An exhibition chronicling the reconstruction of Ypres after World War One was on display on the In Flanders Field Museum.
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In Flanders Field Museum
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Ypres developed as a prosperous city based on the trading of textiles during medieval times. Two iconic buildings, the Cloth Hall and St Martins Cathedral were built at the beginning of the 11th century, each taking over 100 years to complete.
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| Ypres Cloth Market and St Martins Pre War |
During the First World War Ypres was destroyed by German shelling, starting in November 1914 during the First Batle of Ypres when the Cloth Hall caught fire.
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| Ypres Cloth Hall pre World War One |
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| Ypres Cloth Hall on fire November 1914 |
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| Ypres Cloth Hall ruins during WW1 |
As the war concluded, the citizens of Ypres began to return to their ruined city, intent on rebuilding it. The was not the view shared by the British Government, notably War Minister Winston Churchill who stated;
" I would like us to acquire the whole of the ruins of Ypres. A more sacred place for the British race does not exist in the world"
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| Ypres in ruins after World War One |
British Empire troops had fought around Ypres continuously from October 1914 till the last shells fell in October 1918, as the Allies pushed back the Germans from the area. During those four years, the Ypres Salient had claimed the lives of 185,000 British Empire troops, with many more injured, and affected the lives of all who served there.
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he British regarded Ypres as the "holy ground of British arms" and placed notices in the ruins to that affect.
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| Ypres Cloth Hall 2020 - Notice of Holy Ground |
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Ypres 1919 - Notice of Holy Ground |
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British perception of Ypres
"Holy ground of British Arms"
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British perception of Ypres
"Holy ground of British Arms"
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| In Flanders Field Museum Exhibition |
A compromise was reached with the British being given permission for the building of a monument to the British Empire troops, and the Belgians would reconstruct Ypres.
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| Re-construction of Ypres |
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| Re-construction of Ypres |
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| 2020 Ypres Cloth Hall |
In September 1919, Sir Reginald Blomfield of the Imperial War Graves Commission (forerunner to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission) recommended that a memorial to the missing be built at the Menin Gate "because it was by the Menin Gate that our men went out to fight"
The Menin Gate lies on the west of Ypres and it's entrance before World War One was marked by two stone lions.
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| Menin Gate pre World War One |
During the First World War thousands of soldiers would pass through the gate going to and form the front line.
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| Soldiers going to and from the front line |
Construction of the Menin Gate commenced in July 1923, and completed in April 1923.
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| Menin Gate under construction |
The Menin Gate was unveiled on 24th July 1927 by Field Marshal Lord Plummer.
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| Invitation to citizens of Ypres to attend unveiling of Menin Gate |
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| Unveiling of Menin Gate 24th July 1927 |
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| Menin Gate and unconstructed Ypres through the gate |
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Menin Gate and re-constructed Ypres through the gate |
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| 2020 Ypres Menin Gate |
