Directions

From Poperinghe, take the N38 south. After 800 metres turn left into Lenestraat then immediately right into Boescheepseweg. The cemetery is two kilometres along this road on the right hand side.

About the cemetery

For the duration of the war the hamlet of Poperinghe was behind the Allied lines and served as the principle rear area for operations in the Ypres Salient. Military hospitals were established here very early in the war, and these began burying their dead in the surrounding hopfields. From this grew Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, a typical 'hospital' cemetery, one of the largest on the Western Front. Until the construction of Tyne Cot Cemetery after the Armistice, Lijssenthoek was the world's largest Commonwealth war cemetery. More Australians are buried here than in any other cemetery except Tyne Cot and, because they died after arriving at the hospital, all of them are known by name. Today the cemetery contains 10,750 burials, including 9901 Commonwealth graves and 883 war graves of other nationalities, mostly French and German.

Total burials: 10,750

Australian burials: 1131 (all identified)

Notable Australians buried in this cemetery

• Major Frederick Tubb VC, 7th Battalion, died 20/09/1917, age 36. Major Tubb won his Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery during the fighting at Lone Pine in Gallipoli on August 9th 1915. He was one of seven Australians to win the VC in that battle. During the Battle of Menin Road on September 20th 1917, he led his men in the capture of several enemy positions and was leading them towards the objective when wounded by a shell from the British barrage. He died later that day in a dressing station. Grave XIX. C. 5.

• Second Lieutenant William Seabrook, 17th Battalion, died 21/09/1917, age 21. William Seabrook was one of three brothers killed within two days during the Battle of Menin Road. His brothers George and Theo were both killed on September 20th and have no known grave. Their names are recorded on the Menin Gate. Grave XXIII. B. 5.