Ypres 2017
Further to the overwhelming success of the O’s Somme Tour in 2016 and the staging of The Greater Game later in the year, it was felt that a first ever tour of the Ypres Salient should take place in 2017.
Due to this being the inaugural visit to Ypres and surrounding area, organiser Steve Jenkins felt that only two coaches should be booked, particularly as much of the tour would involve driving through narrow road and lanes and included more urban locations than experienced on the Somme. This still meant that along with those who made their own way over, in excess of 100 people would travel to pay their respects. The tour was also one day less – Friday to the Sunday rather than Thursday to Sunday as with the Somme Tour in 2016, meaning that a lot of travelling and commemorating had to be undertaken in a shorter time.
The 17th Pals’ enlisted for this tour knowing that Steve Jenkins has been in discussions with The Last Post Association relating to the band performing at the Menin Gate and the opportunity for the Buglers to take part in the world-famous ‘Last Post Ceremony.’ Confirmation was received prior to departure so the band knew that it once again had a huge responsibility put upon its shoulders to put on an excellent performance.
Whilst Clapton Orient and the 17th Middlesex did not serve in and around Ypres, the 23rd Battalion Middlesex (2nd Footballers’ Battalion) did, also a former O’s player, James Greechan, served with 12th Bn Highland Light Infantry having already left the Club prior to joining up. Sadly Greechan was killed on 25th August 1917 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. This meant that we had an added reason to make a visit to Ypres.
As well as visiting Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, ceremonies were also held at the Canadian Memorial at Vancouver Corner, our first ever visit to a German Cemetery at Langemark, the Canadian Memorial at Passchendeale, Tyne Cot British Cemetery and Memorial and St Yvonn – the site of the Christmas Truce in December 1914 and also where the FIFA Memorial is now installed.
Staying in the well-equipped Novotel Hotel in the centre of Ypres and in walking distance of the Menin Gate, enabled the band to easily make its way to the town square to Beat the Retreat and then march up to the Menin Gate. This was the very first occasion that a football club had been invited to take part in the ‘Last Post Ceremony,’ so indeed it was a very big honour for both the band and Leyton Orient Football Club and all the supporters who were present on that memorable and proud evening in June.
The tour was deemed to be a complete success and left everyone looking forward to the next trip to the Somme in June 2018.
