I was born and raised in the town, and Ypres never looked better then in this event. Ypres has always been at its best when the Brits are in town, with bands and pipers, troops marching.. Everybody is proud on those days, to be from Ypres.
I took part in these events both at the Menin Gate and on the stage later in the evening and I will never forget it. It was perhaps the most important and poignant job of my working life! I get emotional every time I watch this again. We Will Remember Them.
Thank you great grandfather Charlie Shave MGC died 27/9/17 .... at Passchendaele ....never recovered his remains.... I know exactly where you lay Charlie.... I will keep returning as I’ve done for years now .... never forgotten old chap ... Jamie x
I had an uncle, my father's eldest brother, who was a graduate student in Edinburgh when the war began. Although an American he had a Scottish surname, so he somehow weaseled his way into a commission in the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. Somehow he survived the war although he was wounded twice by shrapnel, twice by bullets (one at Passchendaele) and injured by gas on more than one occasion because he helped his troops get their masks on before protecting himself. Ended the war as a Captain. He lived to be 98 years old and in my youth adored him as a "fun uncle" -- the one who let me climb all over him as a tot. A kind, loving, intelligent man. Later, my father had joined the US Army in 1915, prior to our entrance in the war. The brother he was closest to joined after the Lusitania in 1916. Same regiment, 16th US Infantry. That uncle was killed by machinegun fire at Soissons in 1918 and his body was never recovered. My father was wounded 3 times and survived the war (obvious, since I'm here.) He served again as a senior officer in World War II, along with my 3 eldest brothers. The youngest of those 3 was killed at Bastogne in 1944 and is buried in Luxembourg. My father died in 1970 of a heart condition related to gas in WWI. When I was a young enlisted soldier/ NCO in my own Army career, I was fortunate to serve as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. For family reasons, that duty had even more significance for me personally than for others; indeed, I realized it MIGHT be my own uncle interred as the WWI Unknown Soldier. WE CANNOT FORGET THEM, REGARDLESS WHICH NATION.
I thank your family for their service, may they rest in peace. My Great GrandFather fought and died at the Battle of Passchendaele on the 24th September 1917. I am lucky as he has a grave at Locre Hospice Cemetery which I visit every year since finding him. His name is Thomas Kellett, Private 24489 of The King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment 7th Battalion.
Extremely moving events - to have been able to take part in both events was an honour and be able to commemorate my Uncle, who is on Panel 40 of the Menin Gate
Im an American and my 2d British cousin was killed in the Passchendeale battle on 10/11/1917 He is memorialized at Tyne Cot. Kia/Mia NKG ..Pte. Fredrick Edward Croker just 20yrs old … Royal Wiltshire Regiment Yeomanry / 6th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment
Just read the comment below where a citizen of Flanders has written that we as a Nation (GB) has deserted the Belgium nation, I have been to Belgium & Ieper many times and I and my friends like the Belgium people, I certainly will be traveling to Belgium for many years to come.
Went to Menin Gate a few weeks after this. Couldn't help placing my hand on the wall right there to feel maybe a bit closer to all those who we owe so much to. It is a very moving place, and the gate is very much alive with people passing through every day seeing and remembering them, as it should be ... Go visit Menin Gate...
I have been to Ypres and the western front 22 times since 2005. My great grandad was injured in 3rd Ypres, invalided out n home he was 40 and a Boer war veteran . Have been to the last post ceremony probably a dozen times . 10 of my extended family's sons lay buried or remembered on memorials lost in ww1, 3 of them brothers cousins to my paternal grandad . A veteran myself I find going there helps with my combat stress somehow. Just one point can Ypres council please do more to show where there own country's men/soldiers lay buried. I have a good Belgium friend who lives near Ypres has taken me around such places with him I would never have found them Belgium army memorials and other such places. Little Belgium so brave in both wars holding the Germans up for weeks "Lest we Forget" .
@@Bruce-1956 The primarily English speaking nations, put simply, although this can be further contextualised as including some of the former members of Britain’s colonial empire that either retains the same monarch, uses English as one of their official languages, or perhaps both.
You live in a lovlely place. I visit as often as I can. Thank you for such a friendly place. Though the Menin Gate ceremony is a world wide show piece at times like this, it on a wet cold December night you really see the dedication of those involved.
I know what you mean, to me an exotic place I like to visit. London, however, I live on the outskirts, anything to avoid going in to the city. It is the problem of Ieper and the rest of the Western Front, is it sacred ground, or where you live work and play? I come from Jersey in the Channel Island's, which was Occupied in WW2. A thing most English people don't understand is to brought up somewhere that has in living memory had armed invaders in the streets.
Yea thats the problem , ypres is only like interested in ww1 , and they make a lot of money out of the merchandise they made in memory of ww1 , i have myself a private Holocaust museum in ypres and they are not intrested in ypres in this subject , i once tried to have a deal to open it for public , but it whas a big no , yea i also know that channel islands where occupied by germans during ww2
All you people who feel it necessary to spout on about "they died in vain" "lions led by donkeys" etc. Please remember this was the main reason so many survivors felt unable to talk about their experiences even though many obviously suffered from PTSD and could have really done with talking about it, until they only had a few years left. My Grandfather lost his leg up to the groin at Mons, he refused to discuss his short time in Belgium and my Dad told me it really bothered him that they were described as fools and cannon fodder by the chattering classes. Those of you who rubbish the sacrifice these men made do them a great injustice. Please refrain from posting such crass statements.
The Sacrifice of 49'000 Irish men in the Great war has never been given the recognition they deserve .2 years after this battle Ireland fought a war of Independence with the Uk . People say " Lest we forget" the problem is they were forgotten about in Ireland . 200'000 Irish men Fought in World War one .They came home to a changed Ireland that was of the mentality "Twas better to die 'neath an Irish sky than at Suvla or Sud-El-Bay" it was nice seeing an Irish colonel as part of the commemoration ceremony , which is Ironic since the Irish army traces its founding to the Irish volunteers who fought against Britain in the easter Rising of 1916 ,
When you say they don't get recognition what do you mean? They were in the British army alongside Englishmen, Scotsmen, Welshmen and around every November 11th there is a 'Remembrance Sunday' when church services are held and poppy wreaths are laid at city, town and village war memorials . On the war memorials are the names of the fallen you often see Irish names among them. It's not the U.Ks fault the republic of Ireland refused to commemorate their war dead and that Irish colonel's attendance was the first time the Irish had shown any interest. For years memorials in Ireland were left to crumble or in some cases Dublin's famous War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge and the memorial in Limerick destroyed by the ira.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. Ní fhásfaidh siad sean, mar atá fágtha d'aois againn: Ní dhéanfaidh aois a n-éireoidh leo, ná déanann na blianta a cháineadh. Ag dul síos na gréine agus ar maidin Déanfaimid cuimhneamh orthu. On this day Saturday, 11th November 2017, I pray to God for mercy on the souls of those who never came home and those of our allies past and present, that we are forgiven for those whom we trespass against, and those who trespass against us, I thank all former and serving members of the Irish Defence Forces for their services to the Republic, and I ask that our rights, freedoms and liberties be preserved and protected by the pen and the sword for the generations to come until the end of time in the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost, amen.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
The Soldiers Marching in too Hell and Death was a thought provoking moment you wonder what was going on in their minds !!!! when they were marching to the front line !!!
We will always remember the sacrifices those gallant lads made at Passchendaele. They sum up the epitome of what it is to be British. Soldiers from all over the empire fought and died on that soil in a foreign country, and for that we must be thankful. Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Britain's died side by side in the common struggle. Lest we forget.
1812AndMore Sacrifice? Unfortunately their deaths were in vain because this battle served no purpose. This battle was no sacrifice. It was a crime. An abhorrent massacre ordered and commanded by Haig.
John Armstrong They sacrificed their entire lives for their King and Country. That's the greatest sacrifice a soldier makes, whether the battle they died in had strategic significance or not.
1812AndMore The implication behind the jingoism of your words is that they gave their lives willingly. For lessons to be learnt I prefer the view that they were killed unnecessarily and that King and the ruling classes of his country should have hung their heads in shame. Soldiers (young boys) who fight for their country surely must have the right to expect that their lives are not just squandered and thrown away for no reason.
Not all soldiers are young boys. There were soldiers in their late 40s and early 50s that died in the World Wars. Many were battle hardened veterans and knew exactly what was in store for them. The independence of Belgium is what brought the British Empire into the war in the first place due to a defensive pact. They fought for freedom against an invading power. The blood they spilled at Passchendaele only strengthened the resolve to carry on the torch of their comrades. I know some soldiers personally who today themselves would place their fellow soldiers and their Queen & Country first. The old quote 'Ours is not to reason why. Ours is to do and die'.
Andrew Barry(ie) hoping I have the spelling correct out of respect, has given eveyone a deep insight into the battle. 19:40 mark into this videos duration is absolutely critical in conveying the battles image from Their point of View...
the Canadian Corps joined the battle on 26 October. The Canadians captured the ridge on 6 November, despite heavy rain and shelling that turned the battlefield into a quagmire. Nearly 16,000 Canadians were killed or wounded.
my soldier poem : - In cratered pop marked land the guns fell silent birdsong none existant trees oblitorated on blood soaked land lay our brave men the mist rolls through months turn to years land now reclaimed where poppies now grow lay our heroes the breeze in poppy fields is the souls of our fallen a place of sanctuary and peace a silent reflection heads bowed tears shed in poppy fields our loved ones lye
The National Youth Choir of Scotland, accompanied by the Band of the Welsh Guards and musicians from the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force, all under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Roberts ( Senior Director of Music Household Division ) , sang throughout the two days of ceremonies.
Unfortunately the sacrifice in that 103 days of hell,been to big if we look what the british army achieved,because the same place next spring of 1918 been retaken by the germans within only one week.
You need to read more about it. The reason for the length of time taken was mainly due to the weather, that's what makes the Battle of Passchendaele almost unique. Soldiers were attacking from shell hole to shell hole, always in deep water. Many thousands died by simply slipping underwater, many drowned in liquid mud, as did the horses. The ground was so wet that the artillery were unable to properly support as the guns kept sinking into the mud and could not be moved or calibrated properly. It is true that the Germans in their final major offensive retook the ridge and more, but they never ever took Ypres, and were soon pushed back leading to the end of the war.Having been fortunate enough to attend these moving ceremonies, I would personally like to thank the Belgians for their hospitality and their commitment to remembering brave British Commonwealth soldiers from Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, New Foundland, India, South Africa, The Caribbean and many other what were then Empire countries. Thank you.
How things have changed. Today, the UK has turned its back on us and Germany is our best friend. The nationalism has completely changed sides. A citizen of Flanders.
They never blindly followed mainland Europe and have always had our back, proven twice at great cost to them. So quite frankly, you are talking rubbish. A Flemish citizen of Ypres, Belgium
Born in West Flanders, what the British and Commonwealth did will never be forgotten, and the friendship runs much deeper than our EU relation with Germany. Our country benefited from England's protection since it was created in 1830, and came to free us both in WW1 and WW2 - also in 1815. Britain and the Commonwealth will forever remain the allies to who we owe the most.
I can't help but think that if they spent less time writing poetry or playing footie with the enemy and more time fighting ww1 wouldn't have lasted so long
Robert Creighton words fail ..... that is a stupid thing to say Soldiers played footie wrote poetry to help cope with the horror that was going on around them
I think that if you had been there and spent a couple of days at the front - as they did and I have proof- I think you would have been grateful for any relief from the awful situation they were in when under fire from the Germans!!
That's one of the crassest comments I've ever read. All soldiers need R and R especially if they've been involved in some of the soul destroying fighting. Simply sitting in a trench for days on end under artillery attack is enough to send people mad, as it did. Writing poetry was a means of expressing how things really were to a mainly unaware jingoistic public back in the UK. Not playing one game of football on Christmas Day before the real hatred between the two sides set in would hardly shorten the war would it?
I was born and raised in the town, and Ypres never looked better then in this event.
Ypres has always been at its best when the Brits are in town, with bands and pipers, troops marching..
Everybody is proud on those days, to be from Ypres.
I took part in these events both at the Menin Gate and on the stage later in the evening and I will never forget it. It was perhaps the most important and poignant job of my working life! I get emotional every time I watch this again. We Will Remember Them.
This was very moving especially the part where the Irish Guards came on , can you tell me the name of the music which was playing
Thank you great grandfather Charlie Shave MGC died 27/9/17 .... at Passchendaele ....never recovered his remains.... I know exactly where you lay Charlie.... I will keep returning as I’ve done for years now .... never forgotten old chap ... Jamie x
I had an uncle, my father's eldest brother, who was a graduate student in Edinburgh when the war began. Although an American he had a Scottish surname, so he somehow weaseled his way into a commission in the 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders. Somehow he survived the war although he was wounded twice by shrapnel, twice by bullets (one at Passchendaele) and injured by gas on more than one occasion because he helped his troops get their masks on before protecting himself. Ended the war as a Captain. He lived to be 98 years old and in my youth adored him as a "fun uncle" -- the one who let me climb all over him as a tot. A kind, loving, intelligent man. Later, my father had joined the US Army in 1915, prior to our entrance in the war. The brother he was closest to joined after the Lusitania in 1916. Same regiment, 16th US Infantry. That uncle was killed by machinegun fire at Soissons in 1918 and his body was never recovered. My father was wounded 3 times and survived the war (obvious, since I'm here.) He served again as a senior officer in World War II, along with my 3 eldest brothers. The youngest of those 3 was killed at Bastogne in 1944 and is buried in Luxembourg. My father died in 1970 of a heart condition related to gas in WWI. When I was a young enlisted soldier/ NCO in my own Army career, I was fortunate to serve as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. For family reasons, that duty had even more significance for me personally than for others; indeed, I realized it MIGHT be my own uncle interred as the WWI Unknown Soldier. WE CANNOT FORGET THEM, REGARDLESS WHICH NATION.
I thank your family for their service, may they rest in peace.
My Great GrandFather fought and died at the Battle of Passchendaele on the 24th September 1917. I am lucky as he has a grave at Locre Hospice Cemetery which I visit every year since finding him. His name is Thomas Kellett, Private 24489 of The King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment 7th Battalion.
Extremely moving events - to have been able to take part in both events was an honour and be able to commemorate my Uncle, who is on Panel 40 of the Menin Gate
R.I.P. Harry you said it so well when you said 'We belonged to each other'...(HERO.)
'Benedictus' at the end -Incredible stuff.
Just beautiful. What a wonderful job Ypres did for this solemn day.
Im an American and my 2d British cousin was killed in the Passchendeale battle on 10/11/1917 He is memorialized at Tyne Cot. Kia/Mia NKG ..Pte. Fredrick Edward Croker just 20yrs old … Royal Wiltshire Regiment Yeomanry / 6th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment
Very emotional and moving.
Just read the comment below where a citizen of Flanders has written that we as a Nation (GB) has deserted the Belgium nation, I have been to Belgium & Ieper many times and I and my friends like the Belgium people, I certainly will be traveling to Belgium for many years to come.
Went to Menin Gate a few weeks after this. Couldn't help placing my hand on the wall right there to feel maybe a bit closer to all those who we owe so much to. It is a very moving place, and the gate is very much alive with people passing through every day seeing and remembering them, as it should be ... Go visit Menin Gate...
Song at 1:56 is lovely. The Lamenting of the women. A haunting lament fit to give you the chills.
Mostly it's just a way in and out of the town. but at 8 0'clock every evening, it becomes somewhere very special.
I have been to Ypres and the western front 22 times since 2005. My great grandad was injured in 3rd Ypres, invalided out n home he was 40 and a Boer war veteran . Have been to the last post ceremony probably a dozen times . 10 of my extended family's sons lay buried or remembered on memorials lost in ww1, 3 of them brothers cousins to my paternal grandad . A veteran myself I find going there helps with my combat stress somehow. Just one point can Ypres council please do more to show where there own country's men/soldiers lay buried. I have a good Belgium friend who lives near Ypres has taken me around such places with him I would never have found them Belgium army memorials and other such places. Little Belgium so brave in both wars holding the Germans up for weeks "Lest we Forget" .
Much love and respect for the sacrifices made by our friends in the Anglosphere!
What or who is the 'Anglosphere'?
@@Bruce-1956 The primarily English speaking nations, put simply, although this can be further contextualised as including some of the former members of Britain’s colonial empire that either retains the same monarch, uses English as one of their official languages, or perhaps both.
Geike and the choir..the lament of the women...so moving, and a beautiful melody
i live 4 streets away from the Menin Gate , i saw this event live
You live in a lovlely place. I visit as often as I can. Thank you for such a friendly place. Though the Menin Gate ceremony is a world wide show piece at times like this, it on a wet cold December night you really see the dedication of those involved.
yea maybe , i don't see it this way anymore to be honest , i would prefere to live in Amsterdam or Krakow , but its indeed a beautifull place here
I know what you mean, to me an exotic place I like to visit. London, however, I live on the outskirts, anything to avoid going in to the city. It is the problem of Ieper and the rest of the Western Front, is it sacred ground, or where you live work and play? I come from Jersey in the Channel Island's, which was Occupied in WW2. A thing most English people don't understand is to brought up somewhere that has in living memory had armed invaders in the streets.
Yea thats the problem , ypres is only like interested in ww1 , and they make a lot of money out of the merchandise they made in memory of ww1 , i have myself a private Holocaust museum in ypres and they are not intrested in ypres in this subject , i once tried to have a deal to open it for public , but it whas a big no , yea i also know that channel islands where occupied by germans during ww2
All you people who feel it necessary to spout on about "they died in vain" "lions led by donkeys" etc. Please remember this was the main reason so many survivors felt unable to talk about their experiences even though many obviously suffered from PTSD and could have really done with talking about it, until they only had a few years left. My Grandfather lost his leg up to the groin at Mons, he refused to discuss his short time in Belgium and my Dad told me it really bothered him that they were described as fools and cannon fodder by the chattering classes. Those of you who rubbish the sacrifice these men made do them a great injustice. Please refrain from posting such crass statements.
:'(
I never thought of it like this. Thank you for sharing.
Most haunting lament at 1:56. Beautiful spine chiller.
brilliant ..sad.... deeply moving.... unforgettable ....
The Sacrifice of 49'000 Irish men in the Great war has never been given the recognition they deserve .2 years after this battle Ireland fought a war of Independence with the Uk . People say " Lest we forget" the problem is they were forgotten about in Ireland . 200'000 Irish men Fought in World War one .They came home to a changed Ireland that was of the mentality "Twas better to die 'neath an Irish sky than at Suvla or Sud-El-Bay" it was nice seeing an Irish colonel as part of the commemoration ceremony , which is Ironic since the Irish army traces its founding to the Irish volunteers who fought against Britain in the easter Rising of 1916 ,
When you say they don't get recognition what do you mean? They were in the British army alongside Englishmen, Scotsmen, Welshmen and around every November 11th there is a 'Remembrance Sunday' when church services are held and poppy wreaths are laid at city, town and village war memorials . On the war memorials are the names of the fallen you often see Irish names among them. It's not the U.Ks fault the republic of Ireland refused to commemorate their war dead and that Irish colonel's attendance was the first time the Irish had shown any interest. For years memorials in Ireland were left to crumble or in some cases Dublin's famous War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge and the memorial in Limerick destroyed by the ira.
You're probably not aware of the fact that there is something like the 'Irish Peace Tower' in Messines, Belgium?
I've visited France and Belgium several times over the past few years and have seen the round tower at Messines. It was erected in 1998.
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Ní fhásfaidh siad sean, mar atá fágtha d'aois againn:
Ní dhéanfaidh aois a n-éireoidh leo, ná déanann na blianta a cháineadh.
Ag dul síos na gréine agus ar maidin
Déanfaimid cuimhneamh orthu.
On this day Saturday, 11th November 2017, I pray to God for mercy on the souls of those who never came home and those of our allies past and present, that we are forgiven for those whom we trespass against, and those who trespass against us, I thank all former and serving members of the Irish Defence Forces for their services to the Republic, and I ask that our rights, freedoms and liberties be preserved and protected by the pen and the sword for the generations to come until the end of time in the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost, amen.
The Irish deserve to be recognised
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
We will remember them.
thx for up-loading
Such a pleasure to volunteer at this event, I’ve never done anything quite so humbling. (I can be seen in a blue shirt somewhere around 1:39:59 aha)
The Soldiers Marching in too Hell and Death was a thought provoking moment you wonder what was going on in their minds !!!! when they were marching to the front line !!!
Lets never go to war again why can we not just live in peace
The last 6 minutes..wauw..😢
Agreed. Fantastic finale.
That piece of music at the end is hauntingly beautiful.
Steve Goodall It’s called Benedictus, from contemporary composer Karl Jenkins.
We will always remember the sacrifices those gallant lads made at Passchendaele. They sum up the epitome of what it is to be British. Soldiers from all over the empire fought and died on that soil in a foreign country, and for that we must be thankful. Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Britain's died side by side in the common struggle. Lest we forget.
1812AndMore Sacrifice? Unfortunately their deaths were in vain because this battle served no purpose. This battle was no sacrifice. It was a crime. An abhorrent massacre ordered and commanded by Haig.
John Armstrong They sacrificed their entire lives for their King and Country. That's the greatest sacrifice a soldier makes, whether the battle they died in had strategic significance or not.
1812AndMore The implication behind the jingoism of your words is that they gave their lives willingly. For lessons to be learnt I prefer the view that they were killed unnecessarily and that King and the ruling classes of his country should have hung their heads in shame. Soldiers (young boys) who fight for their country surely must have the right to expect that their lives are not just squandered and thrown away for no reason.
Not all soldiers are young boys. There were soldiers in their late 40s and early 50s that died in the World Wars. Many were battle hardened veterans and knew exactly what was in store for them. The independence of Belgium is what brought the British Empire into the war in the first place due to a defensive pact. They fought for freedom against an invading power. The blood they spilled at Passchendaele only strengthened the resolve to carry on the torch of their comrades. I know some soldiers personally who today themselves would place their fellow soldiers and their Queen & Country first. The old quote 'Ours is not to reason why. Ours is to do and die'.
1812AndMore Delusional nonsense. The notion that they threw away their lives willingly for no purpose is ridiculous.
Andrew Barry(ie) hoping I have the spelling correct out of respect, has given eveyone a deep insight into the battle. 19:40 mark into this videos duration is absolutely critical in conveying the battles image from Their point of View...
My great uncle, Private Samuel John Thorley, died of his wounds on August 7th 1917 on the western front
I look forward to seeing this place my unit PPCLI were part of this battle.
the Canadian Corps joined the battle on 26 October. The Canadians captured the ridge on 6 November, despite heavy rain and shelling that turned the battlefield into a quagmire. Nearly 16,000 Canadians were killed or wounded.
No more wars in Europe. Never again ...
my soldier poem : -
In cratered pop marked
land the guns fell silent
birdsong none existant
trees oblitorated
on blood soaked land
lay our brave men
the mist rolls through
months turn to years
land now reclaimed
where poppies now grow
lay our heroes
the breeze in poppy fields
is the souls of our fallen
a place of sanctuary and peace
a silent reflection
heads bowed
tears shed in poppy fields
our loved ones lye
Very moving.
Heartbreaking ceremony.Anyone tell me the name of the chior and the song they sang at the end. It was a special moment.
Karl Jenkins, Benedictus
Thank you Kate.
The National Youth Choir of Scotland, accompanied by the Band of the Welsh Guards and musicians from the Royal Marines and the Royal Air Force, all under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Roberts ( Senior Director of Music Household Division ) , sang throughout the two days of ceremonies.
Anyone know what the music is between 2:09:29 and 2:11:55?
500000 people, no they were men.
It's 'straat' not 'strasse' .
Unfortunately the sacrifice in that 103 days of hell,been to big if we look what the british army achieved,because the same place next spring of 1918 been retaken by the germans within only one week.
You need to read more about it. The reason for the length of time taken was mainly due to the weather, that's what makes the Battle of Passchendaele almost unique. Soldiers were attacking from shell hole to shell hole, always in deep water. Many thousands died by simply slipping underwater, many drowned in liquid mud, as did the horses. The ground was so wet that the artillery were unable to properly support as the guns kept sinking into the mud and could not be moved or calibrated properly. It is true that the Germans in their final major offensive retook the ridge and more, but they never ever took Ypres, and were soon pushed back leading to the end of the war.Having been fortunate enough to attend these moving ceremonies, I would personally like to thank the Belgians for their hospitality and their commitment to remembering brave British Commonwealth soldiers from Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, New Foundland, India, South Africa, The Caribbean and many other what were then Empire countries. Thank you.
it about time general haigh remove and an ordinary brave man put up instead maybe this man at Whitehall
Haig should have been tried for war crimes for all the men he sent to their deaths Haig was a butcher and murderer
How things have changed. Today, the UK has turned its back on us and Germany is our best friend. The nationalism has completely changed sides.
A citizen of Flanders.
They never blindly followed mainland Europe and have always had our back, proven twice at great cost to them.
So quite frankly, you are talking rubbish.
A Flemish citizen of Ypres, Belgium
Born in West Flanders, what the British and Commonwealth did will never be forgotten, and the friendship runs much deeper than our EU relation with Germany. Our country benefited from England's protection since it was created in 1830, and came to free us both in WW1 and WW2 - also in 1815. Britain and the Commonwealth will forever remain the allies to who we owe the most.
If there would ever be a war, it's the Brits that would help us again, i wouldn't count on the Germans.
and the eu says they dont give a fuck about us... asking for bills and all this shit. smh wake up
canada won that war, not british
We both did, including the French.
I can't help but think that if they spent less time writing poetry or playing footie with the enemy and more time fighting ww1 wouldn't have lasted so long
Robert Creighton words fail ..... that is a stupid thing to say
Soldiers played footie wrote poetry to help cope with the horror that was going on around them
I think that if you had been there and spent a couple of days at the front - as they did and I have proof- I think you would have been grateful for any relief from the awful situation they were in when under fire from the Germans!!
That's one of the crassest comments I've ever read. All soldiers need R and R especially if they've been involved in some of the soul destroying fighting. Simply sitting in a trench for days on end under artillery attack is enough to send people mad, as it did. Writing poetry was a means of expressing how things really were to a mainly unaware jingoistic public back in the UK. Not playing one game of football on Christmas Day before the real hatred between the two sides set in would hardly shorten the war would it?
I masturbate to complaints so thanks for helping me knock one out
Read some of Lyn McDonald's writings on the Great War ( " 1914 ", "1915" , "The Somme", etc.) and you will possibly sound less ignorant.