In Continuing & Grateful Memory — The Menin Gate

The Menin Gate is probably the best known and much loved Memorial to the

Missing not only on the Western Front but anywhere in the world. The

three-volumed book (nearly 1,100 A4 pages) provides an incredible and

original insight to the Memorial itself and of many who are commemorated

on its panels. Major Tonie and Valmai Holt provide a well-written and

apposite introduction to the books.

The books give the story of the Memorial itself — the development,

building, and opening of the Memorial — a short history of the battles

fought on the Salient to the individual cameos of some 1,500 of those

all too often anonymous names. The detailed research that has been

undertaken over a period of more than two years is particularly

impressive revealing a wealth of personal stories. So many of those

recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission do not even have

their family information: I have provided family information, the

school(s) and/or university attended, their employment and career with

the majority including a photograph. Where appropriate I have

cross-referenced other casualties mentioned in the text who died during

the war.

Each book is wonderfully profusely illustrated with contemporary

photographs, drawings, diagrams and maps. The text is easy to follow

that is more often than not illuminated by fascinating quotations from

fellow soldiers and officers, family or friends. After reading each

cameo you are left feeling you now know the man and have shared his

experiences.

The reader is, for the most part, able to follow the officer or soldier

throughout his Great War experiences until his death. After reading the

three volumes it is impossible to visit the Menin Gate, indeed the

Western Front or beyond, without taking them with you to put faces and

stories to the names.

Included are the Victoria Cross winners; those Shot At Dawn; a wide

selection of artists; county and national level sportsmen; Olympians;

the known 15 and 16 year olds, and a hundred brothers or fathers and

sons commemorated together.It must be the most comprehensive collection

ever assembled in one publication.

A list of the names of the men who are included in the cameos in the

book can be found on the Home Page.