Ed Ferguson

Trenches, wartime artifacts and sizable cemeteries in a great few days in Ypres

14th - 17th November, written by Ed.

      Ypres was occupied by the Germans in World War One and Two. During the war, because it was hard to pronounce in English, British troops nicknamed the city "Wipers". The town was destroyed by artillery and bullets. Our journey to Ypres was from Dover to Calais by ferry. Though you can get there by Eurostar then road or by plane and then road as well. In Ypres and places near it such as Poperinge. The countryside around Ypres is beautiful but shaped with the scars of war. In and around these places are many cemeteries:

·         Bedford House Cemetery

·         Berks Cemetery Extension

·         Buttes New British Cemetery

·         Essex Farm Cemetery

·         Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks)

·         Langemark German Cemetery

·         Le Mont-Kemmel French Military Cemetery

·         Lijssenthoek Cemetery

·         Ramparts Cemetery

·         St-Charles-de-Potyze French Cemetery

·         Tyne Cot Cemetery

·         Ypres Reservoir Cemetery

      All these provide a lot of things to do and a lot of soldiers to remember. Also you can visit an untouched, authentic trench from the great war in Sanctuary Wood at Hill 62 and see many artefacts found around the areas nearby such as medals, weaponry and general everyday things needed by a soldier of World War One. Also you can explore the Menin Gate and hear the Last Post played at the remembrance service at 8:00 every evening which is great to see. Also take a look at the brass model made perfectly for the blind at the top of the steps. Ypres is a great place to go and spend time as a teen as I have discovered on my trip. Make sure you have enough  money to visit the chocolate shop, Leonidas and the things found in the ground of the battlefields in      shop about 100-200m down the road from Menin Gate.