Brandhoek Cemeteries

Brandhoek is a hamlet approximately 4 km from Poperinge heading eastwards along the N308 towards Ieper. The hamlet contains three war cemeteries, all designed by by Sir Reginald Bloomfield and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

BRANDHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY

Brandhoek Military Cemetery
Brandhoek Military Cemetery.

Brandhoek Military Cemetery was created in May 1915, adjacent to one of the many dressing stations in the area. With the New Military Cemetery being opened in July 1917, in preparation for the Third Battle of Ypres, Brandhoek Military Cemetery was closed.

Some of the graves in Brandhoek Military Cemetery
Some of the graves in Brandhoek Military Cemetery.

BRANDHOEK NEW MILITARY CEMTERY

Brandhoek New Military Cemetery
Brandhoek New Military Cemetery.

Until July 1917, burials were made in Brandhoek Military Cemetery. With the arrival of 32nd, 3rd Australian and 44th Casualty Clearing Stations in preparation for the Third Battle of Ypres (launched on 31 July 1917), Brandhoek New Military Cemetery was created.

This cemetery contains casualties from July and August 1917, including the graves of Captain Noel Chavasse, VC & Bar, MC and his batman Private Charles Arundel Rudd.

Charles Arundel Rudd
Charles Arundel Rudd

Private Rudd was born in Birmingham, later moving to St. Helens and enlisting at Liverpool. He died of wounds on 10 August 1917, 6 days after Captain Noel Chavasse.

Brandhoek New Military Cemetery now contains the graves of 514 UK, 11 Australian, 6 Canadian and 28 German soldiers.

BRANDHOEK NEW MILITARY CEMTERY No. 3

Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3
Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3.

Until July 1917, burials were made in Brandhoek Military Cemetery. With the arrival of 32nd, 3rd Australian and 44th Casualty Clearing Stations in preparation for the Third Battle of Ypres (launched on 31 July 1917), Brandhoek New Military Cemetery was created.

In August 1917, Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3 was opened and continued in use until May 1918.

Graves in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3
Graves in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3.

Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3 contains the graves of 849 UK, 46 Australian, 1 British West Indian, 46 Canadian, 18 New Zealand, 5 South African and 1 Chinese Labour Corps soldiers. Due to the number of gun sites in the area, 25% of the graves are Artillery personnel.