New Menin Gate lions are now a permanent fixture on the plinths in front of the Menin Gate Memorial, as the Australian Government’s gift to the city of Ieper (Ypres), Belgium, was unveiled on Remembrance Day.
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, said Australia and the city of Ieper, which was accepting the gift on behalf of the Belgian people, have a special connection that was forged some 100 years ago, as demonstrated by the Menin Gate and its lions.
The evening culminated with a service and ceremony for two unknown Australian soldiers, who were buried alongside a British soldier at Tyne Cot War Cemetery the following day.
Leading the service playing the bagpipes was former Lakes Entrance Secondary College student and now RAAF band member, Robert Scott.
The new lions were a gift from the Australian Government, with the originals given to the Australian Government by the city of Ieper in 1936 as an expression of gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice made by more than 13,000 Australian soldiers in Belgium. The originals are now at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, following some restoration work, for all Australians and visitors to see.
“Our soldiers in their thousands once walked between these gates on route to the battlefields,” Mr Chester said.
“It is with great pride that the Australian Government has the opportunity to unveil these new lions today, a special gift and lasting reminder of our appreciation for the city in never forgetting Australia’s sacrifice.”
During World War I more than 13,000 Australians made the ultimate sacrifice in Belgium. The Menin Gate memorial now bears the names of more than 6000 of them who have no known grave.
Mr Chester and the Mayor of Ieper signed an official agreement as part of the ceremony to finalise the gift from Australia.
“As the ANZAC Centenary period draws to a close, commemorating 100 years since the First World War and its many battles, it is important that Australia never forgets the city of Ieper, just like they will never forget us,” Mr Chester said.
“As they do every single day of the year for the nightly Last Post service, the local community turned out in their hundreds for the special occasion.”
PICTURED: Former Lakes Entrance Secondary College student and now RAAF band member, Robert Scott, led a service and ceremony for two unknown Australian soldiers following an Australian Government presentation of new Menin Gate lions to the city of Ieper (Ypres), Belgium, on Remembrance Day.
