News / First World War
MOD cyclists commemorate 100th anniversary of Passchendaele
There’s an air of both celebration and commemoration at the entrance of the Ministry of Defence complex at Abbey Wood, as the team of cyclists from the base, who set out from Ypres last week, finally complete the long journey home to Bristol.
The trip marked the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the bloodiest and longest battles of the First World War. Approximately 300,000 British and allied soldiers were either killed or wounded during the battle.
The team of cyclists from Defence Equipment & Support stopped at six locations along the 600km journey from Ypres to Bristol, to lay a chain of wreaths in tribute to these fallen soldiers. They were also accompanied by mascot ‘Tommy’, a teddy bear made from a sandbag.
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From left to right: Anne Holden, Sqn Ldr Dom Magenty holding mascot ‘Tommy’ and Maj Dougie Douglas
Squadron Leader Dom Magenty embarked on a twelve-week training regime to prepare for the ride. “I hadn’t done anything like this before,” he says, “but it’s so important that future generations commemorate and remember the sacrifices made.
“We wanted to learn more about what happened at Ypres so that we could educate others, and there were many surprising details we didn’t know before. I hope we’ve helped to raise awareness.”
A motorcycle escort included riders from the Blue Knights, a club consisting of active and retired law enforcement personnel
The homecoming was one of the highlights of the tour for the group of cyclists, as they were escorted to the MOD Abbey Wood gate by motorcycles ridden by members of the Royal British Legion and the Blue Knights.
Their arrival was followed a short ceremony with a reading of Dreamers by Siegfried Sassoon, and a minute of silence in honour of the 7563 soldiers who gave their lives between 7th and 27th September 1917.
The service ended with the sounding of the Last Post, and both Sqn Ldr Magenty and three-year-old Maisie-Rose laid wreaths below the MOD Abbey Wood sign, to indicate passing the baton of remembrance to the young.
Three-year-old Maisie-Rose laid the second wreath below a poppy as the Last Post was played
For the cyclists, the bicycle trip has been an act both of remembrance and accomplishment – they have honoured a duty owed to those who died at the Battle of Passchendaele 100 years ago, and to all those who were killed or wounded in the First World War.
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