Exploring The WW1 Ypres Battlefields In Belgium

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you everyone for watching these 3 videos from the WW1 sites in France and Belgium and for all your lovely comments. I get that these videos are a bit different to my usual videos and are not everyone’s cup of tea! There will be lots more Scotland videos coming soon! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 I’ve been making KZbin videos for almost five years now and have never cried in a video before… now it’s been twice in two weeks. It won’t be a regular thing and I’m sure I’m not the only person who has shed a tear when visiting Tyne Cot Cemetery. It’s a very sobering place. 😢 Thank you again for watching! ❤

[@brianpurcell9058]

Just to see All the graves and to experience just an idea of what those boys went through is harrowing so don't apologise for getting emotional about it ❤

[@jimmythejock4376]

❤

[@grant1863]

I think they are outstanding and speak well of your respect for your ancestors.

[@2009Portugale]

Thank you Ruth for showing us a part of history and showing your emotions and respect. These were the best videos ever.

[@tristandunn4628]

The sheer number of graves and all the names around you must be overwhelming. All those brave and tragically young guys who laid down their lives for our freedom is just heart breaking. I think I would be more concerned if you didn't cry at it all. Your videos have brought me to tears, even from the comfort of my living room. I can't begin to imagine how it must feel, being there, surrounded by it all. To say it's very humbling is a massive understatement

[@paulpowell4871]

As a Veteran and a historian with UK ties all I can say is thank you for the tears as they symbolize your pride and humble reverence. Bless these Warriors that gave the last full Measure.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching the video

[@glennwhittaker197]

Thank you Ruth for these 3 posts, I'm a 22 year served veteran & on Remembrance Day I stand there with my medals on & not feel emotional during the Last Post, however, if I hear it during a documentary or in a post like yours I weep like a baby 😔😭 "LEST WE FORGET"

[@doug8525]

When I was a teen, there was a guy in town who mowed lawns for a living. We’d see him pushing his mower to his jobs. He would constantly talk to himself. He would also pick up discarded cigarette butts and smoke them. He always looked straight ahead all the time. All of us we laugh about him. Then one day I was told he got that way from ww2 . It changed me, for the better. When I visit a cemetery now, I take some time at the veterans graves. I’m thankful to the ones who never came home, and owe everything to them and the ones who came home, carrying all the baggage in their minds from what they went through. God bless them all.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

My mother's 2 cousins used to take turn about for a bed in the local Funny Farm after their experiences in the trenches. But they did better than their brother - he is buried in Péronne on the Somme. Ironically their mother was the daughter of German Immigrants to Australia.

[@bettymaugeri7316]

🙏

[@thisgirl5539]

💔

[@tracyzehnder2902]

😢

[@MikeC_BE_2870]

I'm from Belgium and I have visited Tyne Cot Cemetery twice. In May 2014 and in September 2023. For me personally, the most remarkable grave of the cemetery (altough I was not able to locate it) belongs to Corporal Richard Verhaeghe, a man who was born in Belgium, but emigrated to Canada with his parents at a young age. when the war broke out, he enlisted in the Canadian army. He died on either the 30th or 31st of October 1917 after a gas attack near Passchendaele. He was born in Belgium, emigrated to Canada and then returned to his native Belgium to fight and die here... Full circle if you 'd ask me.

[@beeldpuntXVI]

@mike ge kunt te naam zoeken in het boek van het kerkhof of op de website van commonwealth war Grave commission

[@monika_martin]

That is a wonderful story. It's also very ironic that his life ended up coming full circle. It's tragic that so many young men from around the world had to die in WWI so far away from their homes.

[@AHC4675]

My great uncle rests in Tyne Cot and I have visited from Australia twice to commemorate his falling at Passchendaele . Your comments brought tears to my eyes, thank you ❤

[@ruthaisling]

It is so emotional visiting these places. Thank you for watching.

[@davy9247]

My respect and gratitude to your great uncle! It's an honour to have him rest here.

[@HabaneroTi]

One of my great uncles died in WWI. He was actually on the other side, a doctor recently out of med school in the Ottoman army. He was from Bulgaria, which at the time was still part of the Ottoman empire. From what I've been told he tried to cross a bridge during a raging battle to tend to some injured men, and was shot and killed in the attempt. My father, born nearly 20 years after this happened who ended up seeing quite a bit of conflict himself in later wars, was named for him, along with a cousin who became a well-regarded historian, perhaps inspired in part by these tragic events. I studied both world wars in college, having majored in history myself, and have long wanted to visit battlefields and cemeteries from both. I had planned to visit the beaches and cemeteries of Normandy this past fall, but, ironically, an actual war broke out where I was and spoiled those plans, cancelling all flights out of the country. It seemed strangely and eerily fitting for one war to get in the way of visiting the sites of a previous war. I'm sure that I'll make it there eventually, along with WWI battlefields. I have, though, visited military cemeteries, such as Arlington, in Seattle where I used to live, and in Israel, and a number of battle sites, especially US Civil War ones such as Gettysburg, Antietam and Vicksburg, and Little Bighorn, which all have their own military cemeteries. It's always very moving and emotional. WWII took many more lives but WWI has always struck me as more tragic, to the men and women in combat at least, stuck in trenches for months, fighting and dying to gain just a few meters only to lose them a few days later, under attack by horrific chemical gases, cut to shreds by the recently invented machine gun, stuck on barbed wire, being willfully used as cannon fodder by heartless and barbaric officers. A huge portion of the young men of the UK, France, Germany and Russia were cut down in their prime, with others coming home with physical and emotional scars they'd bear for the rest of their lives. All for basically nothing, to be repeated on an even greater and more horrific scale barely 20 years later. The least that any of us can do is bear witness and honor the fallen. You did good, Ruth.

[@Mikebwilson2316]

Ruth, I have to say that your series about WW 1 cemeteries has been very thorough and at times emotional, especially when the last post was played at the Menim Gate. I had shivers down my spine. I thank you for bringing a different prospective on a sad subject. I was fortunate that both my grand fathers survived the war. I thank each and ever person, irrespective of nationality, friend or foe for their service and sacrifice. They will never be forgotten.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching the videos Mike. Seeing the last post in real life was very moving too. 😥

[@ba-gg6jo]

I totally agree with you, the playing of the Last Post at the Menin Gate, was extremely emotional and our thanks must go to the buglers of the local Belgian Fire Brigade who perform this every evening.

[@abbykeyzer]

The evening that Ypres was liberated the last post was played and there was still fighting going on in the city .

[@denislacombe4103]

I àm French my Grand Father foughts against the Germans during ww1 ! He was born in Roubaix north of France in 1882, but fortunately did not be kill !! He died in his bed january the first 1964! I was 9 years old! Thank you very much indeed Lady for this very emotional video! It's worthy! Stay safe! God Bless ! Denis from France....

[@puppy2haley]

I agree! visiting the cemeteries and giving us such historic information. It’s heart wrenching!! Great job, Ruth!!!❤❤

[@louburnett6782]

Tyne Cot is so moving, the horror of WWI isn’t truly felt until you see the cemeteries and the battle fields - thank you for sharing and bringing these to people who can’t go or don’t know. Lease we forget…

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you, I totally agree ❤️

[@tofftheboss6954]

As a 12 year old my town was twinned with Ypres and our general studies teacher told us all the place, Belgium, the language and history but nothing about the war. My father fought in WW2 and told me about the dreadful WW1, he was a sergeant major in Africa teaching the men to fight in WW2. I learned a lot from him. My mum's brother' life was ruined mentally having to fight on the front line in France. The men and women of those wars definitely deserve to be remembered and never forgotten. Bravo the the countries involved for keeping and maintaining the cemeteries. Well done to you for bringing their existance to the notice of YT watchers.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching 🙏

[@robertglennienz]

Thank you for this @RuthAisling I'm from New Zealand. Contrary to popular belief our worst day was not at Gallipoli. It was in the muddy bloody hell known as 3rd Ypres or more commonly, Passchendaele. It was on 12 October 1917. I think we were meant to be launching a localized attack that went horribly wrong. In 1917, N.Z. had a population of just past 1 million. On 12 October 1917, 1 in every 1000 New Zealanders then alive were killed in front of Passchendaele. There are at least that number of New Zealanders at Tyne Cot, and innumerable smaller numbers scattered around Ypres, including Polygon Wood across the road from the Australian memorial. I've stood at the Menin Gate for The Last Post memorial service - an amazing experience. Every A.N.Z.A.C. (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day (25 April), there is a service for them.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for sharing that 😢

[@anthonylambert4523]

I would just like to thank you Ruth for this series of very moving videos. Remembrance is very important no matter how long ago these terrible wars took place. I served in the British Army in the 80's and lost friends on active service but could still never comprehend what these lads went through. The horrendous conditions in which they lived and died is unimaginable to us these days and the sheer numbers of casualties on both sides so unbelievably terrible. I honestly wept tears at times watching your films and would like to thank you for sharing your experiences in Flanders. I hope everyone watching will maybe stop and take time to reflect on thise who made the ultimate sacrifice and realise why we should never forget....... At the going down of the sun and in the morning,we will remember them !!

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for your comment and sorry to hear about the loss of your friends. 😥

[@Gez-C]

I went to Tyne Cot about 15 years back, and it was overwhelming with the amount of graves that were there

[@ericdelevinquiere9902]

The fact that you walked in the cemetery in such shilling conditions and alone, I think added to the solemnity of that moment!

[@tonyellis19]

As a former school governor I accompanied a school trip to visit all the places covered in your video. One cannot but help be moved when visiting Tyne Cot - so well maintained and cared for. The sheer scale of the graves there brings the sheet waste of life into vivid reality.

[@ruthaisling]

That’s nice to hear that you went there on a school trip. It’s a very long trip from Scotland so that’s probably why I never went.

[@stephenbassett4317]

Thank you so much for bringing us these videos. My grandad was wounded twice on the Somme and survived. All his life he had flashbacks and nightmares. As the song says: 'a whole generation butchered and damned'. And we're still doing it today.

[@michaelfrost4584]

My Great Uncle who was bearly 20yrs old died in the 2nd Battle and still buried there. God Bless Him. R.l.P ❤

[@jimhamilton8775]

Thank you Ruth for sharing these three emotional videos of the horror of WW1. We all must ensure that the sacrifices of this conflict and later conflicts are never forgotten... LEST WE FORGET.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Jim, you are right

[@briangirling8638]

Thank you Ruth for your touching videos documenting the tragedy of war. As we approach the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, this 78 year old Canadian will stop and reflect while the remembrance ceremonies in Ottawa take place. We shall remember!

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching the war videos Brian

[@JackSymonds-i1z]

My great grandfather died climbing over one of those trenches in Ypres, I've been there a few times, and met some lovely people from Germany who were on the same journey, how wonderful is that 😊

[@ruthaisling]

It really is so moving 😢

[@JackSymonds-i1z]

Thank you Ruth, what you did means so much to me. Love you lots.

[@geoffh2560]

Thanks Ruth for this tribute to those who gave their lives in WW1.

[@GaryThomas-gx2jm]

Took a coach party of kids there one time. It caught us all out. Very emotional.

[@elcappocanningtownlooknofu597]

Hi Ruth,,,I actualy live in Beamish and my great grandfather is remembered on panel 36 on the Menin Gate,,K.I.A. at Ypres 1915 and still lossed near polygon wood.

[@ruthaisling]

That's a coincidence, no harm meant to Beamish by my comment!

[@elcappocanningtownlooknofu597]

@@ruthaisling Beamish is full of our ancestors history Ruth,,that school that was taken down and rebuilt insitu was attended by many boys who went on to fight on the western front with the Durham light infantry and th pals battalions from all of the local mining towns. Our C,Council closed the DLI museum in 2014 and put all of our regiments honour and historical bravery in cardboard boxes never to be seen and gather dust in a dark cupboard.i dont know if you acctualy know that 1 of the very 1st VC cut by Hancocks of London of which there are 5 was awarded to Pt Burn of the DLI at the battle of inkermann in 1854 and was back dated by Queen Victoria in 1857..just to add to my own family,s WW1 story my great grandfather had 2 brothers also K.I.A in the great war,,,1 at Deville wood on the Somme 1916 and the other at the 3rd battle Ypres 1917,,,all of the DLI lossed to this very day

[@ericrabinowitz6390]

Ruth, I will watch your beautiful and thoughtful videos again before my annual Remembrance Day visit to Vancouver, BC. I feel hearing the Last Post here will reverberate when I'm standing at the cenotaph in Port Moody and continue as the pipers play 'Flowers of the Forest.' I am grateful to you for your moving visit to France and Belgium. I never thought I'd be glad my grandfather lost part of a lung after contracting TB as a teenager. He was 19 when the US entered WW1 and would surely have been sent to France, but his condition sent him to work in the War Department, in Washington DC instead. We can only hope that if children visited these memorials on school trips, they might be more reluctant to start wars when they grow up and serve in government. You've done a wonderful job here. Many thanks! ❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Eric, always appreciate your supportive comments. ❤

[@ericrabinowitz6390]

@@ruthaisling 'Flowers of the Forest' at the funeral of HRH Queen Elizabeth II: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGiUoZmvgsionc0

[@ericrabinowitz6390]

@@ruthaisling Ruth, While watching another channel about travel in Scotland i noticed several small-town cenotaphs. Made me wonder, were your relatives (or any of the others) lost in the Great War memorialized by name in their Scottish hometowns? Or is there simply a blanket memorial to those lost? Thanks again for these thought-provoking videos.

[@ruthaisling]

@@ericrabinowitz6390 Hi Eric, yes my family are mentioned on the memorial in the village I visit in my first war video where I start filming the video!

[@MikeWood]

Ruth, you have honoured your relatives, and all those who fought and perished in the war, with these excellently produced and edited videos. Dileas Gu Brath. Lest we forget.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching the videos Mike

[@robinwaistell441]

Hi Ruth, thank you for this program. I had the honour of having two old friends who both saw action in Ypres "Wipers" One was Sgt Smith " Smithy " who served with the DLI and another "Old Man" who appeared to be a bit of a tramp. He would be seen around town (Barnard Castle ) wearing a long coat turned down wellies and a string around his waist. He was always bent over and never ever looked up. Talking to him I learned that he served with Smithy at Ypres. Smithy told me they marched into the trenches where they stayed and fought. When they marched out to come home their boots had rotted off! Smithy also told me the old man had never looked up since. That was 50+ years ago. I was with my Mother when my Father took her to find the grave of her first Husband in Normandy. I will never forget her kneeling there and placing a big bunch of red gladioli on his grave. So emotional ! I have a journey to make of my own to find and honour my fathers best friend who also lost his life in the fight for freedom in Normandy. It must be done. Take care God Bless. R

[@terencefield3204]

How old are they, 130?.?

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for sharing this story Robin. I hope you can find your father’s best friend! 🙏

[@robinwaistell441]

they are gone a long time ago but their stories/history are still with me.@@terencefield3204

[@sydaitge4577]

Thank you Ruth for this video and also the earlier video covering the conflict in areas of France. My Grandfather George Elias Sims served with the Seaforth Highlanders on the Somme even though he was English. He wore the kilt and had to endure the freezing temperatures you described. I believe he may have been invalided out and returned home in 1916 but he never spoke of it to any of his family. His younger brother Sydney Harold Sims died in September 1916 at the Menin Road west of Ypres. He was aged 19 and was never found. He is commemorated on a panel at Tyne Cot. Thank you again. Peter Sims

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching the video and sharing this Peter. I never knew non-Scottish soldiers had to wear kilts. That must have been so cold during the winter 😥

[@sydaitge4577]

About the kilt: The story goes; that marching in cold wet conditions the heavy material of the kilt became sodden with water which then froze! This then rubbed the soldiers legs to the point that the abrasion drew blood. Must have been a fearsome site to behold. I was told that my grandfather's return home was less than a hero's welcome. His mother loved him of course but he had lice. He was not allowed into the house until a tin bath was produced for him to strip off and bathe. The kilt and uniform were burned. I do however have his cap badge.@@ruthaisling

[@NaomiB-zq4dt]

Maybe our world's leaders need to be brought to these places alone in the middle of winter to reflect on their duty to humanity. Thank you for sharing these beautiful, reflective and personal videos.

[@brianfreeman8290]

I'm 74 and have done many WW2 trips. When I did a trip to where you are, I naively thought that it was too far back in history for me to be able to relate to it. I was so wrong. Extremely moving. I shed a lot of tears.

[@ruthaisling]

😰

[@alanholck7995]

Also, WW2 happened because of WW1. Heck, 20th Century history happened because of WW1.

[@jeffreyskinner6281]

Ruth, I originally started following you as a Scotland travel channel But your trip to the WWI Memorials has outclassed any KZbin stuff I have ever watched. I have been so moved by your recent videos. Thanks for such a wonderful, informative and emotional few weeks. I know this has been a trying trip for you with all the extracurricular stuff going on. But you have been such a trooper and kept on going. BTW the production quality of your videos is top notch. Safe trip back home!

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for much Jeffery, I really appreciate your kind words about my videos. ❤️

[@pontiacfan76]

The Historian for Sabaton has a day by series on WW1 and WW2.

[@lefty7510]

Ruth, I'm an old US Army veteran. That ending brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.

[@MichaelSmith-lb4kv]

Thank you Ruth for these 3 episodes of WW1, you bought this across so well, I actually learned a few things that I didn’t know about, which weren’t told to us during my Army career. And hearing the last post with the fotos was really fitting, thank you doing this tour, although it was so cold for you. 👏 greetings from me in Germany 🇩🇪

[@ruthaisling]

I’m so pleased you enjoyed these videos.

[@Simon-ry1lw]

Hearing the last post is always so moving - last we forget

[@brianfreeman8290]

I learned a fascinating fact about Ypres. It was, of course, absolutely flattened during the war, and yet the buildings have the appearance of being at least a couple of centuries old. Post war, assiduous searches were made to find original drawings and plans, and subsequently the town was rebuilt to replicate its' former glory.

[@ruthaisling]

That’s really incredible, thanks for sharing

[@Alainke]

Indeed, but also in the 14th century it already took a blow, and never recovered. It had 30,000 citizens at that moment. Ypres was besieged from May to August 1383, until French relief forces arrived.

[@taiqidong9841]

There are more cities that were completely or partially destroyed in the beginning of the war during ”the rape of Belgium’. We still remember these as the martyrs cities where not only the buildings werd burned down but also where hundreds of citizens were executed in what was basically a general repetition of the way the Wehrmacht operated towards civilians in operation Barbarossa 30 years later. These cities are: Wezet, Aarschot, Andenne, Tamines, Dinant, Leuven and Dendermonde. All of the cities were reconstructed. When you walk thrue the streets of the historic centre of Leuven (known as Louvain in English), you see carved stones fit in the walls with a sabre, flames and a year. This means the house was destroyed in the early days of WWI and reconstructed in the year that is mentioned.

[@S-Christ]

Yes, not a single building in ypres was left untouched. In the centre of ypres they put a sign that said "here was ypres" not a single person could imagine it ever being rebuild yet here i am, Born and raised. We do remember them.

[@davegoldsmith4020]

Walk around the cloth hall area adjacent roads and the centre lots of the buildings have the date 1922 on them.

[@mrade5321]

I've just watched all three of your videos in a row. Thank you for bringing us along on the journey. Very well made and well presented. Good job 👍 LEST WE FORGET

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching the three videos

[@davy9247]

Great video. I highly appreciate and respect how many UK people still visit the Ieper region today to keep the memory of their ancestor's sacrifices alive. By the way, the correct way to pronounce the name Ieper is: Eep-er (not Eep-rah) 😊

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 😊🙏

[@niptodstan]

Ruth, you’re a brave girl going there on your own. You should have taken a friend. When I saw you begin to cry, I wanted to hug you. My father fought at Dunkirk. My mother’s uncle dies at Flanders. When the family went to visit the trenches before I was born, they went into a trench and his picture was on the wall. A friend must have put it there after he died. You’ve made a great job of this tribute series. Well done and thanks. Xx

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏

[@BethCali]

This was beautifully done. Thanks from me and my grandfather who was in the British army and fought in France in WWl and who thankfully made it home.

[@peteryeatman1904]

Thank you Ruth we have just come back from visiting the war graves in Belgium and France. May I just add that over 8 million horses were killed while serving for us to still be free to this day . And my heart goes out to all those brave men not coming back home . We must never ever forget them ❤.

[@ruthaisling]

Never 😢

[@peteryeatman1904]

People tend to forget how many animals die in wars trying to help us .

[@gwine9087]

My Uncle was at Passchendaele along with Vimy and several others. He was killed, near Cambrai, on 1 October 1918. I had the honour of visiting his grave, in 1994. Pvt. E.T. Teggin MM.

[@ruthaisling]

So sad 😞

[@WW-qp5yd]

Thank you for his service

[@timfromnc645]

Thank you for this moving vlog. My GF fought there as an American with the 30th Infantry Division USA. I have two letters from him from the front. Describing the battle and the conditions. Unimaginable to live that. He died before I was able to know him but know he was proud of his service. I always said I would visit those battlefields and I will soon. I have seen where my father was in WWII at the bomber base in England when he was a tail gunner in 8th AF. B24. Thank God for these men.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching and I hope you can visit sometime 🙏

[@edwardtosh3291]

Honest and sincere presentation. Thank you.

[@stuartgilroy]

My grandfather Herman Ellery Gilroy was a member of the Canadian expeditionary forces he was gassed in 2nd Ypres and was invalided to England for the remainder of the war. Thank you for sharing this!

[@sgtcrab2569]

Well thank you from Canada. I was born in Sunderland, my a Mom War Bride. Her father was battlefield commissioned and later wounded in WW I. My Dad was with North Nova Scotia Highlanders on D Day and in the Scheldt in WW II.

[@adamlee3772]

I love this video. I can certainly understand your emotion. My grandfather has an unknown grave in Tunisia in WW2. Thus video has made me emotional too. Thank you for sharing it.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching ❤️

[@adamlee3772]

@@ruthaisling you’re very welcome. I only just found your videos. Bloody awesome. I’ve made other comments on this video though and I think you’ll find my suggestion of the movie Beneath Hill 60 interesting. Good luck with your channel. I’ve liked and subscribed.

[@ruthaisling]

@@adamlee3772 Thank you, I will try and watch it

[@andrewhacker5034]

It certainly brings it home standing in front of a family member. My family and I went to Normandy and found my grans cousin who died at Pegasus bridge. Brought it home to my daughters.

[@ruthaisling]

It really does 😥

[@steveray8056]

Hi Ruth. I do not I know how my wife and I found your channel. We watched your three video’s about WW1 and we were both moved to tears. Yes, we both have English and Irish ancestry and most likely, we have relatives who would have fought in the battles you mentioned. We realized we need to do some research. Thank you for sharing your experiences. We both appreciate your presentation style and are enjoying travelling with you around France, Belgium and Scotland. Keep making great videos.

[@ruthaisling]

I’m so pleased you enjoyed the WW1 video series. It was something I had wanted to do for a long time. Very emotional 🥲

[@RegEdmunds]

I have visited Ypres a few times, my Dads' brother was killed on Nov 3rd 1917 and is commemorated at Lissenhoek Cemetery near Poperinge. It's a great little town and the nightly 8.00pm 'Last Post' ceremony under the Menin Gate is very moving.

[@davidsoulsby1102]

The Last post.... sets the hair on the back of my neck, on end, every time. Brilliant ending, the silence... perfect end to a good video

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@Schweini_1983]

My great great grandfather was killed in the 3rd battle of Ypres on October 26 1917. His name is on Menin Gate. Frederick William Ware, a Tinsmith from Winnipeg Manitoba. He left behind his daughter and wife. His body was never found. He fought alongside Robert Strickland who was awarded the Victoria Cross for taking a German pillbox on that same day.

[@Alainke]

As a citizen of a Belgian city that was brutalized by the Germans in summer of 1914, we will never forget the sacrifice of all those men and women that came and helped, from the four corners of the earth and lands far beyond the seas. My great-grandfather barely made it out alive, and some family members took refuge in France and the UK. Silly story, but one great--uncle died on the tram tracks in Paris, maybe he didn't see the danger. Anyhow, as the poem says, "there is now some corner of a Belgian field that is forever Canada"

[@adamlee3772]

When the poppies drop through the holes in the roof of the Menin Gate it’s quite extraordinary.

[@Annie4Always]

Incredible! Your visit to Ypres was so intensely moving & deeply touching. Seeing the thousands of gravestones stretching for miles around was so very sad & deeply heart rending. As well as, seeing the Photos of all those dashing & brave young soldiers, along with hearing the announcements of each of their names was truly spine chilling! This entire experience was absolutely gut wrenching. Viewing the Ypres Memorial Site, with all those endless rows of Gravestones, in remembrance of all the precious souls who sacrificed their lives in that terrible War, never to return home again, is utterly devastating! Even more heart wrenching here, though, was at the end, with your tribute of the lads playing 'Last Post' on the Bugles, accompanied by the deeply moving footage of the WWI Scenes. Aye! 'Tis absolutely vital....'Lest We Forget!' For surely "Any man's death diminishes me!...." "Because I am involved in mankind. And therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee..." Amen! Thank you for sharing this intensely moving & extremely enlightening experience Ruth! Blessings to you!

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching and for your comment. Hearing the names being read out was really sad and the Menin gate was also very moving too. 😥

[@Annie4Always]

@@ruthaisling Thank YOU! It is well seen here! Indeed! Reading the soldier's names out loud like that seemed to make them 'come alive' again in that moment at the very least."Twas truly a brilliant sentiment on their part to honor those precious soldiers in that way. Thanks again for sharing Ruth! Have a peaceful evening! 🌞

[@finneysimon]

Your trilogy is so heartfelt, and hits really hard. I hope some educators pick them up, and use them in their WW1 curriculums. I have learned so much, and I’m sure many folk will feel the same. I hope you are getting back on an even keel after the travails of your journey. I look forward to you new content.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching the videos and glad you found them informative

[@davefrench3608]

Wonderful video. The CWGC do an incredible job, the respect shown to the remains of a soldier are unearthed makes one very emotional I have no relatives who fell in the great war but my wife has a couple. I’m from a naval family so any relatives from the Great War are on the naval memorial in Portsmouth. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you 🙏

[@findecycle6533]

Thank you for your video. Of interest to me is that there is now a Visitor Centre located there, which did not exist when I visited there whilst my Ship was alongside for Belgian Navy Days in July 2002. It was only whilst back on board that I noticed in one of the first images I took, there appeared to be a dark image of a person standing on the same plinth as the cross. I did not see this person when I took the image as, not only would I have waited for them to get down from there, but I would have considered it extremely disrespectful. It is the only image I took that day with this 'anomaly'. I have had the privilege of visiting numerous historical sites; Pyramids, Commonwealth, Italian and German War Graves at El-Alamein, Megiddo (Armageddon), Masada, Petra, Auschwitz-Birkenau, amongst other, and taken a considerable amount of images at each, however, this is the only location where this has happened. I will contact the Visitor Centre and see if they show any interest in it. You never know, it could be a future attraction. Or they may bar me for life!

[@normancain6495]

Ruth, we visited Belgium from California for a friend’s wedding. After seeing your post about WW1 we decided to visit Tyne Cot. It was an extremely emotional visit for my wife, not because of a familial connection, but because of the sights and sounds. Thank you so much for your post.

[@ruthaisling]

Hi Norman, thank you for your comment. I am glad you and your wife could also visit. It's a very emotional place. I guess it probably looks quite different this time of year compared to the snowy scenes in January.

[@monika_martin]

This brought tears to my eyes when I saw you recounting the sorrow and tragic deaths of these brave soldiers. It's just so unfortunate that so many gravestones in this video, and in your previous ones, represent unknown names. Very sad.

[@walhalladome5227]

Your series of visits to the First World War battlefields and graves is top notch. Since the Centenary of the war we visited every holiday as much museums, battlefields, war graves, locations of importance as we could. The First World War should rely be standard education. Everything culminated into it and flowed from it. It's impact has consequences for our world untill this day, it is omnipresent.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you, I appreciate your comment!

[@里芋-g8i]

戦跡を巡る動画、全て見させてもらいました。広い平原に立ち並ぶ沢山の墓標、寂しくもあり亡くなった人達に想いを馳せずにはいられない風景ですね。意外だったのは敵であるはずのドイツ兵も広い敷地に墓標が綺麗に並んで埋葬されてる事です。戦争と平和を考えさせてくれる良い動画でした。

[@ruthaisling]

3本のビデオをご覧いただき、ありがとうございました。

[@roycurrie9208]

Three great videos, Ruth.My maternal grandfather was killed at Mons Belgium in WW1 You touched on the fact how much the deaths affect those left behind My grand mother still being a young woman remarried and her new husband didnt want the expense of raising her daughter "my mother" so she was put in an orphanage she was eventually adopted but her new family worked her like a dog so she ran away she roughed it for a time then turned her life around became a nurse met my Dad and the rest is history!

[@Murman22]

I am sure there were many tears shed editing this final video. Thank you Ruth.

[@ruthaisling]

Yes, there was 😢

[@ivane182_23]

this girl is culture , she feels the past, people like you are the soul of society, keep it up, I'm glad you have this channel is an inspiration, I never thought of visiting cemeteries before now I'll xD

[@abba10016]

Thank you, Ruth. Another amazing video. I visited Tyne Cot cemetery and the Grand Father of a middle-aged lady on the tour was buried there, while she laid a rose at her Grand Fathers grave, one of the tour organisers was a Scottish man who played bagpipes and he took the time to get dressed in a kilt and regalia and play "Flowers of the Forest". Ever since that visit many, many years ago that particular lament always makes me emotional. I found that particular experience more emotional than that of the "Last Post" at the Menin Gate and that was a tough one. If you ever decide to visit again then a stop at the Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont-Hamel as it is well worth a visit. The first day of the Somme was their first major engagement and within the first 30 minutes, they were nearly wiped out to the extent that there was no one left to write up a concise battle diary for the attack.

[@ruthaisling]

Wow what an incredible story, thanks for sharing. I’d like to visit the Somme again as that memorial was unfortunately closed when I visited in January.

[@timaddison707]

great stuff Ruth, done these trips many times myself, the horrors of the First World War should never be forgotten.

[@ruthaisling]

Never 😢

[@trevr10]

When we were serving in Germany we took our children to a few Concentration camps and there were always school trips from German schools visiting. I agree with what you said about British children visiting the war cemeteries.

[@JesperChristensen-i9n]

Im from Denmark. In 1864 Denmark lost 1/3 of Jutland to Prussia in a war. Making a lot of Danes Living i Germany. They Where forced to fight for the kaiser. In 1904 my great grandfather Alfred age 11 Where smuggled to Denmark, so i 1915 his cuissin got sent to the front on Alfred’s ticket. He lost all of his cuissens at Arras and Passchendale. In 1920 in the afthermath of ww1 Denmark got 2/3 of the lost territorium back. And Alfred was reunited with his mother. He was now the only Living male of the Family. He would never speak of it, and we only Found out of it after his death in 1986.

[@stephenchild2310]

Thank you for producing such a moving series. Considering the bad luck that you experienced during the trip I think you’ve done an excellent job.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks Stephen

[@kumasenlac5504]

My father had a cousin who is now just a name on the wall at Tyne Cot. The family honoured the fallen and gave his name to the first male born afterward. He, at least, has a headstone close to where his Lancaster was shot down.

[@davidf4897]

You are visiting in winter. I visited this grave site in summer, with the trees in full leaf. The immediate sense walking into the graveyard was a drop in temperature due to the tree cover. It adds further to the sense of a place commemorating the mass dead of war.

[@daveglover6115]

Thank you Ruth for that tour. Heartfelt and genuine and much appreciated by the descendants of WW1

[@ruthaisling]

I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@willigee7885]

deeply moving \ touching video. The Last Post at the end which I have witnessed when the bugles play each evening will bring a tear to your eye... One of my family is carved amongst the 54,000 names at Ypres, Thank you Ruth

[@JohnStahl]

Ruth, thank you for doing this series. I don’t remember studying much of WW1 in school here in the US. Such an immense human tragedy.

[@ruthaisling]

It really was 😥

[@PFWoody488]

Thanks for taking this trip Ruth. It matters.

[@williamclough6850]

Thank you Ruth, that was incredibly emotional, informative and sensitively portrayed. I watched all 3 and at the end of this one sat and stared at my screen for a few minutes doing nothing but absorbing what I had just watched. I flew 13 years in the RAF out of Scotland so do have my own military background but was lucky enough to not be involved in any action. I am very lucky. Looking forward to your next adventure presumably back at home for you. Great job Ruth.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching all three of the videos. ❤

[@paulbriggs3072]

Americans also took part in the Ypres-Lys campaign in the last months of the war. In late August and early September 1918, the British Second and Fifth Armies, assisted by the American II Corps (27th and 30th Divisions), wiped out the Lys salient which projected into allied lines. When the Germans began retiring in the sector south of the Lys in October to shorten their lines, Belgian King Albert's army group attacked along its entire front. By 20 October Ostend and Bruges had been captured and the Allied left was at the Dutch frontier. In mid-October American General Pershing dispatched two American divisions-the 37th and 91st-to the French Army of Belgium, at General Foch's request, to give impetus to the drive to cross the Scheldt (Escaut) southwest of Ghent. A general attack began in this area on the 31st of October and continued intermittently until hostilities ended on the 11th of November, 1918. The American 37th Division forced a crossing of the river southeast of Heurne on the 2nd of November and another farther north at the site of the destroyed Hermelgem-Syngem bridge on the 10th of November. Casualties of the two divisions in these operations totaled about 2,600. From the 19th of August to the 11th of November about 108,000 Americans participated in the Ypres-Lys Campaign.

[@ticofoto2063]

Beautiful and emotional ❤❤

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much 😊

[@Team-fabulous]

I would go regularly to the Somme to visit some old friends. Yes it is a very emotional journey which always brings a tear to my eye...

[@AnnaWhybro]

Thanks Ruth, your France series of films have been wonderful. Well done 😊

[@ruthaisling]

That is very kind of you, thank you. I'm really glad to hear you've enjoyed them! ❤

[@amcluesent]

Top content as always; hope being back in Scotland has helped lift your mood

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks, yes been working on some more positive videos recently

[@la_old_salt2241]

Thank you for this series Ruth. I've begun a learning journey over the last year or so of the Great War. Your treatment of the war is quite well done. May I recommend the channel Stories of the Great War, Chris does an excellent job with his presentation also. I believe he was the one who stated that it is estimated that over the course of the war, 250 shells of all calibers fell on each square foot of the 400-mile front line. In addition, many of the cemeteries early in the war were located on the front and were subsequently shelled, being obliterated during the fighting. This is one reason there are so many men, like your own family members, who are lost or unrecoverable. As an aside, have you considered checking to see what medals your family members may have earned during their service? You could build shadow boxes with their medals mounted for wear with a name plate and a photo. Those would be a nice tribute to them the family could have for years in remembrance. God bless, Rob USNR, 1987-1995

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you Rob 🙏 I’m pleased you enjoyed the series.

[@la_old_salt2241]

​@@ruthaisling My pleasure. God bless, Rob

[@keefnbailz]

It's difficult to click like as this is not something to like but your video is a stark reminder that we should never forget the sacrifice of so many. Especially as things in the world are now. A moving video. Thankyou Ruth.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching ❤️

[@norikon3087]

Ruthさん、Thank you for making these meaningful videos in such a cold weather. We can not forget how cruel wars are.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching the videos.

[@OneStrokeTwin]

Hi Ruth, thanks for making and sharing this video, I agree it's important to raise awareness and educate people about these places. I've visited vYores several times, I had a friend bfrom my home town Keith in NE Scotland who was a Golf Professional at Pallingbeek GC just on the outskirts of the city, his widow and kids still live in Ypres. Keep up the great work. I lived your video on whisky distilleries in and around Speyside. I used to work at Strathisla in Keith but I've been in Australia for 13 years so it was great to see these places in your vlog. All the best.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for the kind comments 🙏

[@lauracarrolldebolt9233]

It is amazing to me the way the horror of the First World War reverberates for people who are still alive. My husband’s grandmother’s father went to the First World War as a 17 year old polish born US citizen from Elkhart, Indiana. He came home with what they called shell shock. His marriage did not last long. My husband’s grandma, now 98 still doesn’t understand why her father left her, although ironically, the movie 1917 settled something inside her.

[@wellum1959]

Thank you for your videos on WW1 memorial sites. Having visited most of the same sites about ten years ago , I can remember the emotional exhaustion by the end of the trip. I was tearful with you.

[@fr57ujf]

It's hard to wrap your head around so many deaths. Thanks for sharing your emotions. It was moving. I live in Indiana. Your travelogues are a wonderful way for me to expand my horizons.

[@ruthaisling]

I’m glad you’re enjoying them 🙏

[@nobuohanda8282]

Ruth, your these WWI battle field sites in France and Belgium films are moved for all of watchers, and brought the heart shaking feeling deeply. I also thank you for mentioning the German soldiers. War is a real tragedy not only the looser but also the winner. You teach us on your calm but sorrow talking.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you so much for watching. I’m glad I visited graves from different countries.

[@andrewlocke1637]

Hello, it’s the guy with the Scotty dog again. This is a very inspirational video ,thank you. I hope to go to Auchy au Bous to visit my Uncle’s resting place. What I do know is that the Germans treated his remains with the upmost of respect. I hope the BBC pick up your videos. 27:36

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for watching the videos Andrew

[@stevenhill7614]

My Great Grandfather was wounded in Ypes 1916 Hill 60 . He did survive but was never the same. Thank you for these videos Ruth .

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching 🙏

[@richyoz2630]

I went to Tyne Cot cemetery 40 years ago on a school trip and it is vast and actually difficult to comprehend the scale as a 15 year old - I found the small cemeteries that just appear at the side of the road more moving as they seemed more personal - thank you for these films

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching.

[@davidmarsden9800]

Thank you Ruth for making this video. My mother and I spent time in 2009 at Kew records office trying to find details of her grandfather who fought and won a medal at Passchendaele fighting in a Yorkshire Regiment and he survived the war, but he never talked about any of it.. We were unable to find any details at all mainly due to the Luftwaffe bombing the War Office Records building in the City of London in 1940 destroying all but a few WW1 records. It didn't help that his name was Stephen Smith and that he was in a Yorkshire Regiment but we didn't know which one and my mother died in 2018 without knowing anything about what he did or where he did it. I think that he might have been at that trench system or near there. I can now try and find the Regiment's records and maybe find the answers we were originally looking for.

[@ruthaisling]

Hello David, I’m glad this video could help you in small way possibly find more information about your great-grandfather. Please let me know if you do end up finding out more details.

[@kholden2678]

Thank you so much for this video series on your WW1 ancestors. I have researched dozens of close family ancestors who fought there from every area of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, some to never return. I have mentioned some of them in a comment on an earlier video in this series. Your genuine emotion and reflection on the conditions they fought in and the sacrifices made provide a tribute that honours all of the fallen without the glorification. You showed what many of us feel while remembering and honouring our families who were there. Keep up the great work. These are some of the best videos I have seen on remembrance. Thank you for such a moving tribute.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for the kind comments.

[@GK49245]

Moving conclusion. The Last Post brought a tear. Thank you for a rich content production. Hope you are recovering well in Scotland.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you, yes I made it back to Scotland.

[@patrickh4540]

Being from Belgium and visited all those places and more, you did a very good job in making this trip/video. Hope you enjoyed your trip.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching.

[@paulinefraser4097]

Hi Ruth, we spotted your Somme WW1 video and watched as we were there a few years ago and it brought back some memories! we watched the full series including your ferry trip back home but my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed watching and although all were very good your Ypres was Excellent so very emotional and so very well done! Thank you and we are now subscribed to your channel 👍😁 take care Pauline from Blackpool living in Canada 🇨🇦 with my Canadian husband Kevin 😁

[@ruthaisling]

I’m so glad you enjoyed the war videos. It was quite an emotional journey. Thank you for watching in Canada 🇨🇦🙏

[@andreasrothmund9147]

Thanks Ruth for these 3 great videos. Equally moving as these videos - at least in my opinion - is the DVD "Far, Far from Ypres“, featuring a 2 hour multimedia production / concert, recorded at Victoria Halls, Selkirk, on Sunday 5th August, 2018. Devised, written and produced by Scottish singer/songwriter Ian McCalman, of the folk group The McCalmans, "Far, Far from Ypres" tells the story of the Scottish war effort and its excitement, hope, suffering, endurance, humour, fear and disillusionment in the face of horror through the eyes of fictional, prototypical soldier, Jimmy MacDonald. Full of enthusiasm and, like many young men, eager to sign up for the “big adventure,” Jimmy joins up as soon as he can and is sent to the Flanders trenches.

[@ruthaisling]

Thanks for sharing this, I will try and watch it

[@DrBLReid]

Glad you made it to Belgium and to Ypres. Safe travels to home in Bonnie Scotland! Say hello to all my distant family kinfolks, The Reids, and other members of Clan Donnachaidh and howdy to Laird Robertson.

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for watching the videos ❤️

[@maramé.r]

My grandfather fought at Ypres. He thankfully survived but was severely wounded and lay for three days in a shell crater before being found and brought to a field dressing station before being transferred for further treatment in England. Most of his colleagues were not so fortunate and perished in the explosion. He had fragments of shrapnel embedded in his skull for many years. He was severely traumatised by his experience at Ypres and would never talk about even if asked. Myself, my children and grandchildren are only here because he survived but he very nearly didn’t. We should never forget those who fought for ‘freedom’ in Europe and gave us the peaceful interlude in European history that our generations have experienced. I visited the area myself and found it very poignant and moving and tried to imagine the hell of the sodden trenches, the mud, the cold, the death all around, the shattering explosions and appallingly low chance of ever coming home

[@ruthaisling]

Thank you for sharing 😢

[@irweasal1]

Heart breaking vid. When at school I was taught about the first world war in history. It's a terrible shame that it isn't in modern day schooling. Great vids Ruth.

[@andrewholland990]

Hi Ruth I think your visit to the WW1 graves in the winter added something special about the bleakness of war. A summer visit can look like a picnic with warm sun and leaves on the trees. Most of my family did not go to fight in the wars, they were coal miners so were in reserved occupations. Even in WW2 you had pass aircrew selection to be allowed to join up otherwise you remained as a miner, one uncle managed to become a pilot.

[@ruthaisling]

Yes winter definitely added to the bleakness of it 😢