The entrance gate is in fact a memorial for the Imperial Guard, the unit's tag inscribed in stone at the side of the gate. ![]() The path is lined with graves, the rows of identical headstones lined in precise and constant rows. The path from the entrance gate leads to the chapel. Seedlings have been planted around to guarantee its continuation. At the Mount Scopus cemetery an old arbutus tree stands out, the striking red wood in harmony with the site. The standard gravestones, the same for all ranks, are superbly maintained. The British military cemetery was the model for the State of Israel's military cemeteries. The ceremony commemorating the end of WW1 – Mount Scopus. The ceremony took place on Saturday, with the Ramleh ceremony the following day. A law banning building was passed in order to preserve the unique view. The cemetery overlooks the Old City and surrounding hills. ![]() 2,539 fallen soldiers are buried there, 24 of them Jewish. The Mount Scopus military cemetery was established in 1927. The lone bugle played "The Last Post", followed by the slow wailing of the bagpipes, bringing the ceremony to a close. Speeches were made by Consular and other dignitaries, and wreaths were laid at the cemetery's main wall. A bugler and a bagpipe player from the British army school of music. The consular and other official representatives were decked out in full regalia. Photo: Ron PeledĪt the entrance to the cemetery consulate representatives distributed poppy badges. ![]() Additional ceremonies are held by Australia (25 th April) and New Zealand (31 st October) in Ramleh, Jerusalem, and Be'er Sheva.Īs the British Consular staff in Israel is relatively small, the ceremonies take place on different days. However, Britain does not forget its fallen and each year on or around the date of the end of WW1 British defence department representatives organize ceremonies at all the military cemeteries. These graves for fallen soldiers who died far from home are rarely visited by family and friends. Five such cemeteries were built in Israel – Jerusalem, Haifa, Be'er Sheva, Ramleh & Dir El Balach ( Gaza ). The British built military cemeteries close to battlefields for fallen Allied soldiers, as well as for enemy soldiers. The combatant countries comprised "The Allies" on one side - the British Empire (including Australia, New Zealand, Canada & South Africa), France, the Russian Empire, Italy, The USA, Belgium, Serbia, Montenegro, Romania & Greece – who faced the "Axis Countries" of Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, The Turkish Ottoman Empire & Bulgaria. More than 18.5 million people died, half of them civilians. Justly named "The Great War", it claimed a horrific toll.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |