Diary entry by Seth.
The Ypres Salient left a mark on me. I am so lucky to have experienced it, and I will take today's experiences back with me forever.
Today I woke up to the gorgeous medieval skyline of Ypres, followed by a delicious Flemish breakfast buffet, which meant lots of Biscoff and local cheese.
We hopped on the bus and headed to our first stop, the Tyne Cot Cemetery. An array of emotions came over me when we visited, it is the largest military cemetery managed by the Commonwealth War Graves in Europe. We visited the graves of those Australian servicemen who were awarded the Victoria Cross for their valour, recognising their ability to put others before them. One main sentiment that came over me during the visit was that the Anzac Spirit was alive, you could feel it as you walked through the many rows. The cemetery itself was beautiful, with lush gardens and a beautiful design. It was an honour to be able to commemorate those who have fallen in the Battles of Ypres by visiting the cemetery.
Our next stop was the Passchendaele Museum. Located in a beautiful château, the museum was a way for us to be able to learn about the firsthand horrors of the three battles of Ypres. One of the highlights of the museum was the interactive trench and underground warfare replications. The ambience, design, and even sounds from speakers added to the immersive capabilities of the museum and gave us firsthand insights into the conditions our soldiers had to face. The best moment was us seeing our first wild poppy of the trip!
We quickly made our way to De Dreve (Anzac Rest), a restaurant which made me feel right at home. The inside was decorated with Australian memorabilia, my favourite spot was the Bundy Rum hat, which reminded me of home. The man who owns it, Johan, was the nicest Belgian man, who even had his own private museum in the attic. He showed us the many artefacts he had collected in Polygon Wood, adjacent to his house.
The highlight of my day was visiting the Brothers in Arms memorial. Johan was the mastermind behind the memorial, which commemorates two Australian brothers who served with the 49th Battalion, who fought in the Third Battle of Ypres, Jack Hunter, who paid the supreme sacrifice, and Jim Hunter. When we first saw the memorial, absolute emotion overcame all of us. Our guide, Nigel, explained the intricacy of the memorial’s design. The 66m path symbolises the number of years the brothers went apart, as well as the distance Jim had to carry Jack through no-man’s land. I felt an overwhelming mix of emotions in the presence of the memorial; they were the example of mateship and the Anzac Spirit. It shows the fragility of humanity during war and was a reminder to us all to keep our families close.
Our last stop of the day was a hike through Polygon Wood. We walked through the trails where many lost their lives over a century ago. We wore army backpacks and had to go through a series of challenges. I was a UK Lieutenant Colonel named Dudley Turnsball. We underwent a series of challenges, like using Semaphore signalling, utilising a compass, and deciphering codes using the sliding alphabet. We visited significant sites such as the Scott Bunker and the cemetery, which contained a powerful Australian War Memorial for the 5th Battalion.
During our time in Buttes New British Cemetery, our group spotted one of the most sentimental and sombre sights. On the headstone of Lieutenant Harold Rowland Hill, 25th BN. Australian Inf., his personal inscription read 'I'm all right mother, cheerio'. That was his last official correspondence to his mother before he passed. Our group gathered around his grave, thinking about Harold and the many other soldiers who just wanted to go home to their mother. Harold has left an impact on all of us.
We performed our group commemoration at the Menin Gate. It was powerful to commemorate the soldiers who fell in the Ypres Salient. After such an impactful day of history and education, it was perfectly completed through this commemoration service. I was honoured to be able to lay the wreath at the Menin Gate.
We finished our day by walking through Ypres, stopping in at chocolate shops and taking in the historical architecture. Today was impactful, I was again reminded of the horrors of the Great War and the hardships the Anzac's faced on the Western Front. I am grateful for the amount of history I have taken in and learnt, and the commemorations throughout the salient. I am more than looking forward to the rest of our time here in Belgium.
Recipients view the Brothers in Arms Memorial.
Premier's Anzac Prize Commemorative Cross placed at the Brothers in Arms Memorial.