Canadian Memorial Vimy Ridge

This was out first day in France, last week.We drove from my Brother in law's in Plymouth to Dover and caught the shuttle under the Channel to France.
I don't think you can call it a holiday. Poignant moments would catch us unawares. It was a very moving few days searching for our relatives last resting places and piecing together family stories and battle scenarios.
We'd all heard the names in school and in movies, the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Ypres and Pachendale, but seeing the places helped to understand how close everything was and how much fighting went on for such little gain.
In the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge, I was caught, unawares, by the poem "In Flanders Fields" written byCanadian Lt.Col John McRae.
Following further research it seems my Great Uncle Wilf could easily have been tended by McRae, who was a doctor, working in the front line casualty station some 7 km from where Wilf was wounded and en route to the Casualty Clearing station in Bailleul, where Wilf died of his wounds.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
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[@lorimcalpin]

Thank you for bringing us along to this great site, and for the mention of Col. John McCrae. I am a very proud Canadian and was touched that you and your lovely wife visited this great Memorial.

[@candywilliams6020]

Thank you for this video. I doubt I will ever get the chance to visit the memorial, but as a Canadian I truly appreciate the opportunity you have provided for me to feel I have been there through your video.

[@keithtarrier4558]

Very interesting.

[@karental]

We were just there last year. It was shocking how close the opposing trenches were to one another. Thank you for sharing

[@auntyangie33]

We went there a few years ago in torrential rain. Very moving.

[@mattfinish2196]

I love these!