Hill 62, Ieper

4 more images

Jaq's story as told to us by our guide.
Jaq,still a boy, returned with his parents to this Hill in 1918 to farm. As they dug and ploughed the land ammunition, shell cases, small arms, helmets, badges, parts of a uniform, bodies and body parts, grave marker stones - and the trenches - were uncovered. In fact all the gruesome paraphenalia of an abandoned battle field.
The appropriate authorities were informed of any human remains which were transferred for identification and proper burial.
Jaq however became a collector, installing the finds in every space he could use in and around the farmhouse. His collection became famous; other people donated their finds to the "museum". Important people came to view it and articles were written about it.
At the outbreak of WW2 Jaq went off to the army , his parents promised to look after the Museum and actually buried most of the contents for safekeeping.
After his discharge Jaq continued the collection which occupies several rooms. In parts there is some sense of order, in others none - a curator's challenge if ever there was!
The chaotic disorder here is at odds with the meticulous care shown in official museums. We did not buy anthing at the cafe except a cold drink that came in a can!
Now an elderly man we expected to meet Jaq who keeps this place going in the midst of the trenches that you can walk through. An eerie, sombre experience.
Sadly Jaq had been taken to hospital a few days before and was said to be very poorly.
I cannot imagine what will happen here in future.

3 more images

We walked to the top of the ridge on Hill 62 to the Canadian memorial.
It consists of terraced platforms reaching ever higher towards the Top.
Engraved the stonework on the ground there are direction points that show how surrounded the men who fought, and died here were.
There was an additional poignancy in the simplicity of the memoria,l which seems to be part of the now tranquil landscape, and the thought of all those young men who crossed an ocean to go to war in a foreign land.

Leave Ypres via its east gate (Menin Gate). At the traffic lights turn right onto the Ieper-Menen road (Menin Road). In approximately 3 kilomtres take a right turn signposted to Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62) museum.

The Hill 62 Museum is a few kilometres SE of Ieper on the infamous Menin Road. It is signposted to the right.

The Museum is alongside the CWGC Sanctuary Wood Cemetery. For 6 Euros, you are admitted to a small museum containing the detritus of war, including a changing exhibit as more items are dug up on the battlefields and displayed. A recent find includes a rusted and almost complete Lewis machine gun and ammunition.

The main features of the museum are the preserved British frontline trenches that have survived and are looked after by the museums owners. The remains of shattered trees held together with wire remind that the wood is all new since WW1!

Canadian monument to remind Canadian victims that fell in the defense of Ypres in 1916.