Thompson Travel’s Sharon Thompson asks whether anything has been learnt from the First World War and other major conflicts
I have a smile on my face as we wander through the streets of Ypres, but there’s also a tear rolling down my cheek. I find myself imagining what it would have been like here over 100 years ago, during the Battle of Ypres, and think about all the lives that were lost. When you look at what’s going on in the world around us right now, it makes you wonder if anything was learnt from the First World War and other major conflicts.
I find myself imagining what it would have been like here over 100 years ago, during the Battle of Ypres, and think about all the lives that were lost
The smell of Belgian chocolate and waffles drifts from the patisseries lining the square as we sip our Belgian beer. There is such a lovely atmosphere and everyone is having fun, but also showing their respect as they know how this new town was formed. It is a replica of what it was like before the war; a lasting memorial but a new beginning too.
Conflict then…
At about 7.30pm, everyone heads down the street to observe the daily remembrance at the Menin Gate. The fantastic structure displays 55,000 names of those who fell in Flanders. Even so, there wasn’t enough room on these walls to commemorate all those who lost their lives and were never found, as another 35,000 names are listed on the walls of Tyne Cot Cemetery.
The ceremony wasn’t about the glory of any particular nation or creed, but instead a collective show of respect for those who fought in the war
You could have heard a pin drop as a member of my group, Roberta McNally BEM, gave a reading at the ceremony. As a member of the Last Post Association, it gave me an immense sense of pride. The ceremony wasn’t about the glory of any particular nation or creed, but instead a collective show of respect for those who fought in the war. It was incredibly moving. I visited numerous cemeteries on this trip, but one that stuck out had people from 38 nationalities buried side-by-side, regardless of their religion.
After paying my respects, I enjoyed lunch eaten from a mess tin and we all enjoyed stepping back in time. The meal was very basic, like a type of gloopy stew, but I don’t imagine the troops who had to eat it every day cared about that as it was warm and filling.
At every site we visited, coaches full of kids from European schools, including some from England, parked up
At every site we visited, coaches full of kids from European schools, including some from England, parked up. This was heartening to see, as I think visits like this should be on every curriculum; it is a warning of what war can do, which is especially pertinent given the current state of the world.
…and now
As a tour operator to Israel, I am horrified by the events unfolding there, as I know we all are. I have friends and colleagues there. Innocent civilians are caught in a battle. Young children are being recruited to serve. I once again find myself asking, what have we learnt from the First World War over 100 years ago?
As a tour operator to Israel, I am horrified by the events unfolding there, as I know we all are. I have friends and colleagues there
I know this article is not about sun, sand and sea, but it is about our world right now and the mess it is in. Those who think conflict in other continents doesn’t affect them need to open their eyes.
We are privileged to have the lives we have and we should all remember those who do whatever they can to keep hope alive.
Our industry works best when the world is at peace – I hope and pray it can be restored soon.
The brief truce that gave hope
A famous Christmas advert a few years ago warmed the hearts of us all. It was the story of how soldiers from both sides of the First World War took a moment away from the hatred to play the game that has united and divided many countries over the years. On Christmas Eve 1914, soldiers lay down their guns to sing Christmas songs with each other and enjoy a game of football. On our trip we visited the Christmas Truce Memorials in Messines, one of which depicts a football on a broken ammunition shell. It was a heart-warming stop on our trip and a reminder that those fighting in wars are not so different from one another.