22 June to 29 June

A Visit to Flanders Field: remembering the dead of both sides

Two years ago, after participating with Leeds Met Walking Club in the 100km van Ieper three-day march across historical Flanders Field, I reflected on the ethics of remembering the dead of one side in the First World War. I suggested that it would be ethically right to remember all those who lost their lives, regardless of their nationality. This year when we made the trip again, we were honoured with the opportunity to participate in the equivalent ceremony at the German war memorial at Langemark.

The Langemark Cemetery commemorates a total of 44,234 soldiers including 24,917 in a mass grave (7,575 of whom remain unidentified). Three German bunkers still stand within the cemetery. The ceremony took place in front of the mass grave, with thousands of names engraved sombrely on the surrounding basalt blocks. The service was followed by a march to the Belgian memorial, before the parade to the Menin Gate for the traditional Last Post ceremony. Standing alongside military and civilian groups, our group of 29 students (of seven different nationalities) proudly represented Leeds Met, in paying our respects to all of the servicemen who lost their lives during World War I, regardless of their nationality or allegiance.

Lynne Willimott, Marketing & Communications Officer,Leeds Met Walking Club