An accessible site consisting of cells and an execution post in the courtyard of Poperinge Town Hall, with various memorials and information boards. The town hall is located at Grote Markt 1-4, with a side wall overlooking Guido Gezellestraat.

At least eight men were executed in the courtyard of Poperinge Town Hall: Botfield, Simmonds, Poole, Fryer, Stadman, Wall, Morris, and Gore. Perhaps Crampton and Wang Jungzhi should be added. It is also possible that several others buried in Poperinge New Military Cemetery, and perhaps also McFarlane, buried in Nine Elms Cemetery, appeared before the firing squad here.

Several soldiers were also arrested here and held in police cells until they were returned to their units to appear before a court-martial: Byers, Eveleigh, Nelson, Roberts, J. Smith, Hyde, Welsh, and Hughes. Thousands of others of various nationalities stayed here briefly because they were on the streets without permission, drunk, or involved in fights.

Translated by Google •

Viviane

July 28, 2025

In the town hall courtyard, an execution post commemorates the atrocities that took place here during World War I. At least eight soldiers faced the firing squad here. From 1916 onwards, the adjacent police cells were converted into "death cells," where the condemned soldiers spent their last night. At dawn, these soldiers were executed here (shot at dawn).

To enhance the experience even further, text panels and a soundtrack explain the "shot at dawn" phenomenon. You can also visit the site with a guide. More information via toerisme@poperinge.be.

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

September 15, 2022

In the courtyard of the town hall are the death rows from the period of World War 1.
Town Hall Death Cell
A captivating location…
A small location located in the courtyard of the town hall. Once past the door, the hustle and bustle of the city disappears. A silence falls over every visitor. Do not immediately proceed to the courtyard, but first take a look at the cell complex. This way you follow the same route as the death row inmate. You experience the feeling of silence more intensely when you enter the Death Cells. You can already take a look at the courtyard. The place of execution. Be sure to take a look through the spy of the closed Death Row (right) and observe how a death row inmate spends his last night. To give you goosebumps. Some visitors in my party only lasted a few moments. Compassion emerges…
Then in the courtyard you can reflect on the meaning of putting soldiers before a firing squad for desertion, shell shock or other reasons...
Many have been put to death due to ignorance and lack of knowledge of science and medicine about what war can do to a person. Because of the horrors of war, the soldier was sometimes no longer human. The French army was the leader in killing soldiers from its own ranks.
The poem next to the execution stake is applicable to this location and makes you think.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 20 m

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Wednesday 29 October

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Location: Poperinge, Ieper, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Death Cells and Execution Site, Poperinge Town Hall

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