Menin Gate

The Menin Gate, known locally as the Menenpoort, stands as a solemn and majestic tribute to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives in the Ypres Salient during World War I and whose final resting places remain unknown. This iconic war memorial, situated at the eastern exit of Ypres in Belgium, marks the starting point of the road that once led countless soldiers to the front lines. As you approach this monumental structure, you are immediately struck by its grandeur and the weight of history it carries.

The Historical Significance of Menin Gate

The Menin Gate's origins date back to medieval times when the original gateway on the eastern wall of Ypres was known as the Hangoartpoort. Over the centuries, the city of Ypres, under the occupation of the Habsburgs and the French, saw significant fortification efforts, particularly by the renowned French military engineer Sebastien Le Prestre, Seigneur de Vauban. By the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the gateway had become known as the Menenpoort, or Menin Gate in English, as it led to the nearby town of Menen.

Ypres occupied a crucial strategic position during the war, standing in the path of Germany's planned sweep across Belgium as outlined in the Schlieffen Plan. The town became the focal point of five major battles, with the Allies fiercely defending it against German advances. The Menin Gate, through which many soldiers marched to the front lines, witnessed the comings and goings of untold numbers of troops, many of whom would never return. Approximately 300,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers were killed in the Ypres Salient, and 90,000 of them have no known graves.

The Design and Construction of Menin Gate

The Menin Gate Memorial was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and constructed by the Imperial War Graves Commission, now known as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The memorial was unveiled on 24 July 1927, and its design reflects both solemnity and grandeur. The triumphal arch, crowned by a patient lion representing both Britain and Flanders, serves as a fitting tribute to the fallen.

The large Hall of Memory within the Menin Gate contains the names of 54,395 Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient and whose bodies were never identified or found. The sheer number of names etched into the stone panels is a poignant reminder of the immense human cost of the war. Due to space limitations, an arbitrary cut-off date of 15 August 1917 was chosen, and the names of 34,984 UK soldiers who went missing after this date are inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing instead. The Menin Gate does not list the names of the missing New Zealand and Newfoundland soldiers, who are honored on separate memorials.

Inscriptions and Commemorations

The inscriptions on the Menin Gate, proposed by Rudyard Kipling, add a layer of poetic solemnity to the memorial. Inside the archway, the inscription reads: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, a centuries-old Latin phrase meaning To the greater glory of God. The main inscription on both the east- and west-facing façades of the arch states: Here are recorded names of officers and men who fell in Ypres Salient, but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honored burial given to their comrades in death. Another poignant dedication on the opposite side of the archway reads: They shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

The Menin Gate also features circular panels with Latin inscriptions, Pro Patria and Pro Rege, meaning For Country and For King, respectively. A French inscription acknowledges the citizens of Ypres, expressing gratitude for their role in defending the city alongside the British Army.

The Last Post Ceremony

One of the most moving traditions associated with the Menin Gate is the daily Last Post ceremony. Since 2 July 1928, except during the German occupation in World War II, buglers from the Last Post Association have sounded the Last Post at 20:00 every evening. This ceremony serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the soldiers and the gratitude of the citizens of Ypres. Even during the occupation, the ceremony continued at Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, England, and was resumed at the Menin Gate on 6 September 1944, the evening Ypres was liberated by Polish forces.

During the extended version of the ceremony, individuals and groups have the opportunity to lay wreaths in memory of the fallen. Bands, choirs, and military units from around the world also participate, adding to the ceremony's solemnity and significance.

Notable Commemoratees

Among the thousands of names etched into the Menin Gate are those of eight recipients of the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration awarded for valor. These include Lance Corporal Frederick Fisher, Brigadier-General Charles FitzClarence, and Company Sergeant Major Frederick William Hall, among others. Additionally, the memorial honors individuals such as Lieutenant George Archer-Shee, the inspiration for Terence Rattigan's play The Winslow Boy, and Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Mobbs, an England rugby international.

Continuing Legacy

Even today, the Menin Gate remains a powerful symbol of remembrance. The remains of missing soldiers are occasionally discovered during construction or road-mending activities in the Ypres region. When such remains are found, they receive a proper burial in one of the war cemeteries in the area, and if identified, the corresponding name is removed from the Menin Gate.

The Menin Gate stands not only as a memorial to the past but also as a reminder of the enduring legacy of those who gave their lives in the pursuit of peace and freedom. It is a place of reflection, remembrance, and respect, inviting visitors from around the world to honor the memory of the fallen and to contemplate the profound impact of war on humanity.