WW I - Western Front
I recently spent 3 weeks in France and the Benelux, visiting family and friends, enjoying many great day trips, and on this occasion, a day trip with our 7 year old son to Ypres (Ieper). Located in the South-West corner of Belgium, near the French border, it was a "must-see" on this trip to Europe - our son had been learning about the Anzacs at school, and he really wanted a history lesson with a difference to learn about the Western Front in more detail....so why not!
Ypres and Diksmuide area have some fantastic museums and memorials to the Anzacs, and I would recommend a visit here to all of us who have a spare day or two on their agenda. It was not my first time to Diksmuide and visiting the trenches (Dodengang), as I had visited this a few years back with our eldest son, along with the Ijzer Toren Museum. It was however the first time that we witnessed The Last Post in Ypres at the Menin Gate - held every night (yes every night) at 8pm, it is a very moving experience and amazing how many people come and honour the Anzacs every single day.
The Menin Gate is a memorial built to remember the Anzacs, the main street of Ypres running through it. Names of all of the known soldiers that lost their lives on the Western Front are engraved on the walls of the Menin Gate, and fresh flower wreaths are placed here every day.
There are also numerous other memorials in the area, to our fallen soldiers, from all over the Commonwealth, all very well maintained and looked after.
A visit to this region is awe-inspiring, and whether young or old, it should be a must-see on every itinerary. Lest We Forget......