Historical Information
The village of Dadizeele (now Dadizele) was in German hands for much of the First World War until reached by the 36th (Ulster) Division, and taken by the 9th (Scottish) Division, on 29 September 1918. Severe fighting followed on 1 October, at Hill 41, a little south of the village.
Dadizeele New British Cemetery is in fact an extension of the communal cemetery. It was made after the Armistice when graves were brought in from other burial grounds and from the battlefields of 1918, although there are a few 1914 graves in Plot VI, Row D.
The following were burial grounds from which Commonwealth graves were transferred to Dadizeele New British Cemetery:-
BLACK WATCH CEMETERY, LEDEGHEM, between St. Pieter and Hennekot: 34 of 9th Division (mainly 8th Royal Highlanders), who fell 14th October 1918.
DEERLYCK GERMAN CEMETERY, about 100 metres East of the Communal Cemetery: 2 from United Kingdom, who fell October 1918.
MANSARD FARM CEMETERY, DADIZEELE, between Vijfwegen and Kezelberg: 39 from United Kingdom, all but one 36th Division, October to November 1918.
MOLENHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, BECELAERE, at South-East corner of hamlet of Molenhoek: 36th Division buried 41 from United Kingdom, September to October 1918, alongside a large German Cemetery.
RAILWAY CROSSING CEMETERY, DADIZEELE, on the Dadizeelehoek Klephoek road, 100 metres West of "Teofani" railway crossing, by "Kirton Farm": 18 of 9th and 36th Divisions, fell 14th October 1918.
TERHAND GERMAN CEMETERY, GHELUWE, 100 metres South of Terhand: 28 from United Kingdom, October 1918, mainly 36th and 35th Divisions.
TOWNSEND FARM CEMETERY, LEDEGHEM, on left of railway 500 metres North of Ledeghem station: 12 from United Kingdom and six from Newfoundland, all 9th Division, September to October 1918.
WATERDAMHOEK GERMAN CEMETERY, MOORSLEDE, 300 metres West of Waterdamhoek: 29 from United Kingdom and 9 from Newfoundland, all 9th Division, October 1918.
The cemetery contains 1,029 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 158 of the burials are unidentified and there are special memorials to seven casualties known or believed to be buried in the cemetery. Other special memorials bear the names of three soldiers buried in German cemeteries, whose graves could not be found on concentration.
The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.
