On Tuesday, 8th April, twenty-two choristers from Cathedral Isle of Man began a memorable and emotional journey to the Ypres Salient in Belgium. Over the course of three days, the group travelled by plane, boat, and coach, collecting their guide, John Lee, along the way, and arriving in time for their evening meal.
Day 2: A Pilgrimage of Remembrance
The second day began with an early breakfast before heading to Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in the world, where the group learned about Private Robert Arthur Vick, a local soldier from Tynwald Road, Peel. Born in 1887, Private Vick joined the King’s Liverpool Regiment in 1915 or 1916 and served on the Somme front, at Arras, and finally at Ypres. He was killed in action on 26th September 1917, along with 41 other men and 2 officers. As he has no known grave, he is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial.
In an incredibly poignant moment, the choir sang Ellan Vannin beside Private Vick’s name. Dr Litman reflected that the moment was “very moving,” with some adult choristers unable to sing due to the emotional impact. The cemetery contains the names of 22,000 fallen soldiers, many of them Manx.
The group then visited Vancouver Corner and the German Langemark Cemetery, followed by a sobering walk through the preserved British trenches at Hooge Crater, offering a vivid glimpse into the harrowing conditions of trench warfare.
After lunch, the group explored Sanctuary Wood and Essex Farm, where they visited the grave of a 15-year-old soldier who had lied about his age to enlist at just 14 — a deeply personal and moving connection for the young choristers, some of whom are not much older.
Later in the day, the choir visited Ypres, where they were warmly welcomed by a local chocolate shop and purchased gifts for friends and family. That evening, following dinner and a rehearsal, the choristers robed up for the 8pm Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.
In front of an audience of around 600 people, the choir performed Christopher Tye’s O come ye servants of the Lord and the hymn The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended. The ceremony included dignitaries and representatives from the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, and the Isle of Man. A special moment came as Alan Jones from the Peel branch of the Royal British Legion presented the branch standard, and Dean Nigel Godfrey read the Kohima Epitaph. As the sun set and the buglers played the Last Post, the silence was described as “spine-tingling.”
A Journey That Will Last a Lifetime
Upon returning to their hotel, the choristers engaged in deep conversations about the ethics, justification, and futility of war — and how the experience had affected their personal faith and worldviews. Dr Litman reported that the choir felt “privileged to represent our small nation at such a significant and moving event,” and believes that the impact of this journey will stay with them throughout their lives.
Thanks are extended to The Brien Trust, The Admiral Feteris Foundation, The Elizabeth Clucas Trust, and all who supported the journey through online crowdfunding or personal donations.
