Ypres, 2022. 22^nd July

I decided to visit some Cemeteries on my Bicycle and have listed some photographs of my journey. In the evening I laid a Wreath at the Menin Gate for the ex-pupils of my school who paid the ultimate sacrifice during World War I.

Ramparts Cemetery is on top of the Walls of Ypres. It is one of the most beautiful locations with water lapping the edge.

The next Cemetery I visited was Tuileries British Cemetery. The name comes from a Tile Factory which was located here. The factory had two tall chimneys, and this meant the Germans were able to see its location and shell the position. Therefore, you can see that most of the graves are positioned around outside edge of the cemetery. This is because the initial graves were hit by shells and the land was totally turned over. Therefore, they do not know the exact location of each resting soldier. They mark the gravestones with “Known to be buried in this Cemetery” and place the gravestones either around the outer edge or in a circle around the Cross of Sacrifice.

I then came across a memorial to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry who defended Bellewaarde Ridge relentlessly on the 8^{th of} May 1915. At the end of the day only 4 officers and 150 soldiers of the Regiment’s 1,098 originals remained, and they still held their ground.

I then cycled onto Polygon Wood and one of my favourite memorials at Black Watch Corner. The Black Watch held their ground in November 1914 against the elite forces of the Prussian Guard during the First Battle of Ypres. The Black Watch had been depleted by previous engagements and only had 9 officers and 228 soldiers when on the 11^{th of} November 1914 the Kaiser’s elite Prussian Guard advanced north of the Menin Road. It fell on the Black Watch, Scots Guard and Queens Own Cameron Highlanders to hold the line. C Company of the Black Watch were left to split the German lines, which they did, with aid of the Royal Field Artillery who opened fire from only 300-400 yards. The effect was devastating, and the German attack faltered. On the 12^{th of} November, the day after the battle the Black Watch had been reduced to 2 officers and 109 soldiers. The 1^st Bat Scots Guards were reduced to 1 officer and 69 soldiers, and the Cameron Highlanders were down to 2 officers and 140 soldiers. Respect.

In the evening at 8pm. The Last Post is played within the Menin Gate. It is a Salute to the Fallen and is carried out every day. It has been played since 2^nd July 1928 and been played every day since, apart from when Belgium was occupied by Nazi Germany. (It was then played in the UK each day at from the 20^{th of} May 1940 to 6^th September 1944 at Brookwood Cemetery in England). It has been played more than 32,000 times.

I would like to thank my History mentor Mr Stephen Petty who has supplied all the information allowing me to trace the burial locations for my fallen students.

It was a great honour to lay a wreath to the fallen ex-pupils of Durlston Court School. I was also asked to say the Exhortation and Kohima. One of my fellow ex-pupils is listed on the walls of the Menin Gate and I was very proud to pay respect to him and all those 54,000 named who do not have a grave to call their own.