We came to Ypres on our first day and pitched up at a campsite near the river and ramparts. Our intention was to visit the Menin Gate, the town then return for the last post ceremony at 20.00hrs.
As at Thiepval, we were overawed by the numbers of dead with no known grave. I think there 56,000 names recorded on The Gate, to defend this one salient for the duration of the Great War. Names are listed by regiment then rank. The regiments are sectioned so that the counties are together, the Scottish and Irish grouped together, South Africans, Australians, Canadians, Indians - divided into religious, ethnic and cast groups. There is a bronze model of The Gate.
The Cloth Hall has now been completely restored and around it commerce bustles on with plenty of nice things to look at and buy. Chocolates were well represented.
We came to Ypres on our first day and pitched up at a campsite near the river and ramparts. Our intention was to visit the Menin Gate, the town then return for the last post ceremony at 20.00hrs.
As at Thiepval, we were overawed by the numbers of dead with no known grave. I think there 56,000 names recorded on The Gate, to defend this one salient for the duration of the Great War. Names are listed by regiment then rank. The regiments are sectioned so that the counties are together, the Scottish and Irish grouped together, South Africans, Australians, Canadians, Indians - divided into religious, ethnic and cast groups. There is a bronze model of The Gate.
The Cloth Hall has now been completely restored and around it commerce bustles on with plenty of nice things to look at and buy. Chocolates were well represented.
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