Lord Mayor to attend civic reception marking the First World War centenary

The Lord Mayor of Leeds will be attending a special event tomorrow to mark 100 years since tens of thousands of men were killed at Passchendaele, the third Battle of Ypres in 1917. The event takes place in Ypres, Belgium (Friday 8 September) and will commemorate the First World War centenary.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Jane Dowson, will have a tour around the Passchendaele museum and attend a civic reception with the Mayor of Zonnebeke.

A wreath will be placed at the 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. This regiment has been associated with Leeds throughout its history. The Lord Mayor of Leeds will be thanking the Mayor of Zonnebeke and the citizens of Ypres for maintaining the Leeds’ memorial.

Made of Portland limestone, the edifice was funded by the council in 2007 and placed next to Tyne Cot, one of Europe's largest war cemeteries, where it is seen by 200,000 people every year.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds will also lay at the Menin Gate, which is devoted to all the British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the First World War.

More than 4,000 people from across the UK have followed their ancestors’ journey to the Western Front this summer for special ceremonies marking 100 years since the Battle of Passchendaele.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Jane Dowson said:

“I am very much looking forward to visiting the Passchendaele museum and learning more about our shared history with Belgium. Commemorating the centenary is important in showing the incredible debt of gratitude to the brave men and women inour Armed forces. I am especially looking forward to paying my respects on behalf of the city of Leeds to those who have fought in Passchendaele to protect our common values.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Tanya Goode

Leeds City Council communications,

Tanya.Goode@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 4309

Mob: 07712 217262