Remembrance in France and Flanders

or Menin Gate - Part 2

In the previous magazine I told how the small contingent from West Lancashire Scouts had attended the Poppy Parade at Ypres on the 11^th November last year. After the parade the group spent the next couple of days looking for the graves, or commemorated names, of those relatives known to have died during the 1^st World War. Our first visit was to Poelkapelle to visit a great uncle of Christine, our 15-year old Explorer Scout from Wyre District. We also had chance to visit Langemark German Military Cemetery, where the names of thousands of German students who died in this area are inscribed. It was very fitting to remember that both sides suffered terrible losses, and that the ordinary soldier in the trench was indeed on both sides. We then attended St Georges Church in Ypres, where we had earlier attended the pre-poppy parade service. Now we could spend a considerable time looking at the inscriptions placed by relatives of individual soldiers alongside the regimental ones. All kneelers had regimental crests commemorated on them. Some of us were able to recognise the badges of regiments our relatives had served in.

The following day we travelled into France on to the Somme. Here we visited Pozieres and Ashley was able to find one of his relatives commemorated on a side panel, as he had no known grave. Then on to Flat Iron Copse Cemetery near Mametz Wood, for my chance to pay my respects to a great uncle. Sgt Thomas William Ridout, L6418, of the 1^st Battalion The Middlesex Regiment. While we were there a party of English schoolchildren were visiting the grave of Corporal Edward Dwyer, VC, who had assisted in the recruiting of soldiers in 1915 while he was on leave after being wounded. There are still recordings of him reciting a monologue and this was being played by one of the teachers. As a result, this was becoming a particularly eerie visit for me. Some of you will already know of my interest in tracing my family history. A few years ago I visited London as part of a group trip organised by a lady from Oldham branch of the Family History Society. I remembered that she had an interest in the name "Copplestone". Well, I didn't find any "Copplestone" but I did find a grave of a "Coppleston". So after taking a digi-picture of it, I was able to send her a copy when I returned home. As far as I know, she is still trying to see if he fits into her tree.

We then moved on to La Boiselle and the preserved scene of Lochnagar crater— La Grande Mine. It was here that the opening explosion of mines took place at 0728 on the 1^st July 1916. It is an amazingly large crater and only 3 or 4 years ago the remains of an English soldier were found here and reburied with full military honours. Then on to Sucrerie— The Sugar Factory— cemetery near Albert, where Private 21/727 Brandon Platt of the West Yorkshire Regiment is buried. Brandon is on my mother's side of the family and this was my second visit to his grave. It was none the less poignant as I stood quietly paying my respects. Then on to the Thiepval Memorial, which, like the Menin Gate at Ypres, similarly records the names of those missing in action on The Somme, some 73,000 British and South African names are listed. Here Dick and I were interviewed by Picardie 3, the local TV channel. This was an amazing experience, to quietly reflect for an unseen audience on what the battlefields and remembrance meant to myself. I hope that the film didn't end up on the cutting room floor!

Then it was off to Arras and after visiting the Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery and Memorial, we moved a short distance to have a look at the Citadel. Here the SS had executed over 200 French resistance members during the 2^nd World War. As it was now becoming quite dull and was late in the afternoon, the place had a real sense of foreboding. We were glad to get travelling back to Belgium and an evening meal.

The next day was spent in the Ypres area, visiting a small scout campsite. and another cemetery at Tyne Cott. Yet again a list of names were recorded of those missing in the Ypres Salient. The afternoon was spent at the Flanders Fields Museum in the centre of Ypres, and shopping for family gifts.

Our last day meant an early start from the Mont Rouge area and, bypassing Ypres, we headed for Poperinge and our last cemetery visit. This time it was to visit the grave of the only double VC winner of the 1^st World War, Captain Noel Chavasse of the Royal Army Medical Corps. He is buried at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery; one of 3 adjacent cemeteries in the small village. Captain Noel Chavasse was the son of Rev. Francis Chavasse, the Bishop of Liverpool. Interestingly, Noel Chavasse was distantly related by marriage to Captain Charles Upham of the New Zealand Infantry who was the third and last person to be a double VC winner; won during the 2^nd World War. So a very sad and emotional visit by a small party of Leaders and Explorer Scouts concluded with the long journey back to Lancashire. Since we returned and people have visited the armistice.westlancashirescouts.org.uk webpage, we have been asked about the trip and whether it would be repeated. I think the answer is "yes", although it is not a holiday, more a pilgrimage. However, it is possible to tailor our itinerary to enable visits to places of personal interest. This probably enhances the pilgrimage aspect of the trip. The other relevant comment is regarding suitability. We consider that it should only be offered to Explorer Scout age and upwards. Even a mature 15 year old found it hard to comprehend— if we can comprehend such an event!

Dave Ridout, Group Scout Leader 4^th Fulwood
and Asst. County Commissioner (Activities), West Lancashire Scout County