WWI Battlefields

The In Flanders Field Museum is a compelling interactive museum which takes students through the events of the First World War and occupies the second floor of the Cloth Hall, Ypres in Belgium. The building was virtually destroyed by artillery fire during the Battles of Ypres and has been reconstructed. The curator, Piet Chielens, is a World War I historian. The museum is named for the famous poem by Canadian John McCrae. Visitors to the museum will find no glorification of war; rather the museum suggests the futility of war, especially as seen in Flanders in World War I. Educational groups are very well catered for.

This stunning site is found central to the Canadian Corp’s expertly planned capture of Vimy Ridge in April 1917, an unforgettable event which proved critical for the Allies in the First World War. Original features such as the trenches have been preserved and restored for visitors to experience also be sure to visit the Vimyl Memorial situated at the top of the ridge along with the exhibition displaying the history surrounding the battle.

The Menin Gate is a memorial to the servicemen of the British Commonwealth who’s lives were lost at Ypres, the site is also known as the hall of memory and is home to over 54,000 names who have no grave. Located on the Eastern side of the town, the memorial was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and unveiled in 1927 by Field Marshall Plumer. Only a five minute walk from the main square in Ypres, the Menin Gate is an essential part of any Battlefield tour of Belgium. Be sure to witness the resident buglers who, at 8pm every evening, since 1928 have sounded the Last Post- this presents a great opportunity for any visiting group to pay their respects by laying a commemorative wreath.

The Thiepval Memorial is a commemoration to the 73,000 Allied troops who lost their lives in the Somme, standing 45 metres high on the old German frontline the Thiepval stands out significantly from the surrounding countryside highlighting it’s importance. It was the site of the bloodiest fighting of 1916 and remains a poignant reminder of the suffering experienced throughout the region- be sure to take a trip to the visitor centre here and learn more from your time at Thiepval.

Arguably one of the most important WWI sites situated along the old Western Front, Newfoundland Park exhibits a vast area of trenches where soldiers from all parts of the UK and Newfoundland lost their lives during the fighting of 1916, before the area was finally taken by the 51st (Highland) Division.

Lochnagar Crater at La Boisselle is the largest British mine crater on the Western Front and is one of the most popular sites to visit, receiving over 75,000 visitors a year. The mine was detonated with 25,000 kilos of guncotton on the morning of 1st July 1916 which created a roar that was reputedly heard in London. The resulting crater measured 300ft wide and 90ft deep.

This is the largest British cemetery on the Western Front with 11,956 graves of Commonwealth soldiers buried between October 1914 and September 1918. Within this cemetery are the graves of two interesting Victoria Cross winners, Sgt. L. McGee (Plot XX, Grave E1) and Captain C.S. Jeffries (Plot XL Grave E1). They lie buried near the German pillbox which they died attacking