Five Cemeteries Walk, South of Ploegsteert

5 Cemeteries Walk

This WW1 Tour is a rewarding walking tour of Ieper (Ypres) battlefields and is a circular route that takes in all five cemeteries located on the southern tip of the Ieper (Ypres) Salient World War I sites south of Ploegsteert. The WW1 battlefield here saw some of the early fighting of 1914 and 1915, including the Christmas Truce of 1914. This Ypres battlefields walk will take a full day to complete however, if you are pressed for time you may wish to use your car or your bike. I have included an original trench map sketch from the War Diary of the 28th Machine Company, 9th (Scottish) Division, which I use when walking the route. I of course also refer to Google Maps for the modern landscape and you can also by using the link here https://maps.app.goo.gl/WuEnt2HsfVJNs53Y8  

War Diary of the 28th Machine Company, 9th (Scottish) Division

I have also included a Map sketch from the War Diary of the Queens Royal Surrey Regiment showing the trench line from Ploegsteert Wood - Le Gheer - south to the Railway Crossing just north of Le Touquet. This map includes the names of the Forts that are mentioned in the narrative of the actions recounted in the cemetery biographical. The area has changed in the intervening years with many more buildings and roads, the new motorway for example cuts through the front line, however, you still get a very good appreciation of the landscape as it was in 1914/15.

War Diary of the Queens Royal Surrey Regiment

Iron Harvest

A word of warning, if you find unexploded munitions please leave them well alone not just for your own safety but for that of others who maybe in your party. Remember it is illegal to take this type of ‘souvenir’ back to the UK. Take a photo/video and post it on your social media channel instead.

How to get there

I park my car at the car park located on the left about 100 metres past the Le Touquet Railway Crossing Cemetery. You will pass two of the five cemeteries to arrive at the parking. Le Touquet Railway Crossing Cemetery is located 15 Km south of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the Rijselseweg N365, which connects Ieper to Wijtschate, Mesen, Ploegsteert and onto Armentieres. 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 Witteweg (Chemin de la Blanche). The first right hand turning from the Witteweg leads towards Motor Car Cemetery. At the end of this road lies the left hand turning towards Touquet. This road is called Rue du Touquet. The cemetery and car park is located 1 Km along this road.

The Five Cemeteries Walk

I walk the route from Le Touquet and back along the Rue du Touquet and the cemeteries list below reflects my route. You may decide to follow the road from the car park – Rue du Gheer –  this is a long straight road with the motorway on your right and you will meet a house on the corner of a left turn approximately after 1.5km onto the Chem de la Blanche and then a further 1 km until you come to the first cemetery Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery. The trench maps above are excellent for referencing points of interest.

For each cemetery click the link for the biographical details and more information.

Le Touquet Railway Crossing Cemetery

https://www.theypressalient.com/post/le-touquet-railway-crossing-cemetery

Tancrez Farm Cemetery

https://www.theypressalient.com/post/tancrez-farm-military-cemetery

Motor Car Corner Cemetery

https://www.theypressalient.com/post/motor-car-corner-cemetery

Gunners Farm Military Cemetery

https://www.theypressalient.com/post/gunners-farm-military-cemetery

Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery

https://www.theypressalient.com/post/calvaire-essex-military-cemetery