Yorkshire Trench & Dugout

archaeological survey

Further investigation revealed the alignment of a shallow trench dating from 1915, and a well-preserved trench from 1917. The oldest trench was created after the fighting that followed the first gas attack of 22 April 1915. That line was initially French but became British from 5 June 1915. In spring 1917, a new trench was dug from here and called Yorkshire Trench. The dugout served as headquarters for the 13th and 16th Battalions Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the Third Battle of Ypres, but was abandoned after the first phase of this major British offensive.

museum collection

From 1998, the industrial estate along the Ypres-Boezinge canal expanded. The Diggers undertook to stay ahead of the construction machinery on Saturdays. Countless valuable artefacts but also tons of ammunition came to the surface. The In Flanders Fields Museum was able to include the most exceptional pieces in its collection. The large industrial site also gave away a lot of human remains. In total, more than 200 bodies were recovered. They were given a final resting place in one of the British, French or German cemeteries in the region.

presentation and education

The City of Ypres managed to acquire a small site around Yorkshire & Trench Dugout. In August 2002, the Diggers restored about 70m of the trench and dugout entrances. For the most part, the original A-frames were used, but the gangways and thousands of sandbags were renewed. The footprint of the dugout and the shallow trench from 1915 were plotted on the site with walkways and gravel paths. Information boards give visitors an insight into the construction of the site and its historical events.

educational day trip