The Menin Gate & Last Post Ceremony (Ypres - Episode 5)

See episode 1 of this series here - • The Ypres Salient: Hel...
From 1914-1918 there may not have been a deadlier, more horrifying place to be than the small town of Ypres, Belgium. Millions were killed and wounded in the fields surrounding this medieval town with a storied history. Join me as we explore the town and its history, and talk about what made this place hell on earth in the Great War.
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#History #WW1

[@davehopkin9502]

You struck a perfect balance between the emotional experience of the Last Post Ceremony and the need to educate the significance of the Monument - not an easy thing to do, my congratualtions Sir.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Dang. This might be my favorite episode that you’ve done from any of your travel videos.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Appreciate that my friend. It’s a special place. I went back four times while I was there.

[@TribeTaz]

That part where you are walking through the memorial, with the perfect music playing, and you are touching the wall and looking up at the names. I couldn't control my tears. Very emotional video. You did an amazing job honoring all those men who died and are missing. This is one of your best videos

[@thecynicaloptimist1884]

I visited Ypres as part of a school trip when I was about 13/14. We got to take part in a wreath-laying at the Last Post Ceremony. Earlier in the day I had found my great-uncle's (maternal grandfather's paternal uncle) name on the Gate, he was killed at Messines in 1917. A family legend purports that on the day he was killed, his photograph at home fell off the wall, and that's when his mother knew he was dead.

[@rodwilkins1614]

Amazed you did not name him then?

[@thecynicaloptimist1884]

@@rodwilkins1614 Why would I?

[@snipedduck743]

I visited Ypres as part of a school trip too, me and another classmate got to lay 1 big wreath, I still think of that a lot.

[@archiebunter6122]

My father William Ollard was born December 1914. His father also William, was killed early in 1914. Although he could never know his father, unfortunately he also had no photos of him either. His mother married again after the War and had 5 more children. Anything belonging to my grandad William was completely lost over time. Luckily we made contact with the war office and they gave us the history of my grandfather Williams service and his younger brother Benjamin Ollard who were both killed on the same day, although they were in different companies. I was able to take my father William Ollard to the Menin Gate to see his fathers name and found Benjamin his younger brothers name too. At this first visit my father had tears on his cheeks, we managed to get him over twice more before he passed away, the last when he was 90 years of age.

[@la_old_salt2241]

I've heard of this occurring in other families also.

[@commentman1911]

Belgium owes so much to these men. They will be honoured and never forgotten. Thank you for making this trip and showing the importance of remebering this young men.

[@boy_becauseofyou]

If only Belgians had complied to let the imperial army pass. This decission had such a magnitude.

[@iankerridge5720]

@@boy_becauseofyou If only The Imperial army was not so ready to :a) go to war in the 1st place, b) not gone through Neutral Belgium in contravention of International Convention, if not Law. ;-(

[@boy_becauseofyou]

@@iankerridge5720 true. The statement was made under the assumption the war of French+Russian vs. Austria+Germany couldn't be avoided which would have been the best. With this assumption and the refusal of Belgium the Schlieffen plan should have been discarded. I totally agree and Belgians had every right to fight back. Nonetheless was the result a stalemate which led to great suffering for all, to the defeat of the German empire and rise of fascism in Germany.

[@diannebass2744]

Chris, I believe that this is one of your top videos. Your candour as you walk in silence or soft words reached my soul. When you looked directly into your camera, I felt the heartbreak. The ceremony is a true honor to the bravery of the 55,000 who died all too young. Godspeed to you as you travel and bring history straight to our fingers.

[@palerider4015]

My Wife’s Paternal Grandfather was part of the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry that fought in the area of Ypres. The family have a photograph of him at that time in the ruined town. He survived the war and died in 1958, 5 years before my Wife was born. Fast forward to 2013 where my Wife and I visited Ypres and the surrounding cemeteries and battle sites. Having done some research we were pretty confident of the place where her Grandfather was standing when his image was captured. We now have photograph of my Wife standing in probably the exact same spot as her Grandpa.

[@Keithholliday2707]

My grandad lost a leg at paschendaele , one of the lucky ones . In November 2022 , my father , his son led the last post ceremony, a moment I will cherish forever , god bless the fallen

[@davegoodwin2474]

My grandfather also lost a leg at Passchendaele, and I was also at the Menin Gate in November 2022. I witnessed the ceremony on 10 Nov 2022. We don’t know each other, but we shared the significance of the Menin Gate and remembered our grandfathers’ experience at the same time, over a century later. This is what memorials are supposed to do: remind us and unite us.

[@simonphillips3329]

Thank you for such a respectful look at the memorial. From a Brit.

[@kylekulpa7572]

I'm tearing up just watching this video. When I was in NYC visiting ground zero, I felt similarly seeing all the names of the people who died there, and that was just thousand. This was tens of thousands of lives...it's insane how many people died in The Great War...

[@c.hansen3139]

Humbling. Fifty five thousand is roughly 18 times what we lost on 9/11. I'm trying to put the numbers into a perspective I can grasp but it's almost impossible. May their memories be eternal.

[@TheMagicalwill]

I went circa the year 2000 as part of a school history trip lasting the week, went to many of the big battle zones and the Ypres museum always gets me. Still remember it 24 years later.

[@ryder7292]

I love coming back to watch this video, i was here in April of 2023 and i got to attend the last post ceremony and got to hang a wreath during the ceremony and it was so cool

[@fredlist7091]

I often wonder why I study the wars throughout mankind’s history. I’ve never come up with an answer that entirely satisfies. But maybe the best answer is to try to understand, "why". To comprehend the cost and fathom the waste. This video and the others from your WW1 series are great illustrations of the true cost of war.

[@mikecheeseman6292]

This was a very moving and beautiful video. When I visited in the summer I found a 'Cheeseman' on the Wall, Who was with The Grenadier Guards. Would be great some time to see if A Cheeseman was a relative of mine. Thank you for this touching video 🙏🌹

[@NoahFromOhio]

What a phenomenal job Chris. One of, if not your best, historic site videos. Could really feel the emotion of visiting that place.

[@stephenparker6362]

Hi, Chris, that was absolutely brilliant and so moving. Thank you for doing that.

[@user-jz6nn6hl3u]

my grandad was wounded here he had gone through galipoli and salonika unscathed till ypres, the war took his health he died in his 60s i never even got to meet him.

[@davidbruce7440]

I visited last year As it's getting work done on it . It's a visit that will never leave me. Lest we forget

[@danyvandewatere2396]

I was born (1952) in Ieper until I joined the Belgian Forces and retired after 38 years of service. When I was a kid ( sixties) they were still rebuilding the town.

[@barbaraallen435]

I have visited the Menen gate and watched the evening its very moving to stand there as the last post is played by the local fire brigade .

[@emilygardner4829]

This gave me chills. Beautiful!

[@sterlingmoose9335]

So many lost, thank you for remembering them. My great uncle is noted on the plaques to the missing at Tyne Cot having been lost to the mud at 3rd Ypres in October 1917.

[@agdgdgwngo]

The ceremony at the end took me back. As a young air cadet I had the honor of reading a poem at rememberance day. "And when you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today" - Stuff like that fills you pride and humility at the same time

[@catherinewilkins2760]

The word "Gate" is also a name for road or street, from the days of Viking invasions, in England.

[@peterdavidson3890]

THANK YOU, VERY MOVING. I have been there many times and the Tyne Cot cemetery.

[@sovietonion5256]

It’s very entertaining (and educational) to watch you go to these places, it’s so important people know about this history and your original vids should get the most views!

[@majordisorder73]

that’s where i’m at 6 days a week… Born in Menin, Flanders. We could’ve bumped up into each other

[@1MrMoor]

You have produced a very respectful and knowledgeable account. My Granfer rarely spoke of his experiences during that time, but when he did it was always to pay homage to the guys who have no known resting place. May I please also add my total appreciation, admiration,thanks and respects to the Belgians for for their unwavering remembrance of “our lads”. Thank you.

[@arnegreve1019]

Very emotional, Chris. Thank you, from a German! 🙏

[@msspi764]

Thank you. A touching piece. Your work on the Ypres series has been some of your best

[@CodyChepa88]

This whole series has been beautiful. Keep up the great work 👍

[@Crytica.]

I know how powerful that place is. I was there a few weeks prior to your stay and I felt so emotional at the Last Post Ceremony. Mine had a bigger group with drums and what not and it was very impactful. It's one of those places everyone should at least visit once if they are interested in WW1 or commonwealth people who have people who fought and died there.

[@steveclarke6257]

Chris, I felt exactly the same when I visited the Ossuary, because it's such a visible symbol of the failure of politics and the lives lost because of that failure. I feel increasingly that the solution to the problem of war is an old one. The political leaders who want to go to war, do so at the head of their own forces vanguard on the battlefield, just like a medieval king- it's your decision you share the risk of doing this for yourself.

[@thomasreynaert8077]

Very well made. Beautiful, informative and touching. I grew up close to Ypres. Went to school only 100m away from the Menin gate. Feel like you gave it the proper respect it deserves. Was already following your videos when you made this. Would have been great to meet you personally.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

I’ll definitely be back there sometime.

[@thomasreynaert8077]

@@VloggingThroughHistory Great that you consider a 2nd visit. Lot of history here. Will be sure to check if you visit again. In the meantime keep up the great work, or more keep up the passion for history!

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

Amazing ceremony, and seeing children attending gives hope to these sacred traditions last well beyond my lifetime. It’s somber but necessary to keep theses stories alive and through that, they will always be remembered and honored! Very touching video…..

[@kevinsenior8155]

Excellent. Thanks. I was briefly in Ypres last week. Sadly, we had to make a ferry so missed the ceremony, but hopefully next time. If only we had learned from all this.

[@keithbird8910]

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them."

[@OldFrontLine]

Don't know if you are aware that the names on the Menin Gate include several dozen American citizens who served with British and Canadian units having volunteered to serve before America entered the war. Including Carl Mountford Barnard who was "one of the first American volunteers to join the Canadian Army in Aug.,1914." The service and sacrifice of these men isn't widely known about in the US, I don't think.

[@tinagoe1738]

Great job on this series. Thanks, it was extremely moving.

[@michaeldouglas1243]

Get well Chris. Our whole family was down with different viruses over both holidays here in Southern PA

[@mordor62]

very well done,,can feel your sadness at such a sobering place

[@Cap_Olimar]

A very powerful video, it is hard to imagine so many individuals.

[@tango6nf477]

I have been here a number of times and each time I had to go into a quiet corner and shed a few tears. I am in no way psychic ( I think ) but something happens that causes me to feel such a deep desperate sorrow and feeling of loss which disappears as soon as I walk away. I have visited many other war memorials and I don't have the same experience.

[@bennymav81]

My Great Great Uncle Pvt Robert Beattie, Northumberland Fusiliers, is named on The Menin Gate. He was killed at the 2nd Battle of Ypres at the age of 15. Thank you for this video, and honouring all the brave souls that lost their lives in the defence of our freedom.

[@robozoni6325]

Recently found this channel yesterday. Have watched probably 20 videos in a row, thank you for the great content!!! You helped spark my interest in history as well as reading😂

[@christopherfernandes4401]

This made me shed a few tears, but my wife cried for a while for all the dead. May their souls Rest In Peace.

[@liamkelsall1180]

I was in Ypres over the summer and was fortunate enough to take part in the ceremony at the menin gate on evening. The most touching part though was when looking around the menin gate and I saw the name of a potential relative on the wall (I have a rare surname so it's very likely someone with the same name is a relative). Really made me connect to it a bit more

[@TravelingToHistory]

Wow, Chris you made something special right here!! Beautiful spoken and beautiful made. When I visited the menin gate it left me speechless as well

[@gblcfc65]

We WILL remember them

[@nickshaffer9961]

Wow you can tell how much this video effected you emotionally. This was very well done and very interesting. You can tell this is something that means a lot to you and it comes across in your video perfectly. Very well done

[@Yortreske]

Powerful place. I don’t believe in ghosts but if they do exist they are there. Well done.

[@beslim15]

I have never been there, but I imagine it is something like the Vietnam MEmorial in DC. I saw my dad shed tears occasionally, when we visited there, he wept. Only time I saw that in my life. So touching that they still memorialize these brave men after 100 years.

[@diddyreason]

A very moving series Chris. Well narrated and the emotional side of your trip was there for all to see. It's almost impossible to visit the areas without feeling affected, the power of emotions arrives in waves and you have to be there to fully understand what it's like. Been to most of the areas you visited and it looks like you now have the bug and want to return.

[@GregH25]

Went here on a school trip in Oct 2010. Got some amazing photos of the wreath laying ceremony and many of the battle sites and cemeteries

[@stalinmao14]

I went to the Australian War Memorial recently in Canberra, fantastic museum and memorial. My mate and i walked past the lion, thinking it was cool, but didnt understand its significance or where it was from. Its great to learn about it now, but they might consider making it more obvious what the lion is.

[@timvanacker5129]

At the menin gate, you can see war damage of WW2. All those grey spots are filled up bullet holes

[@chrisdawson2119]

I've commented on several posts on here, but I think this guy is amazing. Such raw emotion, and I feel it in every video. Does he do tours, and if so what is his name ?

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Thank you Chris! My name is Chris but I live in the states so this is as close as I can get to giving tours of these sites.

[@Bruce-1956]

I've been there many times and each time it's just as emotional.

[@Chris_GY1]

I was at The Menin Gate Memorial last July paying my respects to those from my hometown of Grimsby their names are spread across all parts of the memorial the majority are Lincolnshire Regiment. I laid wreaths at the memorial every 10th November at The Last Post Ceremony between 2010-2018. I did a number check on the number of names on the memorial it has dropped from 54,965 to 54,348 this is because their bodies have being found either in an unknown grave, found during building work or an archeological dig and even by people as the body parts are sticking out the ground like George Nugent found at Lochnagar Crater or the body of a soldier found by the company I went on tours with as the owner is a former police officer and his treasurer was also a policeman it was dealt with properly, it was before I traveled with the company I have visited the location where the body was found near Ieper. 13:01 On my first visit to The Menin Gate Memorial in 2001 with my cousin on a coach tour of Belgian cities with Leger Ieper being optional, I filmed every inch of the memorial. Visit The CWGC Experience at Beaurains near Arras where The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has its operations base this is where you can see gravestones being engraved, panels for memorials engraved, registry boxes being made and repaired, signs being made, gates for the cemeteries and memorials metal and wood, doors for tool stores among other things, it is well worth a visit, The buglers are firemen from the local fire brigade. There are Olympians on The Menin Gate Memorial.

[@sivikasi]

Wonderful video. Thank you for bringing it to us. You show real respect to the places you visit and convey their significance. I believe Fitz-Clarence had won a VC in the Boar War.

[@viggowiin]

I really love these videos. You seem like a very empathic and conpassionate person the way you are emotionally moved by this history. Keep up the good work ❤

[@smudge4481]

Powerful.

[@bonesf200]

Great video. I managed to pause it on my Great Uncle Nathan Coucill of The Loyal North Lancs" name too - something I've been trying to do on every KZbin vid of the Menin Gate for years but have never succeeded before.

[@Grant25]

Great video Chris. Canberra is pronounced “canbra”

[@svenrio8521]

Fantastic, been waiting for this

[@wesb2823]

Wow. A very moving video. Thanks for sharing.

[@DustBucketlive]

For the algorithm. But honestly, great stuff man. The amount of things I’ve learned from watching your channel is astounding. Thanks for everything!

[@nathanclaytonvarietyasmr8224]

i love learning more about ww1

[@iankerridge5720]

Hoping to spend a couple of days in Ypres in March. I reckon I will get pretty emotional too, at The Menin Gate. It is one thing to have the number of inscribed names, quite another when you see the names and remember each represents a person who just disappeared off the planet and left a grieving family, as you pointed out. The only consolidation is that at least they and their location is Known Unto God 😞

[@kiplingslastcat]

You keep making me cry.

[@Mnovius0]

Totally agree re the emotions.. I think for me it was seeing a captain next to a private. All of what they did, the work the promotions. At the end they are all the same, a name on the wall.

[@wihistorybuff]

You are amazing at doing this.

[@mitchellhedden1978]

Beautiful shots. The lighting is perfect - not too bright but enough to see clearly.

[@yessir7147]

Wow. Incredible video.

[@michaeltaylor8835]

Great content

[@glendaquick9290]

Seeing the names definitely put a face to the numbers .

[@thatscottishhistoryguy45]

It’s amazing and when you hear thousands of men died you don’t understand how many people that is it’s only when you see a monorail you understand how many men that is

[@phantomtitan9792]

That's a beautiful ceremony

[@JeffreyTimmermans]

Hey @VloggingThroughHistory I love your content and soon I will check out some of your WWI Originals! But I thought of a suggestion, for your channel you might want to consider. You might want to add the Year to your video title's or the playlists. This way making it easier for folks to find things they are looking for. For me I like my chronological order, but I am unfamiliar with US Civil and US Independence wars. So I don't always know where to start. That makes reaction videos easier to watch. Other than that, I look forward to get educated on WWI and visit Ieper myself! Much appreciation from the Netherlands!

[@davidhamilton2093]

Poignant and respectful.

[@LoaThunder]

Can't wait for the next napoleon reaction, popcorn is ready

[@ambraxis2706]

God keep them and the earth remember them!

[@thatscottishhistoryguy45]

Oh wow

[@billfitzpatrick8148]

I enjoy your work. Come to Bunker Hill in Boston, I'll buy you a beer.

[@billfitzpatrick8148]

im a "FITZ" btw !

[@michaeleverett7247]

Thanks

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Thank you Michael!

[@michaeleverett7247]

@@VloggingThroughHistory no thank you so much Chris, one of your best episodes I think 👍

[@michaeleverett7247]

The 2 original Lions outside the Menin gates were donated to Australia in 1936 and are now in the Australian War Memorial

[@michaeleverett7247]

Whoops I should have watched the whole episode first

[@redefv]

I often wonder what if any part of my family was involved in WWI. I can speak to my families actions in the Civil War, WWII, and Vietnam but have no knowledge of our involvement in WWI. I often wonder. I know some time just before WWII some of my family came to America from Transylvania! I am such a mutt with Irish, French, and Hungarian roots. Surely someone took part.

[@markvpinkham]

Sad. So sad.

[@iankerridge5720]

Rudyard Kipling lost his son, John at The Battle of Loos in 1915, so he has personal feelings behind the words on The Menin Gate

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

I didn't realize that. That makes a lot of sense!

[@sterlingmoose9335]

@@VloggingThroughHistory I can highly recommend the movie 'My Boy Jack', it's based on a play but concentrates on Rudyard Kipling's grief for his son, a 2Lt in the Irish Guards, and the families attempt to find out what happened to him.

[@robynmurray7421]

​​​Rudyard Kipling was a great supporter of Empire. But after his son died he wrote:" "When they ask you how we died, tell them that our fathers lied." There is a famous painting by Australian Captain William Longstaff called Menin Gate at Midnight which depicts the memorial surrounded by the ghosts of soldiers. Perhaps with Anzac Day approaching you could do something on the Australians and New Zealanders in World War I and in particular the role if Genneral John Monash, who changed the course of the war.

[@arozes8324]

❤

[@jeffsquires6620]

Here as a guest of JD.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Welcome! He’s a good man.

[@peter42466]

Can you do a video on kings and generals civil war

[@sebastiantv2855]

👍

[@johnhalstead5938]

Moving

[@rodcoates7027]

And we still don't learn!

[@Ronaldl2350]

It does hit you when you see the thousands of names. What a waste..

[@ingerlander]

In Britain, you can wander even the most tiniest of towns, literally a cross road with 30 houses and there you will find a memorial to it's dead from the first world war. Nowhere was immune from it's misery. It is mothers that pay the price of war.

[@Ozai75]

Too young. All of them were too damn young.

[@edvanakkeren6481]

Don't be afraid to cry when you pass the Menin Gate. For instance I did.