Northumbrian Gunner: Ypres 2016

The town of Poperinge (Poperinghe) lies 5km west of Ypres. In WW1 it was 12km from the frontline, enough to keep it out of range of most of the German Artillery. It therefore became a place of relative safety, though it was troubled by some artillery fire and air attack, particularly the rail station and sidings.

A sprawling array of camps, supply depots and casualty clearing stations grew up around the town as a result of the comparative safety and railed head. In the town it's self British soldiers would have had an opportunity for rest and recuperation away from the front line., though the distant rumble of gunfire would be a constant reminder of the war.