Extraordinary to think this ceremony has taken place every evening at 8 pm since 1927 to honour those who gave their lives in WW1 (except for the WW2) years. It is sobering to think of the 54,000 men who marched into battle from that spot and didn't come back. At the moment the Menin Gate is clad in scaffolding undergoing restoration ahead of the centenary in 2027 so we were unable to see my husband's grandfather's name on panel 9, but we have seen it before and will return. The Last Post Association's website gives details of those laying wreaths each day. On Sunday there were seven schools involved and I have to say I wasn't incredibly impressed with the behaviour of some of the teenagers who were there to witness the buglers play the Last Post and Reveille followed by the Exhortation. We went again on Monday, getting there by 19.15 which meant we found a space on the barrier which was better.

Well worth arriving early for this ceremony that has gone on uninterrupted ( apart from WW2) since 1927. This is well run and respectful to the people who gave their lives for us all those years ago. I found the whole experience very moving.

I’ve seen this before and even though the Menin Gate was under repair, it hadn’t lost any of the solemnity and power. It’s important to thank those who play and those who organise it. Those watching were respectful as were those who brought poppy wreaths. It was lovely to see young people as well as an army squad. We will remember them.