The cemetery was first used by Commonwealth units at the end of April 1915 and continued in use until May 1916. The cemetery was used again from July 1917, mostly by artillery units, for burials arising from the 1917 Flanders offensive. There are now 283 First World War burials within the cemetery.
The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Cemetery Location
Divisional Cemetery, Dickebusch Road is located 2 km west of Ieper town centre. From Ieper town centre the Poperingseweg (N308), is reached via Elverdingsestraat then straight over two small roundabouts in the J. Capronstraat. The Poperingseweg is a continuation of J. Capronstraat and begins after a prominent railway level crossing. 1km along the Poperingseweg lies the left hand turning onto Omloopstraat. The cemetery itself is located 100 metres along the Omloopstraat on the right hand side of the road.
(Linesman Map)
German Gas attack on 5 May 1915 – Hill 60
On the 5 May the line was held by the 15th Brigade, which included the 1st Norfolks, 2nd Duke of Wellington’s, and the 1st Bedfords, in the line. At 8.45am the Germans released gas against the 2nd Duke of Wellington’s. Army Standing Orders were that in the event of a gas attack the men were to evacuate that part of the trench affected and move to the flanks. The gas in this attack came from the flank and it spread along the length of the trench and in addition it was exceptionally thick and the respirators proved to be ineffective. Within fifteen minutes of the attack the 2nd Duke of Wellington’s abandoned their positions and the Germans took over all of the hill with the exception of a small piece on the lower slopes.
(Linesman Map. Hill 60)
Twenty three of the 2nd Duke of Wellington’s are buried in Row C, Grave 18.
(Authors image)
FALKIRK AND DISTRICT MEN BURIED HERE
Carronshore
13871 Private David McLuckie
2nd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers
6.5.15
B.8
Son of David McLuckie, Waterside, Carronshore; brother of John McLuckie 6th Bttn KOSB KIA 5 May 1918 & buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery
Burials
Divisional Cemetery now contains 281 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.
UK – 188
New Zealand – 65
Canadian – 26
Bermuda – 1
Known Unto God - 1
Three Belgian graves have been removed.