In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
A year and a half ago we paid a visit to the D-Day Beaches and military cemeteries in Normandy (an incredible trip). This year we decided to visit Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing, the largest WWI Commonwealth grave site just out of Passenale, a short day trip from Holland where we were staying.
Tyne Cot is a beautifully kept area on top of a peaceful rolling hill. When we were there it was surrounded by fields of beautiful purple flowers (not lavender), and the graves are dotted with vibrant red roses. It's hard to believe it was in the middle of year after year of bloody trench warfare.
We also visited the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres which has recently reopened after extensive renovation. The museum chronicles the build up to WWI right the way through to the end of WWII with an amazing mixture of multimedia interactive displays - videos, audio, exhibits, photos. One of the most memorable items was a video of actors playing soldiers from a number of countries retelling how the soldiers from both sides of the trenches put aside their differences to celebrate Christmas Day together.
If you're within driving distance, I'd highly recommend a visit to both places.
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| In Flanders Field Museum |
Cloth Hall, Grote Markt 34, B 8900 Ypres
+32 57 239 220
Hey Becs, we travelled to all these places earlier this year....incredibly moving! TIm is a WW1 buff so we spent lots of time in the area! Great blog! I owe you an email....this week I promise! Rach xx
ReplyDeleteIt's quite amazing isn't it? To think that the front moved about 13km there over the whole course of the war... madness.
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