La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery

La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery is a small First World War military cemetery located in the municipality of Comines-Warneton (Komen-Waasten), on the Belgian-French border, in the valley of the river Douve, just north of Ploegsteert Wood. The site sits within an area that saw intense trench warfare on the Western Front from the spring of 1915 onward.

Where does the name come from?

Two farms named after the Douve stood close together in this valley: La Petite Douve and La Plus Douve. The former became the target of a successful night raid carried out by the 7th Canadian Infantry Battalion in November 1915. The latter, La Plus Douve, generally lay within the Allied lines and was used at times as a battalion headquarters. It was also known as Ration Farm, since supply transport could reach it at night to bring rations to the troops — the origin of this popular alternative name.

When was the cemetery established?

The cemetery was begun in April 1915 by the 48th (South Midland) Division and remained in continuous use until May 1918, when the ground fell into German hands during their spring offensive. A related, smaller cemetery lies nearby: Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Annexe, begun in January 1915 and used until January 1918, which holds 202 Commonwealth burials of the First World War.

How many burials are there?

La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery contains 336 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. It is one of many burial grounds maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) across the Flanders region, an area that witnessed some of the most devastating battles of the Western Front.

Who designed the cemetery?

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden, a British architect who worked with the Imperial War Graves Commission (the forerunner of today's CWGC) on numerous war cemeteries across France and Belgium. The quiet, orderly layout of rows of white headstones, enclosed by a boundary wall and greenery, is characteristic of cemeteries designed during this period.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the cemetery located? The cemetery lies in the municipality of Comines-Warneton (Komen-Waasten), in Hainaut province, in the valley of the river Douve, just north of Ploegsteert Wood — an area well known for its role in Western Front fighting between 1914 and 1918.

Are there other war cemeteries nearby? Yes. The directly related Ration Farm (La Plus Douve) Annexe lies close by, established in January 1915, and contains 202 burials.

Who maintains the cemetery? The site is cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the organisation responsible for maintaining and commemorating the graves of Commonwealth service members who died in both world wars.

How long was the cemetery in use? From April 1915 until May 1918, when the area was overrun by German forces during their spring offensive on the Western Front.