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The Menin gate

The Menin Gate was designed by a man called Sir Reginald Blomfield, its' construction began in June 1921. A grant of £150,000 which was given by the British Cabinet, contributed to the start of this monument. In a Roman tradition, Blomfield was inspired and designed a great triumphal arch.

Where the Menin Gate was to be built, there was sand running through this location, so huge concrete slabs had to be pushed into the ground. The Menin Gate is made of French limestone, weighs 20,000, standing 135ft in length and 140ft wide and 80ft high. This monument has dominated Ypres, alongside the rebuilt Cloth Hall.
It was just about completed in time for its' official opening by the Field Marshal Plumer. 54,900 names of soldiers whose resting place is unknown are commemorated on this monument.

At 8pm each evening, the traffic, which goes through the Menin Gate, is diverted and the 'Last Post' is played, often to a large audience. The Last Post has been played every night in this way, since the 1920s, with the exception of the period of nazi occupation. The ceremony was performed on the very night that the German forces were expelled in 1944.

This description of the Menin Gate and it's purpose was written by Aisha Ismail, a Year 9 student at Laisterdyke High School, Bradford.