One Hundred Days Ceremony, Menin Gate, Ypres (Ieper)

The Royal British Legion organised a moving ceremony held at the Menin Gate, Ieper, Belgium to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by many soldiers from across the Commonwealth.  The date marked the beginning of the last 100 days of World War I and the important battles fought in the battlefields of France and Flanders that eventually led to the end of the War in November 1918.  A united force of British, Commonwealth, French and American forces using cavalry, foot soldiers, tanks and aircraft made a decisive push through enemy lines.  The poignant commemorative service featured standard bearers from more than 1,000 Royal British Legion branches and the laying of more that 1,000 wreaths.  Among the readings were letters from the fallen, facts regarding the importance of Commonwealth troops for the success of the Allies and poems.  Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE was a guest of the Bristol branch of the Royal British Legion.  Dignitaries taking part in the service were HM Ambassador to Belgium Mrs Alison Rose, Ambassador of Pakistan the EU, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the EU, the Attaché of the German Embassy, Australian Attaché to Belgium, Mayor of Ypres, The Most Rev’d Dr John Sentamu (Archbishop of York), National Chairman of the Royal British Legion and Chairman of the Royal British Legion of Scotland along with the Director General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.