"to those who died in Flanders Fields and are buried forever in Flemish soil"

This morning at 11.00am I was in Ypres to watch the Remembrance Sunday Parade and Ceremony.

It was so busy that we were not able to get anywhere near to the main Ceremony taking place at the Menin Gate memorial. So we watched the parade march past in the City square outside the Cathedral and the service on the large TV screen.

It was simple, beautiful occasion during which I think everyone who took part was deeply moved. There were many thousands present from all parts of Britain, Ireland and the Commonwealth.

There were a number of poignant moments to note but the one that moved me the most was the joint wreath laying by the German and British Ambassadors to Belgian, while side by side.   Afterwards we walked along the City Wall Embankments to Lille Gate and the tiny war cemetery which is just incredibly sad but also in a stunning location. Please one day visit it. 

Ypres Remembrance weekend 2012

This weekend I am in Ypres, Belgian visiting some of the First World War Battle sites, museums and cemeteries.

Picture is of the war graves at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. It is at the site of a former hospital and with nearly 11,000 graves is the 2nd biggest British and Commonwealth cemetery in Belgian.

It is incredibly emotional and moving to walk along the rows and rows of graves.

The vast majority of the dead were so young.  Their surnames remind us of friends and work colleagues. They are from every class, every part of the UK and every part of the Commonwealth. A few have their photos from real life smiling laid alongside. Gravestones of German soliders now lay side by side their former enemies.   There are red poppy wreaths on some graves from UK primary school children who came from the same towns and villages as the fallen and came to show their respect.

In the picture to my left is Rob Frisby my brother-in-law (ex-RAF), to the right his son Matthew and in the middle, Matthew's friend from his high school days, Ashley. Tomorrow we hope to visit Battlefield sites and Menin Gate.

The Fighting Temeraire (& the Fighting 63rd)

Off message: This simply gorgeous sunset by J M W Turner of the old Battleship being towed towards the breaker's yard was once voted the "Greatest Painting in any British Gallery". I agree - and a canvass print of the painting is one of my 50th birthday presents yesterday.

Last weekend I went to the Portsmouth Historic Docks and visited HMS Victory and HMS Warrior. I found that there was a 23 year old John Gray who served in HMS Victory during the Battle of Trafalgar  in 1805. I'll post pictures on Facebook of this visit, including a boat trip to look at a £400 million modern day Naval Battleship and older ones awaiting the same fate as the "Temeraire".

This weekend I am going to Ypres in Belgium with my nephew Matthew, his mate Ashley and my brother-in-law Rob. We are planning to visit the First World War Battlefield sites and museums. On this forthcoming Remembrance Sunday, we are going to show our respects to the British and Commonwealth dead at Menin Gate.

My Taid (Welsh for Grandfather) fought in the First World War in the Royal Naval Division (63rd). There was too many men volunteering for the Navy at the beginning of that war so Winston Churchill who was in charge decided to form a land fighting navy division. The RND was constantly in the thick of it in France (and Gallipoli) during the War. It lost the equivalent of four times its numerical strength in dead and wounded (stop and think about this figure) .

My Taid (who also survived Gallipoli) received this citation in 1917 "Temporary Lieutenant Frederick John Matthews RNVR for conspicuous gallantry and devotion in leading his company forward with ammunition under a heavy machine gun fire. He also attacked and captured a machine gun position, seizing the gun and taking about forty prisoners for which he was awarded the Military Cross".

I think this action took place in or around Ypres and I will try and find out further information. How on earth can any infantry unit under heavy fire attack machine gun positions? It would be fascinating to work out when and where this action took place and to visit the location.

My Auntie Di (daughter-in-law of Taid) wants to visit Flanders. I have promised her that this weekend will be a tester and if it all goes well then perhaps the wider Matthews Clan can organise a similar gathering next year?

Snowdon 2011: Ranger Path up and Rhyd Ddu down

On Mayday this year I walked up Snowdon with my sisters, Helen and Lucy, for the pleasure of walking and to pay our respects to our father whose ashes we spread on the summit in 2002.  This year Lucy's husband Rob and their (very) grumpy Border terrier, Chili, joined us.  We hadn't been up the Snowdon Rangers path before.

The weather was absolutely glorious apart from the wind.  The route was very quiet compared to the paths on the other side of the mountain.  As we went up the views were outstanding.  It was probably one of the easiest Snowdon climbs to make as well.  We said hello to our Dad at the summit, then made our way down by the Rhyd Ddu path.   This picture is of a white baby Mountain goat (a kid) and the Ranger path is behind.  (double click photo to bring up detail) It was simply wonderful.

On the way down we cut across country to try and go direct to our starting point car park by the Llyn Cwellyn.  We had to walk thorough the remains of a old Copper mine and a massive slate quarry.  It is strange now to think that Snowdonian use to be a heavy industry economic powerhouse.  We got a bit lost at the end so probably best to keep to clear way mark routes. 

It was a wonderful day.  The views were magnificent and out of the wind, it was lovely and warm but we know we were lucky with the weather and that we will pay for this the next time.

I'll post more pictures of the day on Facebook.  Some previous posts on Snowdon walks: Watkins Path (first mention of Chili), Grib Coch (the horror! the horror!) and something poignant.