Bradshaw
1st Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
19th December 1914
Plot II. C. 6.
Nephew of Captain A Bradshaw of Newell House, Grimston Avenue, Folkestone.
39172 Private
William Cooper
1st Bn. Otago Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
31st July 1917, aged 28.
Plot I. AA. 3.
Son of Mary Ann Cooper, of Dunedin; husband of Lillian Cooper, of 23, Nelson St., Dunedin, New Zealand.
William Cooper
1st Bn. Otago Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
31st July 1917, aged 28.
Plot I. AA. 3.
Son of Mary Ann Cooper, of Dunedin; husband of Lillian Cooper, of 23, Nelson St., Dunedin, New Zealand.
22979 Private
Otto Corner
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
7th July 1915, aged 23.
Plot III. B. 7.
Inscription "Asleep in Jesus"
Son of William and Hedwig D. Corner, of "Brookside," Drummond Rd., Inverness, Scotland.
Otto Corner
14th Bn. Canadian Infantry
7th July 1915, aged 23.
Plot III. B. 7.
Inscription "Asleep in Jesus"
Son of William and Hedwig D. Corner, of "Brookside," Drummond Rd., Inverness, Scotland.
39964 Private
Charles William Dodds
1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
16th August 1917, aged 28.
Plot I. G. 1.
Son of Charles Ralph and Ann Christina Dodds, of New Zealand.
Charles William Dodds
1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
16th August 1917, aged 28.
Plot I. G. 1.
Son of Charles Ralph and Ann Christina Dodds, of New Zealand.
10652 Private
C. Granger
4th Bn. Canadian Infantry
31st August 1915.
Plot III. C. 2.
C. Granger
4th Bn. Canadian Infantry
31st August 1915.
Plot III. C. 2.
Lieutenant
Henry George Christopher Guise
5th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
6th May 1915, aged 27.
Plot III. D. 8.
Son of Sir William Guise, 5th Bart., of Elmore Court, Gloucester.
A picture of his headstone can be seen in the gallery below.
Henry George Christopher Guise
5th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
6th May 1915, aged 27.
Plot III. D. 8.
Son of Sir William Guise, 5th Bart., of Elmore Court, Gloucester.
A picture of his headstone can be seen in the gallery below.
43972 Private
Robert Hannah
2nd Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
31st July 1917, aged 28.
Plot I. G. 2.
Son of Alexandra and Janet Hannah, of Oamaru, New Zealand.
Robert Hannah
2nd Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
31st July 1917, aged 28.
Plot I. G. 2.
Son of Alexandra and Janet Hannah, of Oamaru, New Zealand.
Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium. 26 December 1917. Men of the 22nd Battalion, laying down wire entanglements, behind the line at Ploegsteert Wood. Hill 63 is seen in the background. The men were living in hutments at Kortepyp Camp where Christmas Day was spent. The Battalion was in reserve and fatigue parties were sent forward daily by the light railway to Ploegsteert where wiring was carried out and extensive salvaging operations undertaken under the supervision of Major J. S. Dooley MC. The area was very quiet at this time and received only desultory shelling.
Images in this gallery © Geerhard Joos
A group of soldiers of the Lancashire Fusiliers infantry regiment at the entrance to a communication trench between walls of sandbags running from Hyde Park Corner at the corner of Ploegsteert Wood to the front line. January 1917.© IWM Q 4647
22808 Corporal
Henry John Jeffery, D. C. M.
1st Bn. 4th New Zealand Rifle Brigade
20th June 1917, aged 26.
Plot III. A. 9.
Son of Harry Henry and Elizabeth Jeffery, of Bell Block, Taranaki, New Zealand.
Henry John Jeffery, D. C. M.
1st Bn. 4th New Zealand Rifle Brigade
20th June 1917, aged 26.
Plot III. A. 9.
Son of Harry Henry and Elizabeth Jeffery, of Bell Block, Taranaki, New Zealand.
23/498 Rifleman
Robert Mawhinney
"B" Company, 1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
20th June 1917, aged 23.
Plot III. A. 9.
Son of William and Annie Mawhinney, of Whata Whata, New Zealand.
Robert Mawhinney
"B" Company, 1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
20th June 1917, aged 23.
Plot III. A. 9.
Son of William and Annie Mawhinney, of Whata Whata, New Zealand.
378 Serjeant
William Harry Morgan
5th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
13th May 1915, aged 36.
Plot III. D. 7.
Son of John Henry and Mary Harriet Morgan; husband of the late Minnie Emily Morgan.
William Harry Morgan
5th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment
13th May 1915, aged 36.
Plot III. D. 7.
Son of John Henry and Mary Harriet Morgan; husband of the late Minnie Emily Morgan.
Captain
Robert Clifford Orr
3rd Bn. attd. 1st Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
19th December 1914, aged 34.
Plot II. C. 3.
Son of Robert Harrison Orr and Cassandra Marchaise Orr, of 1, Lombard St., Belfast.
A picture of his headstone can be seen in the gallery below.
Robert Clifford Orr
3rd Bn. attd. 1st Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
19th December 1914, aged 34.
Plot II. C. 3.
Son of Robert Harrison Orr and Cassandra Marchaise Orr, of 1, Lombard St., Belfast.
A picture of his headstone can be seen in the gallery below.
15319 Rifleman
Harold Douglas Puckridge
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
20th June 1917, aged 24.
Plot III. A. 9.
Son of Samuel Inkerman Puckridge and Laura Puckridge, of Te Aroha, New Zealand.
Harold Douglas Puckridge
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
20th June 1917, aged 24.
Plot III. A. 9.
Son of Samuel Inkerman Puckridge and Laura Puckridge, of Te Aroha, New Zealand.
1478 Lance Corporal
Allen Redfern
1st/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
8th March 1915, aged 20.
Plot I. C. 6.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Redfern, of 26, Byron St., Buxton, Derbyshire.
Allen Redfern
1st/6th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
8th March 1915, aged 20.
Plot I. C. 6.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Redfern, of 26, Byron St., Buxton, Derbyshire.
24/2098 Rifleman
Frank Stevens
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
20th June 1917, aged 29.
Plot III. A. 9.
Son of William and Hannah Stevens, of Wellington, New Zealand.
Frank Stevens
1st Bn. 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
20th June 1917, aged 29.
Plot III. A. 9.
Son of William and Hannah Stevens, of Wellington, New Zealand.
41683 Private
Edward James Way
2nd Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
31st July 1917.
Plot I. G. 2.
Edward James Way
2nd Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N. Z. E. F.
31st July 1917.
Plot I. G. 2.
A/4241 Private
Arnold Edward Winger
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
23rd September 1915, aged 18.
Plot III. D. 1.
Inscription "Jesus Will Bind The Broken Chain Closer When We Meet Again"
Son of Edward and Edith Jane Winger, of 28, Oliver St., Humber Bay, Ontario.
Arnold Edward Winger
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
23rd September 1915, aged 18.
Plot III. D. 1.
Inscription "Jesus Will Bind The Broken Chain Closer When We Meet Again"
Son of Edward and Edith Jane Winger, of 28, Oliver St., Humber Bay, Ontario.
10186 Sergeant
W. J. Young
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
12th August 1915.
Plot III. B. 2.
W. J. Young
3rd Bn. Canadian Infantry
12th August 1915.
Plot III. B. 2.
Corduroy path through Ploegsteert Wood. © IWM (Q 11744)
Pictures in this gallery © Werner Van Caneghem
British troops taking up timber for a trench support through a communication trench at Ploegsteert, March 1917. © IWM Q 5092
