The Lord Mayor of Leeds attended a special event on 8 September 2017 to mark 100 years since tens of thousands of men were killed at Passchendaele, the third Battle of Ypres in 1917 and the thousands of King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry killed during the First World War. The event took place in Ypres, Belgium to commemorate the First World War centenary. Given the KOYLI focus of the visit the Lord Mayors party was joined by Craig Rosser from the Buglers Association and Colin Cranswick represented the Regimental Association.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Jane Dowson, toured the Passchendaele museum and attend a civic reception with the Mayor of Zonnebeke before moving to Tyne Cot cemetery, where Leeds City Council have a memorial plaque in honour of the thousands of King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry killed during the First World War.

During an act of Remembrance at Tyne cot, at which Colin carried the Pontefract Branch KOYLI Standard and Craig sounded Last Post and Reveille, wreaths were laid in honour of the thousands of King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry killed during the First World War.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Jane Dowson said:

“Commemorating the centenary is important in showing the incredible debt of gratitude to the brave men and women in our Armed forces. I am especially pleased to be paying my respects on behalf of the city of Leeds to those who have fought in Passchendaele to protect our common values, and how proud the City of Leeds are that the regiment has been associated with Leeds throughout its history".

A member of staff from Leeds City Council accompanying the Lord Mayor of Leeds on the visit was Chris Simpson who has a connection to the Regimental Association and Pontefract Branch. His uncle who was a Pontefract Branch member Gordon Adams who sadly passed away in May 2017. Gordon was the first Pontefract Branch Standard Bearer to carry the Pontefract KOYLI Standard that Colin took over to Ypres for the visit.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds party, Craig and representatives from: Leeds based RLC Sqn; and HMS Audacious who are affiliated to the City of Leeds, laid wreaths at the Menin Gate, which is devoted to all the British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the First World War. Colin joined the other Standard Bearers on parade at Menin Gate for the nightly Last Post Ceremony. Also joining them on parade was Pete Bate dressed in No1 dress with the Barnsley Branch KOYLI Standard. Pete was there with the KOYLI Battlefield Tours.