Poperinge (Poperinghe)
The town of Poperinge is situated about 8 miles (12.5km) to the west of Ypres / Ieper on a direct road and railway link.
Town Behind the Allied Lines
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Throughout the Great War of 1914-1918 Poperinge, or “Pops” as the British soldiers called it, was used by the British Army as a gateway to the battlefields of the northern Ypres Salient. It was an important rail centre behind the front line and was used for the distribution of supplies, for billeting troops, for casualty clearing stations and for troops at rest from duty in the forward trench areas. Thousands of troops passed through this small town at some time or other.
The main square formed the hub of five main roads leading into the town and, therefore, was constantly bustling with military traffic, military personnel and those civilians who had stayed on in the town. Because of its importance to the military behind the front Allied lines, the town was frequently targetted by long range German artillery. During the Third Battle of Ypres (31 July - 10 November 1917) Poperinge and the surrounding area was bombed by German aircraft. Some bombs landed on the Casualty Clearing Stations nearby.
Hops and Beer
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The region is famous for growing hops. Poperinge is home to the national hop museum. There are over 800 different types of beer in Belgium. One of the famous local beers is Sixtus, which is brewed in the St. Sixtus Abbey near Proven, about 2.5 miles (4km) north-west of Poperinge.
WW1 Places to Visit
Talbot House (Toc H)
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Talbot House, known as “Toc H”, is one of the very special places of First World War interest to visit in the Ypres Salient. It was established by the Reverend “Tubby” Clayton in December 1915 as an “Everyman's Club” for soldiers and officers of the British Army. It is now a “living museum”.
History of Talbot House (Toc H)
About Talbot House (Toc H) Museum
Self-catering accommodation is available at the famous old House for individuals and small groups.
Website: www.talbothouse.be Accommodation
Ljssenthoek Military Cemetery & Visitor Centre
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10,755 casualties of the First World War are buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. This was the location of field hospitals behind the Allied Front Line. It is the second largest British and Commonwealth cemetery in Belgium. The burials include a number of Chinese Labour Corps men.
The adjacent Visitor Centre is dedicated to the work of the medical services in the Great War.
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
Poperinge Tourist Office
Related Topics
Visiting the Ypres Salient Battlefields
Visiting the Ypres Salient Battlefields
Acknowledgements
(1) Photo: Stadhuis van Poperinge. City Hall of Poperinge, West-Flanders, Belgium by LimoWreck. Used under the GNU Free Documentation license:
Website: commons.wikimedia.org
(2) Photo: Hop (Humulus Lupulus): Umbel by LuckyStarr. Used under the GNU Free Documentation license:
Website: www.commons.wikimedia.org
