Le Touquet Railway Crossing Cemetery
Location
Le Touquet Railway Crossing Cemetery is located 17 Km south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Rijselseweg N365, which connects Ieper to Wijtschate and on to Armentières.
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 Km after the village of Ploegsteert lies the left hand turning onto Chemin de la Blanche (Witteweg).
The cemetery is located by taking the first right hand turning from the Witteweg, past Motor Car Cemetery. At the end of this road the road turns to the left towards Touquet. This road is called rue du Touquet.
This junction has been modified into a roundabout in an unusual design. Turn right at the junction and you will come to the usual give way signs. It makes sense; just not immediately on seeing it.
The cemetery is located 1 Km along this road after passing Tancrez Farm Cemetery.
| GPS | N | E | OSM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 50.71128 | 2.91204 | Map |
Historical Information
The cemetery was used from October 1914 to June 1918. Rows A to E contain the graves of 28 men of the 1st Rifle Brigade killed in October and November 1914, during fierce German attacks on the 11th Infantry Brigade.
There are now 74 First World War casualties buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 24 of the graves are unidentified but special memorials commemorate three casualties known to be buried among them.
The cemetery was designed by G H Goldsmith.
Captain Otho Gilliat
1st Bn The Rifle Brigade
Died on 30th October 1914 aged 31
Son of Howard and Helen Gilliat
of Stragglethorpe Old Hall, Newark-on-Trent.
Served in the South African Campaign
Grave: A 1
Major John Morrah
1st Bn Royal Lancaster Regiment
Died on 18th October 1914 aged 39
Son of Col J Morrah (60th Rifles) and Mary Morrah
Husband of Maud Morrah
of 129 Hamlet Gardens, Ravenscourt Park, London
Grave: A 6
Captain Selwyn Lucas-Tooth
3rd Bn Lancashire Fusiliers
Died on 20th October 1914 aged 35
Eldest son of Sir Robert Lucas-Tooth, Bart,
and Helen Lady Lucas-Tooth
Husband of Everild Lucas-Tooth
of 3 Hans Crescent, London
Born March 19th 1879
Killed in Action
Le Touquet Flanders
Grave: A 10
Serjeant George Hibbs 3336
1st Bn The Rifle Brigade
Died on 7th November 1914 aged 24
Son of Mr and Mrs G Hibbs
of 16, Station Rd., Southwick, Brighton
There lies our dear son
and brother
Far from home
May he rest in peace
Grave: D 6