Ypres Then and Now: Menin Gate

The Menin Gate is the main memorial to British and Commonwealth missing from fighting in the Ypres Salient during the First World War. Constructed in 1927, it is inscribed with the names of more than 54,000 soldiers who have no known grave.
Join Mat McLachlan as he explores this iconic monument, and tells the story of the men who are recorded on its walls.
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[@lex1945]

I live not so far from Ypres, so I visit Menin Gate and many other places around Ypres and the Western Front quite often. Every time, I go there, it humbles me to see the scale of everything out there. The cemetaries, the names, the monuments scattered around the landscape. This place is one big battlefield. Most impressive however is the Last Post Ceremony at 8 PM at Menin Gate. Every evening, since 1928 the last post is being played here, and every evening it is being visited by many people from everywhere. Very touching and moving, I can say.. We will remember them!

[@davewilson9738]

54000 men without a known grave, its a crime against humanity that history must not and cannot let us forget.

[@robertneven7563]

amazing docu, thanks

[@FallenAngel-he5ko]

2 of my great uncles died there. The Hanson brothers. One passed at menin road one died at pollygon wood 5th battalion. They're not missing. They're in our hearts forever.

[@stephengiles2873]

Another excellent video thanks for taking us along on these journeys

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

My pleasure Stephen.

[@jacobwaddell6075]

Brilliant video.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thank you Jacob!

[@chriscoleman6411]

Been there...but i could not put the info over like this guy..excellent 👍👍

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Chris!

[@chriscoleman6411]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory your very welcome👍

[@chriscoleman6411]

@@MatMcLachlanHistory 👍👍

[@neilconlon1298]

Thank you for a really informative short film ,really nice to view

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@MrZtapp]

Touching

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks!

[@northernlight696]

My grandmother had a cousin who was MIA from an underground explosion and his body never recovered. He was Canadian named Beverly Cunliffe Powys and his name is at Menin Gate.

[@6060don]

We have visited there twice. You really feel part of something at this place. We are from Canada and with part of the memorial the numbers with the soldiers Battalion tell the story of where our boy's came from. Lest we forget.

[@Bruce-1956]

I've been there many times, together with the hundreds of cemeteries along the Western Front and the Thiepval Memorial and war monuments in British, Irish and Commonwealth towns and villages it gives a picture of the scale of WWI. Yes, these men are still there in the fields surrounding Ypres #wewillrememberthem

[@TravelingisFREEDOM]

This seems to be a very amazing place, I hope I can visit sometime in the future when all this is over. Seeing and sharing places like this is why I love traveling and make videos so much! And please keep up the great job! Subscribed!!

[@jackmorrison7379]

Human history is filled with both triumphs and disasters. While the large number of non-combatants killed between 1939 and 1945 have swelled the WW II numbers, WW I remains singularly horrible in its mass destruction. So many siblings, so many friends, so many fellow students. These often were not strangers lumped together as we had in WW II. These were mates, and friends, and family. The numbers of casualties was mind-boggling. Chemical warfare, appalling conditions in the trenches, and among some commanders an indifference to mass casualties. Yes, it was a different time with many hoping for a life to come. But if this is it, our short human existence snuffed out at 16, 18 or 23. They never lived a life, had a spouse, raised a family. The most heart-breaking fact is this war need not have happened, though defending neutral Belgium and occupied France was noble once it started. May their mass sacrifice teach us something.

[@vnurcombe]

Great video....but a shame you didn't include the "Last Post", played every evening by a bugler from the local Fire Department. Extremely moving.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Thanks Vic. The Last Post service is featured in the next video!

[@michaelhayden5264]

I was priveledged to be present at this memorial in late Oct 2008 (just weeks before the 90th anniversary of the Armistice). Oh BTW the original lions are now in Canberra, Australia - at the entrance to our War Memorial. Tears in eyes.

[@logjam88]

Nice, Matt. I really miss visiting there. Maybe this summer. Not to put too fine a point on it but is the Menin Gate a mausoleum or cenotaph: A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or people. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb, or the tomb may be considered to be within the mausoleum.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Good pick-up! 👍🏼

[@robertmartyr2041]

I think all 3 seabrook death plaques are in the museum at zonnebeke. very sad losing 3 sons in 2 days.

[@MatMcLachlanHistory]

Shocking isn’t it. One of the most tragic stories I’ve come across.

[@robertmartyr2041]

it truly is shocking and very sad. I do know of a lady annie souls who lost 5 sons during the great war, they are called the lost souls. the next time i'm at the menin gate i'm going to visit the seabrook brothers, theo and George. some gave all, all gave some and they will not be forgotten ever.

[@istoppedcaring6209]

just think about this how many soldiers daying in modern wars, even those with graves, get a whole ceremony commemorating their sacrifice individually, not just as a group as is common, but their individual sacrifice

[@SamuelPDRumsey]

CDS anyone

[@ArnoldClarke]

Built in four years??? When only 120 people lived in the town. Wake Up!