“On the Road to Passchendaele”

Erwin Ureel

The Passchendaele 1917 Pipes & Drums are organising a simple commemoration for Harry Patch, the last veteran of "Passchendaele 1917" on Tyne Cot Cemetery on the 31st of July 2009 at 18.30.

The ceremony is open for the public and will last approximately 30 minutes

Erwin

Piron · Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Flanders

A few images of the ceremony.

The mayor of Zonnebeke is speeching.

Musical interlude.

A piper from the Passchendaele 1917 Pipes & Drums plays a song.

Piron · Joined: 30 Jul 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Flanders

Photograph of Harry Patch on the stone of remembrance.

Close up.

Members of the Passchendaele 1917 Pipes & Drums pose near the cross of sacrifice after the ceremony.

Erwin Ureel · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 9:24 am Post subject:

Film on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XBuR1tYIpw

by Yvonne Heslinga of the Dutch- Flemish "Forum Eerste Wereldoorlog"

and more photo's on that Forum

http://forumeerstewereldoorlog.nl/viewtopic.php?p=281670#281670

Erwin Ureel · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 9:46 am Post subject:

An unexpected 200 people attended the ceremony, locals as well as British guests. As I got a series of questions about the participants and organisers, here's a quick overview.

First Alderman Bryon of the Council of Zonnebeke opened the ceremony, after which the bishop of Wells made a remarkable and colourful speech.
Father Jones of the St George Church in Ypres delivered some simple but thought- provoking words, the organizing Passchendaele 1917 Pipes & Drums played the very appropriate " Bloody Fields of Flanders" and finished the ceremony with the tune "On the Road to Passchendaele".
Their solo piper played a moving version of "Flowers of the Forest", it was also the band's bugle player who played the Last Post and Rouse from the Cross of Sacrifice.
Soetkin, a former member, played a solo version of "On the Road" on the traverso flute. John Sutherland, band steward, acted as master of ceremony.

It was a quite moving event which was not only a tribute to Harry Patch but also to a whole "lost generation", whatever side they were on.

Cuimhnichibh- Remember

Erwin

whiteheather · Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Scotland

Good luck with the forum. It a great initiative.

Also a wonderful tribute to Harry Patch and the lost generation.

whiteheather

Johan R. Ryheul · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:11 pm Post subject:

Special thanks to John Sutherland for the photo's !

Johan R. Ryheul · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject:

Johan R. Ryheul · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:15 pm Post subject:

Johan R. Ryheul · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:18 pm Post subject: