Centenary Commemorations - Third Battle of Ypres 1917 and Captain Noel Chavasse VC and Bar MC
STOP PRESS: The timing of the Last Light Vigil at Abercromby Square on Tuesday 29th August has beeb brought forward to
- Assemble by 20:45
- Ceremony Starts 21:00
Those attending the Paving Stone unveiling at Abercromby Square (Tuesday 29th August) are advised to be assembling by 10:30 for an 11:00 start to allow movement of civic party and marshalling of spectators in a confined area
A number of significant centenaries for the Liverpool Scottish occur this year. While the Regiment is not planning anything on the scale of the 2015 centenary of Hooge (Bellewaarde, Ieper/Ypres) we are aware of a number of separate events planned both in this country and abroad. We are involved in the planning for some of these and are participating in others. This page has been set up to allow information of those events to be posted.
The times and events listed are not generally under the control of the Liverpool Scottish Regimental Museum Trust. Information is provided for convenience only; those attending should check with organisers and their websites. The information on this page is the best available to us at the time of posting but is essentially unofficial. Some comments are those of the LSMT based on our previous experience. This site was updated 22 June 2017 and 27 June 2017 and 10 July 2017 and 17 July and 26 August
Battle of Pilckem Ridge 31 July – 3 August 1917 – Liverpool Scottish and 55th (West Lancashire) Division
Liverpool
None as yet notified
Ieper/Ypres, Belgium
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in the area of Ieper/Ypres (Belgium) is understood to be almost fully booked around the period 29 July to 1st August. Some of the local websites are suggesting that the nearest hotel accommodation is in Lille (France - an hour away) or in De Panne (on the Belgian coast). We have heard that some group accommodation might be available closer but accommodation for individuals/couples is in very short supply. It would be expected that the Ieper/Ypres campsite is already fully booked (and will possibly attract gatecrashers also)
RESTRICTIONS:
The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial will be closed for rehearsals on:
Friday 28 July from 11:00 to 13:30 and Saturday 29 July from 20:30 to 23:00
AND
Sunday 30 July from 15:00 until 23:30 for the special Last Post Ceremony taking place at 20:00. Unfortunately this service is not accessible to the general public but may be watched on large screens in the Market Square (Grote Markt) in front of the Cloth Hall. Admission to the Menin Gate is only for those holding tickets to this particular event; this does not include those with tickets for the National Commemoration at Tyne Cot on 31st July or those registered for events in the Market Square on the evening of 30th June.
Tyne Cot Cemetery and Tyne Cot Memorial will be closed for rehearsals and ceremony on:
Saturday, 29 July from 07:00 to 15:00 - Rehearsals
Sunday, 30 July from 07:00 to 14:00 - Rehearsals
Monday, 31 July from 06:00 to 17:00 - Commemorative service taking place at 13:00. It is anticipated that there will be a considerable security zone around Tyne Cot and probably Zonnebeke village
Details of these and other closures (eg Cement House Cemetery and Kitchener's Wood) are on www.cwgc.org and http://www.cwgc.org/news-events/latest-cemetery-information.aspx
Sunday, 30th July 2017: Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate (20:00) This will be viewable on large screens on Market Square (Grote Markt) in front of the Cloth Hall. Security screening will be in place and admission is entirely at the discretion of the Belgian police, civic and security authorities. The Last Post Ceremony itself at the Menin Gate on this evening is accessible only to VIPs and descendants of participants already in possession of tickets for the Last Post (not to those holding tickets to the National Commemoration, unless separately ticketed, or to those registered for the Market Square Event, unless separately ticketed). Members of the Last Post Association similarly have to watch this on the large screens in the Market Square
Sunday, 30th July 2017: A major commemorative event on the Market Square is taking place an hour after the ending of the Last Post Ceremony on 30 July from 21:30 to 23:00. You are very strongly recommended to consult the Passchendaele 100 website for full details https://passchendaele100.org/ieper-market-square/ Entry to this is not ticketed but registration has been invited and admission will depend on numbers. There is no seating other than in restaurants and bars. The position regarding restaurants and bars is not clear but it appears that they will be operating (at their discretion) at times when the square is open; there is more detail on the Passchendaele 100 site (link above)
Sunday, 30 July 2017 Timeline – all times for the MARKET SQUARE EVENT are subject to change
15:00 – Square closed for event preparations
17:00 – Square re-opens to the public - there will be security screening and security forces may refuse access (The LSMT unofficially suggests you carry photo-identification)
20:00 – Menin Gate event screened in the Market Square (no public access to the Menin Gate - see restrictions above)
21:30 – Event in the Market Square begins - people may leave but may only return after further security screening and if numbers allow. Clearly, probably unwise to separate from companions
23:00 – Event ends
Monday, 31st July 2017, Tyne Cot CWGC Cemetery and Memorial (1300 but area restricted throughout the day): National Commemoration at Tyne Cot. Accessible only to those already notified that they have been successful in the ballot for tickets (4.000).
Security is hugely tight and Tyne Cot CWGC Cemetery and Memorial will not be accessible on the day until perhaps 17:00 (see above) and is unlikely to be available for for long periods on the days previous to the ceremony (see above)
It is anticipated that the security cordon will extend to Zonnebeke village where marshalling and reception is taking place and the Passchendaele Memorial Museum is in use as a marshalling area so will not be available to the public.
Tickets are not transferable: because of the security checks people will not be admitted using the ticket of another person.
Anticipate disruption in the area of Zonnebeke, the motorway junctions and on the main Poperinghe- Ieper dual carriageway and within the city of Ieper itself from where shuttle buses are running from the railway station and making return journeys.
Monday, 31st July 2017: Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony, 20:00. The ceremony on this evening is open to the public. In recent years, it has been necessary to be in place by 19:30 to be able to obtain a good view towards the front of the crowd. This particular ceremony will be exception as there are more than 40 wreaths to be laid. There is no seating.
Wreath Laying: Liverpool Scottish Regimental Museum Trust (on behalf of Liverpool Scottish Regimental Association)
As there are over 40 wreaths already booked to be laid, our entirely unofficial view is that there may be restrictions on how many may accompany a wreath and the procedure might not be the usual 'one-at-a-time' wreath-laying. It may be that those who turn up with a wreath 'on the night' without having booked might not be able to lay their wreath during the ceremony itself but would have to place it afterwards. Wreath layers need to make their presence known to the Last Post Association officials in the centre of the Menin Gate by 19:30 at the latest unless they are requesting earlier. See www.lastpost.be
It is worth noting that the stone lions that originally stood at the Menin Gate during WW1 (obviously before the memorial was built) and that were donated to the Australian National War Memorial in Canberra in the 1930s have been returned to Ieper/Ypres for display immediately east of the Menin Gate until November 2017.
Week 31st July - 4th August 2017: Battlefield Walk. A Museum Trustee is preparing a battlefield tour (some walking, some driving) across the Pilckem Ridge battlefield for a group of Liverpool Scottish colleagues and friends.
This will examine the rôle of the Liverpool Scottish in particular and the 166th Infantry Brigade and the 55th (West Lancashire) Division in general. It will also examine the role of the RAMC in the battle, particularly as relevant to the actions of Captain Noel Chavasse VC MC, including new evidence regarding the location of his final dressing station that leads us to belief that it was quite close to (within 400 yards) Setques Farm but not at that Farm location itself.
It will take place at some time in the week 1st August - 4th August 2017. We regret that we do not have the resources to run this for a large group for reasons of voice projection, traffic management and road safety. As a result of other commitments in the area, it is unlikely that we can run this a second time.
However, we hope that we should be able to produce an information pack with original trench maps and witness statements together with some modern maps and narrative. It might not have the polish that a fully researched and footnoted tour should have and it is impossible to produce material that covers fully all aspects of the involvement of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division. The account that we did for the Battle of Hooge (1915) took Major Mike Brimage a year to write and we do not have that time.
We would be prepared to make a limited number of copies (in weatherproof folders) of this material available (sourced from material in our own archive and from the diaries of the 55th Division, brigade and unit war diaries as well as published sources). As most maps need to be in colour, my estimate of cost is about £15. It should allow a self-guided tour but is probably not a substitute for a fully prepared professional guide talking on the spot. However, these would need to be requested (with payment to the Liverpool Scottish Museum Trust) by Saturday 23rd July, to be collected in Ieper/Ypres from Saturday 29th July. Copies will be available after the centenary events. Those interested should contact ilriley@liverpoolscottish.org.uk as soon as possible.
Elsewhere
None of Liverpool Scottish relevance notified to date
Centenary of Death of Captain Noel Chavasse VC and Bar MC
All times and dates are subject to change and represent the available information at the time of posting
Liverpool
EXHIBITION/DISPLAYS
Exhibition - Celebrating the Chavasse Family - Liverpool Anglican Cathedral - Tuesday 12th Sep – Sunday 8th Oct 2017; 09:00 – 18.00 in the Memorial Chapel
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral (Ticketed) - Friday 15th September and Saturday 16th September 2017
Brothers in Arms - Drama Performance
The story of Noel and Christopher Chavasse. These highly decorated soldiers served with great distinction in the trenches of World War One. Their lives tell an inspiring story of courage, service, sacrifice and faith lived out under fire. Held in the Well at Liverpool Cathedral. Tickets available from the Cathedral shop or website.
Tickets are sold as unallocated seating - £3.00
All proceeds from this event go to Liverpool Cathedral and The Armed Forces Benevolent Fund. There will be access to the exhibition before the drama. Doors will open at 18.10; performance at 19.30.
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral Monday 18th September in the Lady Chapel. 18.30 free admission.
An evening of Conversation in Conjunction with Liverpool University School of Continuing Education. Details of this seminar/discussion to follow from the Cathedral (not from the Liverpool Scottish Museum Trust) This University event is WW1 related but not Chavasse specific
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, Thursday 21st September 21st and Thursday 28th September 10.00 – 15.00 - 'The Chavasse Experience' - Ticketed, limited numbers
Tickets £5 available from the Cathedral Shop or website. Booking essential. Numbers limited. Join us for workshops looking at the life of Noel Chavasse. The Education team will lead workshops for adults. Activities will include a WW1 trail, a meeting with Noel Chavasse and the chance to take part in making a Book Art relating to the life of Noel Chavasse.
Display - The Liverpool Scottish in the Great War - Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas (St Nick's - Liverpool Parish Church), Pier Head. 5 Old Church Yard, Liverpool L2 8GW - from 10th August to 30th September
EVENTS
Friday, 4th August 2017. Assemble 12:30 for 13:00 - Liverpool service of commemoration of the centenary of the death of Captain Noel Chavasse VC and Bar MC, Medical Officer of the 1st Bn The Liverpool Scottish [1st/10th (Scottish) Battalion, The King's (Liverpool Regiment)]at or near to the Liverpool VC Memorial, Abercromby Square, University Precinct, Liverpool L69 7ZG organised by the Liverpool Scottish Regimental Association in conjunction with Mr Bill Sergeant QPM
Tuesday, 29th August 2017. Assemble 10:30 for 11:00. Unveiling of Paving Stone commemorating second Victoria Cross award of Captain Noel Chavasse - Abercromby Square, University of Liverpool Precinct, L69 7ZG. Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside and Lord Mayor of Liverpool. Liverpool Scottish Regimental Association Pipe Band and Liverpool Welsh Choral
Tuesday, 29th August 2017. Service commences 14:00 (to be seated 13:45 to allow for civic and military procession) - Service of Commemoration for Captain Noel Chavasse and the Liverpool Scottish - Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas, Pier Head (Liverpool Parish Church) 5 Old Church Yard, Liverpool L2 8GW. This service takes place on the exact centenary and in the same church as the 1917 memorial service for Noel Chavasse and those of the Liverpool Scottish who died in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge 31st July - 3rd August 1917
Tuesday, 29th August 2017. Commence 21:00 (Assemble 20:45) Last Light Vigil - Statue of Noel Chavasse (Liverpool VCs Memorial) Abercromby Square, University of Liverpool Precinct, L69 7ZG, Sponsored by 208 Field Hospital RAMC. It is understood that this is of the form of a Last Post ceremony The Liverpool Scottish Regimental Association Pipes and Drums will be represented.
Ieper/Ypres, Belgium:
4th August 2017 (afternoon 1445 for 15:00): Brandhoek Church - Centenary Event with speakers from Friends of In Flanders Fields Museum, Belgian Army Medical Service; RAMC and Liverpool Scottish Museum Trust. It is believed but not yet confirmed to us that this is open to the general public. There will be short presentations
- Welcome Jan Durnez: Burgmeester of Ieper
- Frans Lingnel (VIFF): The Hospitals in Vlamertigne During WW1
- Physician Major-General Geert Laire: Captain N.G. Chavasse
- Ian L Riley TD MA FSA Scot (Liverpool Scottish Museum Trust): Captain N.G. Chavasse and the Liverpool Scottish
- Pete Starling (late RAMC and the Museum of Military Medicine): Medical Officers of the RAMC
- Nick Chavasse: Noel Chavasse, A Family Viewpoint (working title)
- Her Excellency Ms Alison Rose, British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium
- Subsequent wreath-laying at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery at 16:30
The contact for this event is roos.wildemeersch@skynet.be
4th August 2017 (Approx 16:30 at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery following earlier presentations at Brandhoek Church): Wreath-laying at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery - Graveside Commemoration with Friends of In Flanders Fields Museum (VIFF), Belgian Army Medical Service; RAMC and Liverpool Scottish Museum Trust. It is believed but not yet confirmed to us that this is open to the general public (Brandhhoek New Military Cemetery GPS
Co-ordinates: Longitude:2.78781 Latitude: 50.85273)
4th August 2017: Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony 20:00 local time) - Wreaths to be laid by Liverpool Scottish Museum Trust and Representatives RHQ RAMC
Any others wishing to lay wreaths should contact the Last Post Association as soon as possible www.lastpost.be
In recent years, it has been necessary to be in place by 19:30 to be able to obtain a good view towards the front of the crowd. There is no seating.
Elsewhere
No information of relevance to the Liverpool Scottish known as yet
Centenary of the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge
Liverpool
No information of relevance to the Liverpool Scottish known as yet
Ieper/Ypres, Belgium
No information of relevance to the Liverpool Scottish known as yet
Elsewhere
No information of relevance to the Liverpool Scottish known as yet
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