YPRES APR 2005

[NARSES2]

First up the Queen's Regt (East Surrey's) plaque on the Menin Gate showing my great uncle - Edwards G

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This is the memorial tablet on the Menin Gate, approx 55,000 British and Empire (Canadia, Australian, New Zealand, Indian and West Indian) names are engraved here who have no known grave. Another 25,000 who died after July 1917 are on the Tyne Cot memorial.

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Princess Pat's section of the Menin Gate

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A side view of the Menin Gate. The last post is played every night, very moving. The night we were there, there must have been a 1,000 Brit kid's there - you could of heard a pin drop.  

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The Cloth Hall in Ypres. Built in the 13th C, totaly destroyed in WWI. Rebuilt from 1922 to 1962. Magnificent building, good museum and the square is surrounded by great restaurants (Muscles, scampi, scallops and Flemish stew recomended) Good prices especially in comparison to UK. Loads of Chocalatier's ! Ypres is a good short break. Lots for the lady's to do as well, but they appreciate the memorial's as much as the men, but in a different way - they see all those lost children. We went by Train - 3 1/2 hours from Waterloo.

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Next up is the second youngest burial on the salient, the boy was 15 years old. The youngest is 13 ! The oldest I saw was an Australian private of 52 - I can imagine how/why he enlisted - because his mates did.

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The Canadian Monument at Vancouver Corner. This is where the Canadian Division stopped the German's at the second battle in Apr/May 1915. The first time the German's used gas on the W Front. In 1920 Canada held a contest for a memorial statue and this one of the Brooding Soldier in the funeral position tied with the Vimy Ridge memorial.

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Memorial to the Australian 3rd Division at Tyne Cot. Third Battle July/Nov 1917 - Passendale

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Next some views of Tyne Cot - largest British/Empire cemetry on the Western Front - 11,000 gravestones.

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Tyne Cot again

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The Sword of Honour

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Final words

[Ollie]

Very moving Chris, thanks for sharing.

Lest we forget...

   

[Gary]

It is simply staggering to witness loss at the scale of that war. As staggering as the loss is, it's equally wonderful how these monuments have been kept up and cared for after nearly a century. When I see the sad shape of the military graveyards here in Nova Scotia, it's clear how little our own government has forgotten the price our veterans have paid.

At the risk of being inappropriate, what happened during WW2 in regards to protecting those monuments? Were they damaged and then repaired, or was there a "gentleman's" agreement to avoid combat in these areas all togther? I've asked a few folks this and no one seems to know. I would be astonished if the Nazi's permitted the regular ceremonies that the French and Belgiums do today to honour the dead who fought against the Germans. After all the business of the rail car and all.  

[Captain Canada]

Thanks fot sharing, Chris !

Nice to hear of kids actually showing some respect for a change.....

Cheers