Over eleven thousand names etched in stone surround us here at the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing. This memorial commemorates the missing soldiers of World War I. Welcome to a place of remembrance. It stands as a testament to the lives lost and sacrifices made during the First World War.
The Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorial in Belgium. It honors those Allied soldiers who fought on the northern Western Front. These soldiers fought outside the Ypres Salient. Their graves are unknown.
After fierce fighting, Ploegsteert Wood became a relatively quiet sector. Allied units recuperated and retrained here. Berks Cemetery Extension was founded in June 1916. It served as an extension to Hyde Park Corner Cemetery. King Albert I of Belgium assigned the cemetery grounds to the United Kingdom. This act recognized the sacrifices made by the British Empire. They defended and liberated Belgium during the war.
The Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing is one of several CWGC memorials along the Western Front. Menin Gate and Tyne Cot Memorial commemorate those lost within the Ypres Salient. Separate memorials honor the missing of New Zealand and Newfoundland. H Chalton Bradshaw designed the Ploegsteert Memorial. He also designed the Cambrai Memorial in France. Gilbert Ledward sculpted two large lions for the memorial. The Ploegsteert Memorial stands 38 ft 6 in tall. It was unveiled on 7 June 1931 by King Leopold III of Belgium.
The Ploegsteert Memorial lists over 11000 missing Commonwealth soldiers. These soldiers fought in battles around Ploegsteert. These battles include Armentieres, Aubers Ridge and Loos. Also Fromelles, Estaires and Hazebrouck are listed. Scherpenberg and Outtersteene Ridge are included as well.
Three Victoria Cross recipients with no known grave are also commemorated. These heroes are Sapper William Hackett VC, Private James MacKenzie VC and Captain Thomas Pryce VC.
Since 7 June 1999, the Comite du Memorial de Ploegsteert arranges for the Last Post. It is played at the memorial on the first Friday of each month. British soldiers called Ploegsteert Wood “Plugstreet Wood”. The Ploegsteert Memorial may also be known as “Plugstreet Memorial”.
The Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing stands in Berks Cemetery Extension. It lies approximately 12.5 kms south of Ypres. It stands on the west side of the N365 road. This road connects Mesen and Armentieres.
As we stand here at the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing let us remember. Let us remember the courage, sacrifice, and loss. May their memory never fade.