The development of the nearby industrial area has led to changes in the landscape which means the cemetery now sits on lower ground to that which surrounds it. As a result, the cemetery has been subject to severe flooding over the past 20 years. This not only resulted in damage to the structures and plantation, but also meant that the cemetery was temporarily inaccessible to visitors.



To reinstate the cemetery and make it accessible again, the ground level of the cemetery will be raised. All headstones and structural features are to be dismantled to its foundations and then reconstructed at the new level (± 1.20m), ensuring as many original elements as possible are re-used.  Hereby, the slope of the cemetery will be maintained.

The new reconstruction will go back to the original plans as much as possible.  The tool shed, that disappeared after a flood, will be reconstructed on the basis of historical plans. Also the plantation will be carried out according to the original layout.



Additionally, we will invest in public-oriented access. An information panel will be established and an educational program will be developed. The cemetery is also integrated in the public access of the Ypres Salient.

The province of West-Flanders wants to stimulate and consolidate quality heritage initiatives and therefore will invest €150 000 towards this project. The city of Ieper also supports this project by supplying a pumping station.

Work is scheduled to begin early October 2015 and to be completed by March 2016. The cemetery will not be accessible to visitors during this period. 

Timing of the works
 Setting up: October 2015
 Dissembling the structures: October – November 2015
 Foundations: November 2015
 Elevating cemetery: December 2015
 Foundations tool house: January 2016
 Brickwork: January – February 2016
 Stonework: January – February 2016
 Works surroundings and planting: January – March 2016

For more information, contact Pieter Verdonck, +32 (0) 57224753, pieter.verdonck@cwgc.org

Notes for editors:
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (www.cwgc.org)
The CWGC is responsible for the commemoration of almost 1.7 million members of the Commonwealth forces who gave their lives in the two world wars. The graves and memorials of these men and women, who came from all parts of the Commonwealth are found around the globe in 153 countries. The CWGC operates in over 23,000 locations across all continents except for Antarctica. The CWGC has two area offices in Western Europe, one in Ieper (Belgium) and one in Beaurains (France). Apart from Belgium and France the Western Europe Area is also responsible for Germany, The Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Poland, and Switzerland.