On the occasion of the centenary of the 1917 Battle of Messines, the Friends of the Tank Memorial Ypres Salient commemorated the fallen tank crew members who contributed in that battle as well as in later battles. In total 244 'tankies' lost their lives in the Ypres salient during the Great War, and one during the 2nd World War, so 244 fallen men were again commemorated. This started with a centenary remembrance ceremony at the TMYS memorial at Poelkapelle and subsequently by attending the Last Post at Menin Gate Ypres. The TMYS standard was present thanks to standard bearer Wayne Evans as well the RBL standard and standards of the Royal Entente Ypres were present and others. At this Last Post ceremony, the president of the TMYS Lt General (Retd) David Leakey CMG CBE recited the Ode of remembrance and the vice president Lt (Retd) Ian Robertson recited the Kohima Epitaph. Lt. Ian Roberson is a relative of Capt. Robertson, killed in 1917, who was the 1st tank crew member to be awarded the VC. Capt. Robertson will be commemorated (again) later this year. Lt General (Retd) David Leakey, Lt (Retd) Ian Robertson and chairman Chris Lock laid wreaths honouring the fallen tank crew members. FEAR NAUGHT, LEST WE FORGET.
Bij de gelenheid van de eeuwherdenking van de Mijnenslag bij Mesen, herdachten de Friends of the Tank Memorial Ypres Salient de gesneuvelde tankbemanningen die ook in deze slag werden ingezet en bij volgende veldslagen. In totaal sneuvelden 243 'tankies' in de Ieperse salient in de Grote Oorlog en één sneuvelde hier in de 2e wereldoorlog, zo werden vandaag opnieuw deze 244 mannen herdacht. Het begon met een herdenking aan het monument voor de tankbemanningsleden te Poelkapelle en werd gevolgd met het bijwonen van de Last Post in Ieper. De standaard van de TMYS was aanwezig dankzij Wayne Evans, ook de Royal british legion standaard naast enkele vlaggen van de Koninklijke Entente Ieper en anderen. Op deze ceremonie sprak TMYS president Lt General (Retd) David Leakey CMG CBE de Herdenkingsode uit en vice president Lt (Retd) Ian Robertson sprak de Kohima epitaaf uit. Lt. Ian Robertson is een familielid van Capt. Robertson (+1917) die de eerste 'tankie' was die een Victoria Cross werd toegekend. Hij wordt later dit jaar (opnieuw) herdacht. Lt General (Retd) David Leakey, Lt (Retd) Ian Robertson en voorzitter Chris Lock legden daarna kransen neer ter ere van de gesneuvelde tankbemanningen. FEAR NAUGHT, LEST WE FORGET.
TMYS standard presented by standard beaere Wayne Evans
TMYS president Lt General (Retd) David Leakey CMG CBE
TMYS Chairman Chris Lock
Lt (Retd) Ian Robertson and Rene Declercq, chairman of the Royal Entente Ypres, also TMYS member.
Lt General (Retd) David Leakey CMG CBE recited the Ode of remembrance.
Salute by the standards during the sounding of the Last Post
Lt General (Retd) David Leakey, Lt (Retd) Ian Robertson and chairman Chris Lock laid wreaths honouring the fallen tank crew members.
TMYS vice president Lt (Retd) Ian Robertson recited the Kohima Epitaph.
Page made by Frank Mahieu.