Blog by Bob Stewart
PECAM – YPRES 15-17 September 2023
SATURDAY
Sadly, Steph was feeling under the weather, and she stayed in Ypres with Martin.
Following an excellent Albion breakfast, we set off for the first location of the day, the Sanctuary Wood Museum at Hill 62. No navigation issues however, having failed to research fully, we arrived at 0930 to find that the museum didn’t open until 1000. A quick recovery, I suggested that the group visit the CWGC Cemetery which was 200 yards down the road, whilst I guarded the bikes!
We then went to the Yorkshire Trench & Dugout. Although there were no navigation issues, I must confess to slight concern as we got nearer. This trench and dugout system was discovered as the result of the development of an industrial site. So, we arrived at this small patch of green in the middle of a concrete jungle. It was fascinating to see actual sections of trench and the entrance and exit of the dugout. It was not possible to go underground due to the flooding, but the locations of the various rooms were marked out on the ground surface.
From the Yorkshire Trench & Dugout we rode the 9 miles to Poperinge where the plan was to have lunch and then visit Talbot House, where I had booked a visit for 1.30pm. for more detail see www.talbothouse.be
We parked the bikes outside St. Bertinus Church, Grote Markt and the group split up to have lunch.
In short, Talbot house had been hit by a shell in 1915, was rented by the British Army, and Chaplain Philip “Tubby” Clayton set up a soldier’s club as an alternative to the existing ‘night life’. It became a refuge where soldiers of all ranks could spend some time in relative peace and tranquility, away from the war.
After the visit our group was treated to tea and coffee out in the sunshine in the garden. There was also the opportunity to visit the condemned cell and firing post located in the old town hall, just off the main square.
We then rode the 3.5 miles to Brandhoek New Military Cemetery Nos 3 during which there was another navigational mishap. As the name suggests, there are 3 CWGC cemeteries of this name, all within sight / short walking distance of one another, and I took us to the wrong one! We were in search of the grave of Captain Noel Chavasse, VC & Bar, MC, who was a British medical doctor, Olympic athlete, and British Army officer who is one of three people ever to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice, having already won a Military Cross.
I have included Mike Mooney’s photograph of the headstone, from which you can tell, Captain Chavasse is a highly venerated officer.
And so, at the end of another sweltering hot day, back to the hotel for a very welcome shower and some more liquid replacement therapy.
I managed a visit to my favourite shop in Ypres to purchase an addition to my Fuze collection before meeting the others for pre-dinner drinks.
I had booked a table for 14 at The Depot, the restaurant that we used on our visit to Ypres last year. We had another excellent meal before attending the Last Post Ceremony once again. Alas no Meibion Goronwy choir but a very smart detachment of former soldiers from the REME (Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers).
As with the previous night, the group did a bomb burst, some to take more liquid refreshment and others to their beds.
SUNDAY
We were all up, breakfasted, packed, bikes loaded and on the road by 0930, to ride the 33 miles to visit the Operation Dynamo 1940 Museum in Dunkerque. Some of you will remember that we tried to visit this museum last year but were thwarted by a lack of time. Hence the decision to visit this year.
Well, we were thwarted again this year, not by lack of time but rather roads being closed due to some sort of marathon or fun run, the route of which was closed to traffic and which my satnav insisted we go on! I found a suitable place to stop to hold a conference and the consensus was to abandon the museum visit (again!) and go for an earlier train.
Having all checked in and parked up to have a short refreshment break, a traffic Marshall approached, asked how many were in the group, and told us to board straight away if we wanted to. Does a one-legged duck swim in circles? Sadly, though we lost Mike & Petra and Paul F at this point, and they came back on the next train.
The Dartford Crossing approach was as chaotic as one might expect on Sunday afternoon, and we were obliged to filter for a couple of miles to go through the tunnel.
We had a comfort break at Stanstead Services on the M11 and having bid farewell to the group, had a wet ride home.
Yet another enjoyable trip in good company, and who knows, PECAM may yet get to the Operation Dynamo 1940 Museum in Dunkerque albeit in 2024!