Brandhoek New Military Cemetery
Location
Brandhoek New Military Cemetery is located 6.5 km west of Ieper town centre, on the Zevekotestraat, a road leading from the N308 connecting Ieper to Poperinge. From Ieper town centre the Poperingseweg (N308), is reached via Elverdingestraat then directly over two small roundabouts in the Capronstraat. The Poperingseweg is a continuation of the Capronstraat and begins after a prominent railway level crossing. 6 km along the N308, after passing the village of Vlamertinge and just beyond the church in the hamlet of Brandhoek lies the left hand turning onto the Grote Branderstraat. After crossing the N38 Westhoekweg, the first right hand turning leads onto the Zevekotestraat. The cemetery is located 300 metres along the Zevekotestraat on the right hand side of the road, beyond the N38 dual carriageway, which it is necessary to cross.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 50.852768 | 2.787840 | Map |
Historical Information
During the First World War, Brandhoek was within the area comparatively safe from shell fire, which extended beyond Vlamertinghe Church. Field ambulances were posted there continuously.
Until July 1917 burials had been made in the Military Cemetery, but the arrival of the 32nd, 3rd Australian and 44th Casualty Clearing Stations in preparation for the new Allied offensive launched that month made it necessary to open the New Military Cemetery, followed in August by the New Military Cemetery No 3.
Brandhoek New Military Cemetery contains 530 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 28 German war graves.
The burials are of July and August 1917 and amongst them is the grave of Captain Noel Chavasse, VC and Bar, MC, one of only three men who have won the Victoria Cross twice (and the only person to whom it was awarded on both occasions during the Great War)..
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
Captain Noel Chavasse VC and Bar, MC
Royal Army Medical Corps
1/10th Bn The King’s (Liverpool Regiment)
Died on 4th August 1917 aged 32
Son of The Right Rev The Lord Bishop of Liverpool
of The Palace, 19 Abercromby Square, Liverpool
Grave: III B 15
His brother, Aidan also fell
The London Gazette
26th October 1916
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During an attack he tended the wounded in the open all day, under heavy fire, frequently in view of the enemy. During the ensuring night he searched for wounded on the ground in front of the enemy`s lines for four hours. Next day he took one stretcher-bearer to the advanced trenches, and under heavy shell fire carried an urgent case for 500 yards into safety, being wounded in the side by a shell splinter during the journey.
The same night he took up a party of twenty volunteers, rescued three wounded men from a shell hole twenty-five yards from the enemy`s trench, buried the bodies of two Officers, and collected many identity discs, although fired on by bombs and machine guns. Altogether he saved the lives of some twenty badly wounded men, besides the ordinary cases which passed through his hands. His courage and self-sacrifice were beyond praise.
The London Gazette
14th September 1917
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, when in action. Though severely wounded early in the action whilst carrying a wounded soldier to the Dressing Station, Capt. Chavasse refused to leave his post, and for two days not only continued to perform his duties, but in addition went out repeatedly under heavy fire to search for and attend to the wounded who were lying out.
During these searches, although practically without food during this period, worn with fatigue and faint with his wound, he assisted to carry in a number of badly wounded men, over heavy and difficult ground. By his extraordinary energy and inspiring example, he was instrumental in rescuing many wounded who would have otherwise undoubtedly succumbed under the bad weather conditions. This devoted and gallant officer, subsequently died of his wounds.
Across the main dual-carriageway in the village you will find a small monument to Chavasse in the driveway to the church.
His brother: Lieutenant Aidan Chavasse was killed whilst serving with the 17th Bn The King’s (Liverpool Regimen) on the 4th July 1917 and is commemorated on the Menin Gate.
Private Charles Rudd 356629
1/10th Bn The King’s (Liverpool Regiment)
Died on 10th August 1917 aged 20
Son of Christopher and Julia Rudd
of St Helen’s, Lancs
Grave: VI B 11
Rudd was Captain Chavasses’s batman.
Lt Colonel Thomas Boardman DSO
8th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Died on 5th August 1917 aged 40
Son of E and M Boardman
of Ratcliffe, Manchester
Husband of H Boardman
of “Kenyon Hall,” Kenyon, Manchester.
Grave: III F 1