Directions

Ramparts Cemetery is located within the town of Ieper. From the Market Square, follow Rijselsestraat until you reach the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort). Before passing through the gate, a path to the right leads to the ramparts and, after a short distance, to Ramparts Cemetery.

About the cemetery

The Belgian town of Ypres (Ieper) formed the centre of a salient that was the scene of bitter fighting throughout the war. The town was never captured by the Germans and was bombarded so thoroughly it was completely destroyed. The well-known Menin Gate on the eastern side of the town was a common exit for British soldiers leaving the town for the front, but it was open to direct artillery fire and was dangerous to use. For this reason Lille Gate, on the south side of the town, was also frequently used by troops making their way to the front. No part of Ypres was safe however, and many casualties occurred on the stretch of road leading to the gate. French troops established a cemetery next to the gate in 1914 and this was used periodically by British troops after they occupied the town from 1915. There are 11 Australians buried here out of a total of 198 graves (the French graves were removed after the war). Six of the Australians are buried in a row and were all killed by a single shell which struck the 2nd Division Headquarters on October 29th, 1917.

Total burials: 198

Australian burials: 11 (all identified)