Brandhoek New Military No. 3 Cemetery

Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3 is a British First World War cemetery located roughly 6.5 km west of the centre of Ypres (Ieper), on the Zevekotestraat, a road running off the N308 that connects Ieper with Poperinge. It is one of several war cemeteries clustered around Brandhoek, an area that during the war lay within the zone considered comparatively safe from enemy shellfire — which is precisely why it became a hub for military medical facilities.

Why did a cemetery appear at Brandhoek?

Brandhoek sat within a stretch of ground behind the front line, extending as far as the church at Vlamertinghe, where British field ambulances were stationed continuously throughout the war. It was this proximity to medical support units that turned the surrounding fields into burial grounds for soldiers who did not survive evacuation from the front, or who succumbed to their wounds shortly after reaching the rear.

When was it established, and how long did it remain in use?

Until July 1917, burials in this area were made at the neighbouring Brandhoek Military Cemetery. That changed with preparations for a new Allied offensive planned for that same month. Three Casualty Clearing Stations — the 32nd, the 3rd Australian, and the 44th — were moved into the area, and the resulting scale of casualties made a new cemetery necessary. Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3 opened in August 1917 and remained in use until May 1918, spanning the most intense phase of the fighting around Ypres, including the Third Battle of Ypres, better known as the Battle of Passchendaele.

How many burials are there, and who designed the cemetery?

The cemetery contains 975 First World War burials. Its design was entrusted to Sir Reginald Blomfield, one of the principal architects who worked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to shape the appearance of British military cemeteries across Flanders and northern France. The cemetery's orderly rows of uniform headstones, a central Cross of Sacrifice, and carefully maintained planting are all hallmarks of the design language applied across the former Western Front.

What should visitors know before coming here?

The cemetery is easy to reach from Ieper: head out towards Poperinge along the N308 and turn onto Zevekotestraat. It forms part of a wider network of cemeteries and memorials commemorating the fighting around Ypres that draws visitors interested in First World War history every year. Because several other Brandhoek cemeteries lie close by, including the older Brandhoek Military Cemetery, it is worth setting aside extra time in the area to take in the full story of this critical wartime medical hub in a single visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is Brandhoek New Military Cemetery No. 3 open to visitors? Yes. Like most cemeteries maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the site is open to the public free of charge throughout the year.

Why is the cemetery called "No. 3"? The number reflects the order in which cemeteries were opened in the Brandhoek area — this was the third burial ground established there as casualties mounted during the war.

How do I get there from the centre of Ypres? Take the N308 towards Poperinge and turn onto Zevekotestraat; the site is about 6.5 km from the town centre.

Which period of the war do the burials here date from? The cemetery was in use from August 1917 to May 1918, covering the Third Battle of Ypres and the fighting that followed in the months afterward.