28/10/2024
Lydbrook branch visit to Ypres Belgium
On Tuesday 16 October Branch members Trevor Hek, John Hancock, Jude Hek, and Tammie Hancock (Standard Bearer) attended the blessing and dedication of the New Ypres League Standard and Memorial plaque held in St Georges Chapel Ypres. The branch standard escorted the New Ypres League standard, and later paraded together at the 8pm ceremony held at the Menin Gate.
Now more than 80 years after the demise of its predecessor it has been decided to found a New Ypres League. The founding members are British and Belgium residents of Ypres supported by regular visitors to the city, all with a track record of promoting interest in the First World War and preserving the memory of the fallen in the Ypres Salient. The now reformed New Ypres League aims to continue to remember the fallen and attend as many burials and ceremonies in the Ypres Salient.
https://www.newypresleague.com
The following day members attended the burial service of Rifleman Adams, 2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade, at New British Cemetery Passchendaele. Rifleman Adams remains were discovered during roadworks on the edge of Passchendaele, and subsequently identified by the MOD Commemorations Team (The war detectives) at Imjin Barracks Gloucester.
He was found with a cap badge and shoulder titles of The Rifle Brigade and 2 chevrons. The chevrons proved to be Good Conduct Stripes, indicating that the casualty must have already been serving before the outbreak of the First World War. After DNA testing, the identity of the casualty was confirmed as being Rifleman Adams. The service was attended by Bob Adams, the first cousin twice removed of Rifleman Adams who took the DNA test.
The service was attended by local dignitaries, members of the public. Current members of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, carried the coffin and laid rifleman Adams to rest.
During the weeklong trip members visited the site of the Wormhoudt massacre. Talbot House, and St Bernardus Brewery.
The Wormhoudt massacre (or Wormhout massacre) was the mass murder of 81 British and French POWs by Waffen-SS soldiers from the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hi**er during the Battle of France in May 1940
Talbot House, remains as it was during WW1 a living museum where men could go and escape the horror of the trenches, all those that entered were treated the same regardless of rank.
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. The cemetery contains 9,901 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 24 being unidentified. There are 883 war graves of other nationalities, mostly French and German, 11 of these are unidentified. There is 1 Non-World War burial here.
St Bernardus Brewery. A self-guided tour, followed by a meal (and a few samples) in the roof top restaurant.
