27

While the students from Smiths Falls were in Europe they took part in the Menin Gate ceremony which takes place at 8:00pm every night since 1928.

28

Students and veteran at Menin Gate ceremony
18 October 2004
Menin Gate Memorial, Ieper Belgium

29

Working with the students in Europe was Second World War veteran Jack Ranger who placed the commemorative wreath on behalf of those soldiers from Smiths Falls who were killed.

30

Students laying a commemorative wreath at Menin Gate
18 October 2004
Menin Gate Memorial, Ieper Belgium

31

All of the high school students participated in the laying of the commemorative wreath.

32

Alfred Field
22 September 1914
Smiths Falls, Ontario

33

Alfred Field dies on April 24, 1915 at the Second Battle of Ypres during the first gas attack in history. A soldier witnessed Field rolling into the grass near Mouse Trap Farm but claimed that Field was not harmed. After a lengthy search by a private investigator hired by the family to find Field. Alfred Field's body was never recovered and he is commemorated on one of the walls at Menin Gate. Alfred Field's brother George also dies in the First World War.

34

Basic First World War equipment
22 April 1915
Smiths Falls, Ontario

35

The Second Battle of Ypres (Ieper) from April 22-24, 1915 killed five soldiers from Smiths Falls. Thousands of lives were lost during this battle many from gas poisoning since a gas mask was not standard equipment for infantry soldiers. Soon afterwards, gas masks became standard issue equipment for soldiers.

36

Alfred Field's name on Menin Gate Memorial
24 April 1915
Ieper, Belgium

37

Alfred Field's name on Menin Gate wall in Ieper, Belgium. His body was never found and this is how he is remembered for sacrificing his life during the First World War.

38

Arthur Sheppard
5 March 1915
Smiths Falls, Ontario

39

Arthur Sheppard was killed at Passchendaele on October 30, 1917. His body was never found.

40

Arthur Sheppard's name
18 October 2004
Menin Gate Memorial, Ieper Belgium