6 replies to this topic

[oppy]

In April we are going to visit, for the first time, the area around Ypres where an ancestor of mine fought in 1915/16.  I am looking for extra information about Potijze Wood where he was badly injured on 27 May 1915 serving with 7th battalion DCLI .  It was not in a major battle but in one of  the usual skirmishes.  Also interest in the Rue du Bois area, Elverdinghe Chateau and and  Poperinghe areas.  I have read quite a bit but especially Potijze Wood is of great interest to me.  Any extra info would be gratefully received.

Many thanks to anyone with information

Oppy

[Ian Riley]

Oppy,

Just an aside but Elverdinghe Chateau is, I think, occupied private property. It is an interesting building and, I understand, relatively untouched by the Great War although subject to some shelling. Access to the grounds seems quite difficult to obtain (as it would be for any private house)

Ian

[Beselare]

Hi Oppy

Just to elaborate on Ian's comment about Elverdinghe Chateau.  Yes, it is a very imposing building and the gate to the driveway leading to the chateau seems always to be open.  Last year I took a friend there as his relative had been billetted there at one time.  As it looked empty, I drove down the long drive admiring the views and went to the rear of the building.  As we pulled up a man appeared carrying a shotgun, accompanied by a very large, vicious, barking dog (it turned out he was the handyman/gardener/security guard while the family are away).  We kept in the car and he asked us what we were doing there.  I explained that we just wanted to take a photo.  He reluctantly agreed and warned us that it must not be published.  As the dog didn't seem to be inclined to take its attention away from us, we stayed in the car and took two or three photos.  If you stand at the main entrance, it is possible to get a very good photo of the building from there.  I also believe that Ian is quite correct in saying that the building was not damaged during the war.  Shells fell in the grounds, but apparently none of them hit the chateau.

Regards
Bob

[sabine72]

Hello,
The chateau of Elverdinge, was damaged during the war, it was accidently set to fire by british soldiers, after the war it was rebuild by Jules Coommans.
Yes it is private property.
Potijze wood is not there anymore, you can visite Poijze chateau wood cemetery (location of where the small wood used to be) it was part of the domain of the chateaux owned by the family Merghelynck, never rebuild after the war ( yes there were 2 chateaux on the domain)
Kind regards
Sabine

[Beselare]

Hi Oppy & Sabine

I stand corrected.  I made my comment based on a chat I had with my friend Count Christophe du Parc of Vlamertinghe Chateau.   He told me about his chateau having one shell land on it, and commented that his counterpart at Vlamertinghe was lucky as no shells landed on it.  We did not discuss the fire!

Bob

[sabine72]

Oppy,
The count in Elverdinge was not that luky with his chateau, plus Elverdinge was still in the range of fire, the whole village was damaged badly.
I got postcards to show if you want to see some just pm me
Sabine

[oppy]

Many thanks to all who have taken the time to reply to me.  I shall certainly visit the cemetery at Potijze Wood and am glad to be informed the wood itself is no longer there.  Everlinghe Château is another must but I shall keep out of the grounds and admire from the entrance.  Any further info from members will be gratefully received.

Best wishes to all

Oppy