The Flanders Field Museum is located in the charming village of Ypres, Belgium. We did a tour from the cruise ship with a knowledgeable and extremely grateful guide.
This village and surrounding area was the site of the most devastating battles during World War I, also referred to as the Great War. Almost half a million people died in the trenches and in 'No Man's Land' between 1914 and 1918.
The St. George's Memorial Church was built approximately in 1927. It honours the over 500,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who died in the three battles fought here during World War I.
We ate a small lunch and spent a good few hours in the museum...but could have stayed much longer. There is so much information, photos, personal stories, relics, etc. to read and look at.
Deb was looking up her family's name 'Hannah' to see if who might have been fighting in World War I.
In the 1920, 150 military cemeteries were commissioned to be built in this area. To honour those who gave their lives fighting for our freedom.
This entire village of Ypres, including this square was completely destroyed during those battles. The museum and village were rebuilt after the war, the way it looked before the war.
OMG! Look who we found in Ypres? Ruth and Roger weren't far behind us when we all headed onto the buses for the tour. Unfortunately for them, we were separated from the rest of us.
But we did have a wee reunion when our buses both stopped in Ypres.
The Menin Gate sits at the entrance of Ypres. It is a site to be witnessed and seen first hand. The interior walls are engraved with the names of soldiers who fought and died on these Flanders Fields.
Every night since it was built, they have played the 'Last Post.'
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