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Today I walked through Ypres and up to the old front line positions which by 1918 had pushed right up to the outskirts of the shattered town. My walk took me through the town civil and military extension cemeteries where I then followed the old front line visiting the various CWGC cemeteries which are located there.
At one point I found myself lingering for a tad too long in front of a complete row of soldiers killed during a phosgene gas attack. I can't imagine the horror of being hit by chemical weapons! I then paid my respects to Pte Morrow VC, the young Pte Chase of the Lancs Fusiliers who was tied to a wooden post and shot at dawn. He lays probably not at peace one row from General Hasler. The image of the Chaplain giving the last rights to a badly wounded soldier was taken in the very cemetery I was stood in.
The bullet hole through the man's helmet along with his bandaged head spoke volumes. Alongside lay a badly wounded German soldier. Friend and foe lay side by side.
I also walked past one of the very few remaining King Albert houses constructed as temporary accommodation for the returning Belgians after the war had come to a conclusion. Thousands were supplied by the the King but only 2 perhaps remain today, including this one.
I also visited the Belgian WW1/2 plot and the British WW2 plot in the town cemetery. The row of fallen Spitfire pilots almost drew me deeper within but for once I visited others.
My walk today through snow which was up to a foot deep in parts was bracing and mostly enjoyable. Tomorrow I will walk some more..... but here are some images taken during my walk.
Reflection is a virtue in my book.
Chaplin and wounded.jpg
Chaplain text.jpg
Phosgene casualties.jpg
British bunker Ypres.jpg
Pte Morrow VC.jpg
Pte Chase Lancs Fusiliers.jpg
Brigadier General Hasler.jpg
King Albert Houses..jpg
Belgian military plot. Ypres Communial cemetery..jpg
IMG_0004.jpg
Lest We Forget.
At one point I found myself lingering for a tad too long in front of a complete row of soldiers killed during a phosgene gas attack. I can't imagine the horror of being hit by chemical weapons! I then paid my respects to Pte Morrow VC, the young Pte Chase of the Lancs Fusiliers who was tied to a wooden post and shot at dawn. He lays probably not at peace one row from General Hasler. The image of the Chaplain giving the last rights to a badly wounded soldier was taken in the very cemetery I was stood in.
The bullet hole through the man's helmet along with his bandaged head spoke volumes. Alongside lay a badly wounded German soldier. Friend and foe lay side by side.
I also walked past one of the very few remaining King Albert houses constructed as temporary accommodation for the returning Belgians after the war had come to a conclusion. Thousands were supplied by the the King but only 2 perhaps remain today, including this one.
I also visited the Belgian WW1/2 plot and the British WW2 plot in the town cemetery. The row of fallen Spitfire pilots almost drew me deeper within but for once I visited others.
My walk today through snow which was up to a foot deep in parts was bracing and mostly enjoyable. Tomorrow I will walk some more..... but here are some images taken during my walk.
Reflection is a virtue in my book.
Chaplin and wounded.jpg
Chaplain text.jpg
Phosgene casualties.jpg
British bunker Ypres.jpg
Pte Morrow VC.jpg
Pte Chase Lancs Fusiliers.jpg
Brigadier General Hasler.jpg
King Albert Houses..jpg
Belgian military plot. Ypres Communial cemetery..jpg
IMG_0004.jpg
Lest We Forget.
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