24 April 2026
Recovery of the Fallen: Then & Now
Join assistant-archaeologist Pierre Legrand as he guides you back into the haunting landscape left in the wake of the First World War: a world of mud, shell torn fields, and villages reduced to rubble.
From this devastation emerged a vast and unprecedented humanitarian effort — the recovery, identification, and dignified burial of fallen soldiers. You will learn about the pivotal role of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and its enduring commitment to care for the fallen in perpetuity.
Who were the men and women who assumed this immense responsibility? How did they locate and recover bodies in a landscape so utterly destroyed? And what did identification look like more than a hundred years ago, long before the advent of modern forensic techniques?
Through storytelling, historic imagery, and real cases drawn from the field, this evening reveals the extraordinary work behind the silent rows of headstones we know today.
In addition, the lecture examines how the recovery and identification of human remains is carried out today, in contrast with the early 20th-century methods of paper documentation and personal effects, with the modern use of forensic archaeology, anthropology, geospatial analysis, and DNA technologies.
This comparison offers a powerful insight into how far we have come, and how the mission of honouring the dead remains unchanged.
Programme:
- 16:00 - Welcome with a drink
- 16:15 - Part 1: A captivating introduction to the systematic clearance of the battlefields, highlighting the pioneering vision of Fabian Ware, the founding of the Imperial War Graves Commission, and how the Commonwealth War Graves Commission continues this legacy today
- 17:00 - Tea Time: Enjoy a delicious cake buffet by Deb’s Tea Garden — included in the ticket price.
- 17:45 - Part 2: Three remarkable case studies unravelled: rare, behind-the-scenes insights into the often unseen efforts to recover the fallen
Location: Menin Gate Cafe, Menenstraat 46, 8900 Ieper
Ticket price: 35€ including drinks & cake. Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions at visitorcentre@cwgc.org.