This week’s black and white photo was taken on 11 November 2008, the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I. Hubby and I were at the Thiepval memorial in the Somme that day for the remembrance service which was an intensely moving one. We had been visiting various WW1 sites across France and Belgium that week and it really brought home to me the sheer scale of the loss of life during that war and just how many of those graves are of unknown soldiers.
Later that afternoon we visited the Tyne Cot cemetery in Ieper (Ypres). As it was Armistice Day, it was very busy there – there were a lot of people visiting that day which meant that it felt more like a tourist attraction which diminished the impact of all those unknown graves. I found it quite moving though to see two unknown German soldiers buried next to an unknown British one – enemies in life yet side by side in death.
That Armistice Day was a very memorable one and not just for the poignancy of being there in the Somme for the 90th anniversary of the armistice. It was also the date on which hubby proposed to me – over dinner that evening at the hotel in Antwerp.
My Great Grandad is remembered at Theipval, it is such a moving place. Not until you get to the memorial do you see the names and the utter loss, then becomes real. I am looking to go back there for the 100th Anniversary of his death. The scale of loss I don’t think can ever be imagined with so many bodies scattered across the country, but we will never forget.
It is certainly a very moving place – just to stand there and realise just how many names are on the monument – all those soldiers whose resting place is unknown.
fabulous pictures
Thank you
Amazing! The ambiance in the photos, the message. A lovely post. #bwphotoproject
Thank you – it was very moving to stand and remember them in a place where so many had lost their lives.
These photos speak a thousand words don’t they? We will remember.
Indeed – so important to stop and remember.
It is so important to remember all the lost lives.
Absolutely – was very moving to be there in the Somme for Armistice Day that year.
Wonderful, moving images, the black and white really conveys the sombre nature of the location #bwphotoproject Jess x
Thank you – it was a very moving day.
Such an important message Louise. I have been to Ypres and it is a moving and sobering place.
Thank you Sara – I don’t think I ever appreciated the sheer scale of the loss of life until I saw all those names of those who had no known burial place on the Thiepval monument and on the Menin Gate.
Lovely photos! We visited the Thiepval Memorial too during our holiday last July. It was very moving! I especially found the way people would leave little crosses/messages and wreathes on the floor. So touching! #whatsthestory.
Thank you – Thiepval is possibly the most moving of all the sites I have visited – all those names inscribed on it. Very sobering.
The memorials and graveyards that are across Belgium and France are moving of a normal day, I can only imagine how moving it must’ve been during remembrance day and even more so on the 90th anniversary of world war one finishing. Popping in from What’s The Story.
It certainly was a very emotional experience. Hubby and I usually well up during Nimrod at the best of times – hearing it and the Last Post being played whilst standing there was very poignant and moving.
Lovely pictures. I’d really like to visit the memorial for my great uncle at Le Touret.
Thank you – I would definitely recommend a visit to the WW1 sites, they are very thought-provoking. We went to visit the grave of a distant cousin of mine who is buried near Ypres whilst we were there too.