1st DCLI Cemetery
Location
1st DCLI Cemetery is located 4 km south east of Ieper town centre, on the Verbrandemolenstraat a road leading from the Komenseweg, connecting Ieper to Komen (N336).
From Ieper town centre the Komenseweg is located via the Rijselsestraat, through the Rijselpoort (Lille Gate) and crossing the Ieper ring road, towards Armentières and Lille. The road name then changes to Rijselseweg.
1 km along the Rijselseweg lies the left hand turning onto Komenseweg. 2.5 km along the Komenseweg lies the right hand turning onto the Vaartstraat. 900 metres along the Vaartstraat lies the left hand turning onto the Verbrandemolenstraat. 400 metres along the Verbrandemolenstraat a short distance from the road is the cemetery.
Visitors to this site should note the 100 metre grassed access path leading to the cemetery which is not accessible by vehicle.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 50.82095 | 2.91294 | Map |
In other words ! Coming out of Ieper follow the N336 until you turn left immediately before the railway line, following numerous CWGC Panels including Railway Dugouts which you will pass shortly on your right.
Just after this you will see Blauwepoort Farm Cemetery to your right and within a kilometre you will turn right following the CWGC panels for this group of cemeteries.
A short distance later as you turn left into the trees you keep going straight on at the next intersection and within a few hundred metres you will come to a small parking bay and panels guiding you to the three cemeteries in this locality.
The grass path splits within a hundred metres. Straight on will bring you to Woods Cemetery. Taking the path to your right will bring you to the 1st DCLI Cemetery. Continuing along the front of that cemetery (passing its gate) and then turning right will bring you to Hedge Row Trench Cemetery.
Historical Information
The Bluff was the eastern point of:
…a narrow ridge covered with trees-probably the heap formed by excavation when the canal was dug-which forms a feature of the flat wooded country at the Southern bend of the Ypres salient.
Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatch of the 19th May 1916
The trenches of the 14th (Light) Division on it were captured by the Germans in February 1916, and retaken by the 3rd Division on the 2nd March. In the following July the enemy blew a mine under it, but failed to capture the ground.
Woods Cemetery in the trees beyond
It was given up in the spring of 1918, but regained by the 14th Division on the 28th September. The First DCLI Cemetery dates from a period earlier than the fighting of 1916. It contains the graves of officers and men of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (one of whom had just obtained a commission in another Regiment) and other soldiers from the United Kingdom, all of whom fell in April-July 1915.
Row D, was added after the Armistice by concentrations from the battlefield.
There are now over 50, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, 15 are unidentified.
The cemetery covers an area of 472 square metres and is enclosed by a low brick wall.
Private George Keeling 12779
1st Bn Duke of Cornwall’s LI
Died on 10th July 1915 aged 21
Son of Mr and Mrs Keeling,
of 94 Southern Rd, Plaistow, London
Grave: B 16
Sergeant John Penrose 9486
1st Bn Duke of Cornwall’s LI
Died on 19th May 1915 aged 23
Son of Mrs Martha Penrose,
of 29 Castle St, Truro, Cornwall
Grave: C 9
Other cemeteries in the area
If you wish to continue to Hedge Row Trench Cemetery which is in the trees behind this cemetery — leave by the gate and turn right following the grass path. Within 50 metres you will turn right at the intersection with the forest path and a further 100 metres will bring you to a clearing in which sits the cemetery.
Return by the same route — continuing straight down along the forest path may seem quicker but it actually brings you out on the far side of the parking bay and in an area that can get very muddy underfoot.
If you insist because it is sunny ! Just after the pond take the laneway to your left and turn left again at the barrier. You now pass the back of Woods Cemetery and should be able to see your vehicle.