Nieuwpoort Communal Cemetery
Location
Nieuwpoort Communal Cemetery is located in the town of Nieuwpoort, which is 20 km south west of Oostende.
From Oostende the N34 carries on to the N367 immediately after the King Albert Monument and the Achterhaven. Two kilometres along the N367 Brugsesteenweg lies the cemetery, on the right hand side of the road.
Ramscappelle Road Military Cemetery is a few hundred metres further along on your right.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 51.129189 | 2.764091 | Map |
Historical Information
Nieuwpoort (also known as Nieuport) was about the middle of the line held by XV Corps in June-November 1917. On 10th July 1917, there was heavy fighting in this sector as the Germans mounted an attack from Nieuwpoort northwards. Most of those buried in the cemetery died in June, July and August.
In May 1940, the British Expeditionary Force was involved in the later stages of the defence of Belgium following the German invasion, and suffered many casualties in covering the withdrawal to Dunkirk.
The cemetery contains 70 Commonwealth burials of the First World War (three of them unidentified) and 31 from the Second World War (four unidentified).
There are two small plots of Commonwealth graves
Private J O’Reilly 44254
2nd Bn Manchester Regiment
Died on 14th July 1917 aged 19
Son of Mr. J O’Reilly
of 4, Madryn St., Princes Park, Liverpool
Grave: II A 15
Private Thomas Rae 45015
2nd Bn Manchester Regiment
Died on 2nd July 1917 aged 19
Son of Thomas and Janet Rae
of 45, Everton Rd
Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester
Grave: I B 4
Lance Corporal A Ward 19142
16th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers
Died on 12th July 1917
Grave: I A 12