Royal British Legion members pay their respects to the fallen in Belgium

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Members of the Blackwood and Ebbw Vale branches of the Royal British Legion have paid their respects to those who lost their lives during the First World War.

A delegation, including Blackwood Town Mayor George Edwards, visited Ypres, in Belgium, last month to take part in The Last Post Ceremony.

Taking place every evening at the Menin Gate Memorial, which bears the names of over 54,000 Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient but have no known grave, The Last Post Ceremony commemorates the soldiers who lost their lives during World War I and serves as a solemn tribute to their sacrifice.

Members and wives of the Blackwood and District branch and the Ebbw Vale branch of The Royal British Legion took part in the ceremony on Saturday April 29. Both branch Standards were on parade, with members laying wreaths at the service.

The following day, the delegation went on a battlefield tour with local historian Roger Steward and also visited the Welsh National Memorial Park, which is dedicated to honouring the Welsh soldiers who fought and died during World War I.

Members from both branches would like to thank The Last Post Association, which organises the daily ceremony, Cllr George Edwards for his support as well as historian Mr Steward and Ebbw Vale branch member Darren Liversage who organised the trip.

Blackwood Town Council Mayor Cllr Edwards said it was a great honour to attend with branch members.

He said: “I was very proud to be part of the ceremony and I would like to thank the members of the RBL who attended. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to be part of something so special. I look forward to supporting the RBL locally in their future endeavours.”

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