Tag Archives: Essex Farm

Remembering

Today is remembrance Day in Canada, Veterans day in the US. I thought it would be appropriate to share this post from 2014. When we visited the Commonwealth Military Cemetery at Essex Farm, near Ypres, Belgium, our guide pointed out the grave of V.J. Strudwick, who was killed in action January 14, 1916 at age […]

So Young!

With Remembrance Day on Saturday, I am reposting some of my thoughts from a visit to Europe in 2014. When we visited the Commonwealth Military Cemetery at Essex Farm, near Ypres, Belgium, our guide pointed out the grave of V.J. Strudwick, who was killed in action January 14, 1916 at age 15. The official age […]

The Famous Poem

“In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place,” – John McCrae In the days leading up to Remembrance Day, I am reposting some past thoughts on war that were stirred up by visits to European battlefields. The names of the battlefields are different, but nothing else seems to have […]

The Child Soldier

Continuing our lead-up to remembrance day, a post from November 2014. When we visited the Commonwealth Military Cemetery at Essex Farm, near Ypres, Belgium, our guide pointed out the grave of V.J. Strudwick, who was killed in action January 14, 1916 at age 15. The official age to enlist was 18, for overseas service 19. […]

He Was Only 15

With the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War coming up this Sunday, I thought I would revisit some older posts related to that conflict. This one was published on November 12, 2014. When we visited the Commonwealth Military Cemetery at Essex Farm, near Ypres, Belgium, our guide pointed out the grave […]

In Flanders Fields

I am away until the end of May. Until I get back I am re-posting some favourites so you don’t miss me too much. “In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place,” – John McCrae There are no longer crosses in Flanders fields. Those were temporary wooden […]

Too Young To Fight?

When we visited the Commonwealth Military Cemetery at Essex Farm, near Ypres, Belgium, our guide pointed out the grave of V.J. Strudwick, who was killed in action January 14, 1916 at age 15. The official age to enlist was 18, for overseas service 19. Recruiters though generally didn`t ask probing questions, and identification documents were […]

Standing In Flanders Fields

“In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place,” – John McCrae There are no longer crosses in Flanders fields. Those were temporary wooden markers, erected in haste during a lull in the shelling. The incessant, almost ceaseless shelling. The crosses are gone but the graves are still there, marked […]