Belgium and War Cemetries

[Zimbo]

I've been driving through Belgium this afternoon, and with a bit of time spare I turned on impulse up a little road near Ypres signposted "Military Cemetry". There are scores of these Cemetries dotted around the area from the Great War, this was the fourth I'd seen signposted within five miles.
I parked up outside and spent a reflective half hour walking around inside.
As I say, this was just one of many cemetries in the immediate area, and it contained the graves over over ten thousand soldiers who gave their lives locally, mainly in 1915 - 1917. Over 7300 of these were British, 1000 Canadians and 1100 Australians, 300 New Zealanders, a few from South Africa, India, West Indies, three from the USA, 650 French and 223 Germans.

The place was immaculately kept, perfect lawns, not a weed in sight, where gravestones had been weathered they have been restored. It was quiet apart from birdsong, and very very peaceful, beautiful in a way.

It just serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by a previous generation.
I'm glad they're so well looked after.


http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i148/zimbo16/IMG_1488.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i148/zimbo16/IMG_1478.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i148/zimbo16/IMG_1476.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i148/zimbo16/IMG_1481.jpg

[andros]

Nice pictures there Zimbo, my daughter just got back last night from a school trip to Ypres War Cemeteries and trenches in France.

I think as you say its worth remembering just how many people died in the first world war and its not until you see all those graves that you can try to understand.

My daughter tried to find the grave of her Great Great Grandad while she was there, but there is no grave just his name on a plaque.

[spacemonkey]

Having toured the Western Front many times, I know what you mean. If you get the chance again, go and tour the whole front. In Ypres, the Menin Gate is worth a visit- they still sound the Last Post every night. The biggest eye opener is when you find the intact trenches and see just how close together they were. Some are merely a hundred metres or so apart, and if you've ever fired a Lee Endfield, you'll know that you really can't miss at that range. Every step you take on the battlefield today, you are treading on shrapnel, unexploded artry shells, and other war 'rubbish'. Thankfully, the shells won't go off on their own anymore, but the grenades and mortars are still live and an average of 4 people are still killed every year.

[scrumpster]

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission look after them all and what a brilliant job they do :biggrin:

http://www.cwgc.org/