Remembrance Day 2012 -- in Flanders Fields

The last places I want to show you are near the city of Mons.

This where the British first start fighting in 1914.

The first casualties of the war are here.

This is St. Symphorien Cemetery, actually laid out by the Germans,
they were the ones who buried the first British here, and they made the cemetery
look like a garden..

These are known soldiers..

facing unknown soldiers..

These graves are arranged in circle, all Middlesex Regiment men,
the stone in the middle was laid by the Germans, who mistakenly used
'Royal' Middlesex Regiment.

More Middlesex men, together with Royal Irish.. remember that name, Royal Irish.

And a walk up the garden path..

Here we find John Parr, who was the first UK soldier killed in 1914.

And across from him we find G. Ellison, who was the last UK soldier in 1918.

These men in 1914..

and these, dirctly across from them, 1918..

A few more graves, including a British VC recipient.

But my primary reason for coming here is George Price, the last Canadian
and the last Commonwealth soldier killed in 1918.

He was shot by a sniper at 10:58 am on November 11, 1918

The Cross of Sacrifice, upon a natural pedestal.

Looking down from the Cross.

On the same level, another horeshoe shaped group, with another German stone in the middle.

Looking down on the Middlesex men.

Prettiest cemetery I have seen, and I have been in a lot of them.

Things sure were different at the beginning of the war.

Anyway, to finish ( finally ):

Remember the Royal Irish ?
Close by is their Memorial.

Look closely at the list of battle honours:

Last, a monument to the place the British started fighting:

And, a monument of ours to commemorate the end of the fighting:

Here's the thing......................

They are across the street from each other... literally.

OK, I'm done.. won't be posting like that again anytime soon.

Thank you to all who had a look.

Incredible.

Thanks for sharing.

Fascinating, extremely saddening and thought provoking but in some ways beautiful. Thank you very much for the time and effort you have put into not only this thread but the numerous others you have posted previously.

What an amazing experience this must have been. Thank you for taking us with you.

In Flanders Field - kitty

It was a good day DW, I spent most of it.... sleeping

Thanks for the comments, happy I could share it with everyone.

Incredible Martin.

Thanks

WOW
THIS is the first time i have seen this thread , amazing...thank you for sharing this.

my Uncle is buried in Italy in the Gradara cemetary ...some day i hope to be there

As always Martin, another fantastic thread of photos you have shared.

R=UP

Happy belated birthday too!