hicky1300
Well-Known Member
With the great weather yesterday managed to do something that`s been on my `Bucket List`! Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.
I have travelled around the world and as an ex Serviceman alsways find War Memorils, Cemetaries etc poignant & informative.
As I am here in Belgium & have one of my bikes here myself & a fellow Brit Ian (ex REME) along with 2 Belgian colleagues got on our bikes & travelled to Mons. From there we went to St Symphonien War Gravese Commision Cemetery (1st & last casualties of WWI), then on the back roads to Hooge Crater Cemetery, Birrs Crossroads, South Menin, The Yorkshires Trench & Dug out & the Hooge Museum. Myself & Ian then got to the Gate in time for the Last Post Ceremony.
All very interesting & i learnt a lot. Many of the headstones had an undelying story. For example two Canadians killed on 11/11/18! An Australian aged 19 called Cole but known by another name (I am thinking possibly underage so used someone elses name?).
The museum is worth a look. It is a private one but very well done with a good restaurant & Bar!!
Sorry - managed to get them back to front!!
I have travelled around the world and as an ex Serviceman alsways find War Memorils, Cemetaries etc poignant & informative.
As I am here in Belgium & have one of my bikes here myself & a fellow Brit Ian (ex REME) along with 2 Belgian colleagues got on our bikes & travelled to Mons. From there we went to St Symphonien War Gravese Commision Cemetery (1st & last casualties of WWI), then on the back roads to Hooge Crater Cemetery, Birrs Crossroads, South Menin, The Yorkshires Trench & Dug out & the Hooge Museum. Myself & Ian then got to the Gate in time for the Last Post Ceremony.
All very interesting & i learnt a lot. Many of the headstones had an undelying story. For example two Canadians killed on 11/11/18! An Australian aged 19 called Cole but known by another name (I am thinking possibly underage so used someone elses name?).
The museum is worth a look. It is a private one but very well done with a good restaurant & Bar!!
Sorry - managed to get them back to front!!