Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery
- Country Belgium
- Total identified casualties 163 Find these casualties
- Region Hainaut
- Identified casualties from First World War
- 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. If disabled visitors cannot get to this cemetery without being driven by car, they should contact our office in Ieper well in advance of their visit - Telephone (057) 22 36 36, so that arrangements can be made with our local staff to open up the track.
History 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 164 First World War burials. The cemetery was designed by W H Cowlishaw.