Liverpool Scottish Museum Archive

Memin Gate 2000

The Laying of Wreaths at Menin Gate

The Liverpool Scottish serving element of the King's and Cheshire Regiment marched a short distance to the Menin Gate with the Old Comrades and the standard of the Liverpool Scottish Regimental Association. They were joined by the standard party of the Hounslow Royal British Legion. The main party from Hounslow RBL was already paraded at the Gate. After the Last Post, the lament, 'Flowers of the Forest' was played by Piper Grisdale. which can be heard by clicking the link provided.He carried the Ieper pipe banner which was to be presented to the town by the Liverpool Scottish later that evening.

Wreaths were laid by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Edwin Clein, and by Mr William Fulton the High Sheriff of Merseyside. Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the serving element of the Liverpool Scottish, the Liverpool Scottish Regimental Association and the Liverpool Scottish Army Cadet Force Unit. A wreath was laid by Mr Paul Spenley of the Liverpool Institute Old Boys Association. The Institute was a renowned Liverpool school and some scores of their Old Boys died with the Liverpool Scottish during the First World War. WO2 John Pollock of Merseyside ACF also laid a wreath on behalf of his detachment.

 Mr Fulton was introduced to the buglers of the Ieper Fire Brigade by Mr Guy Gruwez MBE AOM, Chairman of the Last Post Committee The standards of the Liverpool Scottish and the Hounslow Royal British Legion were led off parade by the Liverpool Scottish Pipes and Drums contingent.

 

 

 

Details of the design of this banner can be on the Liverpool Scottish Pipe Banner page and on the Ieper Banner Design page.

Morning Service at St George's Memorial Church:

The party marched to St George's led by the Pipes and Drums contingent where they were met by the Rev. Ray Jones (Chaplain) and the Rector of Liverpool, Canon Nicholas Frayling. Lessons were read by 2/Lt Nicholas French and the High Sheriff of Merseyside, Mr. William Fulton. The sermon was preached by Canon Frayling. A wreath was laid below the Liverpool Scottish tablet at the back of the church by the High Sheriff, supported by Colonel Graeme Davidson, Major David Evans and Professor Donald Ritchie.

Reception at St. George's:

After the service, the congregation had tea and coffee in the Church Hall (thanks to the members of the church) and a replica Liverpool Scottish badge, cast in silver by Mr Bill Baker using a lost wax technique and framed and donated by him, was presented to Mr and Mrs Walter Huyghebaerts of Bellewaarde Farm, the fields of which contain much of the battlefield.

 

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