Visiting WW1 Battlefields, Ypres Touring the historic Battlefields, Trenches and Cemeteries of WW1 - The Menin Gate |
||
Welcome to the Down the Lane 'Extras' |
||
The Menin Gate in YpresEvery day without fail, the remembrance goes onAfter the end of WW1 hostilities in 1918, the British were keen to build a Memorial to men known to be 'missing, presumed dead'. Cemeteries were rapidly being built around the Ypres Salient area where graves were filled with men, many of which could not be identified and described on the tombstones as 'A soldier of the Great War - known to God'. It became important that these men should be commemorated with a suitable Monument. After some discussion, it was decided the Menin Gate Bridge should be re-built and become an everlasting tribute to the fallen. It is said that many troops who passed through the Gate joked by saying "Would the last one out, please close the Menin Gate". So, the Site was chosen well. The Building was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield. The enormity of the task is quite staggering. After it had been finished, the names of 15,896 servicemen were tooled into the walls both inside and out. 'TO THE ARMIES OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE WHO STOOD HERE FROM 1914 TO 1918 AND TO THOSE OF THEIR DEAD WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE' Because of the obvious amount of hard work involved, the Gate was not completed until 1927. The people of Ypres wished to express their thanks to all those who fought for their Town and Country and from that time, every day at 8pm, Buglars from the local Fire Brigade come to play the Last Post, which has become part of the evening Ceremony. During WW2 this became impossible, so the Ceremony was moved to Brookwood Military Cemetery in England. The Ceremony takes about 10 - 15 minutes, the roads leading into the gate are closed at this time. You will also see that some local people will stand on their doorstep whilst this is taking place. We attended this service not at a weekend, nor during holiday periods, yet on the three evenings we were there, more than 200 minimum attended each day. On Summer weekends and special days such as Remembrance Sunday, this goes up to thousands. Usually there are some Veterans there, some in Wheelchairs, some who can barely walk and although they obviously didn't serve in that War, it is moving to see such dedication and respect they have in their souls. 'To my lovely Dad It kind of summed up what this fine Memorial and Ceremony is all about. But, it also serves as an educational reminder to all those Tourists who go there what a terrible time in our History that was.
|
|
|
WW1 Battlefields
Ypres, Belgium
All Battlefield Tours to the Ypres Salient will visit the Menin Gate
|
||
The Down the Lane Web Site contains Cookies Read our Privacy & Cookie Policy here About this Site | Leave Feedback |
Newsletter | Facebook Group | Twitter | Site Map Copyright © Richard Cannon 2001 - 2024             Down the Lane is now based in Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire, UK
|