DOZINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
UK - 3,021
CEF - 61
BWIR - 34
NEWFOUNDLAND - 19
SA - 15
AIF - 6
CLC - 3
GERMAN - 65
UNNAMED - 1
HISTORY
Westvleteren is a village and commune in the Province of West Flanders, near the French frontier. Dozinghem Military Cemetery is south of the village, and 8 km from Poperinghe. Westvleteren was outside the front held by British troops in Belgium during the war, and the Cemetery is its one historical link with the British forces. In July 1917, at the beginning of the British offensive of Third Ypres, groups of Casualty Clearing Stations (CCS) were placed in readiness at three positions called by the troops Mendinghem, Dozinghem and Bandaghem. The 4th, 47th and 61st CCS were posted at Dozinghem, and the Military Cemetery was used by them until early in 1918. It contains a few later burials in Plots XV and XVI. Three of the British graves were brought after the Armistice from the former French Military Cemeteries of Hoogstade-Linde, Hoogbrug and Crombeke. The Cemetery stands in a clearing of the forest, and covers an area of 15,000 square meters. It is bounded on the north and west by a brick and stone wall, and on the south and east by a concrete wall. Within the boundary of the Cemetery, separated from the west end of the Commonwealth plots by a wide path, was a Belgian Military Cemetery (now removed) containing 118 graves. It was used by the Belgian troops on the left of the British from June to October 1918. The register of Dozinghem Military Cemetery records particulars of 3,174 War Graves. It also contains 73 graves from the Second World War.
LOCATION
Dozinghem Military Cemetery is located 12 km west of Ypres town centre on the Leeuwerikstraat, a road leading from the N308 connecting Ypres to Poperinghe. From center of Ypres, the Poperingseweg (N308), is reached via Elverdingsestraat then directly over two small roundabouts in the J. Capronstraat. The Poperingseweg is a continuation of the J. Capronstraat and begins after a prominent railway level crossing. On reaching the town of Poperinghe take the right hand turning onto the R33; Oostlaan leads to the left hand junction with Veurnestraat. The Veurnestraat leads to the first right hand turning onto the Sint Bertinusstraat. The third right hand junction along this road leads onto Krombeekseweg, towards the village of Krombeke. 3.5 km along this road which at this point is known as Leeuwerikstraat, lies the signpost indicating the right hand turning onto a woodland track leading to Dozinghem Military Cemetery. The cemetery is located a short distance along the track: in very wet weather this track may not be passable and you are advised to park by the road and walk. There is parking outside the cemetery and enough space to turn road. The track is not suitable for vehicles bigger than a car.GRAVES OF INTEREST
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Major H.Denison DSO (IV-F-1) 'O' Battery Royal Horse Artillery |
- Died 28th August 1917.
- Died of wounds received 27th Aug. Son of Brig. Gen. Henry Denison C.B., C.B.E., and Edith Kate Denison, of 41, Evelyn Gardens, Kensington, London. Served at Gallipoli with 29th Div. and in battles on the Somme, Messines, Vimy Ridge, Ypres and Langemarck.
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Captain H.S.Feilding (IX-J-20) 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards |
- Died 11th October 1917, age 23.
- The Hon. Son of the Earl and Countess of Denbigh, of Newnham Paddox, Lutterworth, Rugby.
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Lieutenant Hon. E.A.French (III-I-18) 2nd Bn South Wales Borderers |
- Died 19th August 1917, age 22.
- The Hon. Son of Arthur, 4th Baron De Freyne and Marie, Lady De Freyne, of 48, Queen's Gate, London, and French Park, Co. Roscommon.
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Rev. S.S.Knapp DSO MC (II-C-1) Army Chaplains Dept attach. 2nd Bn Irish Guards |
- Died 1st August 1917.
